South Africa wants to tax online gambling. The industry is fighting back
South Africa plans a 20% tax on online gambling profits, sparking opposition from the industry who fear it will drive players to illegal sites.Summary
South Africa is proposing a national 20% tax on online gambling profits, aiming to double revenue from the sector to R10-billion annually. The National Gambling Board estimates that two-thirds of adults now engage in online gambling, a significant increase since 2017. The industry, represented by the South African Bookmakers’ Association, is strongly opposing the tax, arguing it won't curb problem gambling but will instead push players to unregulated, underground sites. They advocate for focusing on illegal gambling operations instead. The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation reports a surge in distress calls and treated cases of gambling addiction, highlighting the social concerns driving the tax proposal. The proposed tax, combined with existing provincial and other taxes, could reach 38.5% of profits, potentially making legal gambling less competitive.
(Source：Techcentral)