Prospects for Legalized Online Poker in South Africa Replaced with Online Gambling Ban Proposals Prospects for Legalized Online Poker in South Africa Replaced with Online Gambling Ban Proposals
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Key Takeaways
  • The lead government department dealing with proposals to reform South African gambling laws to allow online gambling has reversed its position and proposed a total ban.
  • The National Gambling Policy Council is currently reviewing the plans put forward by DTI Deputy Director-General Zodwa Ntuli and Chief Director MacDonald Netshitenzhe.
  • Ntuli explained that South Africa suffered from a higher level of problem gambling and personal debt than other countries and that this was the justification for the measure.
  • Her comments on problem gambling are at odds with the results of a 2013 Globescan Survey, which ranked South Africa in the top spot for the effectiveness of its National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP). The country had the lowest recorded level of problem gambling amongst all countries surveyed, even though the NRGP budget was one of the lowest, at around $2m.

The lead government department dealing with proposals to reform South African gambling laws to allow online gambling has reversed its position and proposed a total ban.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has put forward proposals to ban all online gambling—the National Gambling Policy Council is currently reviewing the plans put forward by DTI Deputy Director-General Zodwa Ntuli and Chief Director MacDonald Netshitenzhe.

Following the review, a final text will be submitted to the South African Cabinet then put out for public comment.