South Africa Approves Online Gambling Bill - 30-07-08

July 30 - The South African government have prolonged the agony of operators wishing to offer online casino services by delaying the implementation of the National Gambling Amendment Bill, "until a date chosen by the President". After years and months of waiting the Bill was finally signed, only for the announcement that it will not yet be implemented. 

The signing at least in theory make South Africa the latest nation to legalize online gambling. How the bill will be impended remains a mystery, which will frustrate many operators who are looking for a licensing  regime within which they can legally market their casinos and other gambling sites.

The Government made no specific statement as to why implementation is being delayed. This should come as no surprise. After all, South Africa's leaders are well known to hold the belief that HIV does not cause Aids, and that the Zimbabwean crisis can be solved through quiet diplomacy.

The new legislation followed a report by the South Africa's National Gambling Board and is an amendment to the 2004 National Gambling Act to legalize online gambling along with establishing a licensing and regulatory system. The Bill will apparently prescribe a system by which gaming websites will be monitored, specifically to prevent money laundering along and curb problem gambling issues.

One positive of the bill is that it will require players to provide affidavit that they are over 18.

According to South Africa's National Gambling Board, revenues from all forms of non-Internet gambling in the nation increased to $1.8 billion last year, up from $811 million in 2001/2002. It is hoped that the new online gambling bill will add significant funds to the tax coffers.