| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Africa Officials Deliberate Internet Gambling
- Saturday, 14 Jan 2006
Special committee to investigate internet gambling might legalize it in South Africa. Internet gambling in South Africa is currently illegal but there have been many motions in the past months to push for its legalization. South African gambling associations are cautiously and optimistically awaiting the decision of a special investigative committee set up by the National Gambling Board which will decide whether internet gambling in South Africa should be legalized or not. Similar types of committees have been set up in the past to try and push for the legalization of internet gambling, but have not been previously successful.
This committee, however, has stronger political backing, so it is hoped that they can finally get the laws amended. Internet gambling is currently illegal in South Africa, and the police have even carried out raids in provinces such as the Eastern Cape to try and curb the practice of internet gambling. The Eastern Cape’s authorities are more vigilant about enforcing the ban on internet gambling than other provinces and have made several arrests and closures over the past years.
There is hope, however. There is a strong chance that online gambling will become legal if Trade & Industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa agrees to accept the recommendations of the National Gambling Board. In a report issued by the National Gambling Board, it has been recommended that internet gambling be legalized. While the move to legalize internet gambling would be welcomed by leaders of the gaming arena, the move would not immediately affect most of the country’s population.
Internet gambling is the pastime of the well-established citizens in South Africa. It is reported that only 10% of households have a fixed phone line, which is obviously needed to enable internet access and in turn, online gambling.
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