Western Cape gambling board warns that national amendment bill could erode provincial powers and raise operator costs

The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board has urged lawmakers to rethink key clauses in South Africa’s National Gambling Amendment Bill, warning that they would override effective provincial oversight and saddle licensed operators with unnecessary expenses.

The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) has used a presentation to the provincial legislature’s finance portfolio committee to voice strong opposition to parts of the long-running National Gambling Amendment Bill. Board representatives argued that several provisions would undermine provincial authority in an area where the Western Cape already operates tested, audited and locally adapted systems.

One of the board’s main objections is the proposed extension of the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS) beyond limited payout machines to cover casinos, bingo and betting. The WCGRB told lawmakers that a single national monitoring platform “is simply not viable nor desirable”, warning it would duplicate existing provincial infrastructure and force operators to pay extra levies and replace compliant equipment.

The board also criticised language that would allow national inspectors to investigate illegal gambling “with or without” provincial officials, saying this would create confusion, overlap and weaker enforcement on the ground. On unlawful winnings, the WCGRB insisted that proceeds from illegal operations should continue to flow to the Western Cape treasury under existing law, rather than be seized directly by national bodies.

Committee chair and provincial finance MEC Deon Meyer noted that the Western Cape will finalise its formal position after considering all submissions. Nationally, the bill still needs backing from at least five provinces in the National Council of Provinces before it can become law — setting the stage for further debate over where the balance of power in South African gambling regulation should lie.

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