ISP blocking sought as gambling Bill remains stalled
South Africa’s ISPA opposes IP blocking for gambling sites, citing technical and constitutional concerns, while the government pushes a stalled bill to curb illegal online gambling.Summary
South Africa’s ISPA argues that blocking IP addresses is technically challenging and could undermine constitutional rights. The National Gambling Amendment Bill, first introduced in 2018, has lapsed and been revived multiple times, and the current iteration seeks to empower the National Gambling Board to notify ISPs and financial institutions to cease business with illegal operators. "ISPA’s position is that any disruption of internet services to South Africans should be done only as part of a clear legislative framework". ISPA’s chair, Sasha Booth‑Beharilal, warns that any disruption of internet services should only occur within a clear legislative framework that balances communication rights against harmful content, citing technical bypasses such as VPNs and the need for public disclosure and regular review. Meanwhile, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau pushes the bill forward, and the NGB has requested the Department of Communications to block offshore gambling sites, while also maintaining a Verified Operators Web Portal that has not been updated since March. The debate highlights the tension between enforcing gambling regulations, protecting consumers, and preserving internet freedom.
(Source：Itweb)