Online Casinos Gain Ground In South Africa
Last week, a bill to regulate online casinos and online
gambling in South Africa gained some traction and may be heading toward
approval. It is very realistic that South Africans may soon enjoy the luxury of
visiting online casinos.
The current National Gambling Act of 2004 forbids any form
of gambling. South African citizens are not allowed to play or bet at online
casinos, even at web sites operated in foreign countries. No licenses have been
issued for operators to operate in the country.
As a matter of fact, if South Africans are caught gambling
they face huge fines and prison time. And as with all forms of prohibition,
gambling has now gone underground and gamblers have no protection from
underhanded online casinos. Themba Marasha, chief operations officers of the
National Gambling Board, believes that licensing will lead to independent and
state protection agencies.
It is unclear how many people in South Africa are currently gambling despite its
legal standing. They bet at online casinos operated outside of the country,
like: SilverSands, Piggs Peak, and African Palace Casinos.
Currently, a company is challenging the legal state of gambling in court. This
very suit may be enough motivation to create regulation laws for gambling and
online casinos.
A Bill has been passed on to the Select Committee of
National Provinces and may be passed next to the National Assembly for final
approval. Online casinos and gambling sites will be allowed to operate legal in
the country. Not only will they be allowed to operate, they will also be able
to legally advertise.
Online casinos simply have to meet certain standards set
forth by the nation’s law makers.