The Democratic Alliance (DA) remains confident it can persuade Parliament to adopt the Remote Gambling Bill, after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterated its position that government has no intention to propose the legalisation of online gambling in SA.
The Bill, which would legalise online gambling in SA, was re-gazetted at the end of last year, and is set to be tabled when Parliament reopens next month. DA shadow minister of trade and industry Geordin Hill-Lewis, who initially gazetted it as a private member's Bill, says government has not considered the issue of online gambling in depth, and hopes the Bill will lead to more serious engagement.
The DTI recently stated it notes with concern media reports suggesting there may be operators offering online gambling in SA, which is illegal.
"The DTI has made it publicly clear there is no intention on the part of government to propose the legalisation of online gambling in SA. This means this activity remains illegal, and any person offering or operating such a business is committing an offence under the law."
The department also acknowledges arguments that government is losing out on revenue from online gambling in the forms of taxes, but says generating tax revenue cannot be done at the expense of South African citizens, some of whom are over-indebted and living in poverty. "There are a number of social ills associated with gambling, especially online gambling, which occurs in unregulated and unsupervised locations.
"Other forms of gambling that are allowed in SA take place under strict supervision in locations that are designated for such activities."
Standing firm
The DTI says online gambling is not desirable and the department has raised its objection to the proposal by the DA to legalise online gambling. "In our view, no amount of control will adequately curb the harm that may be caused to South African citizens by online gambling, hence we reiterate that it must remain a banned activity."
However, Hill-Lewis says he is surprised at government's moralistic stance on online gambling, saying it is inappropriate for government to adopt this approach. "There are also social ills associated with alcohol, but it is legal.
"We say government will never be able to curb illegal online gambling, it's simply impossible. Thus online gambling needs to be regulated and it must be made sure that it is only offered by legal operators."
Hill-Lewis says the DTI's position does not surprise him. "This is what I expected; they are reiterating their position from last year. But they haven't considered this issue in depth, so I hope they will reconsider."
He points out it is likely the DTI was rushed into formulating a position on illegal gambling when the Remote Gambling Bill was gazetted. "But I remain confident and hope that I can change their minds. But it is up to Parliament anyway, not national government to decide on this."
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