What is the gambling law in South Africa?

The main gambling law in South Africa is the National Gambling Act of 2004. This comprehensive piece of legislation repealed the previous National Gambling Act of 1996 and established a new regulatory framework for the country's gambling industry. The 2004 Act created the National Gambling Board, which is responsible for overseeing the regulation of the industry and ensuring that it is conducted fairly and transparently.

The Act defines the different categories of gambling activities and sets out the requirements for obtaining licenses to operate them. It also establishes a system of provincial licensing boards, which are responsible for issuing licenses for land-based casinos, betting outlets, and other gambling establishments within their respective provinces.

A key feature of the 2004 Act is its prohibition of “interactive gambling,” which effectively outlaws online casinos, poker, and bingo. However, the Act does permit online sports betting and horse racing, provided that the operator holds a valid provincial license. The National Gambling Amendment Act of 2008 was introduced to legalize and regulate interactive gambling, but it has never been brought into force due to strong opposition from various stakeholders.