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South African Online Gambling Law

Written by

Rudie Venter
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Gaming laws in South Africa have undergone a number of changes since South Africa’s Gambling Act of 1965 was enacted. Since that time the gambling industry has also undergone many changes and the establishment of online casinos has added a new dimension to the issue.

While the National Gambling Act of 2004 banned online gambling in South Africa, and the subsequently updated laws of September 2011 clarified that online gambling is illegal within South Africa’s borders, there are still plenty of South Africans who enjoy the services and games of quality online casinos.

The reason is that the South African online gambling laws are geared towards the online casinos themselves, and do not target the individual players.

We have compiled a list of online casinos that many South Africans still enjoy playing at. These online casinos are highly reputable and offer safe & legal online gambling to customers in South African Rand and we suggest you give them a try.

South African Legal Casinos:

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Playing Online Casino Games Legally

While online casinos are banned in South Africa, the emphasis of the law and the responsibility rests with the banks that process payments for online gambling activities and with the operators of the gaming sites. While casino operators are banned from accepting South African players, individual players have never been targeted and prosecuted for playing at online casinos if they haven't received winnings at SA bank accounts. The online casinos that do operate in South Africa are fully aware of the law and are located far enough from our great country not to be concerned about any legal consequences.

Legal Online Casinos in South Africa

According to the laws of September 2011, no online casino operator can legally offer gambling services within the borders of South Africa. However, there are still a wide choice of operators who continue to attract players from South Africa. Finding safe online casinos is a priority for South Africa gamblers. For more information, you can consult our guide to gambling in Africa.

The casinos that you play at must be fully licensed and regulated in a reliable jurisdiction and must employ comprehensive security measures to ensure the protection of your financial information. An online casino that is audited by a third party will ensure that the casino complies with minimum standards for the industry which will further protect your rights and the fairness of play.

Playing at A South African Online Casino

Many online casinos that offer services to South Africans have geared their sites towards this market. Some offer bonus information in Rands, while others may offer deposits and withdrawals in our currency. Besides the important points of security, minimum standards, and fairness mentioned above, South African online casinos offer a range of secure, legal and safe banking methods that are available and accessible for South African players.

This means that you will be able to make deposits and withdrawals simply and conveniently to your online casino account and you will have a range of methods to choose from. You will also be able to play in your local currency.

This will make gambling simpler and will help you avoid hefty conversion fees that you would have to pay if you were playing in another currency from South Africa. Being able to place bets in South African Rand also offers convenience and helps you to keep track of your bankroll. South African online casinos will offer a number of different customer support contact methods with representatives available during peak playing times in South Africa. Try these South African Online Casinos.

Online Gambling Legal in South Africa Faq's

Is Gambling in South Africa Legal?

The National Gambling Act of 2004 prohibits online gambling and in August 2010, online gambling via offshore servers was also banned in South Africa. In September 2011, the South African government made it clear that operators were banned from offering online gambling services to South African residents.

At this point, some online casinos closed their doors to their South African customers; however, many other operators have successfully remained open to their valued South African clientele and continue to offer safe and reliable online gaming. As an online casino player based in South Africa, playing real money online casino games is safe.

What Other Laws Apply to Online Gambling in South Africa?

It is important to realise what the law states and how it affects you. It is illegal for casino operators to offer services within the borders of South Africa. However, with the internet, it is not too hard to get around these restrictions and online casino players from South Africa have been playing safely at dozens of online casinos that continue to offer their services. The casino operators themselves that offer services are the ones that are taking the risk. There have been no recorded incidences of legal action being taken against individuals who play at online casinos in South Africa.

Can I Enjoy All the Services of The Online Casino?

Yes, absolutely! When you play at safe and secure online casinos in South Africa, you will be able to enjoy all of the features, functions, and services available at the casino. You will have access to all the bonuses and promotions, as well as the VIP program and its benefits. You will also be able to enjoy any of the games that are available at the casino, including free games and real money games. You can have your choice from table games, card games, video poker, slots, progressive games and more. Many online casinos have geared themselves towards the South African casino player and offer you bonuses, rewards and special promotions in Rands.

Rudie Venter

Rudie Venter

Online Slots and Casino Games Expert

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Rudie Venter is a seasoned online casino games expert with eight years of industry experience. Holding a degree in psychology, he combines academic insight with practical knowledge of casino game strategies. Rudie's talent lies in demystifying game mechanics, making them accessible and fun for everyone. On his time off, Rudie loves a good ol’ braai and watching the rugby with a naughty Klippies & Coke (in moderation, of course).

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