Making Sense Of South Africa Online Gambling
On again, off again. Which is it this time? By now, chances are you are about fed up with the seemingly never ending saga with regards to legalizing online gambling in South Africa. Recall that just recently, hopes were raised both in South Africa and other locales that finally the cards were aligned and online gambling legalization was on track.
Recall that none other than the Democratic Alliance Parliament member Geordin Hill-Lewis (also the shadow minister of trade and industry) spoke out optimistically about the chances of success in 2015. Remember, that it was Hill-Lewis who regazetted the issue for a formal discussion this February. Hill-Lewis went on record to state that in his studied opinion, he believes the government will in fact “engage the issue properly as its interaction with online gambling to date has been superficial at best”.
Moreover, Hill-Lewis has obtained the backing of none other than the Casino Association of South Africa (CASA). To make this point clear, CASA issued a message clarifying the organization’s support. Interestingly, at the very same time, CASA is actively running a media campaign which highlights the very real dangers of unlawful online gambling by South Africans.
Not so fast!. At least that seems to be the message from the not to be reckoned with Department of Trade and Industry(DTI). Perhaps dismayed with all of the recent media attention stating that South African online gambling legalization was a done deal, the Department issued what some are saying is a rather harsh counter statement. The Department is making it clear in no uncertain terms that it is vehemently against any such legalization.
To support their position, the Department said: “Online gambling, or what others refer to as remote gambling is not allowed in South Africa and the National Gambling Board together with other law enforcement agencies will act on this illegal activity with immediate effect.” Ouch! There you go.
When queried about the response from the DTI, Geordin Hill-Lewis was not at all surprised. He responded by pointing out that the Departments position of online gambling is but another social ill and is best kept the way it is at the moment is nothing more than positioning by the Department. He made the case that there are social ills associated with other things such as alcohol, but it is still legal.
Bottom line: perhaps this is but the normal back and forth that is part of any political discussion. At the same time, all that Parliament members need do is look outside and see that there are successful models to emulate around the world to legalize online casinos. One such model could be the U.K.