Bill aims to regulate online gambling

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Author: DEAN MACPHERSON DA Shadow Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
• Publication title: Mercury

This initiative comes in response to the significant oversight by the ANC in failing to provide adequate protection and regulation within the online gambling industry

In 2008, the National Gambling Amendment Act, which regulated online gambling, was assented to by the president.

However, after nearly 16 years, it has still not been brought into operation, meaning that a legal gap continues to exist in the industry.

It is highly concerning given the massive strides and advances by which online usage has increased and grown since then. By not regulating this gambling activity, the erosion of the rule of law and criminal activity is being encouraged, while the public is not effectively protected as they are when using land-based gaming operations.

The ANC government has shown, over these 16 years, that it has no intention of protecting players and the industry from criminal elements. The DA has therefore taken it upon itself to ensure adequate protection by means of introducing this private member’s bill.

The bill aims to regulate the issuing of licences to be controlled by the...