April 23 - While legal internet gambling has not yet become a reality in South Africa, this may soon all change with the imminent passing of the National Gambling Amendment Bill.
As South African lawmakers battle it out in a bid to make the new law as safe as possible, without encroaching on the basic rights of its citizens to enjoy internet gambling, international companies are waiting in the wings in the hope of gaining a foothold in the market as soon as it is legally possible.
It is not unheard of, for example, for foreign online companies to take an active part in gambling conferences in South Africa, even though the company itself cannot offer its services under the current law.
Recently, one of the world’s top internet gambling companies, Victor Chandler, headquartered in Gibraltar, announced that it would begin operations in the South African market in the near future. Setting up business in the country comes with a price tag of around GBP 300,000.
Chandler’s industry rival, Bwin, another mega star in the gambling market, is also rumored to be considering expansion into South Africa. According to a newspaper report in the Austrian media, which refused to divulge its sources, South Africa, along with Spain and Ukraine, are on the gambling company’s radar for future expansion.
Victor Chandler, CEO of the company named after himself, confirmed that he always shared a market with Bwin Interactive Entertainment. “Wherever we are, they are,” he said. “Sometimes they follow us, sometimes we follow them.”
At present, South African online gamblers are serviced by companies operating outside its borders, at sites such as those owned by African Palace Casino, Amber Coast Casino and Silver Sands Casino.