Online Gambling Illegal In South Africa
Here is all the info on the issue is online gambling legal in South Africa?
Introduction
Casino online gaming is a great way to get some entertainment going on, coupled with fantastic gaming, and a marvellous way to unwind from the comfort of one’s own home.
When it comes to casino online game players that reside in South Africa, there is the ever-constant question of legitimacy and legal issues that tend to follow any casino online gambling site and the player that takes part in the services and products on offer to South African players.
Illegal online gambling, which is growing rapidly as smartphone penetration increases, cost South Africa R587 million in lost GDP. The total impact of illegal land-based and illegal online gambling resulted in R1.9 billion in lost GDP, and a loss of 3 785 jobs.
Perhaps the best bet would be to take a closer look at the rules of engagement, the legal ramifications and repercussions of any avid casino online game title player found playing online casino games within the South African jurisdictions, as well as the history of South Africa and gambling on the whole, so as to ascertain what the attitude towards these casino online game players and casino online gambling sites tend to be, when in South Africa.
- Well, online gambling in South Africa is currently in a grey area and though there is a lot of legislation governing it, there are a few loopholes that make it open to interpretation. If you’re concerned about playing online, understanding the history of the laws passed about online gambling as well as the current state of affairs may go a.
- Although online gambling is illegal in South Africa, there are online casinos which have been licensed to cater for the African market. However, there are some countries in Africa which has.
- The illegality of online gambling in South Africa has been reinforced by the South African National Gambling Board. In a statement to help clarify the subject, the board noted that the status of online gambling remained a source of debate.
It is also something to be considered as to when one should expect South African individuals, that happen to be ardent casino online players, to bend a rule (read as law) here and there, in lieu of seeking out their preferred mode of entertainment. Is there even an incident where this type of blatant disregarding of legal ordinances is rather seen as a misdemeanour, in other words, is there a pseudo loophole for these avid casino online players residing in South Africa to aim towards? Keep reading to see what the inside scoop with regards to online gambling legal issues in South Africa happens to be.
Is it legal to gamble online in South Africa?
As with all instances in this life, one needs to take a page out of the history books, in order to be able to see where a situation has once been, so as to understand where it stands presently, and in today’s society.
With regards to the casino online gambling industry in South Africa, it is important to hearken back to the days of yesteryear and see the journey that Gambling in South Africa has taken over the years.
From as far back as 1965, South Africa has had a rather vocal and dominant stance against gambling within the country. The 1965 Gambling Act was introduced, clearly making the distinction within South Africa, stating that all forms of gambling were irrevocably determined as illegal, and subsequently banned as a result.
This public denunciation of the activity of gambling was, however, not taken lightly by the general South African populus, in that many a South African citizen would knowingly break this predetermined gambling act and decree, and opt to play their hand at any given gambling activity, this way breaking the rules (and law), and opt to rather take part in illegal gambling via the many thousands of illegal casino that were situated throughout the country of South Africa.
In fact, between the 1970’s and the 1990’s, South African casino game players had the opportunity to take up their preferred mode of entertainment via gambling activity, in one of the over 2000 illegal casinos that just so happened to be spread out throughout South Africa.
It was in 1994, with the introduction and induction of the new government that a revised gambling act was introduced to South Africa, resulting in the implementation of the National Gambling Act of 1996. This new gambling act legalised land-based casinos and initiated a reform where all forms of gambling within South Africa was now on the path to being regulated by the National Gaming Board.
It was in 2004 that the National Gambling Act was revised, this time making special mention of the fact that online casino gambling was indeed illegal. Further to this was the National Gambling Act Amendment of 2008, where the further emphasis was placed on the illegal nature of casino online operators located within the jurisdiction of South Africa.
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What the above quintessentially boils down to is the following:
Playing at an online casino gambling site that operates from within South Africa is illegal. The products and services of any given casino online gambling site, that happens to be residing within the South African borders is in fact deemed illegal and banned.
However, there seems to be a loophole in terms of the rights and legal issues involving the individual South African casino online player. There has been zero incidents or records pertaining to the prosecution of any given casino online player from South Africa, and truth be told, there are very many casino online game players that are South Africans, that remain active and ardent casino online game players, even today.
