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Millions of rands are being lost to offshore gaming sites because current online gaming regulations severely restrict the issuing of licences to operators, says Thomas Pays, MD of online auction company Smokoo.
Local online gaming industry players are awaiting the release of the Gambling Review Commission's final report, to be submitted to trade and industry minister Rob Davies, later this month.
The review commission was appointed by the minister last year to scrutinise developments in the gambling industry during the past 10 years, as well as to find ways of best regulating the sector.
Speaking from an industry point of view, Pays says that besides restricting the issuing of licences, current regulations also limit outlets to land-based casinos while overlooking the online versions.
According to Pays, latest trends show that rather than visiting a land-based environment, gamers prefer to play online, as it is more convenient. “We are in an environment where interest in and access to online activities are increasing and where people are less happy to venture out at night,” he says.
Pays adds that government needs to focus more on the will of the electorate, rather than attempting to play the role of moral watchdog.
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