South Africa has been faced with strict gambling laws since the 1600s. In 1965, when the Gambling Act was introduced, all real money gambling became completely prohibited with the only exception of horse racing. This suppression of gambling soon led to a surge in illegal casino operations throughout Ciskei, Venda, Bobhuthatswana and Transkei in the 1970s –which posed significant problems for the country until they were able to put proper regulations in place in 1996.
Interestly, 1996 was also the year the National Gambling Board was established, creating a turning point for South Africa when all forms of real money gambling became legalised. On top of introducing a national lottery, 40 gaming licenses were also distributed to the various South African provinces to allow casino gaming such as table games, slot machines and poker rooms.
The Rise of Land-Based Casinos
In the years that followed, newly-licensed casinos began sprouting up across major cities such as Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, quickly becoming the cornerstone of South Africa's gambling industry due to their exotic layouts and luxurious red-carpet appeal.
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In addition, illegal gambling continues to be a problem in South Africa. These are some of the highlights from PwC's sixth annual edition of the gaming industry entitled Gambling Outlook for South Africa: 2017-2021. The publication focuses on segments within the gambling industry with detailed forecasts. Gambling In South Africa │ 5 1. Introduction 1.1. Gambling was illegal in South Africa prior to 1996, the exception being betting on horses. A study by the Wiehahn Commission in 1995 recommended that the government regulate gambling to protect society from overstimulation, raise revenue through taxes, create employment and empower the. South Africa is a country in Africa where you could legally gamble. All types of gambling were banned for a long time and then accepted around 1994/96. Thanks to the National Gambling Act a lot of land-based casinos came back to life – currently there are a total of 59 legal gambling facilities, open to South African and foreign players.
Many of them were developed into all-inclusive resorts — and soon became a place where patrons, residents and tourists alike could lap up the 5-star experience of casinos, great entertainment, fine dining and a space to relax and unwind. The biggest of these casino resorts was, and continues to be, the Rio Casino Resort in Kierksdorp. At 266,330 square-feet, it's also recorded as the 5th largest casino in the world; however, it's still not considered the ‘King' of casinos in South Africa.
The industry's most dominant land-based casino chain is Sun International Hotels LTD. This is the same company responsible for many of the multiple resorts, casinos, hotels and other extravagant facilities found around the country, of which now spans across other countries like Nigeria and Swaziland. The Sun is also recognised as being the first brand to officially cement itself into the South African gambling landscape.
Online Gambling
In 2008, the National Board came close to legalising online gambling in South Africa, but fears over money laundering and religious upset pushed practically all internet-based gambling and advertising into prohibition. By 2010, the High Court of Gauteng confirmed that international vendors were strictly forbidden to offer any services to South African residents. Unsurprisingly — and just like in most countries where gambling is heavily restricted — this didn't deter a handful of unlicensed betting sites from doing it anyway.
There are a select number of online casinos which are fully licensed to offer certain classes of games, plus licensed bookmakers able to accept wagers on provincial horse racing events and online sports bets. Like Yebo Casino, these are reputable operators which allow residents of recognised jurisdictions to legally wager on games for real money.
Illegal Gambling
In addition to online sites, there are a number of off-shore platforms which target players to gamble on casino games that aren't permitted. The problem stands with the fact that the government hasn't yet established any rules to prevent or give any reason for players not to gamble online, so many of them choose to risk playing games with these off-shore companies – regardless of what the law says.
If the operator gets caught, however, the matter is a different story. Any underground casinos or internet service providers found to be offering games without a license, processing gambler's payments, or wrongfully advertising betting options to South African players are in violation of South African gambling laws. Any of these crimes can either lead to the operator facing a fine of up to R10 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both. SA is estimated to lose millions in annual tax revenue from illegal gambling alone, which is why the punishment is so severe for the illegal casinos which eventually get caught out.
