Sept 29, 2004: The South African Government has taken its first steps to legalise online gambling. It has published the National Gambling Bill, which deals with online gambling, among other issues.
The two major Internet casinos that deal in rands are www.piggspeak.co.sz and www.Silversandscasino.com.
In 1996 South Africa passed the National Gambling Act, which does not mention Internet gambling. However, it does state that gambling in South Africa should be governed by a set of principles, one of which is that gambling activities should be effectively regulated, controlled, policed and licensed.
In 1999, the National Gambling Board (NGB) published a paper on interactive gambling stating that the "competitive advantage which this happy concatenation of circumstances bestows on South Africa cannot be expected to last for more than a few months.”
The bill says people can engage in or make available an interactive game only if authorised to do so in terms of the new gambling act or other national law.
This implies that interactive gaming would be legal - provided it was licensed.
But the law makes provision for a committee within the NGB, which should be responsible for formulating policy and legislation for interactive gambling.
Mar 5, 2004: South Africa is expected to pass a Gambling Act later this year, although the bill will not address interactive gaming. The South African legislature has been studying the gambling issue for more than four years.
The decision to wait on interactive gambling regulations is due mainly to South Africa's unwillingness to become a licensing jurisdiction.
Feb 23, 2004: It is believed that laws to ban online gambling will be unenforceable as the new National Gambling Bill goes before parliamentary committees for debate.
Online gambling is not just regulated by the Gambling Act, as each of the country's nine provinces also have their own gaming laws, while the Electronics Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act and the Reserve Bank Act touch on gaming by governing foreign exchange transactions.
The new Bill will ban Internet gambling and the advertising of online casinos. Not only the operation of an online casino, but also gambling at such a casino will be banned and criminalised.
Piggs Peak claims to be the only online gambling operation to allow rand-denominated gambling, so as not to contravene SA's foreign exchange regulations. The actual casino is situated in Swaziland and that country is part of the SA rand common currency area.
Dec 16, 2003: Betfair.com has announced a new data licensing agreement with tote betting operators Phumelela - Gold Enterprises. Their joint venture embraces South African horseracing and tote betting.
This will be Betfair’s first international agreement for racing data rights. The British based company has also reportedly agreed to work with the South African Jockey Club to “address any questions of integrity”, via a Memorandum of Understanding designed to allow access to betting records.
Sept 18, 2003: Chimera Technology Corp. an Internet Gaming Software Provider/Licensor & e-Commerce services company, announced it has initiated negotiation for an exclusive license for South Africa to utilize Chimera's proprietary Internet gambling software, THE CHIMERA 2 game suite.
Under the proposed terms, Chimera will supply and build a website catered to suit the South African theme along with the CHIMERA 2 game suite, for an initial licensing fee. The game suite will include a multi-players Internet Bingo gaming platform, a full line of casino games, a Sports Book wagering platform, all powered by the "BIRDS EYE" management system. Furthermore, Chimera is allowing the licensee (The Group) to sell sub-licenses under the proposed structure exclusively in South Africa.
The Group will be entitled to licensing fees from each of the sub-licenses sold in South Africa as well as monthly percentage royalties. Upon the consummation of this proposed agreement, all players logging in from the South African continent will be classified as The Group's clients.
April 19, 2002: According to news reports, the Governnment intends to change gambling legislation to create greater uniformity across provinces and to help improve monitoring and enforcement.
In a speech prepared for delivery at the second South African gambling conference in Sun City, Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin said there was a need to review gambling policy.
The provinces would retain responsibility for direct control, but within more uniform regulations.The department also had to look at creating an enabling environment for Internet gambling.
"We now face the fluidity of Internet gambling. We are of the view that a well-regulated and reputable environment is the objective, rather than attempts to prohibit or allow a free for all."
The South African government is working towards developing Internet gambling regulations by issuing a request for proposal to advise the National Gambling Board a draft legislative framework for interactive gambling, including a set of draft regulations.
See attached Request for Proposal and Tender document.
Apr 1, 2001: Atlantic Sportbet became South Africa's first bookmaking operation to offer sportsbetting through the Internet.
The site is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. There is no direct legislation pertaining to Internet sports betting. Essentially it is up to the different provincial gambling boards. The National Gambling Board currently does not expressly regulate this activity.
An integral part of the SportsBet operation is the Internet software, developed by LiveBet Online (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of eCompany Holdings Limited (www.ecompany.co.za). The system offers both fixed odds and spread bettingDatabaseDetail.cfm?Licenses_ID=360&
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