Ever since the implementation of South Africa’s Gambling Act of 1965, gambling in South Africa has experienced some major changes. These changes have affected the operations of the country’s online casino industry in the country. In the National Gambling Act of 2004, online gambling was outrightly banned in South Africa. This was further clarified in the 2010 update if the act, that online gambling within the borders of the country is illegal. Nevertheless, several South African players enjoy a good gaming experience playing in offshore casinos. This is because the law does not target players specifically but rather the online casinos offering the services.
Most online casinos that target South Africa players are fully aware of the existence of the Gambling Laws. However, since they are not within the physical vicinity of the country, they are not too worried about the legal consequences of offering casino services to South Africans. Truth be told, regulating online gambling is a tricky business. For this reason, offshore gambling operators can easily provide players with a means to gamble online. However, when choosing an offshore casino, you need to ensure that such casino is licensed by a respectable gambling commission such as the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission or Gibraltar Gambling commission. You can check http://www.elmiraheightsfire.org/ for an explanation on online casino licensing.
Should I Be Worried?
When the 2004 National Gambling Act of South Africa was enacted, some offshore casinos seize operations in the country. However, most of the remaining offshore casinos targeting the country are still operational to date. There have been no issues regarding a player been charged for playing at offshore casinos. Although if an offshore casino is caught, it may have to face the penalty which is usually in the form of paying fines. As a South Africa player, there is no reason for you to be worried about playing in an offshore casino. However, you should keep up to date with the gambling laws to know if there are any changes. It is believed that the gambling laws of the country will accommodate online gambling in the future.
Why Is Online Gambling Illegal in South Africa?
Although the reasons for making online casino gambling illegal in South Africa is unclear, it is likely due to the common problems that are associated with it. Some online casino players tend to be addicted to playing casino games and this may affect their mental and physical state. Apart from that, it is not easy to control online gambling compared to land-based gambling. When it comes to legal gambling in the country, the national lottery is the most popular. Sports betting is also popular in South Africa and it is considered legal. Thus, many offshore online casinos targeting South Africa market also integrate sports betting to offer both casino and sports betting services to players.
Can I Enjoy All the Services of an Offshore Casino?
Wherever you are in the world, Europe,
Canada or South Africa, you will enjoy all the service of an offshore online casino as long as it is licensed. This includes the wide variety of games provided by the online casino, their casino bonuses, payment options and customer service. Many offshore casinos even allow players to deposit and withdraw in their local currency. You will be able to access the VIP Reward programs, promotions and other benefits that the casino has to offer. We suggest that you should read reviews about an offshore casino before you go ahead to use it. This will give you an insight into what services it offers, how good their reputation is, and if it can be trusted.
Summary and Final Verdict
In this article, we have explained in great detail the legal landscape of online casino betting in South Africa. While the gambling law of the country clearly states that online casino gambling is illegal, there are still several ways to enjoy casino games with a rest of mind. You do not need to worry much about the legal implications of betting in offshore online casinos as there is no case recorded against a trespassing player till date. The gambling law is majorly directed towards casinos instead of the players. With current trends shaping online casino gambling around the globe, we expect that South Africa will soon allow online casinos to operate freely in the country.