Conflicting statements from South African officials regarding online gambling

MacDonald Netshitenzhe, the Chief Director of South Africa’s Consumer and Corporate Regulation Division of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has declared that “we can stop online gambling – by banning the Internet.”

However, Ghaleb Cachalia, the DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, does not subscribe the view. She said that her ministry will not support the National Gambling Amendment Bill and blamed Netshitenzhe for the confusion prevailing now.

Netshitenzhe was the Chief Director of Policy and Legislation at the DTI. Cachalia blamed him that he was “responsible for this mess in the first place,” referring to the bill.

“This amendment bill emanates from the flawed gambling policy of 2016 which believes, amongst other things, that online gambling should be banned.”

Cachalia also noted that the Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, said “online gambling is strictly prohibited” and he wants tougher measures to be implemented to curb it.

Davies is seeking more powers for the National Gambling Board to do so and trying to make the board the industry regulator.

While he also proposed clamping down on advertising and unsolicited messages to entice vulnerable groups to gamble, Cachalia said that the biggest crackdown will be made on unlawful winnings via online gambling.

The government will use the Financial Intelligence Centre, which will work with financial institutions, to verify and seize online winnings.

“If you go online, we may not be able to stop you when you play the game, but when you win, we get you,” Davies reportedly said.