The South African government is clamping down even more strongly on its online gambling market, it was seen this week.
The country’s Department of Trade and Industry said in a statement that it had confiscated nearly $100,000 (R1.25 million) following “unprecedented court proceedings” that were brought against gamblers who had played at illegal offshore online gambling sites. These gamblers, according to the government, had generated “unlawful winnings” at these sites, which is why the government had seized their funds.
According to the South African government, players who were caught gambling at illegal sites may find themselves in a position that they would be “unable to receive their winnings and would expose themselves to criminal prosecution.” Besides having their funds confiscated – including their winnings – punters also face fines of up to $1 million under the new National Gambling Amendment Bill.
The clampdown comes at the same time that legislators on the other end of the political spectrum continue to fight to legalize and regulate South Africa’s online gambling market. Millions of South Africans already gamble, and these lawmakers argue that instead of the country losing gambling Rands to off-shore sites, the government should rather tax the industry and therefore help the country’s emptying coffers.
The government, until now, has rejected calls to liberalize the online gambling industry, and moves such as its latest decision to confiscate winnings, is a step up in its fight.