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Gambling has long been a part of human nature, but not all countries have taken the same approach on how to allow people to do this legally. If we look at the example of South Africa and Nigeria, we can see how differently these countries have acted in this respect.
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South Africa Banned Most Gambling Until the Mid-1990s
Betting was traditionally banned here from the late 17th-century onwards. The Gambling Act of 1965 updated the laws to stop people from gambling on anything other than horse racing. This legislation also allowed wagering in the former Bantustans of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda, and Ciskei, allowing casinos to operate there legally.
In 1994, the country’s Lotteries and Gambling Board stated that the Act of 1965 “no longer reflects” the government’s view and the wishes of the majority of South African citizens. This led to the National Gambling Act of 1996, which made gambling legal and led to the opening of casinos and a national lottery that provides funds to non-profit organizations, sporting bodies, and other worthwhile causes.
Further changes were made to the laws in 2004 and then 2008, mainly to control the online gambling market as it started to grow. Currently, the National Lottery is the most popular type of gambling in South Africa, followed by slot machines and scratchcards. The number of online casino websites continued to increase over the years making the online gambling market extremely competitive, whilst also making the players’ decision more difficult as the options increased. As a result, a number of trusted casino review websites such as PlayCasino.co.za cropped up to help players find the best deals and steer clear of any casino sites that were known to be fraudulent.
In 1994, the country’s Lotteries and Gambling Board stated that the Act of 1965 “no longer reflects” the government’s view and the wishes of the majority of South African citizens. This led to the National Gambling Act of 1996, which made gambling legal and led to the opening of casinos and a national lottery that provides funds to non-profit organizations, sporting bodies, and other worthwhile causes.
Further changes were made to the laws in 2004 and then 2008, mainly to control the online gambling market as it started to grow. Currently, the National Lottery is the most popular type of gambling in South Africa, followed by slot machines and scratchcards. The number of online casino websites continued to increase over the years making the online gambling market extremely competitive, whilst also making the players’ decision more difficult as the options increased. As a result, a number of trusted casino review websites such as PlayCasino.co.za cropped up to help players find the best deals and steer clear of any casino sites that were known to be fraudulent.
Nigeria First Regulated Gambling in 1990
Gambling has traditionally been popular in Nigeria, although there was a lack of clarity over the legality of it until the Criminal Code Act of 1990. This piece of legislation explained which types of games are legal and which aren’t.
This meant that land-based casino games, sports betting and lottery playing became legal at the time. Card games with no skill involved, dice games, and roulette were classed as being illegal in this act. The National Lottery Act in 2005 helped to regulate gambling in Nigeria further.
Online gambling is controlled by the Nigerian Lottery Commission, which gives out licenses to sports betting sites that meet their criteria. However, the online casino industry lacks regulation of this type, meaning that players need to access offshore operators. While sports betting is still the top type of wager in Nigeria, slot machines now occupy second place in the list.
This meant that land-based casino games, sports betting and lottery playing became legal at the time. Card games with no skill involved, dice games, and roulette were classed as being illegal in this act. The National Lottery Act in 2005 helped to regulate gambling in Nigeria further.
Online gambling is controlled by the Nigerian Lottery Commission, which gives out licenses to sports betting sites that meet their criteria. However, the online casino industry lacks regulation of this type, meaning that players need to access offshore operators. While sports betting is still the top type of wager in Nigeria, slot machines now occupy second place in the list.
Source: Pxhere
What Does the Future Hold?
The huge growth in online gambling across the planet has led to many countries introducing new forms of legislation. As well as protecting players by only allowing access to regulated operators, this is a way of generating more revenue through licensing fees and taxes.
Given the size of these markets, it seems certain that both South Africa and Nigeria will continue to refine their laws in this area. Nigeria is a little bit behind South Africa in this matter and moving over to a regulated framework that allows Nigeria-based casinos to operate online would appear to be a worthwhile move in the future.
Placing real-money wagers is a popular activity in both of these African countries, so residents should keep an eye out for any updates that affect how they can do this safely
Given the size of these markets, it seems certain that both South Africa and Nigeria will continue to refine their laws in this area. Nigeria is a little bit behind South Africa in this matter and moving over to a regulated framework that allows Nigeria-based casinos to operate online would appear to be a worthwhile move in the future.
Placing real-money wagers is a popular activity in both of these African countries, so residents should keep an eye out for any updates that affect how they can do this safely