The proposed changes are contained in the Western Cape Twentieth Gambling and Racing Amendment Bill<\/strong>, which is currently before the Provincial Parliament\u2019s Standing Committee on Finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the draft legislation, the amendment would introduce an increased bid fee through an economic opportunity tax payable by casino operators that relocate from their existing licensed premises to new sites within the province. The proposal aims to ensure that the economic value generated by such relocations is shared with the provincial government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liezel Hartman<\/strong>, the WCGRB’s manager of legal services, said the amendment is primarily a financial measure, requiring any casino relocating within the Western Cape to pay the new tax as part of the approval process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The review comes as South Africa’s gambling sector shifts, particularly with the rapid growth of online betting<\/a>. The board restated the distinction between legal online betting and prohibited online gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Primo Abrahams<\/strong>, the WCGRB’s chief executive, said online sports betting and bookmaker services are legal when licensed by provincial authorities, while online casino gambling remains illegal<\/a> under South African law, with the national government leading discussions on whether and how online gambling should be regulated in future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Abrahams also said the growth in online betting has been driven by consumers moving from unlicensed platforms to regulated operators, alongside increased participation from players who previously had limited access to land-based casinos because of geographical distance. He added that digital betting platforms have significantly expanded access to licensed gambling services while remaining subject to provincial oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Standing Committee on Finance has invited gambling operators, industry stakeholders and members of the public to comment on the proposed legislation before the consultation period closes on July 19, 2026<\/strong>. Written submissions may be emailed to Zaheedah Adams, while voice note submissions may also be submitted via WhatsApp. Interested parties may also request an opportunity to make oral submissions before the committee.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/7b22c1cd-5d28-4a5c-aa25-daca2c03c532-900x600-300x200.jpg\")
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