The Treasury\u2019s draft proposal sets out a 20 per cent tax <\/strong>on gross gambling revenue from online betting, projected to raise about R10bn <\/strong>(\u20ac520m) annually. RISE Mzansi considers the move a necessary step but argues that further reforms are needed to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure fair and effective regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In its submission to the Treasury, the party recommends reducing the national rate to 17 per cent<\/strong> while introducing an 8 per cent minimum for provincial taxes, arguing that this would prevent provinces from lowering rates to attract operators and help create uniform rules across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The party also calls for mandatory national licensing for online bookmakers, arguing that it would prevent regulatory shopping among provinces and give the National Gambling Board (NGB)<\/strong> full visibility of the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To direct the tax revenue towards public benefit, RISE Mzansi proposes sharing funds between national and provincial governments based on equitable needs, since provinces often bear the social consequences of problem gambling. The party wants the money ring-fenced for rehabilitation programmes, public education on gambling risks and support for organisations such as the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RISE Mzansi further recommends tougher enforcement against unlicensed offshore operators, including requiring banks to block transactions to illegal sites, mandating internet service providers to restrict access and working with search engines such as Google<\/strong> to delist them from search results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additional protections include verifying bettors\u2019 income to cap deposits at affordable levels, automatic account pauses after heavy losses and a ban on using credit or overdrafts for betting. The party also supports a national database to monitor spending across platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The South African gambling industry recorded R1.5trn<\/strong> (\u20ac78bn) in turnover during the 2024\/25 fiscal year,<\/strong> with online betting accounting for more than 85 per cent<\/strong> of the R52bn<\/strong> (\u20ac2.7bn) in gross revenue. This expansion has heightened concerns about addiction, debt, family difficulties and related mental health challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition<\/strong> has indicated it will release new advertising guidelines by July 2026<\/strong> in response to these concerns. However, RISE Mzansi\u2019s approach includes limits on advertising, such as bans during morning and evening peak times, higher contributions to responsible gambling initiatives (up to 1 per cent of revenue) and requirements for 40 per cent <\/strong>of marketing budgets to focus on safe gambling messages.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/South-Korean-casinos-allowed-to-postpone-sales-taxes-payment-300x200.jpg\")
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