South Africa Publishes Online Casino Bill

Operators who want to buy casino games might like to know that South Africa decided to take a step forward towards the legalization of online casinos by publishing a bill in the Government Gazette on April 23. The South African Draft Remote Gambling Bill of 2014 would probably not be passed in the near future, but there are high chances that operators who buy casino games could open online gambling businesses in this country starting next year. 

The Remote Gambling Bill is supported by Democratic Alliance party shadow minister for trade and industry Geordin Hill-Lewis, and will be open for public comment until May 23. After this period, the bill will be presented to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry for debate. If the Committee decides to approve the bill, it will be put before the Parliament for a vote.

Entrepreneurs looking to start online gambling sites should know that this process could last for around nine months, according to Hill-Lewis’ declarations. Furthermore, operators who buy casino games will have the possibility to use them for online casinos, since this bill will allow a wide variety of gambling activities in South Africa. At this point in time, sports betting activities are the sole legal forms of internet gambling in the country.

If the bill will be passed into law, the 10 Provincial Licensing Authorities of South Africa would offer as many licenses as they consider, without any limits, for operators who meet all the requirements. Thus, any entrepreneur who buys casino games and wants to open a gambling business would have a fair chance at starting an online casino in South Africa.

The draft bill includes aspects regarding gaming practices, excessive gambling, legal age of players, anti-money-laundering clauses and other criminal issues.