Guide to South African Casino Gambling

South Africa Legal Gambling

Gambling in South Africa has long been a cause of confusion for many native players. While it was previously prohibited for hundreds of years, gambling never completely ceased, even during this time. The first prohibition of gambling took place in the 1600s and continued for almost three years. In recent times, the government’s attitude towards gambling has gradually changed and there has been a slow and steady relaxation of the laws on a global scale. The Gambling act of 1965, enacted during apartheid, led to the government naming the gambling categories that were banned and only permitted horse racing betting. At this time, casino gaming venues began to open in the regions reserved for native inhabitants, called the Bantustans. The money that these regions saw from the gambling industry was vital to the survival of the people that lived there.

When Apartheid was abolished in 1994 and the African National Congress won the first democratic election, a national lottery, casino and gambling certification process was instituted. However, this was short-lived and in the 2000s, a Gambling Act was introduced that unravelled the efforts made from 1996. A few years later, this changed once again and gave rise to the thriving gambling industry that we see in South Africa today.

Today, there are brick-and-mortar gambling venues in every metropolitan area of the country. There are currently 40 casinos in South Africa, which makes it the largest gambling country on the African continent. The National Gambling Board has shared that further legalization and regulation is possible in the future.

When were the first South African gambling laws created?

The first gambling law in South Africa was enacted by the Dutch, over the Cape Colony, in 1673 and banned all forms of gambling. Since then, the government has kept a close eye on gambling activities and eventually prohibited all gambling games, except for horse racing, in 1965. We explain more about the changes that were made thereafter to legalize some forms of gambling above.

Who regulates South Africa’s gaming industry?

Gambling and gaming are regulated and supervised by the National Gaming Board, or NGB. This board was established in 1996 and has held operators to the highest international gaming compliance and standards. South Africa is one of the nine countries in Africa that makes up the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum which is dedicated to dealing with unlicensed and illegal gambling operations.

What laws apply to gambling in South Africa today?

The 1996 National Gambling Act established regulations and laws for the legal enjoyment of casino games, lotteries, slot machines and other forms of gambling. Operators of all gambling activities are required to register and receive licensing from their Provincial gaming board. The same applies to online sportsbook providers. Sportsbook operators are also obligated to receive approval from the racing board in the region.

Player Information

Lotteries, casinos, online sports betting and slot machines are all legal in South African and have been regulated for enjoyment and security. However, online casino gambling is a cause of uncertainty for many and is seen as a legal grey area. Online sports betting has been legalized for sportsbook operators who have received licensing from the NGB whereas online casino gambling is prohibited.

However, enforcing this law is challenging for the government and many government officials have indicated that the punishment is aimed at deterring operators and not really on sentencing players. As a result of this form of gambling remaining unregulated by the government, South African players are encouraged to remember that there is always a risk involved in online gambling. Every player should conduct research and ensure that they are choosing trusted sites. Until the government drafts legislation for this legalisation, South African players can enjoy online casino games but there is no safety net in place.

Can South Africans join international casino sites?

South African players within the country’s borders are technically prohibited from gambling with real money at international casino sites. While players are likely to come across several international sites that welcome South African players, this doesn’t mean that these operators have received licenses to provide these services.

Can I deposit and withdraw funds at online casinos?

No, depositing and withdrawing funds at an international online casino site is illegal. The internet provider, player and online casino could face serious fines and even time in jail if the transaction is reported. However, depositing funds at a legal online sportsbook and requesting withdrawals from these sites is 100% legal.

How popular is gambling in South Africa?

According to a NGB report from 2009, close to 29% of South Africans participate in gambling activities regularly. The lottery is an extremely popular choice while casino games and scratch cards participation was at 6% and 3% of the population indicated that they enjoy sports betting.

Do online casino sites support ZAR as a currency?

Online gaming sites that are legalized for the South African market will honour ZAR as a currency. There are some sites that don’t offer ZAR but, in these cases, rands can be converted to an accepted currency for a small fee.

Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings?

South African sports bettors who win will need to pay a percentage of their winnings to the government as Value Added Tax. However, South African winners that play other casino games usually don’t report their wins to the government since online gambling is technically illegal.

Trusted Online Casino Sites for South Africans

It is currently illegal to gamble online in South Africa as the government believes that the online industry would jeopardise the success of the land-based gambling industry. Although many South African players and online sites take chances, players should keep in mind that they could be subject to a R10 million find, 10 years in jail, or even both of these.

We encourage players to conduct thorough research of any online casino site that they are considering before they deposit any of their hard-earned cash. If you’re looking to learn more about the security status of a particular site or operator, you can check for eCOGRA certification. Casinos and operators who receive this certification are subject to regular audits and security checks.

How do players know that a casino is safe?

South African players who are concerned about their security and financial safety can take a look into whether or not the site has received certification from a reputable security body. The logo for eCOGRA can usually be found on the homepage of the site as well as some indication of whether or not the site makes use of SSL encryption.

How do South African players ensure that play is fair?

The most trusted online casino sites will make sure to only feature games and software from trusted, licensed and reputable developers that make use of Random Number Generators. In addition to this, eCOGRA runs tests on the sites that it licenses to ensure that the results of games are random and not rigged.

Is there recourse for suspected violations of fairness and security protocols?

Yes, South African players who feel that they have been wronged or there are shady dealings can report their suspicions to the NGB. In addition to this, complaints can also be filed with eCOGRA.