Updated Walkthrough on Gambling Regulations of South Africa
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South Africa has long been the wealthiest country in the African continent. It reflects in the gambling regulations as well. South Africa legalized casino gambling way back in 1965. It even amended the online gambling restrictions partially in 2008.
Since then, some of the best online casino South Africa brands have been accepting players from the country, although there was a catch. Don’t worry; we’ll clarify your confusion in this post.
How Do Gambling Regulations Work in South Africa?
As we already said, South Africa legalized gambling in 1965. As online gambling was not a thing back then, it wasn’t part of the National Gambling Act. Thankfully, the government realized the need to overhaul the legislation in 2008. The National Gambling Amendment Act partially legalized online gambling.
One of the main elements of online gambling in SA is the National Lottery. As you’d expect, the government brought this initiative under the act. Along with it, online sports betting was legalized. Casino games like slots, roulette, blackjack, etc., remained exclusive to land-based sites.
The restrictions even applied to international brands that accepted players from South Africa with a valid license. It’s a criminal act. But the culture of online casinos still grew significantly as it isn’t illegal for citizens to play at offshore casinos.
One of the latest changes came in 2022 when a spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance declared online gambling unregulated, paving the way for offshore operators to keep accepting players. This also means you can sign up to secure online casinos without worrying about legal troubles.
How to Play Online Casino Games Safely?
Now that you’re up-to-date on the gambling regulations of South Africa let’s walk you through the actual playing journey.
Underage gambling is still a criminal offense in international law, so ensure you’re 18 and have valid documents to prove it.
Then, choose an online casino of your choice. The primary feature you should look for is a license. Licenses from international regulatory bodies like Malta Gaming Authority or Kahnawake Gambling Commission will work just fine.
Once you verify the license, look into the available payment methods that you can use from South Africa. As gambling is a money activity, you must choose a payment-friendly site.
From there, you’re ready to play your favorite slots, RNG table games or live dealer games offered by the best online casinos in South Africa.
How to ensure responsible gambling
When gambling online, it is imperative to set a few boundaries. Since gambling involves money, one should not get carried away. Set limits to your wagering amounts and a specific gaming time.
As said, anything in excess can lead to addiction. Hence, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you think that you are getting addicted to the game then seek help from a professional.