Conclusion
South Africa's current laws may portray a country which isn't able to offer much to gamblers right now, but South African casino resorts are rated some of the best in the world – so it's probably safe to say that gambling will play an important and valuable piece in the economy's jigsaw puzzle for years to come.
The biggest challenge is the illegal gaming that takes place, and the threats these organisations continue to pose to thousands of innocent players. The best and wisest decision you can make when you're looking to gamble is to make sure you only ever sign up with reputable and legitimate casinos – no matter whether they are offline or online.
Luckily, there are certified sites like Yebo Casino where you can freely and legally gamble without restrictions or risks. Not only will you find a comprehensive platform of exciting games to play 24/7, but you can also take comfort in knowing that your enjoyment, safety and welfare is the casino's top priority.
Africa's Gambling Laws — Where Is and Isn't Legal to Gamble in Africa?
Different countries have different stances on gambling. In some countries, like the United Kingdom, gambling is a huge industry and a common pastime that helps the country's economy. On the other end of the spectrum are countries that consider gambling to be a sin and harshly punish anyone who participates in it.
When it comes to Africa, you can see a little bit of both. After all, the African continent has 54 countries and in order to satisfy all these countries min deposit casino offers the best experience, however the African continent has its own views and laws in regards to gambling. In this article, we will look at a few African countries and compare their gambling laws in order for you to get a glimpse of the continent's gambling landscape.
Islamic Countries
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Almost one-third of all Muslim population lives in Africa. In countries like Mauritania, Somalia, Algeria, Morocco, Niger, and Tunisia, more than 99% of the people are Muslim. These African countries, together with several others, are governed by Islamic law. According to Islam, gambling is a grave sin, which is why all forms of gambling are strictly forbidden.
Being caught gambling in a Muslim-dominant country can come with severe punishments. That's why people in such countries don't even attempt to run gambling operations or even participate in underground gambling games. These countries have no casinos, no sportsbooks, no poker rooms, and no lotteries.
Of course, offshore gambling sites are accessible to an extent, but these countries have very small online gambling penetration, and top offshore casinos and sportsbooks don't even bother to welcome their residents.
Egypt
Egypt is a bit of an oddball when it comes to gambling laws. This is another country with a Muslim majority (around 95%). However, not all forms of gambling are illegal here. The best accumulator tips. Namely, the state lottery is completely legal and is played by millions every week.
It's also interesting that Egypt has several legal casino venues. Unsurprisingly, most of these casinos are located in the country's capital Cairo. However, the casino grounds are only accessible to tourists and players who have come from abroad.
This is a clever way to boost the economy and the gambling sector while still abiding by Islamic law. To further discourage their citizens from playing gambling games, the casinos only accept payments in American dollars.
Nevertheless, it is a common practice among Egyptians to play gambling games online. The laws don't mention anything about gambling on the internet, so this form of gambling is technically not illegal. Many offshore gambling sites accept players from Egypt. This is a country of over 100 million people, and the operators see it as a huge untapped market.
Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the few African countries where gambling is fully regulated. What's more, it's one of the most competitive gambling markets on the continent. In charge of these regulations is the National Lottery Regulatory Commission that was established in 2005 when several forms of gambling became legal.
However, not all gambling games are legal in Nigeria. The only allowed forms of gambling are the lottery, land-based casinos, and sports wagering. While casinos are legal, several casino games are not, like dice games, roulette, and luck-based card games.
You would think that the Nigerian gambling laws forbid games of chance and only allow gambling that requires some skill, but this is not always the case. For example, video slots are legal as well, although slot machines can only be provided by licensed operators.
Sports to bet on. Nigeria has also regulated online gambling. Highest rtp slot machines 2019 2020. Operators can apply for a license and offer gambling services over the web as long as they follow the rules and don't offer any illegal games. There are also no restrictions on Nigerian residents who decide to play on offshore gambling sites.
Africa's Gambling Laws — Where Is and Isn't Legal to Gamble in Africa?
