Current State of South African Gambling
South Africans are just waiting in anticipation of the new amendments to the
National Gambling Amendment Bill which will allow online casinos to become
licensed to legally operate in the South African gambling market. Land gambling
is currently very popular in South Africa and is actually the only legal form of
gambling in the country. That doesn’t mean that online casinos gambling isn’t
happening though – it’s just happening under the radar and in an unregulated
environment which is dangerous for the internet gamblers.
Unregulated online casinos gambling markets can often lead to an increase in
fraudulent activity and fly-by-night gambling companies that will suddenly close
down and take player account monies with them. South Africa has previously taken
a firm stance against allowing online casino gambling into the country, but
recent studies into the activity have indicated that the country would be better
served by a regulated internet gambling industry than the currently ineffective
ban.
The South African government has been very patient and cautious on proceeding
with new legislation which will license and regulate the online casinos gambling
industry in the country. At this point, there is little doubting that Parliament
plans to pass an amendment to the National Gambling Amendment Bill, but it comes
down to when Parliament will work out all of the kinks enough to pass the new
legislation.
Until that time though, South African online casinos gamblers will continue to
gamble millions of dollars on the internet through companies operating illegally
in neighboring markets. There is no telling when Parliament will work out the
latest advertising issues that have the amendment stalled from passage, but it
will happen eventually. |