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The Apartheid Museum is a museum complex in Johannesburg, South Africa dedicated to illustrating apartheid and the 20th century history of South Africa. It is located on the grounds of Gold Reef City, and opened in 2001.

In 1995, the South African government created a process to grant casino licenses, and established an agency called the Gambling Board. As a part of any bid to build a casino in South Africa, developers are required to demonstrate how their casino would attract tourism and stimulate job growth.

A consortium, called Akani eGoli, put in a bid to build a casino in Gold Reef City whose plans detailed the construction of a museum. Their bid was successful, and space was created for a museum next to Gold Reef City Casino. The construction costs of the Apartheid Museum were around 80 million Rand, which was paid for by Akani eGoli.

The museum was registered as a Section 21 company, which means that it was incorporated not for profit, with an independent board of trustees. The company is separate from Akani eGoli, which has leased the museum to the Section 21 company for the duration of its casino licence. The museum therefore relies on donations, contributions, and sponsorships to sustain its growth.

The museum was designed by an architectural consortium, which was made out of several leading firms. The building was designed to reflect the South African experience and to be centred around a garden designed to replicate the indigenous Veld.

The exhibits were organised and created by a team of curators, filmmakers, historians, and designers to include film footage, photographs, text panels, and artefacts. A series of 22 separate exhibition areas lead the visitor sequentally through the prelude to and history of apartheid, including the situation in South Africa post-apartheid.