It’s nearly hard to discuss internet gambling in South Africa without first discussing the country’s history with gambling in general. It’s a history of long limitations, to be specific. In fact, they’ve been around for so long that many individuals are still unsure whether or not internet gambling is legal.
GAMBLING IN SOUTH AFRICA’S HISTORY
In 1673, the first gambling prohibitions were enacted. Except for horse racing, all forms of gambling were outlawed in the 1960s throughout the twentieth century. Someone claimed it was more of a sporting event. Nonetheless, individuals will break the rules as long as there are regulations. As a result, it’s no surprise that there were around 2,000 illicit casinos.
This gradually changed, thanks in large part to the efforts of Sol Kersner and his Sun International company, which negotiated deals with most of our neighboring nations and states, bringing full-fledged casino resorts within a few hours’ drive of the majority of South Africans. Finally, the emergence of a democratic administration resulted in the legalization of gambling, which was given by the National Gambling Act of 1996 and overseen by the National Gaming Board since then. This also meant that the number of casinos would be reduced, as there are now about 60 casinos operating around the country.
IN SOUTH AFRICA, ONLINE GAMBLING IS ON THE RISE.
South Africa took a bit slower than other areas of the world to get on to online gambling, but it is now a booming business with a rapidly increasing fan base.
Following the dramatic shift in government in 1994, important modifications to our gambling regulations occurred, and clubs were able to get gaming licenses in our cities. However, this was accompanied by the steady introduction of Internet services.
Because internet gambling debuted in 1994, we were a year behind the rest of the globe, owing to a lack of public knowledge – gambling had been illegal for so long – and the fact that it would be years before broadband connections were popular in this country.
Well, being online is necessary for online gaming. Despite the fact that the internet first emerged in South Africa in 1988 (with the establishment of an email link), the internet was not accessible or fast enough until 2002 due to speed and other issues. Telkom launched its first commercial ADSL offering at this time. Wireless services ascended to the throne in 2004. Things have only gotten better since then, especially when it comes to internet casinos.
True, internet gambling had its difficulties, as the government looked to be split between allowing and prohibiting it at times. This perplexed the gamers, but they now spend as much time as possible gaming online. One of the most telling signs is that even foreign casinos have begun to provide rand withdrawal and deposit options. Obviously, South Africans enjoy online gambling; otherwise, they would go to the bank and establish a US dollar or British pound account.
WHAT MAKES ONLINE GAMBLING SO POPULAR?
Online gambling protects your privacy and allows you to play with whoever you choose at nearly any time. Not only does it have a lot of attraction, but it also has a lot of accolades.
The presence of networked games and their progressive jackpots, which yield larger wins than any traditional land-based casino, is the main factor that draws South African players to the gaming tables of online casinos. Apart from awards, there is the presence of networked games and their progressive jackpots, which yield larger wins than any traditional land-based casino.
Because of this, the majority of online casinos use software from only a few big developers. Most software providers now have affiliate networks to which all online casinos that use their software are members. At these casinos, certain branded games all contribute to a single progressive jackpot, which means that every time someone plays, a little portion of their stake goes towards a collective pot. And because there are literally millions of individuals playing the same game all across the world, the jackpot may grow to enormous proportions.
Microgaming, for example, is the creator of Mega Moolah, a video slot game. Because Microgaming is one of the most renowned and well-known game producers, many online casinos use their software platform, which is filled with their games. Mega Moolah generates millionaires all around the world every year as a result of all of this publicity. The game’s progressive jackpot had just surpassed £6,000,000 at the time of writing this article, and it was still increasing.
MOBILE GAMBLING’S HISTORY
Electronic mobile games were invented around 1970, some decades after humanity first used electricity. People continued to rely on casinos and arcades for gaming amusement despite their popularity. Electronic mobile games were eventually phased out in favor of home consoles.
Mobile phones had games built in, but they were so basic that they can’t be compared to today’s complex games. Only with the release of the iPhone, which could accommodate cutting-edge graphics, did mobile gaming take off. Mobile gambling has evolved into the most popular form of entertainment for on-the-go gamblers, allowing players from all over the world, including South Africa, to play for real money on their mobile devices.
IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE LEGALITY OF MOBILE GAMBLING
The answer to the issue of whether playing real money mobile casino games is legal or not is yes and no. Sports betting is the only type of gambling that has been allowed in South Africa. However, there is no regulation in South Africa that expressly states that people are prohibited from playing online or mobile casino games. As a result, South African players are accepted by hundreds of offshore online and mobile casinos.
Residents of South Africa are completely capable of gambling on their mobile devices. Vodacom now controls more than half of the mobile market in South Africa. Cell C is used by a tiny proportion of inhabitants, whereas MTN is used by a third. Tablets and smartphones are owned by half of South African subscribers. Although a handful utilize Apple devices, the majority of South Africans choose platforms such as Blackberry and Android. Residents of South Africa may and do use their mobile devices for gambling because data packages are accessible at cheap rates.
BENEFITS OF BONUSES WITHOUT A DEPOSIT
Choosing a mobile casino is equally as tough as choosing an internet casino due to the large number of options available and the difficulty in separating the wheat from the chaff. Players must conduct thorough research before joining up for real money play at a mobile casino by reading reviews on affiliate sites or casino information portals, debating the mobile casino on gaming forums, and learning more about it.
Mobile gaming services are available at the finest online casinos in the business. To get started, players may either log in with their current online casino credentials or scan the QR code provided with their mobile devices. Mobile casinos are equally as excellent as internet casinos in terms of providing engaging games, profitable promotions, and substantial bonuses and loyalty benefits.