Illegal gambling: a ‘headache’ for the Board
The continued prevalence of illegal gambling in the city and Limpopo continues to be a millstone around the neck of the Limpopo Gambling Board and police.
POLOKWANE – This is according to former CEO of the Gambling Board, Serobi Maja, who recently retired.
He said despite their best efforts the Gambling Board has been unable to stop illegal gambling, adding there was an urgent need for the justice system to work closer with organisations like the Gambling Board in this regard.
Read more: Cops crack down on illegal gambling machine owners
Illegal gambling activities in the city include slot machines, online gambling, Fafi and dice games like ‘batota’ (casino).
“There have been several instances where people involved with illegal gambling operations had been arrested and their machines confiscated by police but due to small legal issues the bust was classed as illegal and they had to be released and their machines returned. It is things like this that frustrate law enforcement and it has to change,” Maja told Review.
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He added the biggest issue with illegal gambling is that it doesn’t meet the requirements and regulations set out in the Limpopo Gambling Act, 2013 and is unsafe for both the gambler and the gambling institution.
The Act states gambling activities must be effectively regulated and controlled to limit the potential socioeconomic impact on the community.
Businesses that promote illegal gambling suppress economic and social growth in the community as, unlike legal casinos, they do not pay gambling tax, corporate tax or VAT, he explained. “As there is no regulation, not the gambler nor the institution have grounds to pursue judgement through legal channels if a dispute arises. Another problem is many people do not realise online gambling is illegal in South Africa and it is one of the fastest growing trends in the city. Online gamblers can face a sentence of up to 10 years, fines up to R10 million or both if convicted,” Maja said.
Online gambling is any game that’s being played on the internet where you pay something of value (i.e. place a bet) at the risk of losing it, but in the hope of winning something in return.
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Capt Mamphaswa Seabi, said illegal gambling is a problem for police.
“The problem is not only that they gamble illegally but that they fight when they lose which ends in people getting injured. People also turn to illegal ways to get money to gamble,” Seabi said.
To report illegal gambling, contact the Limpopo Gambling Board at (015) 230 0300 or report the matter to the nearest police station.
