South Africa is set to address the rapid growth and potential dangers of online gambling through the introduction of the Remote Gambling Bill.
What does the Bill aim to achieve?
This proposed legislation seeks to modernise regulations in a largely ungoverned space while tackling gambling-related harms identified by the National Gambling Board’s 2024 Annual Report.
Online gambling, which includes popular platforms for checking Sportstake results, PowerBall results, and Lotto results, has surged in recent years, generating wagers of R1.1 trillion in the 2023/24 fiscal year—a 40% increase from the previous year.
However, with this growth comes significant societal challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The Remote Gambling Bill introduces a range of measures designed to balance economic opportunities with social responsibility.
Key proposals include:
- Raising the minimum gambling age to 21: Aimed at protecting youth, particularly amid South Africa’s high unemployment rate.
- Limits for players reliant on social grants: Ensuring gambling does not siphon funds from socio-economically vulnerable groups, who make up 27% of online gamblers.
- Tighter advertising controls: Restricting gambling ads during peak TV hours and enforcing clear disclosures for promotions, such as “#ad” or “#sponsored.”
- Mandatory odds disclosure: Operators will be required to share expected win probabilities and Return to Player (RTP) percentages to ensure transparency.
These provisions align South Africa’s gambling regulations with international best practices seen in countries like Sweden and Australia.
Tackling problem gambling head-on
The Bill addresses growing concerns about gambling addiction.
Statistics show that 31% of South African gamblers are classified as problem gamblers, a 500% increase since 2017.
This has led many to reinvest winnings in a bid to recover losses.
The legislation proposes several safeguards, including:
- Deposit caps: Allowing players to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits.
- Self-exclusion options: Players struggling with gambling addiction can exclude themselves from all licensed platforms.
- Cooling-off periods: A pause between bets to discourage impulsive gambling.
For instance, while searches for platforms that regularly update Daily Lotto results have become popular, the Bill seeks to ensure they are enjoyed responsibly without contributing to societal harm.
Industry support and pushback
The Remote Gambling Bill has received support from various stakeholders, including community members and advocacy groups.
However, concerns remain about its impact on smaller operators who may struggle to comply with stricter regulations.
Koshiek Karan, CEO of BankerX, a prominent financial education platform, highlighted the importance of these reforms, saying:
“The amendments balance personal freedoms with appropriate guardrails to protect South Africa’s most vulnerable socio-economic groups.”
While the Bill aims to foster safer gambling practices, it also positions South Africa’s gambling industry for sustainable growth.
The introduction of a 1% levy on gross gambling yield will fund public awareness campaigns, addiction treatment programs, and further research into gambling trends.
With Parliament set to deliberate the Bill, this marks a significant turning point for South Africa’s gambling landscape, one that could serve as a model for other nations grappling with the dual challenges of regulation and economic opportunity.
