The National Gambling Policy Council has met to discuss the Gambling Amendment Bill, which is expected to improve the regulation of gambling in the country and squeeze out illegal operators.
At its meeting in Kempton Park on Monday, the council, which is composed of Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies as well as provincial MECs of Economic Development, discussed issues affecting the gambling industry.
“The meeting considered the draft National Gambling Amendment Bill and the two Gambling Regulations, amongst other issues discussed. The bill will be formally introduced before Parliament for the public hearings, which will culminate in changes to the bill or rejection of the bill,” said the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) on Tuesday.
The National Gambling Amendment Bill was published in October 2016. It is expected that the bill will enhance the regulation of gambling in the country.
Some of the proposals of the bill include the repositioning of the National Gambling Board (NGB) to become the National Gambling Regulator (NGR), led by the Chief Executive Office. The NGR will assume the functions of the NGB.
Enforcement capacity of the regulator will be enhanced by the inspectorate operating with the NGR to fight unlawful gambling practices, including online gambling.
The Gambling Amendment Bill also provides that the NGR should keep a register of illegal gambling operators.
“The council also noted the two Gambling Regulations that will be published for broader public comments, as required in terms of section 87 of the National Gambling Act of 2004. Regulation 2 deals with the exclusion register that will remove certain provisions, which make the registration process tedious and unnecessarily long,” said the dti. - SAnews.gov.za
