Gambling history of SA
If you live in South Africa and you are merrily gambling away on your desktop or cellphone, you might not know that you are lucky to be able to do so. Enabling you to partake in the games is not as straightforward as it may seem and you should thank some offshore gaming provider for the privilege.
Earliest Gambling Laws in South Africa
One of the earliest gambling laws to spoil the fun in South Africa was the Gambling Act of 1965, which officially banned all forms of gambling, except betting on horseracing, which the government considered a sporting activity.
In the late 1970s casinos start operating in the Bantustans one of which was Bophuthatswana. Some of us born in SA will still recall the years when, as students, we regularly “crossed the border” to partake in gambling activities and watch the banned movies on offer in one of the prestigious resorts called Sun City. Many referred to it as “Sin City” and to us, it was as glamorous as Las Vegas, just on a smaller scale.
Despite the gambling laws, by 1994 an estimated 2000 illegal casinos were operating in South Africa. This situation was neatly resolved when the new democratic government came to power in the same year and legalized all forms of land-based gambling.
Online Gaming Replacing land-based casinos
By 2000, South African law did not yet address Internet gambling in any detail, but something was sure to come. The South African government had to respond to the increasing mobility and Internet access enjoyed by its citizens and what this meant for the remote gaming market.
The National Gambling Act of 2004 prohibited engaging in interactive games (games on the Internet). Interactive gambling relates specifically to games such as casinos, poker and bingo. The National Gambling Amendment Act of 2008 was an attempt to legalize interactive gambling in the country and make provisions for the regulation of this market. However, interested parties (legal land-based gambling houses and anti-money laundering authorities), actively confronted the move and the act did not come into power.
Online Gambling became Illegal
On 20 August 2010, the government banned online gambling offered through servers located outside the country. This meant that online gambling services and online gambling became illegal. Casino sites, individuals, internet service providers and banks that process payments for online gamblers were now subject to a fine of R 10 million or 10 years of imprisonment, or both.
Today, nothing stops South Africans from playing at international internet casinos and many of these claims that monetary transactions with SA banks will not be a problem. They offer banking methods designed to allow South African gamblers to deposit real cash securely and safely at the Internet casino site of their choice.
Some of these casino promoters are Springbok Casino, Yebo, Casino.com, Fiz Casino, and Yebo Casino.
Mobile Replaced Desktop gambling
CardsChat has a very good collection of web pages dedicated to Android, Mobile, iPhone and Mac for mobile players. They make it clear that operating a mobile casino platform within South Africa is illegal. Although they mention “good South African mobile casino operators”, it is debatable whether these actually operate legally within SA’s physical borders. Physically means that they have a server running that operates and gives access to gambling applications. Instead, “South African online casinos”, powered by software such as Playtech, are licensed in “reputable jurisdictions”, which could be anywhere in the world but not on South African soil.
Millions of South African citizens have cell phones and access to broadband and the Internet. It follows then, that anyone in the country can gamble from their cell phone, provided they have access to the Internet. Most games do not even have to download, but only need a decent web browser and a reasonable screen size to deliver the goods. So, there is a hole the size of the Kimberley diamond mine in the laws that forbid online gambling in South Africa.
5% South African Gamble in Excess
It is estimated that as many as 5% of South Africans gamble to the excess. For those who develop problems with gambling, there are reputable organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous South Africa and the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRPG), who advise gamers on responsible gambling. The South African Revenue Services do not consider recreational gambling winnings as income for tax purposes, so for players, it is tempting to allow gambling to become a handy source of income, which it should not be.
There is huge potential for gaming operators and players once online gambling is legalized in South Africa and we can expect new, more accommodating laws any day now. It can be a useful source of tax revenue for the government, too. The challenge is to organize it efficiently, and for it not to become another revenue bucket with a hole through which opportunists can syphon away money that is much needed to meet this country’s educational, health and infrastructure needs.
Top Casinos of South Africa
1. Springbok Casino
This casino is also one of South Africa’s best online casinos. It is run by the Springbok Group, which has also acquired another popular South African-facing brand, Thunderbolt Casino now making a big bonanza of games and bonuses for South African players. They offer great welcome bonuses and other promotions throughout the year.
Games to Play
Powered by RTG software Springbok Casino offers its players about 250 games to play. Apart from slots, you will find over 25 table games, including Baccarat, blackjack, poker, Craps, four different Roulette variations, and Sic Bo to play.
You can also play video poker here with 17 single-hand titles, and 15 multi-hand varieties. Also enjoy lottery-type games, like Keno, Bingo, and scratch cards. If you are looking for great Jackpots to win then there are ten progressives to choose from in slots and poker.
Bonus
New members get 3 bonuses on three deposits. You get a one-time coupon for a 100% matching deposit up to R1,500. You get 2 coupons for a 50% matching bonus up to R5,000. For anyone that is not counting that is an opportunity to earn up to R11,500 with the matching bonuses.
2. Casino.Com South Africa
Owned and operated by ONISAC and licensed by the laws of Gibraltar, Casino.com is open to players around the world.
Games to Play
Playtech is a world leader in the gaming industry, which powers Casino.com, hence you find high-quality, user-friendly software, and impressive graphics. You can quickly and easily download the software onto your computer, thus gaining access within minutes to all of this casino’s 250+ games.
Bonus
On signing up at the casino for the first time you get a reward of a handsome package where you receive a 200% match-up bonus to ZAR4000 plus 20 free spins. In addition, you’ll also have 7 reload bonuses (i.e. bonuses you’ll be able to reclaim even after you’ve used your welcome bonus).
3. Punt Casino South Africa
Punt Casino is a popular casino in the South African online gaming market. Powered by RTG, this casino was introduced in June 2017.
Games to Play
You will get to play nearly 130 online slots. The casino has over 90 classic slots, Video Poker and various titles under this section offer regular and deluxe versions of famous video poker games.
Bonus
You get a 3-tier welcome bonus when you deposit money. On your first deposit, you get a 100% match bonus of up to R3,500; when you deposit the second time you can claim a 75% bonus of up to R2,500; and on your third deposit, you will get an amazing 125% match bonus of up to R4,000 free.
3. Yebo Casino South Africa
Launched in 2014 this casino is owned by Yebo Affiliates Casinos, and the casino is licensed and regulated by the government of Curacao. This casino is powered by RTG or real-time gaming software and only uses Rand as the currency to play games which is why this online casino is perfect for South African players.
Games
The Yebo Casino as said above offers RTG games to South African players which is a great advantage to playing in ZAR. You will find loads of slot games, that include three and five-reel machines, multiway action, and progressive jackpots. Play popular titles like Aztec Millions, Caesar’s Empire, Cleopatra’s Gold, Pirate Isle 3D, Ghost Ship and many others.
Bonus
As a new player when you enter the casino for the first time you are offered a 50 free spins bonus to play on a Caesar’s Empire 5-Reel slot machine.
