Mpumalanga regulator clarifies stance on casino bets amid SCA ruling
The MER’s stance reflects Mpumalanga’s more permissive approach, where bookmakers can offer bets on casino games, virtual titles and other events, provided they hold a valid licence.
South Africa.- The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) has declared its position on the Supreme Court of Appeal’s judgement on whether bets on casino games like roulette fall under bookmaker licences. While addressing questions from licensees and the public, the regulator emphasised that its framework, under the Mpumalanga Gambling Act of 1995 and the National Gambling Act, permits licensed bookmakers to accept bets on any legal outcome, including casino games.
The SCA case, Portapa (Pty) Ltd t/a Supabets and Others v Casino Association of South Africa and Another, stemmed from a 2017 dispute in Gauteng. It involves Supabets, a licensed bookmaker, which began offering fixed-odds bets on live-streamed roulette draws from a studio in Lithuania after receiving partial approval from the Gauteng Gambling Board. The Casino Association of South Africa (CASA) filed a complaint, arguing that roulette qualifies as a casino game under the Gauteng Gambling Act of 1995, and required a separate casino licence rather than a bookmaker one.
The High Court ruled in CASA’s favour in 2023, and the SCA upheld that decision last month, stating that roulette does not count as a “sporting event” as defined in the Act. The judgement noted: “Roulette is a casino game and should be played on casino premises”, dismissing appeals from Supabets and the Gauteng board.
The MER has now clarified that the SCA ruling “does not affect the current betting offerings or contingencies available under Mpumalanga’s legal framework”. This stance reflects Mpumalanga’s more permissive approach, where bookmakers can offer bets on casino outcomes, virtual games and other events, provided they hold a valid licence. The position also draws from years of approvals for diverse contingencies, with a focus on supporting industry growth while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Other provinces have issued similar clarifications. Earlier this month, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) confirmed that its licensed bookmakers may continue offering a range of contingencies, including live casino games and RNG-based options, to customers nationwide.
