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April 23 - While legal internet gambling has not yet
become a reality in South Africa, this may soon all change with the imminent
passing of the National Gambling Amendment Bill.
As South African lawmakers battle it out in a bid to make the new law as safe
as possible, without encroaching on the basic rights of its citizens to enjoy
internet gambling, international companies are waiting in the wings in the hope
of gaining a foothold in the market as soon as it is legally possible.
It is not unheard of, for example, for foreign online companies to take an
active part in gambling conferences in South Africa, even though the company
itself cannot offer its services under the current law.
Recently, one of the world's top internet gambling companies, Victor
Chandler, headquartered in Gibraltar, announced that it would begin operations
in the South African market in the near future. Setting up business in the
country comes with a price tag of around GBP 300,000.
Chandler's industry rival, Bwin, another mega star in the gambling market, is
also rumored to be considering expansion into South Africa. According to a
newspaper report in the Austrian media, which refused to divulge its sources,
South Africa, along with Spain and Ukraine, are on the gambling company's radar
for future expansion.
Victor Chandler, CEO of the company named after himself, confirmed that he
always shared a market with Bwin Interactive Entertainment. "Wherever we are,
they are," he said. "Sometimes they follow us, sometimes we follow them."
At present, South African online gamblers are serviced by companies operating
outside its borders, at sites such as those owned by African Palace Casino,
Amber Coast Casino and Silver Sands Casino.
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