The general consensus is as such: any offshore casino online gambling site may decide to offer South African players the right to enjoy their casino online slot games and promotional bonus offers, and ultimately join up to be part of the said casino online gambling sites’ player community – it is solely the prerogative of the offshore casino online gambling site in question as to whether they will open their doors to the South African player or not.
The reason why South Africa has clamped down on casino online gambling is in large due to the banking systems within South Africa, and their unwillingness to associate with gambling entities as a whole. The risks are felt to be too great, therefore offshore casino online sites are eligible for gameplay, as these sites are more than happy to take up potential risks that would be associated with bank systems affiliated with gambling enterprises.
Similarly, should a casino online gambling site decide to take up residency in SOuth Africa, although it is an illegal enterprise to undertake, the South African player that signs up to this particular type of casino online brand will not feel the heavy hand of the law come down on them, instead, ti si the casino online gambling site itself which will take the full brunt of the law and the consequences, therefore, plainly put, it is the casino online gambling site that will take all the risks of operating in South Africa.
Conclusion
In one word: it is illegal to have and operate an online casino gambling site within the jurisdiction of South Africa, however, should there be an offshore casino online gambling site that is willing to allow South African casino online game players to sign up and join their particular player community, this is something that is not illegal, and in fact a loophole that many casino online gaming sites have decided to take up, as well as many casino online game players that reside in South Africa.
As is most common with countries that frown upon and even ban casino online gambling, just like South Africa, the entire premise rests on the fact that these countries do not want to associate with nefarious gambling entities. This type of thinking is quite archaic, and especially with the invention of eWallets, cryptocurrencies, and the likes, it will not surprise us when South Africa, and countries just like it, will soon take another look at their stance when it comes to casino online gambling, and move to making it a legal and regulated industry instead.
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Since before South Africa became a republic, gambling in most forms was banned. While the laws have changed significantly, it is certainly not a free for all, however, gambling in and of itself is no longer illegal. Gambling in land-based establishments in South Africa is legal and regulated. For many years, South Africans traveled outside of the legal borders of South African in order to go to a casino. With the changes in the gambling law, this is no longer necessary. Online gambling in South Africa is still illegal at this time.
SA'S GAMBLING ACT OF 1965
The South African Gambling Act of 1965 ruled gambling as illegal. Gambling, such as horseracing, was legal. The reason for this is because horseracing is considered a sport. In the 1970s, there were a number of illegal casinos created, with the number rising until there were about 2,000 illegal casinos in the mid 90s. Along with the change from a conservative government to a democratic one, the gambling laws were updated in 1994. At that time, gambling was legalised. In 1996, South Africa introduced a national lottery and regulated and licensed casinos.
CHANGES TO THE GAMBLING ACT IN 2004
In 2004, the 1996 Act was repealed, and the National Gambling Act of 2004 came into effect. While land-based gambling was still allowed, online gambling was no longer considered legal. Again, sportsbetting, even if it was done online, was still considered legal. While online gambling is illegal, the emphasis and main responsibility seems to lie with the gambling operators and the financial institutions. To date, no individuals have been prosecuted for playing at online casinos.
GAMBLING LAW TODAY
Online Gambling Illegal In South Africa 2019
In 2008, there was an attempt to legalise and regulate the online gambling market in South Africa, however, since there was strong opposition, the Act has not yet been accepted as law. In 2010, the North Gauteng High Court issued a ruling that gambling transactions though both local and offshore operators is illegal. While both players and operators are fully aware of this law, there are still many casino choices open to South African players.
Online Gambling Illegal In South Africa 2020
Those who choose to play at online casinos should make sure that the casinos are safe and secure, and have a good reputation. Although the online casinos will not be licensed in South Africa, it is important to choose a casino that is fully licensed in a recognised gaming jurisdiction.
Many of the online casinos that still offer their sites to South African players will offer players the chance of playing in South African Rands (ZAR), and thereby avoiding exchange rate fees. Many casinos also offer a special Welcome Bonus or free money offer to those who are located in South Africa. In addition to this, players should keep an eye open for an online casino with top notch Customer Support team. Customer Support is available 24 hours a day, with many support teams offering a South African toll free telephone number.