Agricultural Product Standards Act:Standards and Requirements: Control of Export of Oilseeds: Amendment

National Environmental Management Act:National Guideline for consideration of Climate Change Implications in applications for Environmental Authorisations, Atmospheric Emission Licenses and Waste Management Licenses: Comments invited

Tax Administration Act: Designated entities and globe information returns: Extension

South Africa scrubs off FATF greylisting and reclaims financial compliance mojo

Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers says ban ads for online gambling

Major public interest in proposed tobacco Bill

AGRICULTURAL

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Agricultural Product Standards Act: Standards and Requirements: Control of Export of Oilseeds: Amendment

G 53574 GoN 6757

24 October 2025

APPLIES TO: 

Oilseed Exporters

• Companies involved in exporting oilseeds from South Africa will need to comply with the amended standards and requirements.

Agricultural Producers and Cooperatives

• Farmers and agricultural cooperatives producing oilseeds for export will be impacted because compliance with new standards may affect production and quality control processes.

Agricultural Product Standards Offices

• Regulatory bodies and inspection agencies responsible for enforcing these standards.

Trading and Logistics Companies

• Businesses handling transportation, storage, and shipment of oilseeds for export.

International Buyers and Importers

• Foreign companies purchasing oilseeds from South Africa may need to adjust to any changes in quality or certification requirements.

Quality Certification and Testing Laboratories

• Entities providing inspection and certification services for oilseed exports.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Agricultural Product Standards Act: Standards and Requirements: Control of Export of Oilseeds: Amendment

G 53574 GoN 6757

24 October 2025

53574gon6757.pdf

ACTION

1. Review the Amended Standards

• Obtain the updated standards and requirements from:
  • The Executive Officer’s office (Agricultural Product Standards, Harvest, 30 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria).
  • Online at http://www.nda.gov.za.
  • Request via email (CarolineL@nda.gov.za) or phone/fax as listed in the notice.
• Understand any changes in grading, quality, packaging, or documentation requirements for oilseed exports.

2. Update Internal Compliance Procedures

• Align quality control processes with the new standards.
• Train staff involved in production, inspection, and export documentation.
• Update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for oilseed handling and export.

3. Communicate with Stakeholders

• Inform suppliers, farmers, and logistics partners about the new requirements.
• Ensure contracts and agreements reflect compliance obligations.

4. Prepare for Inspections

• Make sure oilseed batches meet the amended standards before export.
• Keep records ready for inspection at the Executive Officer’s office if required.

5. Adjust Export Documentation

• Verify that all export certificates and declarations comply with the updated standards.
• Ensure any prescribed fees for documentation are paid.

6. Monitor Implementation Timeline

• The changes come into effect 7 days after publication (31 October 2025), so compliance should be immediate.

CONSTRUCTION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Planning Professions Act: Appeal Board: Nominations invited

G 53593 GeN 3573

– Comment by 27 Nov 2025

28 October 2025

APPLIES TO: 

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Planning Professions Act: Appeal Board: Nominations invited

G 53593 GeN 3573

– Comment by 27 Nov 2025

28 October 2025

53593gen3573.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you submit your comments by 27 November 2025.

COMPETITION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Statement on the latest decisions by the Competition Commission

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Statement on the latest decisions by the Competition Commission

Date: 29 October 2025

Read more

ACTION

CUSTOMS, EXCISE AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Customs and Excise Act: Imposition of Provisional Payment (PP/176) (English / Afrikaans)

G 53600 RG 11900 GoN 6768

31 October 2025

APPLIES TO: 

Organizations that deal with Windscreens.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Customs and Excise Act: Imposition of Provisional Payment (PP/176) (English / Afrikaans)

G 53600 RG 11900 GoN 6768

31 October 2025

53600rg11900gon6768.pdf

ACTION

Take note of the new tariffs.

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Customs and Excise Act: Schedule No. 1 (No. 1/1963) (English / Afrikaans)

G 53572 RG 11899 GoN 6756

24 October 2025

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Customs and Excise Act: Schedule No. 1 (No. 1/1963) (English / Afrikaans)

G 53572 RG 11899 GoN 6756

24 October 2025

53572rg11899gon6756.pdf

ENERGY

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Electricity Regulation Act: Integrated Resource Plan 2025

G 53596 GoN 6767

28 October 2025

APPLIES TO: 

1.     Department of Electricity and Energy of South Africa.

2.     Eskom – As the primary electricity utility in South Africa, Eskom is central to the implementation of the IRP, especially regarding coal-fired station shutdowns, generation capacity, and grid planning.

