Mbeki Finally
Signs Online Gambling Bill
July 28 - We reported recently that despite Parliament approving
the South African National Gambling Amendment Bill some months
ago to legalise and regulate online gambling, it was still
sitting on President Mbeki's desk waiting to be signed. Well, we
are pleased to report that he has finally signed it.
While this may sound like excellent news, it may actually not
be. It seems that our intrepid leader has signed off the
National Gambling Amendment Bill but not without a condition.
For some bizarre reason, the online gambling-friendly
legislation will not be implemented 'until a date chosen by the
President.'
In other words, after months of speculation and expectation
surrounding the legalisation of online gambling in South Africa
- and the opportunity to join a host of forward-thinking First
World countries in their online gaming policies - the above
sentence has relegated the entire issue back to 'Wishywashyville'.
It seems that Wishywashyville has become President Mbeki's, and
indeed his government's, favourite pit stop on their quest for
'Third World Domination'. Anyhoo, as much fun as presidential
and government bashing is, obviously the next question is when
will our esteemed leader choose a date?
The South African National Gambling Amendment Bill has been in
the pipeline for over a year, and was a result of an extensive
study commissioned on online gambling by the National Gambling
Board. When the study was completed, the board agreed that
legalised and taxed online gambling was the best option.
Under the terms of the bill, online gambling operators will be
allowed to operate in South Africa as long as they are licensed
to do so. The government would also monitor the industry and
ensure that players are treated fairly and are protected, as
well as tackle potential problem and underage gambling.
It would also strictly control the marketing and advertising of
online gambling in South Africa, much like most of the other
countries around the world that have gone the online gambling
regulation route.
President Mbeki if you are reading this, please feel free to
drop us a line here at dish and let us know when we can expect
the implementation of the National Gambling Amendment Bill.
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