Online gambling prohibited in South Africa

30-08-2010

The North Gauteng High Court (NGHC) has ruled that online gambling is banned in South Africa. The Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB) recently announced that online gambling is illegal. GGB is South Africa’s gambling watchdog. Internet operators are not allowed to offer online gambling. Online gamblers, ISP’s or marketers who make online gambling possible can be prosecuted.

Online gambling South Africa

The ruling states that those who contravene the new gambling laws could face a fine up to €1.072.386. Offenders could also face prison sentence up to ten years or both such fine and prison sentence. Additionally, operators who infringe the ban may be excluded from online gambling licenses when the country issues online gambling licenses.

Betfair – Ladbrokes

Before the ruling, Betfair planned to apply for a South African gambling license. Ladbrokes already applied for a license. Until 1996, most gambling forms were limited in South Africa. In 1996, the National Gambling Act resulted in regulated casinos and a South African lottery.