3.     Independent Power Producers (IPPs) – The IRP includes provisions for committed private generating capacity, which directly involves IPPs in the energy mix.

4.     Environmental Agencies – Due to the IRP’s alignment with the Climate Change Act (Act 22 of 2024) and its emphasis on decarbonization, environmental regulatory bodies will play a role in monitoring and enforcing compliance.

5.     Municipalities and Local Governments – These entities will be involved in implementing grid and operations planning, especially in terms of infrastructure development and service delivery.

6.     Energy Sector Investors and Developers – The IRP outlines opportunities and risks for investment in gas, nuclear, renewable energy, and storage technologies.

7.     South African Citizens and Businesses – As end-users of electricity, they will be impacted by changes in energy availability, pricing, and reliability resulting from the IRP’s implementation.

SUMMARY

Issued by the Department of Electricity and Energy on 28 October 2025, which outlines South Africa’s updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP):

Purpose of the IRP

The IRP serves as South Africa’s long-term electricity infrastructure roadmap, guiding decisions on energy generation, transmission, and sustainability. It aligns with national policy objectives and recent legislative developments.

Legislative Context

• Electricity Regulation Act (Act No. 4 of 2006) – Updated to support energy diversification and private sector participation.
• Climate Change Act (Act 22 of 2024) – Mandates emissions reductions and supports the transition to cleaner energy sources.

Energy Planning Highlights

• Generation Mix: Focus on balancing coal, gas, nuclear, renewables, and storage technologies.

• Scenarios Modeled:
  • Reference Case
  • Gas at Risk
  • Nuclear Expansion
  • Aggressive Battery Learning
  • Delayed Coal Shutdown

Coal and Eskom

• Eskom’s coal-fired stations are planned for phased shutdowns by 2030.
• Socio-economic impact plans are proposed to mitigate job losses and regional economic effects.

Renewables and Hydrogen

• Renewables (solar, wind) are prioritized for cost-effectiveness and emissions reduction.
• Hydrogen is identified as a strategic future energy carrier for industrial and export purposes.

Storage and Flexibility

• Battery storage is emphasized for grid stability and flexibility.
• Flexibility assessments are conducted for short-, medium-, and long-term planning.

Global Perspective

• South Africa’s energy transition is benchmarked against global trends in decarbonization and blackout prevention.
• Lessons from international system failures are incorporated.

Key Policy Decisions

• Support for continued coal shutdowns with socio-economic planning.
• Investment in nuclear and gas as transitional technologies.
• Acceleration of renewable energy and storage deployment.
• Alignment with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under climate commitments.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

Please click on the link provided below to view the full document.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Electricity Regulation Act: Integrated Resource Plan 2025

G 53596 GoN 6767

28 October 2025

53596gon6767.pdf

ACTION

Department of Electricity and Energy

• Implement and monitor the IRP across all sectors.
• Coordinate policy decisions with other departments (e.g., Environment, Finance, Trade).
• Ensure alignment with the Climate Change Act and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Facilitate consultations with stakeholders including municipalities, Eskom, and private sector players.

Eskom

• Execute the coal-fired station shutdown plan by 2030, as outlined in the IRP.
• Upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure to meet performance targets.
• Integrate renewable energy and storage solutions into the grid.
• Collaborate with government on socio-economic impact mitigation strategies for affected communities.

Independent Power Producers (IPPs)

• Expand renewable energy projects (solar, wind, etc.) in line with IRP targets.
• Ensure compliance with new regulatory frameworks under the Electricity Regulation Act.
• Participate in public-private partnerships for generation and grid support.

Environmental Agencies

• Monitor emissions and enforce compliance with the Climate Change Act.
• Assess environmental impacts of new energy projects (e.g., gas, nuclear, hydrogen).
• Support decarbonization efforts through policy and oversight.

Municipalities and Local Governments

• Plan for grid upgrades and expansions to accommodate new generation sources.
• Engage in socio-economic planning for regions affected by coal plant closures.
• Facilitate community engagement and local consultations.

Energy Sector Investors and Developers

• Align investment strategies with IRP scenarios and technology cost assumptions.
• Explore opportunities in hydrogen, battery storage, and renewables.
• Adapt to policy shifts such as delayed coal shutdowns or nuclear expansion.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

• All stakeholders must collaborate on flexibility assessments, infrastructure planning, and technology integration.
• Data sharing and transparency are essential for successful implementation.

