Internet News South Africa

Online gambling illegal in South Africa: Supreme Court

After a protracted legal battle between Piggs Peak and South Africa's gambling authorities, Piggs Peak Casino has lost their appeal in the Bloemfontein Supreme Court of Appeals and may no longer use interactive technology to accept bets from South African gamblers.
Online gambling illegal in South Africa: Supreme Court

Howard Berchowitz, managing director of Casino Enterprises, said that with this court ruling there are no avenues left for them to pursue. "You may not play on an internet casino from South Africa," he said.

Early this year, the National Gambling Board (NGB) issued press statements warning South Africans not to gamble online. "The only legally recognised activity via the internet in RSA is online betting within the racing and betting environment," the NGB said. "Anyone found guilty and liable under the Act shall be fined R10 million or 10 years imprisonment or both."

Prior to the recent Supreme Court ruling, Lance Michalson of Michalsons Attorneys explained that the problem with interactive technology for online gambling is not that is illegal, but that it is impossible to get a license to run a legal online casino. The National Gambling Amendment Act - an amendment to South Africa's gambling law, which will allow licenses to be issued to online casinos, was signed into law in 2008 and is waiting promulgation.

Read the full article on http://mybroadband.co.za.

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