Over the last five years the government - at national and provincial level - has been introducing a range of activities and legislation that will result in a carefully regulated and legal gambling industry in South Africa. In addition there has been the introduction of a National Lottery.
The National Lottery is a priority for government as it will play an important role in providing financial resources to many very important causes and activities in our broader society.
This whole process has presented a number of challenges and the industry has proved to be very prone to litigation. Earlier this year as the Minister responsible I briefed the Cabinet and it was agreed that I should facilitate an interaction with the Provinces in order to improve a co-ordinated introduction of the industry over the coming years.
This interaction is now in process and is providing to be very constructive. The process is not intended to change the responsibilities of national and provincial government as presently defined. The intention is to improve co-ordination and the definition of responsibilities to the benefit of the effective regulation of the industry.
After careful consideration and consultation with the Provinces and industry participants I am now able to announce that limited payout machines will be introduced no earlier than the 1st June 2000. It is the intention to process all the necessary steps so as to allow the introduction as soon after that date as is practical. It is not envisaged that this could be later than September 2000. The reason for formulating the announcement in this way is that the launch of the National Lottery is being given priority and I would like a gap between its launch in March and the commencement of operations of limited payout machines.
The key features of the regulations will be:
The National Gambling Board and the Department of Trade and Industry are interacting with stakeholders in the detailed drawing up of the regulations within this framework.
These detailed regulationS will be published as soon as they are ready and it is likely that this will be very early in 2000.
Accordingly, it is advisable that all potential participants in the industry ensure that they are informed as to the requirements of the industry and that they do not act prior to this information being available.
Illegal operators will be dealt with to the full extent of the law and no concessions will be entertained. The conditions for legal operation are the full prerogative of government and no enterprise has any right what so ever to try and pre-empt this. To do so is a criminal act in the same despicable mould as all criminal acts.
Issued by Minister of Trade and Industry.
20 September 1999.