ENVIRONMENTAL

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

National Environmental Management Act:

National Guideline for consideration of Climate Change Implications in applications for Environmental Authorisations, Atmospheric Emission Licenses and Waste Management Licenses: Comments invited

G 53574 GoN 6759

– Comment by 24 Nov 2025

24 October 2025

APPLIES TO: 

GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY BODIES

1.     Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

o   Primary issuer and implementer of the guideline.

o   Responsible for reviewing applications and ensuring climate change considerations are integrated.

2.     Competent Authorities and Licensing Authorities

o   At national, provincial, and municipal levels.

o   Must incorporate climate change assessments into decision-making for Environmental Authorisations (EA), Atmospheric Emission Licenses (AEL), and Waste Management Licenses (WML).

3.     Municipalities and Local Governments

o   Especially those involved in planning and approving developments.

o   Must align with climate change adaptation strategies and vulnerability assessments.

PRIVATE SECTOR AND INDUSTRY

1.     Proponents and Applicants of Development Projects

o   Any entity applying for EA, AEL, or WML.

o   Must conduct climate change impact assessments and include mitigation/adaptation measures.

2.     Industries with High GHG Emissions

o   Energy generation (especially fossil fuel-based)

o   Mining and extraction

o   Manufacturing and industrial operations

o   Agriculture (e.g., feedlots)

o   Waste management and incineration facilities

3.     Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs)

o   Must determine the need for climate change specialist input.

o   Responsible for integrating climate change considerations into EIA processes.

4.     Climate Change Specialists and Consultants

o   Required to conduct assessments, provide expert input, and develop mitigation/adaptation strategies.

CIVIL SOCIETY AND PUBLIC STAKEHOLDERS

1.     Environmental NGOs and Advocacy Groups

o   May participate in public comment processes.

o   Can influence policy and hold developers accountable.

2.     Affected Communities and Landowners

o   Especially those in areas vulnerable to climate change impacts.

o   Have the right to participate in public consultations and raise objections.

3.     Academic and Research Institutions

• May contribute data, modeling, and expertise for climate change assessments.

INTERNATIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS

1.     South Africa’s International Climate Obligations

• Under the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC.
• The guideline ensures alignment with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and emission reduction targets.

SUMMARY

Purpose of the Guideline

To ensure that climate change implications are consistently and effectively considered in:

• Environmental Authorisation (EA)
• Atmospheric Emission Licenses (AEL)
• Waste Management Licenses (WML)

Who Is Affected

• Government departments (especially the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment)
• Municipalities and licensing authorities
• Project developers and applicants
• Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs)
• Climate change specialists
• Industries with significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Civil society and affected communities

Key Climate Considerations

Applications must assess:

• GHG emissions and carbon footprint
• Impact on climate resilience and adaptation infrastructure
• Vulnerability to climate change (e.g., floods, droughts, sea-level rise)
• Alignment with South Africa’s international obligations (e.g., Paris Agreement)

When Is a Climate Change Assessment Required?

• If the development involves activities listed in the National GHG Emission Reporting Regulations
• If the EAP or licensing authority deems climate impacts significant
• If the project affects sensitive environments or contributes to emissions

Assessment Requirements

• Climate change risk and vulnerability analysis
• GHG emission estimates (direct and indirect)
• Impact on ecological and socio-economic systems

• Mitigation and adaptation measures
• Integration into Environmental Management Programmes (EMPr)

Legal Framework

• National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)
• Climate Change Act (2024)
• Waste and Air Quality Acts (NEMWA & NEMAQA)
• Constitution of South Africa
• Paris Agreement and other international commitments

Important Notes

• Applies to new (greenfield) developments, not existing ones unless extended
• Encourages early involvement of climate specialists
• Promotes best practice and informed decision-making

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

Please click on the link provided below to view the full document.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

National Environmental Management Act: National Guideline for consideration of Climate Change Implications in applications for Environmental Authorisations, Atmospheric Emission Licenses and Waste Management Licenses: Comments invited

G 53574 GoN 6759

– Comment by 24 Nov 2025

24 October 2025

53574gon6759.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you submit your comments before 24 November 2025.

FINANCE

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Tax Administration Act:

Designated entities and globe information returns: Extension (English/Afrikaans)

G 53590 GoN 6763

28 October 2025

APPLIES TO: 

Designated Local Entities

These are entities within South Africa that have been designated for reporting under the Global Minimum Tax framework.

