Advertising Concerns Further Delay
The opening of the South African online casinos gambling industry has been much
anticipated by internet gambling companies all over the world…but now it looks
like those companies are facing even more delays before they can even begin to
seek licensing in South Africa. Just last month it seemed as though the new
legislation that will amend the current National Gambling Amendment Bill was
proceeding as planned and that all of the hitches and issues had been ironed
out, but at this point the question of allowing online casinos gambling
advertising in the country has put a firm halt on the proceedings.
The Members of Parliament, National Assembly, and National Council of Provinces
all oppose online casinos gambling advertising at this point. The Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) though has brought up valid concerns that South Africa
would run into problems with the internet gambling companies questioning the
constitutionality of a ban on internet gambling advertising while allowing land
gambling advertising.
Seeing the validity of the DTI’s argument, the Members of Parliament have chosen
to stall the passage of the planned amendments that would have immediately
allowed the licensing of online casinos gambling companies within the region.
The MP’s plan to fully take into consideration the extent of the advertising
issue before proceeding with the new internet gambling legislation.
The investigation into the South African online casinos gambling industry along
with an international analysis to determine the long-term social effects has
taken years to culminate in the new legislation, and most agree that considering
it has taken this long, what’s the hurry? It is better that Parliament takes the
time now to iron out those issues rather than at a later date. |