Significant changes in the gambling rules and regulations are approaching the Republic of South Africa. According to the proposal, made by the Department of Trade and Industry, any form of gambling, including online gambling and dog racing, should be prohibited and those who violate the law will be penalized.
The authorities of the National Gambling Policy Council are currently reviewing the proposal while carefully considering the advantages and disadvantages the implementing of the policy could eventually bring about.
Apart from the prohibition of the online gambling activities, the Department also suggested the number of the available bingo machines to be limited as well. The experts are still figuring out the details about the proposal but once it is completed, the Cabinet will take over and decide if it is worthy of implementing.
Zodwa Ntuli and MacDonald Netshitenzhe commented on the reason that made them put forward these changes. They said that their intention was making the residents pay closer attention and eventually take part in traditional gambling activities. According to the experts, the government has the power to impose changes that could be beneficial to the well being of the South African residents and the authorities decided not to miss that opportunity.
Netshitenzhe shared his standpoint with the Parliament members and said that the online gambling operators pretend to provide the residents with job opportunities but this argument is not too convincing given the fact that the exact number of the ensured work places can not be precisely defined.
The Democratic Alliance was totally against the prohibition of the online gambling activities and suggested refined regulations instead.
The spokesman of the Democratic Alliance told the media that he considers the proposal to be impractical because if accepted, it would deprive the residents of the online gambling activities, which are gaining more and more popularity. If the goal of the authorities is ensuring a safe gambling environment in South Africa, they should definitely think of another approach.
Zodwa Ntuli answered that the authorities realize the high demand for online gambling activities in South Africa but unfortunately the country is among those that have to solve urgent problems, concerning the gambling affairs and pay the debts they owe.
The authorities also proposed a limited access to gambling activities in “unusual” places like shopping centers. The regulation of the horse racing betting activities was also discussed.
Ntuli mentioned the difference between the national and the provincial government. While the provinces are allowed to provide operators with licences and count on the gambling revenue as a source of a stable income, the responsibility of the national government is to formulate laws that are in favor of the South Africa- based players.
She also added that the changes, concerning the National Credit Act, were publicly announced almost an year ago so the industry can not complain from a lack of time to get used to the fact that the amenities will take effect anytime soon.
