09-04-2008 Adoption of South Africa's internet gambling legislation delayed

The National Gambling Amendment Bill, approved by South Africa's National Assembly last year, has been delayed after the National Council of Provinces introduced an amendment to prohibit online gambling sites from advertise their services.

The Department of Trade and Industry, sponsors of the original bill, argued that an online gambling ads prohibition would be unconstitutional given that conventional gambling is not subject to the same regulation. DTI officials also said that adoption of the legislation might now be delayed until the summer to allow time for more discussion.

The National Gambling Amendment Bill would regulate interactive gambling over the internet and mobile phones. At present, only terrestrial casinos, bingo parlours and horse race betting are legal and licensed in South Africa.