South Africa Advances Online Gambling Bill to President
After much anticipation, the South African Parliament has approved a measure to legalize, regulate, and tax online gambling. The bill now advances to President Thabo Mbeki for his review and expected signature.
The proposal, known as the National Gambling Amendment Bill, would require online casino operators to apply to be licensed by the government. Players would have to register with licensed online operators, and sign an affidavit that they are over the legal gambling age of 18.
The bill is also designed to protect gamblers from unscrupulous online operators and advertisers, as well as to collect taxes and bring in new revenues for the country.
Electronic monitoring of player accounts will use software designed to spot addictive behavior and identify problem gambling, and also limit credit extensions.
South African legislators assert that regulation will be a blessing in many forms, and that unregulated online gambling contributes to crime, money laudering, and the funding of terrorism. If only U.S. lawmakers can see as clearly as this, then Barney Frank's bill superseding the UIGEA should fly through Congress.
