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Even though the laws surrounding online betting have changed over the years, South Africa has made it legal. These changes make it difficult to determine whether it is permitted or not.
This article will cover the most important information on online betting in South Africa, including eligibility requirements and legal implications.
History of online gambling in South Africa
Online gambling has a relatively short history in South Africa. The first online gambling sites in South Africa were launched in the early 2000s, following the passage of the National Gambling Act of 2004, which provided the legal framework for the regulation of gambling in the country.
The National Gambling Act of 2004 established the National Gambling Board (NGB), which regulates all forms of gambling in South Africa, including online gambling.
The NGB is responsible for issuing licenses to online gambling operators and enforcing compliance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations made under it.
Since the launch of the first betting sites in South Africa, the industry has grown significantly. Today, many online gambling sites operate in South Africa, offering a wide range of services, including sports betting, horse racing, and online casino games.
Is online betting legal in South Africa?
The first question that pops into mind when considering online sports betting is whether it is legal. Online betting is legal in South Africa, but only for those with a licensed bookmaker from the provincial gambling board.
As long as you are eligible to play, you can legally bet and withdraw funds, which are tax-free in South Africa.
Regulation of online gambling in South Africa
Since 1966, the National Gambling Board (NGB) has been in charge of gambling regulation. In addition to regulating, they determine the types of gambling legal in the country.
As a result, it is always advisable to understand the legal framework and regulations governing these activities before engaging in betting activities.
On the other hand, licensed bookmarks are always issued by the respective boards to anyone who wants to offer retail or online betting. As a result, each province has its own gambling and racing commission.
The Western Cape Gambling Board is the largest, issuing the most bookmarker licenses in the country. As a result, every legal website will usually display the province where they obtained their license at the bottom of their homepage.
Who can legally gamble in South Africa?
Like any other country, South Africa has its legal framework for online sports betting. Until horse racing was legalized in 1965, the laws were constantly changing, particularly in relation to sports betting.
Casinos followed this, but each had its own set of constraints. Because there are no physical sportsbooks in South Africa, the first step in determining legality is to check licensing at any betting site.
Due to the prohibition on unregulated online and international sportsbooks, South Africans have few options for online sports betting. This requires the user to conduct research before betting on any site.
There are also laws to protect the user if the provider fails to pay, which means verifying the site’s legitimacy is critical.
As a result, online sports betting is severely restricted, and stringent measures apply to both the provider and the user. In that case, only people over 18 are permitted to participate in any form of betting, including online sports betting.
Soccer has always been the most popular sport for betting. This is due to its diversity and large fan base, especially after South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010.
Ligas such as La Liga, English Premier League, Serie A, NBA, MLB, and NFL have helped to diversify markets and attract more users. Cricket, rugby league, and rugby union are among the top sports.
The distribution of online gambling revenue
Since officially legalising online sports betting, the country has seen significant revenue growth. The revenue is reinvested into the gaming industry, which explains why gambling has recently grown rapidly in the country.
As a result, the country is still working to ensure citizens embrace legal methods to benefit the economy and improve the user experience.
Conclusion
Online betting has grown in popularity in South Africa over the years. This begins with the creation of laws that govern the legality of the process. However, some legal safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the process’s drawbacks are adequately mitigated.
As a result, every user or online sports betting provider must follow the laws governing the process. Gaming, when done responsibly, can be both enjoyable and beneficial to the economy.
