Exploring the origins of sports betting in South Africa

In the below article, we look at the history and origins of sports betting in SA and how the industry had evolved to where it stands today.

In ages past, you couldn’t do things like complete Gbets sign-up process in just 4 steps and start betting — sportsbooks weren’t even a thing or legal! As you will see below, it’s only since an important act in 2004 was passed that platforms like Gbets became possible.

South Africa Gambling Act 1965 – A bleak outlook

You may not know, but gambling has been restricted and regulated in some form in South Africa since 1673! Until the last few decades, horse race betting has been the only constant form of sports betting in the country.

This has virtually always been available and legal, and the 1965 South African Gambling Act only cemented this. This law effectively banned all types of gambling in the country except on-track betting on horses. This resulted in an explosion of illegal casino and sports betting activity with an estimated 2,000+ illegal casinos operating until 1995!

National Gambling Act 1996 – Time for change

1996 was a time for change when a new government entered office. This government introduced the National Gambling Act, which included a range of provisions for regulated gambling activities. The National Gambling Board was also established at this time to oversee gambling laws and activity in the country.

Sports betting was still regulated to horse race betting only because the gambling act only made provisions for legal casinos, a national lottery and other types of gaming.

National Gambling Act 2004 – The floodgates open

We can say that 2004 was the official birth of regulated sports betting in South Africa on games outside of horse racing thanks to the National Gambling Act of 2004. This revised the 1996 act and made additional provisions for online sportsbooks, although it hampered the development of online casinos in the country.

Online sportsbooks could be created, and South African citizens could legally play at them providing the platform had a license from one of the nine provincial gambling boards:

· Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board

· Gauteng Gambling Board

· North West Gambling Board

· Limpopo Gambling Board

· Mpumalanga Gambling Board

· KwaZulu-Natal Gaming & Betting Board

· Eastern Cape Gambling & Betting Board

· Free State Gambling & Liquor Authority

At this point in time, there are at least 30+ sportsbook operators in South Africa and this number continues to expand. The platforms are generally high quality and allow SA citizens to place wagers on popular sports such as cricket, rugby, football, basketball, tennis and golf.

Sports betting in South Africa has never been better

Horse race betting has been legal in South Africa for decades, so some consider it to be the origin of sports betting in the country. However, 2004 marked the true start for sports betting with the National Gambling Act. This legalized online sports betting and allowed online sportsbooks to operate providing they obtained a license. Since then, the industry has never looked back, and sports betting continues to grow in popularity.