Different countries have different stances on gambling. In some countries, like the United Kingdom, gambling is a huge industry and a common pastime that helps the country's economy. On the other end of the spectrum are countries that consider gambling to be a sin and harshly punish anyone who participates in it.
When it comes to Africa, you can see a little bit of both. After all, the African continent has 54 countries and in order to satisfy all these countries min deposit casino offers the best experience, however the African continent has its own views and laws in regards to gambling. In this article, we will look at a few African countries and compare their gambling laws in order for you to get a glimpse of the continent's gambling landscape.
Islamic Countries
Illegal Gambling In South Africa Johannesburg
Almost one-third of all Muslim population lives in Africa. In countries like Mauritania, Somalia, Algeria, Morocco, Niger, and Tunisia, more than 99% of the people are Muslim. These African countries, together with several others, are governed by Islamic law. According to Islam, gambling is a grave sin, which is why all forms of gambling are strictly forbidden.
Being caught gambling in a Muslim-dominant country can come with severe punishments. That's why people in such countries don't even attempt to run gambling operations or even participate in underground gambling games. These countries have no casinos, no sportsbooks, no poker rooms, and no lotteries.
Of course, offshore gambling sites are accessible to an extent, but these countries have very small online gambling penetration, and top offshore casinos and sportsbooks don't even bother to welcome their residents.
Egypt
Egypt is a bit of an oddball when it comes to gambling laws. This is another country with a Muslim majority (around 95%). However, not all forms of gambling are illegal here. The best accumulator tips. Namely, the state lottery is completely legal and is played by millions every week.
It's also interesting that Egypt has several legal casino venues. Unsurprisingly, most of these casinos are located in the country's capital Cairo. However, the casino grounds are only accessible to tourists and players who have come from abroad.
This is a clever way to boost the economy and the gambling sector while still abiding by Islamic law. To further discourage their citizens from playing gambling games, the casinos only accept payments in American dollars.
Nevertheless, it is a common practice among Egyptians to play gambling games online. The laws don't mention anything about gambling on the internet, so this form of gambling is technically not illegal. Many offshore gambling sites accept players from Egypt. This is a country of over 100 million people, and the operators see it as a huge untapped market.
Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the few African countries where gambling is fully regulated. What's more, it's one of the most competitive gambling markets on the continent. In charge of these regulations is the National Lottery Regulatory Commission that was established in 2005 when several forms of gambling became legal.
However, not all gambling games are legal in Nigeria. The only allowed forms of gambling are the lottery, land-based casinos, and sports wagering. While casinos are legal, several casino games are not, like dice games, roulette, and luck-based card games.
You would think that the Nigerian gambling laws forbid games of chance and only allow gambling that requires some skill, but this is not always the case. For example, video slots are legal as well, although slot machines can only be provided by licensed operators.
Sports to bet on. Nigeria has also regulated online gambling. Highest rtp slot machines 2019 2020. Operators can apply for a license and offer gambling services over the web as long as they follow the rules and don't offer any illegal games. There are also no restrictions on Nigerian residents who decide to play on offshore gambling sites.
South Africa
South Africa is one of the most developed African countries and a country with some of the most liberal gambling laws on the continent. All forms of gambling in South Africa were legalized in 1994 when the new government took power. The National Gambling Board regulates and supervises gambling in the country.
The most popular form of gambling in South Africa is the national lottery with five million transactions per week. The popularity of the lottery is followed by slot machines, scratchcards, and sports betting.
There are plenty of casinos in South Africa, and there's one in almost every metropolitan area. The country is home to the largest casino on the continent called Rio Casino Resort, which is also the fifth-largest casino on the globe. South Africans love horse racing as well, which was the only legal form of gambling prior to 1994.
On the downside, online gambling has not been legalized yet, as the National Gambling Act of 2004 forbade interactive gambling services in all jurisdictions. To make matters worse, offshore gambling is illegal as well, although many South African players do occasionally find loopholes that allow them to play on foreign sites.
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