Senior Corporate Lawyer (iGaming)

Black Pen Recruitment; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an Admitted Attorney to oversee governance and compliance for their South African wagering entities. This full-time role requires 8+ years of corporate experience and expertise in gambling laws. Responsibilities include managing licensing applications, drafting contracts, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. The position offers a hybrid workplace and a relocation package for international candidates.

Benefits

Relocation package including accommodation and flight tickets

Qualifications

• 8+ years of corporate/commercial experience in betting, fintech, or other regulated sectors.
• Fluency in Afrikaans or another local language is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate CIPC records and corporate returns.
• Lead applications and renewals with relevant boards.
• Draft and negotiate affiliate and sponsorship agreements.
• Guide finance on SARB approvals and identify tax risks.
• Conduct legal due diligence for new African targets.
• Manage disputes with vendors, players, and regulators.
• Implement governance training for local leadership.

Skills

Expert knowledge of the National Gambling Act

Fluent in English

Knowledge of provincial regulations

Education

Admitted attorney (South Africa qualified)

Job description

Our client believes in the power of Virtual Advancement, leveraging digital innovation and strategic foresight to help businesses excel in a rapidly evolving world. With a focus on agility and adaptability, they work alongside organizations to simplify complexity, enhance operations, and implement strategies that foster long-term success.

Their team partners with startups, SMEs, and large enterprises across various industries, enabling clients to harness technology, data, and strategic insight to gain sustainable competitive advantage. From expanding into new markets to building resilient financial roadmaps, our client serves as a trusted advisor committed to creating meaningful impact. Whether the goal is operational optimization or future-focused growth, our client delivers the clarity and capability needed to navigate change and lead with confidence.

Role Overview

Ensure our client’s South African wagering entities are fully licensed, financially efficient, and prepared for growth across the continent.

Job Type: Full-time/Permanent

Location: South Africa, Dubai, Malta, or Thailand

Workplace: Hybrid

Relocation Package: For Dubai, Malta, or Thailand: Full accommodation, flight tickets, and other expenses. Relocation package will be sponsored.

Requirements

• Admitted attorney (South Africa qualified), with 8+ years of corporate/commercial experience in betting, fintech, or other regulated sectors.
• Expert knowledge of the National Gambling Act, provincial regulations, and SARB exchange-control rules.
• Fluent in English; Afrikaans or another local language is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Governance & filings: Maintain accurate CIPC records, B-BBEE certificates, UBO registers, and provincial-board corporate returns.
• Licence management: Lead applications, renewals, share-change approvals, and key-person vetting with relevant boards; brief the MLRO on any conditions.
• Commercial contracts: Draft and negotiate affiliate, data-feed, sponsorship, and white-label agreements, ensuring compliance with gambling laws and CPA provisions.
• Exchange-control & tax: Guide finance on SARB approvals for dividends, loans, and IP royalties; identify risks related to thin capitalization and withholding taxes.
• M&A / expansion: Conduct legal due diligence for new African targets; manage data rooms, closing opinions, and post-merger integrations.
• Dispute oversight: Manage vendor, player, and regulator disputes; oversee litigation counsel under capped-fee or AFA terms.
• Policy & training: Implement signing-authority limits, director induction packs, and conduct annual governance training for local leadership.