There may be a move to ease restrictions on online gambling in South Africa scheduled to go before parliament, but for the moment online gambling is strictly banned in the country.
South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry made that clear with a statement denying that the government is considering legalizing online gambling and confirming its general ban on such wagering. Online gambling in South Africa is highly restricted, with casino, poker and bingo wagers illegal.
A statement from the department warned betting companies that if they offer online options, they will be sanctioned, Prensa Latina News Agency reports said. The statement came after reports that suggested that President Jacob Zuma may be softening on allowing online wagering.
The statement said the National Board on Betting and other agencies will be vigilant and will act according to the law if it detects violations. “There are a number of social ills associated with online gambling, the national government does not intend to pass this business on the web and put citizens at risk,” the statement said.
Still, a Remote Gambling Bill is being presented to Parliament by Geordin Hill-Lewis, shadow minister of trade and industry for the Democratic Alliance. Hill-Lewis has tried to get a bill through before, but says he is more hopeful his latest bill will succeed.
”This time, we are proposing to split the licensing responsibility between the provinces and the National Gambling Board,” he said, which would keep overall responsibility at a national level, but allow each province within South Africa to decide whether or not to issue remote gambling licenses.
Meanwhile, the Casino Association of South Africa recently announced a campaign aimed at educating South Africans of the dangers of gambling illegally online under the country’s restrictions.
