On the verge of regulating remote gambling, the Casino Association of South Africa (CASA) today urged for further consultation and research of the draft National Gambling Amendment Bill before considering it for passage.
CASA told the National Assembly, currently holding public hearings on the bill, that while it supports the idea of legalization and regulation of remote gambling, the draft bill was inadequate in a number of respects.
"In our view the amendments as tabled do not do the job adequately," said CASA chairperson Jabu Mabuza.
He further suggested that interactive operators be subjected to the same regulations as other sectors of the gambling industry, including a comparable rate of tax, to ensure consistency and fairness.
"In our view, much more homework also needs to be done on complex issues surrounding international reciprocity in this sector of the industry," Mabuza added.
The National Assembly returned to work on Aug. 1 after a month-long recess, ready to tackle the issue of legalizing Internet gambling in South Africa.
The bill was introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in December 2006, but has failed thus far to progress in Parliament.
The bill aims to amend the National Gambling Act 2004, which prohibits making interactive games available to South African residents and outlaws the advertisement of gambling services in the country. It also calls for strict regulation of the interactive gambling industry, particularly for the prevention of crime and the protection of players, problem gamblers and minors.