Betfair is the latest online bookmaker to withdraw services from the South African market following a Supreme High Court ruling
As many predicted, Betfair, the U.K. based bookmakers, has announced that they will no longer be supplying their services to South African gamblers.
The move comes in response to the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling last September which made online gambling illegal in South Africa and subject to large fines. The decision, which essentially clarified the government’s position on online gambling, also led to the ban of all advertising for internet gambling.
According to the Public Affairs Manager for Betfair, Tom Tuxworth, the company will now be blocking all access from South African internet addresses. He said that the “website is in the process of being IP-blocked to the entire country.” Betfair has said that account holders have until February 14th to withdraw any outstanding funds from their accounts. Tuxworth went onto say that the blocking process has been carefully planned and tested and that the company ensured that there was enough time “to communicate with our customers to ensure an orderly closure of their accounts.”
Casino Enterprises, the Switzerland based operator of Piggs Peak Casino, Piggs Peak Poker, Piggs Peak Bingo and Volcanic Gold Casino appealed the Supreme Court ruling on the grounds of server location, but the appeal was rejected and they too have removed their websites.
However, Betfair is in the process of applying for a sportsbook licence in the Western Cape under the existing framework. Tuxworth pointed out that online sports betting is still legal in South African under the current laws. Also, the Gambling Review Commission has recently recommended that online gambling should be legalised once again and that a number of licences should be issued.
Therefore, while players in South Africa may be in for a bit of a wait, there is still hope and Betfair may one day be able to return.
