NEWSWATCH: The Gauteng Gambling Board has been in a long-running battle with online casinos and has won its case after the North Gauteng High Court handed down a ruling that says it's now illegal to gamble using digital products inside South Africa, reports Business Day. Not unexpectedly, online casinos and poker rooms are less than pleased, reports Online-Casinos.com. Carrying advertising promoting online gambling has also been made illegal.
Business Day: Online gambling banned in South Africa... And just to get your attention, if you are bank, online casino, internet service provider or individual who falls on the wrong side of the law, when the chips are down a fine of R10 million or 10 years in jail could be your lot. Also banned is advertising online gambling in the electronic, print and billboard media - and that will have a significant impact on adspend, and hence revenues... And that is bad news for the advertising industry. It's what you might call collateral damage.
Online-Casinos.com: South Africa Brings the Gavel Down On Online Wagering... Understandably, online casinos and poker rooms are less than pleased, and seem to doubt whether the ban will achieve its aims. They seem to feel that what it's probably likely to do is drive online gambling underground - and cost the state taxes in the process. So, maybe at the end of the day it may prove to be a bit of an 'own goal'.
I SEE NO REASON FOR THIS BANNING. IT IS RIDICULOUS!!! WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE OUR "DIGITAL EQUIPMENT"THAT WE PURCHASED FOR OUR OWN ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES.. AND THEY ASK WHY PEOPLE IMMEGRATE!!!!! Posted on 25 Aug 2010 10:48
If you are going to throw that imigration line at everything you dont agree with, you might aswell imigrate. Why dont you research the pros and con first? A hight court judge wouldnt just hand down a ruling like that "just for fun" Posted on 25 Aug 2010 17:35
I agree 100%! the online gambling "companies" as they call themselves have done more harm than good to a country that will be so much better off without them. Do your research and It would be interesting to see if online gambilng is legal in the countries you wish to move to... ?? Posted on 25 Aug 2010 17:42
Before everybody goes into why they hate South Africa so much and why they should emigrate, take a breath and think about the flip side oof this coin.
Some people, unfortunately, are unable to help themselves when it comes to gambling. Having access to gambling from your home makes it so much easier and more dangerous for these people. I had an ex-girlfriend who maxed my credit card on online gambling, without my knowledge.
So, please, think before you type. The world does not revolve around yourself. Posted on 25 Aug 2010 14:50
I feel that you're being a bit subjective, maybe more than a bit. I'd feel the same if an ex of mine maxed my credit card. But then the feeling would only last a few hours or so then the string of question would start, Why was I silly enough to leave someone this selfish or someone I don't know so well with my credit card... Why don't I perhaps help her with her problem... I love gambling, it's fun, and of course there's the possibility of winning. I don't think it's fair that people should suffer because of other's. I don't eat pork, and so do the over 5million Zionists in S.A. Does that mean pork should be banned??? Or meat as a whole for that matter????, you know, how are the vegetarians feel about us killing innocent animals for our own sometimes selfish needs. The Point is, whether I play in mud or spend my entire salary on junk food has as much to do with you as whether I want to Gamble or not- "0"- yes that much. Zero, Zilch, Nada, absolutely nixxx. Its about time we all accept that we're different and have different desires.... Its like this whole Gay Marriage debate. how is it any of our business????? Lets pick things worth fighting for carefully. The NGB should be sued, in my opinion, for spending tax payers money on lawsuits that might not even bear positive results. How's about spending that money on campaigns & addictive gambling awareness and on assisting people like your Ex to deal with their problems.
P.S. None of my statements are meant as personal attacks. My apologies if perceived as such. Posted on 31 Aug 2010 00:31
businesses that take your money (out of the country I might add) completely on their terms, with no upfront indication of your chances on a return, needs to be regulated, governed and audited to protect you. land based casino's are regulated and audited and operate at an agreed upon % return on all bets taken + they actaully pay you out right there on the spot - unfortunately some of the operators now banned, didn't apply these "industry standard" odds (they decide at what ratio they would let the odds for winnings run without anyone being able to audit or question it), some of them also had extremely fine print that basically boils down to you not being paid your full winnings, but only a portion thereof with the balance kept in your 'account' which you could wager again... imagine that, a business in which you dictate what you'll 'return' to the client, if anything at all, you force the client to remain your cleint by not giving them all that's owed to them and you also take all your revenue out the country with no VAT or company taxes, nor foreign exchange controls... the only gambler winning is this type casino owner at no gamble at all.... Posted on 25 Aug 2010 15:35
if the government feels the need to protect me from making my own choices why dont they force everyone to wear condoms.I realise that this will not protect vested interests but hey maybe they can save lives.By the way i do not gamble but i do believe in freedom to choose. Posted on 25 Aug 2010 16:16
I couldn't agree more with Brett. CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, you have some valid points there, and I have noted such unfair terms and conditions on some online casino sites. Here's a thought_ South Africa's internet exposure is continuously growing, Meaning- a greater exposure to such unfair practices and simply a lot of rip-offs masked by fine_fine_fine_print. _Would it be a better Idea to focus the energy and resources, such as put into this court case, into educating South Africans about such pitfalls. Instead of locking out the BigBadWolf, show me how to spot the BigBadWolf so that should I encounter another one without you around I will be able to protect myself or steer clear of it... just a thought. Posted on 31 Aug 2010 00:38
slightly off the point, but related: does anyone know if Google pays VAT or company tax in SA on all the ad campaigns placed on it by South African based businesses? Also, why if online gambling payments by South Africans need to involve SARS, SARB and local banks because money is leaving the country "uncontrolled" do I not hear of this applying to Google transactions as well? Can anyone shed some light on this for me, please? Posted on 25 Aug 2010 15:45
I'm not sure how long they have been given to remove all marketing material in SA. An i quote " Carrying advertising promoting online gambling has also been made illegal." Posted on 25 Aug 2010 16:59
Is there an article that actually states the reason for this decision? These arguments about how people are more likely to gamble cause it's right on the internet is bollocks. We have the right to choose. I'm just interested in the real reason this judgment has been made. Posted on 26 Aug 2010 12:28
If it means that we don't have to suffer those awful Doff Lungren commercials - great.-
On line advertising has to be some of the worst advertising on air currently. Reflecting a horrible industry. Whilst I am concerned for the livelihoods of those concerned, I am happy to see the end of the awful ads. Posted on 1 Sep 2010 12:20
Sounds to me like any money a "business" makes that the government cannot control or get a percentage of will be banned, such is business and regulations. Thats the most logical explanation I can think of. However... The amount of money that these online gambling companies have spent on print and online advertising alone must be worth a mention... question is, have they paid their accounts? Posted on 9 Sep 2010 10:26
In a democratic & capitalist country you should be allowed to make your own choices, even if it goes against the grain. I know that the advisors & the judges must have based their law changes on opinions & making sure that share prices of a local company is looked after. Its sad when we fought so hard for choice, freedom & independence that the laws passed are going against that (not just online gambling but other soon to be laws too).
I just know the law passed is NOT based on facts, possibilities & freedom.
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