Designated Filing Entities

Entities specifically appointed to file the required tax information returns on behalf of a multinational group.

Ultimate Parent Entities

The top-level parent company in a multinational enterprise (MNE) group that is responsible for submitting the GloBE (Global Anti-Base Erosion) Information Return.

Multinational Enterprise Groups

Any group of companies operating in multiple jurisdictions that meets the thresholds for Global Minimum Tax compliance under the Global Minimum Tax Administration Act, 2024.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Tax Administration Act: Designated entities and globe information returns: Extension (English/Afrikaans)

G 53590 GoN 6763

28 October 2025

53590gon6763.pdf

ACTION

1. Identify Applicability

• Confirm if your organization is:
  • A Designated Local Entity in South Africa.
  • A Designated Filing Entity for a multinational group.
  • An Ultimate Parent Entity of a multinational enterprise (MNE) group subject to Global Minimum Tax rules.

2. Prepare and Submit Required Notices

• Notice of Designated Entity:
  • If your entity is required to submit a notice under section 2(3)(b)(i) or section 4(2) of the Global Minimum Tax Administration Act, 2024, ensure this is prepared.
  • New deadline: 30 April 2026 (extended from the original due date).

3. Prepare and Submit GloBE Information Return

• If your organization must file a GloBE Information Return under section 3(b) of the Global Minimum Tax Administration Act:
  • Collect all necessary financial and tax data for the fiscal year starting on or after 1 January 2024 but before 1 January 2025.
  • New deadline: 30 June 2026.

4. Internal Compliance Steps

• Update compliance calendars to reflect the extended deadlines.
• Coordinate with tax advisors or internal tax teams to ensure:
  • Data gathering for GloBE calculations.
  • Proper designation of filing entities.
• Review systems and processes for OECD Pillar Two compliance (Global Minimum Tax).

5. Monitor SARS Updates

• Keep track of any further guidance or clarifications from SARS regarding filing formats, portals, or penalties for late submission.

LABOUR

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Labour Relations Act: Bargaining Councils and Employer organizations.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Labour Relations Act: Registration of employers’ organisation: Agricultural Allied Industries Association (AAIA) (

G 53572 RG 11899 GoN 6751

24 October 2025

53572rg11899gon6751.pdf

Labour Relations Act: Variation of scope of Bargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry KwaZulu-Natal

G 53574 GoN 6758

24 October 2025

53574gon6758.pdf

TRANSPORTATION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Road Carriers Permits

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Roads – RoadCarrier

53599 31-10-2025

FINANCE ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa scrubs off FATF greylisting and reclaims financial compliance mojo

The Financial Action Task Force has officially delisted South Africa from its greylist, marking a quick turnaround for a country once accused of looking the other way on money laundering and terror finance. Experts say the move restores investor confidence, but warn that the real challenge now is to stay clean.

When the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) met on Friday, 24 October in Paris, the world’s financial watchdog had good news for South Africa (SA).

In a press statement following the FATF plenary meeting held from 22 to 24 October 2025, the organisation confirmed that SA, along with Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Nigeria, had been removed from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring after completing their respective Action Plans.

FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo noted that “a record of four countries have been removed from the greylist, including South Africa, which has sharpened the tools to detect money laundering and terrorist financing”.

The FATF’s decision ends SA’s two year stint in the global naughty corner, better known as the greylist, for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) compliance. Among the improvements cited were “a sustained increase in investigations and prosecutions of serious and complex money laundering and the full range of terrorist financing activities,” and “enhancing identification, seizure and confiscation of proceeds and instrumentalities of crime”.

SA’s greylisting in February 2023, was a public judgment that although the country had robust financial protection frameworks on paper, enforcement was sorely lacking. SA has managed to close 22 action items, including boosting prosecutions, cleaning up beneficial ownership records, and tightening oversight of dodgy sectors from estate agents to crypto service providers.

The National Treasury confirmed that all required reforms were “substantially completed” by June this year, followed by a FATF on-site visit in July.

Commenting on the decision on Friday evening, the National Treasury noted that while exiting the greylist is an important milestone and a demonstration of SA’s commitment to rebuilding the rule of law, it is only the start of a broader process to continue to strengthen key institutions, improve enforcement and governance processes, and ensure that such improvements are sustainable and that (SA’s) systems become increasingly effective in combating money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.

Leila Fourie, chairperson of Operation Phumelela,  SA’s financial sector competitiveness taskforce, and CEO of the JSE, hailed the news as a watershed moment for SA’s financial sector and economy.

