Horseracing and tote betting operators Phumelela and Gold Circle, and corporate bookmaking chain Betting World, would like to point out that online betting on horseracing and sport is legal and is not in any way affected by the recent North Gauteng High Court ruling prohibiting online gambling. That the court ruling applies to online gambling on interactive games only, and not to online betting on horseracing and sport, has been confirmed by the Gauteng Gambling Board.

“Unfortunately, the court ruling has caused a deal of confusion and many people are under the impression that online betting on horseracing and sport has been banned as well. This is most definitely not the case and Phumelela and Gold Circle’s TAB online customers can continue betting as normal, as can Betting World’s online clientele,” said Robert Garner, Phumelela’s General Manager Marketing and Communications. Phumelela and Gold Circle are the only horseracing and tote betting operators in South Africa. Phumelela operates in seven of the nine provinces, including Gauteng, and Gold Circle in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. They also own national fixed-odds operator Betting World, which offers betting on horseracing and all other sports.

Internet operators who offer online gambling to South African residents for gain and a player or punter who takes part in online gambling would both be guilty of breaking the law said a report in local newspapers.

The ruling also makes illegal internet service providers like online casinos and bookmakers who are not licensed in South Africa accountable for the services as well as financial transaction providers such as banks.

Gauteng Gambling Board head of legal services, Lucky Lukhwareni, said online casinos are now up for prosecution, however the casinos are going to appeal the decision and it is unlikely to affect online casino clients in the short term until the appeal is heard.

Persons who are prosecuted and found guilty of breach or contravention of the gambling legislation could receive a fine of R10m or 10 years in jail, or both.