SA Online
Gambling to Become Regulated
May 19 - South African gambling fans have reason to celebrate
with the news that Parliament is finally ready to adopt the
National Gambling Amendment Bill, which will in effect regulate
online and cell phone gambling.
The National Gambling Amendment Bill, which was introduced into
Parliament last year, has been on hold due to issues that
various members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) as
well as the National Assembly have had with it.
These issues have allegedly been of a religious, ideological and
moral nature, with many members seeking to restrict cell phone
and online gambling outright, as well as the advertising
associated therewith.
However, MPs were instructed that this kind of ban would be
unconstitutional.
It was suggested to them that a better option
would be to license and regulate online gambling in South Africa
rather than force it underground and encourage criminal
activities.
Earlier this month, the Trade and Industry Portfolio Committee
re-approved the Bill after accepting some of the changes
suggested by the NCOP.
This means that the National Gambling
Amendment Bill may now be presented to the full National
Assembly as well as the president to be enacted again.
The amendments mean that the National Gambling Board will be in
charge of licensing and regulating cell phone and online
gambling, while the Minister of Trade and Industry will have the
power to control online gambling advertising guidelines.
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