South Africa Plans for Online Gambling

A new law passed in South Africa could pave the way to regulated online gambling in that country.

The government last month passed into law its National Gambling Act, 2004, repealing the National Gambling Act of 1996. The new law doesn't explicitly allow the operation of online gambling facilities, but it contains a schedule of transitional provisions that requires the Gaming Board and Minister to consider and eventually introduce legislation to regulate interactive gambling.

For now, the act's only passage addressing online gambling states: "A person must not engage in or make available an interactive game except as authorized in terms of this Act or any other national law."

Included at the end of the act is a schedule mandating future provisions essential to the legislation. Among them is the development of interactive gambling policy.

The act declares: "The board must establish a committee to consider and report on national policy to regulate interactive gambling within the Republic, and may include with its report any draft national law that the committee may consider advisable."

Also, within two years of the ratification of the National Gambling Act, 2004, "The Minister, after considering the report of the committee and any recommendations of the board of the Council, must introduce legislation in Parliament to regulate interactive gambling within the Republic."

At least two major Internet casinos--Piggs Peak Casino (www.piggspeak.com) and Silver Sands Casino (www.silversandscasino.com)--already deal in rands, the currency of South Africa.

Other provisions of the act define the county's policy on traditional gaming machines, casinos, gambling adverting, venue and employee licensing and explain the role of the Gambling Board and its committees.

Click here to view a copy of National Gambling Act as introduced.