“Exiting in less than three years – ahead of the global median – highlights South Africa’s ability to drive reform when needed, and its determination to move beyond the legacy of state capture that weakened institutions of law enforcement and prosecution. The reforms implemented have strengthened our capacity to fight corruption, financial crime and economic misconduct,” she said.

Fourie acknowledged the “extraordinary dedication of multiple stakeholders” including:

• National Treasury for coordinating the comprehensive reform programme.
• Law enforcement agencies, including the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the State Security Agency and National Prosecuting Authority, for sustained increases in complex money laundering and terrorist financing investigations and prosecutions.
• Financial and non-financial regulators for implementing effective supervisory frameworks.

• The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and high court masters’ offices for developing beneficial ownership registries to ensure transparency.
• Private sector financial institutions for enhanced compliance measures.

One of the faster cleanups in town 

Standard Bank’s head of South Africa macroeconomic research, Dr Elna Moolman, said the delisting showed “South Africa’s ability to implement change — the speed with which we’ve achieved the required changes was remarkable”.

She believes the change could open the taps for foreign capital that had been hesitant to flow into a high risk jurisdiction. “[The delisting] gives investors comfort that we are meeting the global standards in terms of combatting money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” she explained.

During the greylisting period, foreign institutions were advised to subject South African transactions to extra scrutiny, which translated into higher costs and slower deals. That burden is now lifted, which “paves the way for easier international transactions and capital flows”, said Moolman.

Vincent Gaudel, financial crime compliance expert at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, noted that the optimism around South Africa’s delisting is grounded in tangible progress. “South Africa has made significant progress in two key areas,” he said. “First, to improve technical compliance, Parliament amended six major laws, including the Financial Intelligence Centre Act and the Companies Act. These changes led the FATF to upgrade the country’s ratings against its 40 recommendations in 2023 and 2024.”

Gaudel pointed out that these legislative shifts matter in terms of credibility. “FATF status shapes global perceptions and economic opportunities,” he said. “Exiting the greylist restores investor confidence and market access. Maintaining effectiveness after delisting strengthens credibility and reinforces trust in South Africa’s markets.”

The real test is staying off the list  

Even as the confetti falls, we shouldn’t be celebrating too loudly.

Hawken McEwan, director of risk and compliance at nCino KYC Africa, warned that the real work starts now.

He cautioned against treating the delisting as a “mission accomplished moment”. Financial crime, he said, “is like a game of cat and mouse. As criminals up their game and become ever more creative in their schemes, we need to constantly evolve to keep up.”

“Neither government agencies nor regulated entities in the private sector can afford to become complacent and stop improving. Instead, through public-private collaboration, they must continue to strengthen the AML/CFT system. The FATF requires countries that have exited the greylist to demonstrate continued commitment through measurable outcomes, including successful investigations, prosecutions, and sanctions as they relate to AML/CFT,” Treasury said.

Looking ahead, these actions will form the basis of the next FATF mutual evaluation for SA, which is expected to commence in the first half of 2026 and conclude in October 2027.  Treasury has warned that to avoid being placed back on the greylist, it is important that monitoring systems and enforcement work more efficiently and effectively, and that there are no gaps, by the time of the mutual evaluation.

“South Africa must sustain and enhance its existing efforts by maintaining ongoing investigations and prosecutions, strengthening regulatory capacities and applying consistent sanctions where institutions aren’t playing their part,” McEwan said. “This will all need proper continued political commitment from the top to fight the good fight.”

Playing clean   

McEwan pointed to a sharp rise in enforcement actions as proof that regulators are flexing their muscles. He noted that both the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Financial Intelligence Centre have significantly increased the value of fines issued for FICA-related breaches in recent years.

And the net is widening. Virtual asset service providers, or crypto exchanges, now fall under both the FAIS and FIC Acts. “Crypto assets were declared financial products in October 2022,” said McEwan, adding that “the reputational risks of being associated with financial crime can destroy decades of relationship building overnight.”

“Removal from the greylist reduces friction in cross-border payments for corporates and individuals,” Gaudel said. “Once jurisdictions such as the UK and EU update their high-risk lists, international counterparties require fewer enhanced due diligence steps. This enables access to correspondent banking services expansion and trade finance operations become more efficient.”

Gaudel also noted that enhanced due diligence from foreign banks had imposed operational burdens, causing frequent payment delays and elevating compliance costs. Delisting, he added, “addresses these challenges by lowering due diligence demands, which results in faster transactions, reduced costs and steadier international flows.”

