The Evolving State of Casinos in South Africa

South Africa is home to some of the world’s most luxurious casino resorts, resplendent with top-class hotels, high dining, entertainment, and shopping to rival Las Vegas. But casinos haven’t always been legal in the country, and the law has had to develop over the last fifty years with the ever-evolving face of gambling. Now that online casinos have surged in popularity, the government is looking into the regulation and licensing of operators in the country, to protect customers, boost the economy, and eradicate a legal grey area. Let’s take a look at how casino gambling has evolved in South Africa. 

Casino origins in SA

Gambling in South Africa has a long history, but has always faced some form of censure. In 1965 the South Africa Gambling Act was passed, effectively banning all forms of gambling except betting on horse racing — this was seen as part-and-parcel of a sport that was firmly established in the country, and would have been an unpopular pastime to outlaw.

The origins of South Africa’s casino industry can be traced back to the 1970s when the government took note of the potential revenue to be made from regulating gambling. The first legally licensed casino, Sun City, was established in 1979 and quickly became a popular tourist destination, and at times controversial, symbol of entertainment, known worldwide. 

The end of apartheid shook up every facet of South African society, and even legislation regarding gambling was affected. Just as the government in the 70s saw economic potential through tax, the ANC recognised the potential of the gaming industry to boost tourism, create jobs, and contribute to the economy. As a result, the National Gambling Act of 1996 was introduced, and enforced by the National Gambling Board — they became responsible for ensuring operators met the legal requirements and compliance specifications. Casinos, lottery, and sports betting all became legal. 

Expansion 

The legalisation of gambling opened doors for the growth and expansion of casinos in South Africa. Several provinces, including Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, became popular casino destinations, attracting both domestic and international visitors to enjoy the card tables, roulette wheels, and slot machines on offer. Taking its cue from gambling destinations such as Las Vegas, Macau, and Atlantic City, the appearance of numerous world-class casino resorts, featuring luxurious accommodations, entertainment, and other tourist-friendly activities put the nation firmly on the map. 

Out of this period emerged Tsogo Sun, a huge entertainment company, which became one of the leading casino and entertainment groups in the country, and a globally recognisable brand. Tsogo Sun acquired various casinos and hotels, solidifying its position in the industry and contributing to the growth of South Africa’s gaming sector, which started to blossom.

Casinos in SA today

Today, the South African casino scene is flourishing, with major resorts across the country. Sun City has been joined by Montecasino and Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg, GrandWest Casino in Cape Town, and The Boardwalk Casino in Port Elizabeth, to name just a few. These complexes offer all kinds of other attractions for casino tourists, from designer shopping to gourmet food, with health spas, concert halls, theatres, and golf courses amongst others. 

Online gambling has spread across the world like wildfire, and South Africans are avid players in online casinos — they make up the bulk of the African market. 

But the legislation hasn’t yet caught up with online casinos — technically they are illegal, but this only applies to operators, so there are no legal South African online casinos as yet. The good news is, however, players are free to access off-short websites to enjoy cards, roulette, and slot machines, and can find resources to point them in the direction of the best real money casinos available. 

The convenience and accessibility of online casinos make up part of their appeal — being able to enjoy all manner of games on the go, via intuitive mobile apps across a vast array of casino sites. The demographic has noticeably widened in South Africa — many new players have never set foot in a land-based casino — and players of all ages and backgrounds are signing up to play. 

The Future

There have been discussions about amending the National Gambling Act to address emerging trends and technical advancements. These potential reforms aim to strike a balance between consumer protection and creating a conducive environment for the industry’s growth.

It’s likely that regulation will come into place in the next few years — the government will have seen the effect on economies in other regions where online casinos have been licensed, and the amount of revenue they can bring in could benefit many areas of South African society. 

Since their legalization in the 1970s, casinos have become a fixture as part of the entertainment scene in South Africa, as well as providing valuable tourism revenue. The popularity of online gambling is likely to be harnessed to further boost the economy and benefit the nation overall. 

ALSO READ: Top South African Online Casinos 2023