South Africa bans online gambling
Online gambling has been declared illegal by the North Gauteng High Court, punishable by fine or imprisonment.
Online gambling is now prohibited in South Africa, following a ruling by the North Gauteng High Court last week.
The South African gambling regulator, the Gauteng Gambling Board, issued a media release this week stating its support of the legislation.
The High Court’s decision ruled that internet operators who offer online gambling, players who participate, and service providers or marketers who facilitate the industry are at risk of being prosecuted.
The statement said that persons found guilty of breaching the new gambling legislation could be “Liable for a fine not exceeding ZAR 10m (approx £880,000) or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.”
The ruling also said that those who contravened the prohibition “may not be suitable to hold an online gambling licence when South Africa invites application for online gambling licence”.
EGRMagazine previously reported that Betfair was considering applying for a licence in South Africa prior to the ruling, and that Ladbrokes had submitted an application.
Most forms of gambling were restricted in South Africa until 1996, when the National Gambling Act introduced licensed casinos and a national lottery.