South African Gambling Board issues warning about illegality of online gambling

[The Buzz]

Earlier this week, the National Gambling Board of South Africa released a statement regarding the recent debates over the status of online gambling in the country, saying it wanted to "make it emphatically clear" that "online or interactive gambling is illegal in South Africa" with the exception of online sports betting.

From the statement:

The National Gambling Amendment Act, 2008 (Act no. 10 (“the Amendment Act”), which was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the Presidency on 10 July 2008, has never come into operation. In terms of section 44 of the Amendment Act, the Act “comes into operation on a date fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette”, and this has never taken place. Legislation comes into operation on the day of its publication in the Government Gazette.

As the Amendment Act prescribes that it will only come into effect on a future date to be fixed by the President, by proclamation in the Gazette, and the President has never done so, the Amendment Act thus cannot be relied upon or referenced as being the law regarding the regulation of interactive gaming or online gambling. The National Gambling Act of 2004 remains the supreme national regulatory prescript for regulating the gambling industry in the Republic of South Africa, and in terms thereof, interactive gambling, as envisaged in the Amendment Act of 2008, remains prohibited.

Operators offering or wishing to offer such gambling products and services to the South African public must be aware that they are committing an offence, and will be subject to criminal prosecution if detected. Punters are equally cautioned to avoid participating in any activity that is illegal, as such participation is also a criminal offence. A conviction for committing an offence in terms of the NGA can attract a fine of up to R10 million, or imprisonment of up to ten (10) years. Winnings derived from such activity will also be confiscated, and forfeited to the State.

Read more here: https://ngb.org.za/SiteResources/doc...h%20Africa.pdf

[baldidiot]

Earlier this week, the National Gambling Board of South Africa released a statement regarding the recent debates over the status of online gambling in the country, saying it wanted to "make it emphatically clear" that "online or interactive gambling is legal in South Africa" with the exception of online sports betting.

Other way round, isn't it? They were saying it isn't legal, although they've done it in a weirdly roundabout way:

To eliminate any uncertainty in this regard, the NGB wishes to make it emphatically clear that the answer to whether online or interactive gambling is legal in South Africa, is a simple and unequivocal NO with the exception of online sports betting.

[Mattbar]

Yeah that's how I read it, online gambling is illegal with the exception of sports betting.

Ironic that they state they want "to make it emphatically clear " and then make a convoluted statement that is the opposite of emphatically clear.

[The Buzz]

Thank you, gents. Edit has been made. Here's the statement in full from the Board:

To eliminate any uncertainty in this regard, the NGB wishes to make it emphatically clear that the answer to whether online or interactive gambling is legal in South Africa, is a simple and unequivocal NO with the exception of online sports betting.

[baldidiot]

Yeah that's how I read it, online gambling is illegal with the exception of sports betting.

Ironic that they state they want "to make it emphatically clear " and then make a convoluted statement that is the opposite of emphatically clear.

To make it emphatically clear, we want to be as confusing as possible.

It's a bit like the legislative equivalent of a 'not' joke - online gambling is legal... not!

[DaftDog]

I wouldn't worry too much about online gambling enforcement as the remnants of the Jacob Zuma ANC presidency have crippled the country with their mismanagement and corruption. The current South African president (also an ANC member) has bigger fish to fry as in trying to sort his corrupt organization out, but no one is holding their breath.

So I don't foresee any change or new enforcement of current policies any time soon.

[Pokerface]

Strange to still see some South African casinos still promoting as "Number 1 Casino in South Africa". Daftdog is correct, they have bigger fish to fry.