Online betting still legal in SA: Powerbet Gaming

James Etherington-Smith

James is journalist and sub-editor at MyBroadband, and editor at MyGaming. He is an avid gamer with an exceptional knowledge about gaming and related hardware...

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The National Gambling Board recently released a press statement highlighting a Northern High Court ruling which “declared interactive gambling illegal to operate in South Africa”.

The Northern Gauteng High Court dismissed the application by Piggs Peak Casino, which operates and is licensed in terms of Swaziland laws, to declare that it lawfully advertises in South Africa as a licensed entity. Piggs Peak Casino relies on a website with a computer server that is located in Swaziland.

According to the National Gambling Board this ruling affirms the South African laws that interactive gambling taking place in South Africa currently remains illegal.

Not all gambling illegal

Powerbet Gaming, which operates Voltbet, said that while Internet or online gambling is currently illegal in South Africa, there are still legal online betting services in the country.

“There is considerable confusion among members of the public, banking institutions and the media regarding the legal position of online gambling and betting in South Africa,” said Powerbet Gaming.

“Internet or online gambling, as per the notice from the National Gambling Board, refers to online casino gambling. There are currently no licensed online casinos legally operating in South Africa.”

“Powerbet Gaming, the operator of Voltbet.com, is licensed by The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board to offer internet sports betting/online bookmaking.  Internet betting has been offered legally in South Africa for several years, within a well-established legal framework, and administered by provincial and national boards,” the company said.
Powerbet Gaming further points out that there is no legal or regulatory prohibition on using your credit card to bet with services like Voltbet.com

The National Gambling Board confirms Powerbet Gaming’s statements, saying that the Northern Gauteng High Court ruling does not impact on licensed online betting activities regulated in South Africa.

“South African licensed online betting sites and any other SA bookmaker websites remain legal to operate and do not fall into this [online gambling] category,” the National Gambling Board said.

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