South Africa bans Online Gambling
Gambling News - 27th August 2010
Online gambling, including online poker has been banned in South Africa following the ruling at the North Gauteng High Court on August 20.
The Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), which has been trying to protect the R16 billion (US$ 2.2 billion) gambling industry from competition from online gambling organizations is relieved with the decision. They have been fighting for a ban on online casinos for some time.
Judge NB Tuchten handed down his ruling in favor of the GGB. The consequences of the ruling for anyone breaking the law could be up to ten years in jail or a R10 million (US$1.36 million) fine. As a further penalty, any operation that is found to breach the laws will find they are black-marked. This means that if, in the future, the South African government decides to license a limited number of online gambling operations, these companies will be rejected for a license.
Included in the law are Internet service providers, as well as financial institutions that process the gambling transactions. Players taking part in online gambling is illegal, as are any advertisements for online gambling.
Lucky Lukhwareni from the Gauteng Gambling Board stated: "That's why we approached the media to alert them of the judgment which makes online casino operations illegal, and if they continue we will have them arrested and fight for conviction."
Piggs Peak, which runs a land-based casino in Swaziland and an online gaming operation commented that they plan to fight the ban. Lew Saul Koor, Operations Director for Piggs Peak stated: "On consultation with our senior legal council they agree that we should appeal this finding which we believe is totally incorrect." He continued that "Until the appeal has been heard and the outcome is determined, our business will continue as usual, as agreed with the Gambling Boards."
