Online Casino In South Africa May Postpone

Despite that there is still no definite law legalizing online casino gambling in South Africa, under the current National Gambling Act, the forthcoming passing of the National Gambling Amendment Bill is likely to bring with it a dramatic turn around in the current situation. The bill has already been approved by the National Assembly, and only the approval of the National Council of Provinces is pending its go ahead. Part of the bill will include safer conditions for online casino players in South Africa who currently face up to R 10 million in fines or up to 10 years imprisonment.

South Africa is in still in a state of uncertainty when it come to online gambling legislation and it looks like it will remain that way until a commission has concluded its findings and presented them to Parliament. South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry's chief director of policy and legislation, Nomfundo Maseti, explains, “online gambling is not allowed in S.A .at the moment”. There are an estimated half a million online gamblers in the country and the department does not have any information on how much money is being won or lost illegally in S.A. Maseti, also said, that there are no regulations in place to regulate the industry and that South Africans gambling online are doing so illegally and could forfeit their winnings. “It's a risk that they take... you've engaged in an illegal activity.”

According to testimony this week at the National Gambling Review Commission, black market online casino sites are thriving due to the slow movement by government to follow through on the Interactive Gambling Act. The law would license up to top 10 online casino operators for the country, and establish regulations and taxation for them. But implementation cannot begin until Rob Davies, the Minister of Trade and Industry, gives his approval to adjoining regulations.

Online casino has the potential to be a revenue generator for the government. Should the government decide to regulate and licence online casino, the National Gambling Board has considered issuing only 10 licences. Gambling operators would be required to prove they have a physical presence in South Africa and their financial transactions would have to be located within the country's borders.

According to South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry's chief director of policy and legislation, Nomfundo Maseti explained there have been a number applications for licences in South Africa and with delay after delay the concerned companies are getting frustrated. Maseti said, “They can't wait forever.” The government is dithering and in the mean time with an absence of clear responsible rules laid out punters are basically just doing whatever they want.