Why The Suspension of South Africa’s Gambling Board Is Good For The Country’s Online Casinos
South Africa’s offline gambling industry has a long and chequered history, which now looks likely to be mirrored in its online casino endeavours. The South African Gambling Act of 1965 saw all forms of gambling banned except the countries traditional pastime of horse racing betting. This controversial ban saw the rise of numerous cowboy casinos within the countries Bantustan regions – these black-only regions were allowed to exist outside the laws and regulations imposed by the then completely white government.
The continued success of these unofficial casinos, and the subsequent rise of South Africa’s illegal gambling industry, eventually led to the 1996 National Gambling Act. This more liberal legislation allowed a legitimate and regulated casino industry to thrive in South Africa with the world-famous Sun City, one of the country’s most successful gambling locations, now being regularly visited by thousands of tourists each year.
Success both Offline and On
Whilst South Africa has taken its time finding its own competitor to the famous casino cities of Las Vegas, Macau and Monte Carlo, its online offerings have gained ground much more quickly. South Africa achieved this through quickly finding its niche within the online casino community, namely comparison websites. This Internet staple, which exists for everything from holidays to insurance providers, has solidified South Africa as the prime web advisor for those wanting to find the best online casinos.
Websites such as Fhats Casino, which you can download here, compile information on the best casino bonuses and promotions available online. They have become essential to the growing community of professional online gamblers who need the most up-to-date information to ensure they reach their profit targets.
Clouds on the Horizon
Despite the wealth of jobs this flourishing industry has brought to South Africa, in a move reminiscent of the 1965 act, South Africa’s department of Trade and Industry were rumoured to be considering banning online gambling altogether. The regulation of this relatively new online market has caused headaches for the legislators of many countries, the fluctuating nature of this market needing restrictions to ensure tax revenue and to protect citizens from being conned.
However, whilst it is a tricky prospect for any government, the economic benefits are always worth the effort. Therefore it is somewhat surprising that South Africa, which has benefited massively from the introduction of a legalised gambling industry, would be so keen to once again abolish it.
A Last-Minute Reprieve
However, there may be a last-minute reprieve for South Africa’s gambling industry. The entirety of the South African Gambling Board, which was co-writing the proposed plans, have been suspended amongst accusations of corruption. The board have, in documents released recently, been accused of fruitlessly accumulating expenditures and have apparently being trying to slide them past the minister of finance.
Whilst investigations are still ongoing, this scandal could stall or completely discredit the bill they have drawn. Indeed, with rumours now going around that South Africa may, in a complete U-turn, open up the online gambling industry completely within the country, it may be that the Gambling Boards loss is a gain for gamblers.
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