Gambling in South Africa Will Rise to an Estimated R30 Billion in 2019

In South Africa, the national regulator of the gambling industry is the National Gambling Board. In the National Gambling Act, section 16 of 2004, online gambling is illegal.

Many Are Against Legalising Online Gambling

The gain form the revenue made avail by online gambling is massive; what it could mean to the country in terms of income is unknown when it comes to figures. The legalised gambling amount will rise in 2019 to over R30 million or in pounds this amount is equal to around £18.1 billion. It slightly differs with conversion, all depending on the strength of the rand versus the pound.

What Would Online Legalisation Mean to South Africans?

What is quite easy to see is that the country could gain massively by legalising online gambling. It is a country where millions live in poverty and gambling funds could pay for medical, schooling, housing, and so many other things needed by underprivileged citizens.

How Big is the Illegal Gambling in South Africa?

The problem of illegal gambling in the country includes not only the thousands that play at online casinos daily. There are also loads of unlicensed land-based parlours that offer gambling opportunities. The government is not focussed on closing down such establishments; it decided to make it the players problem. Well, problem or task, see it as it may, if you play at an unlicensed parlour, you won’t get your winnings. Or so the Government threat.

Do Citizens Get Punished?

It is all good and well to warn the South African citizens of what could happen when they gamble illegally. The question is, do the government enforces the law. In 2017 in Cape Town, several individuals were caught in gaming at online casinos. These were ordered by the court to pay a massive fine worth R1 million; it is an estimated £55,000. The individuals achieved winnings worth R1.25 million or £70,000 at online sportsbooks and online casinos.

The minister of industry and trade in South Africa is Rob Davies, and he again warned the public that playing online will result in fines and even jail time. Unlawful winnings will be forfeited to the state, that is the law.

What Would Legalised Online Gambling Mean to South African Players

Should the Government in South Africa legalise online gambling, it would mean that South Africans would be allowed to join online casinos. It would allow them to gamble from the safety of their home or mobile devices. The online casino games offer a much higher return to player percentages, and the variety is almost endless. Online casinos offer slots, table games, sportsbetting and live casino gaming. The bonuses are much higher than that offered by land-based casinos, and it all benefits the player. While the government would have access to more funds, which could bring an end to poverty and reduce the crime rate.