Opposition parties demand crackdown on online gambling, slam govt inaction

Opposition parties have slammed government and Parliament for being lax in tightening laws, allowing online gambling to flourish unchecked.

The criticism was voiced during a debate introduced by Rise Mzansi in Parliament on Friday, proposing seven reform measures aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from frittering away their allowances on online gambling.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is calling for an outright ban on gambling advertising, while the Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) insists that betting companies should not be allowed to sponsor sport.

MK Party's Visven Reddy expressed a dim view of the extensive gambling advertising at King Shaka International Airport in Durban.

ALSO READ: Rise Mzansi dubs online gambling the ‘new pandemic', demands stricter regulations

He claimed money from online gambling is largely flowing offshore, enriching foreign companies at the expense of desperate South Africans.

Reddy also highlighted the exploitation of casino workers: "They are the backbone of the industry, but they remain the bottom while foreign owners live in luxury abroad. That is modern slavery wearing a suit and a tie."

Meanwhile, the EFF's Sinawo Thambo called out political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), ActionSA, and BOSA, which have received funding from online gambling entrepreneur Martin Moshal, suggesting they are complicit in the problem.

Thambo strongly advocated for severing ties between gambling and sport:

"The fact that our football is sponsored by gambling companies is a national shame. They do not sponsor cricket, rugby or swimming—only the sport of the poor where suffering can be monetised."

Parties called on Parliament to speedily tighten the loopholes in the legislation.

This comes after the 2018 Gambling Amendment Bill failed to receive the necessary support, leaving the country with outdated regulations ill-equipped to deal with the proliferation of online platforms.

JOIN US ON WHATSAPP

Stay ahead of the story: Join our WhatsApp channel today.

Want breaking news at your fingertips, the moment it happens? Our WhatsApp Channel is the fastest way to stay connected with the stories that matter most.

From breaking news alerts to exclusive stories, analysis and must-read features - you’ll get it all directly on your phone.

Joining is simple.

Just click Follow on our WhatsApp Channel and stay informed.