South Africa National Gambling Board members suspended
Regulator board members removed pending "forensic investigation", no delay to gambling reforms expected
Members of South Africa’s National Gambling Board have been removed by the country’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pending a “forensic investigation” by the DTI, however the suspension is not thought to pose any risk to ongoing gambling reforms in the country.
South Africa’s minister of trade and industry Rob Davies temporarily removed the officials earlier this month and operators in the country were informed on Friday, with the Gambling Board issuing a statement yesterday afternoon confirming their suspension.
Neither the identities of those involved or the reasons for their suspensions have been disclosed, however Davies did reveal he had appointed two administrators to “oversee the day to day affairs” of the regulator while the investigation was ongoing.
The administrators have been described as “experienced public servants” who have held senior positions within the Department of Trade Industry prior to their appointment.
The suspensions are however thought to have little impact on the gambling reforms in the country which are currently ongoing.
South Africa first sought to revolutionise its online gambling laws in January this year before tabling a draft egaming Bill three months later.
The draft was hailed by operators who welcomed the announcement of an unlimited number of licenses as well as strict enforcement measures for unlicensed operators remaining active in the country.
The Bill is currently passing through South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, with further progress expected before the end of the year ahead of a prospective go-live date in Q1 2015.