The delisting must not breed complacency, McEwan said. “Greylisting fatigue” is real — the sense that once the badge of shame is gone, the urgency fades.

The FATF’s decision signals confidence, but also carries a warning. SA can no longer postpone the hard work of keeping its financial system transparent and resilient.

By Kara le Roux

Daily Maverick

GAMBLING ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers says ban ads for online gambling

Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers has called for South African regulators to crack down on online gambling advertising.

During an earnings call earlier this week, Summers highlighted that more than R70 billion was taken out of the market by the gambling industry.

This is more than the revenue Pick n Pay generated in the half-year ended 31 August 2025. To put this into perspective, it means more money was spent on gambling than on groceries at Pick n Pay in six months.

“This is money that has been hoovered out of this economy in extraordinary amounts, and the people who are predominantly the victims are the ones who can least afford it,” Summers told Cape Talk.

“It’s down at the lower end of the market where people are battling to feed their families, never mind anything else. It’s just bizarre, and the quantum is absolutely massive.”

Citing data from banks, Summers said roughly 20% of South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grants go straight into online gambling. He is calling for a crackdown on online gambling advertising.

“I think that there are two elements here. It should be far harder taxed than it’s currently being taxed, and there needs to be some sort of control and regulation put in place,” he said.

Summers believes it should work similarly to cigarette advertising and noted that in places like the United Kingdom, betting companies aren’t allowed to advertise on football jerseys.

Meanwhile, in South Africa, prominent sports teams like the Sharks provincial rugby team have companies like Hollywood Bets as their primary sponsor.

“Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy have made a move to totally ban any marketing or advertising of online gambling. It’s a complete scourge,” added Summers.

However, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) is aware of the situation. It recently said that excessive gambling advertising is partly to blame for the surge in popularity of online gambling.

Warning to online gambling companies in South Africa

The online gambling industry has seen significant growth in recent years. However, this has come at the cost of more distressed gamblers seeking help in South Africa.

The National Gambling Board’s (NGB’s) latest annual report revealed that the number of distressed gamblers seeking help increased sixfold in the past year.

DTIC deputy director-general for regulations, Evelyn Masotja, acknowledged the problem, adding that the high level of gambling advertising is partly to blame.

She agrees that there is a need for stronger regulation in the gambling marketing space in South Africa.

NGB CEO Lungile Dunkwana agrees. He highlighted gambling advertising as being a significant risk facing the industry as it reaches all segments of society.

Advertising Regulatory Body CEO Gail Schimmel said the organisation was working with the NGB to collate existing laws on gambling advertising into a single appendix.

“We have a draft that will be launched for comment at the Gambling Summit in November,” she said.

“We have also engaged with the NGB on how we can work together to ensure advertisers comply with existing law.”

While online gambling has taken the country by storm, questions about the legality of sports betting services offering online casino games remain.

The NGB has repeatedly emphasised that online gambling remains illegal in South Africa, with the exception of sports betting and betting on horse racing.

Nonetheless, prominent sportsbook operators with licences from various provincial gambling boards still offer online casino games like slots, roulette, and blackjack.

By Myles Illidge

Mybroadband

TOBACCO ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

Major public interest in proposed tobacco Bill

Public opinion on the tobacco Bill has been relayed to Parliament as it continues to weigh up the pros and cons of the proposed legislation. The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill aims to impose greater restrictions on the tobacco industry, including packaging alterations, point-of-sale restrictions, and a ban on smoking in public places. The Citizen reports that the Portfolio Committee on Health yesterday heard how more than 40 000 written submissions from the public showed perception was split down the middle. ‘It aims to capture the areas of broad agreement, points of contention and possible considerations for the committee as it proceeds with its deliberations,’ said committee content adviser Lindokuhle Ngomane. Submissions were provided by public health officials, researchers, trade organisations, organised labour, informal traders and members of the hospitality and agricultural sectors, among others.

Ngomane said all agreed on restricting access to tobacco for minors, with many supporting a ban on online sales and marketing aimed at the youth. Opinions were split on packaging, with a broad agreement that enforcement – not new legislation – was needed to curb illicit trade. Stakeholders warned that plain packaging would worsen illicit trade by limiting competitiveness, with some hard opinions suggesting the Bill failed to address illicit trade at all. The Citizen notes that others believed that effective enforcement and regulations would curb illicit trade, as would greater co-operation between law enforcement, the SARS and the Health Department.

First report in The Citizen