Internet Cafe Gambling In South Africa

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Online gambling is booming but not harmless, says Casino Association South Africa CEO Themba Ngobese.

Odyssey Internet Cafe. Address: Victoria Wharf Shop Ctr, V & A Waterfront, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa, Cape Town. See full address and map.

  1. Since 2010, the act of online casino gambling has been strictly prohibited in South Africa. Prior to this time, it did seem like the country was gearing towards making it a legal operation, with discussions for regulation and legalisation taking place.
  2. South Africa Gambling History; Year Event; 1673: First gambling restrictions in the law, gambling in South Africa was banned by the Dutch settlers. The return of gambling did not occur until 1866-1867. 1965: Gambling act – gambling is banned. All forms of gamblnig are banned in South Africa, except for horse racing.
  3. Internet franchises are a fast-growing franchising sector, as entrepreneurs clamor to become part of the booming internet industry. With the widespread availability of internet access, there is a need for more online businesses, web portals, gaming sites and internet service businesses to meet the needs of consumers everywhere.

You may not know it, but online gambling is illegal in South Africa. Nevertheless, it’s a booming industry that is hitting licensed casinos hard.

The National Gambling Act of 2004 bans all “interactive” online casinos and games such as poker and bingo.

Numerous online gambling sites exist and some estimates suggest that tens of thousands of South Africans have active accounts.

The most popular online gaming platform in South Africa is Costa Rica-based “Realtime Gaming”.

Online gambling represents a massive loss in tax revenue and has the potential to slash visits to “land based” casinos. Online gambling in Europe, where it’s legal, has caused casino visits to fall by 20 percent.

Casino and horse-racing revenue fell by 0.6 percent in 2014. According to the National Gambling Board, gambling revenue totalled R21.8 billion while the industry paid R2.2 billion in tax.

Gamblers and operators face a maximum penalty of R10 million and/or 10 years in jail.

We interviewed Themba Ngobese, CEO of Casino Association South Africa, about illegal online gambling in South Africa.

Listen to the audio (scroll down) for more detail.

We assume that at least five percent of gambling spend goes towards illegal online gambling.

Themba Ngobese, CEO of the Casino Association South Africa

Online gambling in all forms, as well as foreign lotteries, are illegal in South Africa. Only online sports betting is allowed. Government is not considering the legalisation of online gambling.

Themba Ngobese, CEO of the Casino Association South Africa

The loss in tax revenue due to online gambling equals an amount that could buy a third of all school textbooks in South Africa.

Themba Ngobese, CEO of the Casino Association South Africa

There are countless illegal gambling establishments in South Africa. And the numbers are growing. Gambling illegally at home is a much smaller problem than these physical 'internet cafes'.

Themba Ngobese, CEO of the Casino Association South Africa

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How These Sites Are Rated

When recommending a real money internet gambling venue, the reviews team goes through an agreed ratings process to ensure a site offers all the features that are important to South African players, and sets a high standard throughout for gaming and online betting variety, swift, secure transactions for real cash wagers in Rand, and excellent customer support.

We test and compare a massive range of gambling online sites here at onlinegambling,org. The team's combined experience as players is second to none, and for gambling online in South Africa we offer the best ratings site around. The sites we recommend are safe for players, and funds are secure in every part of the transactions necessary to gamble for real money. Our team of experts tests the websites to make sure that there is no danger of fraud or identity theft. We perform a series of security checks on the sites themselves, as well as making deposits and withdrawals with our OWN money via the site’s banking methods. This allows us to recommend the best Internet gambling online South Africa sites with confidence.

“The latest 2015 online gambling offerings and player favorites, as well as betting limits that include all players.”

Every Online Gambling Site Reviewed and Ranked!

Our team of experts takes special care to examine every aspect of the online gambling sites South Africa players can play on With the involvement of industry experts and experienced players, everything is considered, from the welcome bonuses to the best loyalty programs that reward regular players. We also make sure that our list of top sites on the web offers the widest variety of games, with the latest 2020 online gambling offerings and player favorites, as well as betting limits that include all players, from casual players to serious pros.

We Find You The Best In SA Online Gambling!

Simply read our reviews and choose the site that best suits your Internet gambling needs. We have long served South African online gambling sites and their players, and you can join our family by clicking on the site of your choice. Gambling online is just a few mouse clicks away!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are based in South Africa, below you can find out how you can gamble online from home.

Is online gambling popular in South Africa?

Yes, it's huge as a pastime. The popularity of internet betting can be seen in the wealth of online venues attracting SA bettors for slots, table games and sports betting. Internationally based sites are a particular favorite, and almost all of the top online gambling sites see large, regular traffic from South Africa.

What is the required age to play?

From 18 on you can gamble online and in land casinos.

Is mobile gaming available?

Yes, for almost any device. Players in South Africa can enjoy most gambling sites on their smartphone or tablet by playing the mobile games offered. These run in your device's browser thanks to html5, and so almost any device will be able to access them, including Windows phones and Blackberry devices. You can also download dedicated gambling apps from certain sites, and these will likely be tailored to iOS and Android devices.

Am I required to pay tax on my winnings?

South Africa does not collect tax on money you win from sports bets.

Can I play in ZAR?

While it is not quite as common as dollars or euros, plenty of good casinos will accept ZAR, so just make sure you check that the casino that catches your fancy accepts ZAR before you sign up and give them your personal information.

What are the best sites for South Africans?

To find out the highest recommended and safest online gaming sites for South Africans go through the list of our carefully tested and chosen recommendations. We have examined each of our choices rigorously to ensure that their level of security and best payouts will satisfy you.

What forms of gambling are popular?

Currently the National Gambling Board allows only online sports betting, but there are many who are pushing for the loosening of the regulations in order to include standard casino games like baccarat and poker.