Senior Corporate Lawyer South Africa (BettingOperations / iGaming)

Black Pen Recruitment; Durban; Remote; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a seasoned legal professional to ensure compliance for South African wagering entities. This remote role requires an admitted attorney with over 8 years of experience in corporate law, specifically within the betting or fintech sectors. Responsibilities include maintaining compliance records, managing licensing applications, and overseeing dispute resolutions. Fluency in English and proficiency in Afrikaans or another local language are preferred.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in corporate/commercial law within a regulated sector.
• Expertise in the National Gambling Act and related regulations.
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills in contracts.

Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance records and corporate filings.
• Lead licensing applications and approvals.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts.
• Guide financial approvals and tax compliance.
• Conduct legal due diligence for M&A activities.
• Oversee vendor and regulatory disputes.
• Conduct governance training for leadership.

Skills

Corporate/Commercial Law Expertise

Knowledge of National Gambling Act

Fluent English

Afrikaans or local language proficiency

Education

Admitted Attorney

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 organisations 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 optimisation or future‑focused growth, our client delivers the clarity and capability needed to navigate change and lead with confidence.

Role Overview

Keep our client’s South‑African wagering entities fully licence‑compliant, financially efficient, and ready for growth across the continent.

Job Type

Full‑time / Permanent

Location

South Africa

Workplace

Remote

Requirements

• Admitted attorney, 8+ years’ corporate / commercial track record in betting, fintech, or other regulated sector.
• Expert knowledge of National Gambling Act, provincial regulations, and SARB exchange‑control rules.
• Fluent English; Afrikaans or another local language strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Governance & filings – Maintain flawless CIPC records, B‑BEE certificates, UBO registers, and provincial‑board corporate returns.
• Licence management – Lead new applications, renewals, share‑change approvals, and key‑person vetting with Gauteng, Western‑Cape, and other boards; brief the MLRO on any conditions attached.
• Commercial contracts – Draft / drive negotiations for affiliate, data‑feed, sponsorship, and white‑label agreements; embed gambling‑act requirements and CPA provisions.
• Exchange‑control & tax – Guide finance on SARB approvals for dividends, loans, and IP royalties; flag thin‑cap risks and withholding‑tax triggers.
• M&A / expansion – Run legal due diligence for new African targets; manage data rooms, closing opinions, and post‑merger integrations.
• Dispute oversight – Own vendor, player, and regulator disputes; instruct and manage litigation counsel under capped‑fee or AFA terms.
• Policy & training – Roll out signing‑authority limits and director‑induction packs; run annual governance training for local leadership.