South Africa’s Committee on Trade and Industry has accepted the National Gambling Amendment Bill, a narrow bill that will focus on “existing governance challenges”.
Initially disclosed by the Middle East North Africa Financial Network (MENAFN), the Bill leaves more contentious gambling-related decisions to a later date, focusing on only three “technical issues” in order to ensure swift passage.
Committee Chairperson Joanmariae Fubbs noted that the three issues in question were reconfiguration of the National Gambling Board to the National Gambling Regulator, addressing governance challenges relating to the National Gambling Policy Council and broadening the National Central Electronic Monitoring System.
Fubbs further stated that other more substantive issues, such as horse racing, dog racing, electronic bingo terminals, betting on lottery results and online gaming, have been noted and are being referred for future consideration
The MENAFN report concluded: “The committee is of the view that these amendments, adopted today, will pave the way for more comprehensive and holistic amendments to the gambling regulatory framework.”
At the current time, South Africa only permits betting on sports and racing, and has recently warned of harsh new punishments against any international gambling operator found to be without a local licence or offering other online products such as casino or poker.
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