NLC Board Members & Programme Speakers
Meet the leaders shaping South Africa's lottery and gaming landscape
NLC Board Profiles
1.1 Prof. Nyameko Barney Pityana, GCOB FKC MASSAf
Chairperson of the Board & Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 1 September 2022
Prof. Pityana is an admitted attorney, theologian, and renowned human rights academic. He previously served as Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and founding Chairperson of Uthingo, South Africa's first licensed lottery operator. A former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa, he has received multiple honorary degrees and was awarded the Grand Counsellor of the Baobab (GCOB) in 2006.
1.2 Ms Precious Mvulane
Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 24 March 2022
Ms Mvulane is a Chartered Accountant (SA|CA) and Registered Auditor (IRBA) with over 18 years of experience in finance across the private and public sectors. She has served on governance structures for more than 10 years, currently sitting on 10 boards and chairing five audit committees, including IRBA and IBASA. She has trained over 1,500 entrepreneurs and 200 non-profit leaders, with clients including Absa, Standard Bank, SAB Kickstart, Accenture, and Clicks Group.
1.3 Mr Lionel October
Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 29 April 2023
Mr October is the former Director-General of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (2011–2021), one of the longest-serving DGs in South Africa. He received the Best Performing Director-General Award in 2015, with the dtic earning multiple Best Performing Department Awards under his leadership. His earlier career includes serving as General Secretary of SACTWU and as a senior commissioner at the CCMA. He holds an MSc in Economics (Development) from the University of London, a Law Degree, and a BA Honours in Development Studies from the University of the Western Cape.
International Speakers - Regulatory Roundtable
Ms. Beata Guzik
International Gaming Expert
Topic: Protecting the Societal Role of Lotteries Through a Modern Responsible Gaming Policy
Discussion Points:
- Global trends shaping responsible gaming and their relevance to emerging markets
- The balance between commercial sustainability and player protection
- Best-practice regulatory frameworks that promote integrity and public trust
- The role of data analytics and technology in strengthening responsible gaming
- Preventing gambling-related harm and supporting vulnerable groups
- Integrating responsible gaming principles across operators, regulators, and civil society
- Lessons from the EU and other jurisdictions applicable to South Africa
- Building a culture of transparency, ethical conduct, and accountability in lotteries
Mr. Philippe Vlaemminck
Gaming Law & Enforcement Specialist
Topic: The Fight Against Illegal Gaming
Discussion Points:
- Global overview of illegal gaming markets and their impact on regulated lotteries
- The economic consequences: revenue loss, crime networks, and consumer exploitation
- Weaknesses in regulatory systems that allow illegal gaming to flourish
- Legal strategies and enforcement models used internationally to curb illegal gaming
- Cross-border cooperation and information sharing among regulators
- Digital and online threats — emerging risks posed by unregulated online operators
- Strengthening compliance, monitoring, and investigative capacity
- Recommendations for South Africa's regulatory environment and coordinated enforcement
🇿🇦 Relevance to South Africa
- Supports the NLC's vision of a modern, ethical, and transparent lottery sector
- Provides global insights into strengthening compliance and enforcement capacity
- Enhances national efforts to curb illegal gaming and protect vulnerable consumers
- Informs policy development toward future-fit responsible gaming regulation
- Reinforces South Africa's alignment with international best practice and governance standards