Remote Gambling Should Not Be Criminalized
Thus spoke a leading proponent of legalizing online gambling and online casino action throughout South Africa. This latest salvo in the seemingly never ending back and forth on so called “Remote Gambling” comes from none other than Democratic Alliance MP. Geordin Hill-Lewis. For those of who are not quite up to par on the how the local political setup is arranged, here is what you need to know: Geordin-Hill Leis represents the Democratic Alliance as a member of the South African Parliament. For the record, Lewis serves as Shadow Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Perhaps even more notable is that when Lewis first attained his position way back in 2012, he was in fact the youngest MP since 1994 to be sent to Parliament. In 2014, Lewis was again elected to his current position in Parliament.
Anyway, back to the point of this article: Lewis is making a very strong case that online gambling should in fact be legal in South Africa. Lewis pulled no punches in a speech when he pointed out very candidly that South Africa has already looked into the matter. South Africa already considered that remote gambling was a reasonable activity. Note that remote gambling, Internet gambling and online gambling are all various terms used to express the same idea.
Consider that Lewis reintroduced his Remote Gambling Bill back in May. In presenting the arguments supporting his Bill, Lewis took the extra time to explain to Parliament that the reality of the modern era is that the Web could not be blocked for any reasonable length of time. That means the prohibition as a policy cannot actually work. On the other hand, embracing what is most definitely an in demand service (online casino action) and then taking the extra step of regulating the industry is much more achievable.
On the other side of the issue, the not to be messed with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) made it clear they staunchly oppose any such legalization. The DTI cited all sorts of concerns ranging from little to no protections for minors to the possibility of triggering even more poverty and indebtedness.
As you can plainly see, the discussion and contemplation of the legalization of online gambling in South Africa is quite a spectacle to behold. At the same time, one can’t help but wonder if and when Parliament will consider what is already true: the fact that South Africans are already enjoying online casino action?