enca - 1 month ago

Industry warns online betting tax could hurt consumers Estelle.Bronkhorst Thu, 12/04/2025 - 11:20 JOHANNESBURG - The gambling industry warns government s proposed tax on online betting could push consumers to the brink.Treasury is considering imposing a 20 percent tax to address the rise in online sports betting.This comes as the National Gambling Board reported a gross gambling revenue of R75-billion for the 2024/25 financial year.Treasury says the duty is meant to reflect the social cost that the gambler imposes on others when partaking in the exponentially popular activity.But others believe it’s simply about the R10-billion that the levy could add to the fiscus annually.The SA Responsible Gambling Foundation agrees that the measure won’t stem the tide of online sports betting.READ: Govt eyes 20% tax on booming online gambling industryInstead, it could push gamblers to even darker territory.While the issue of gambling advertising and the rise and accessibility of sports betting in particular is not in doubt, insiders warn that there is another way to regulate it.Amendments to the National Gambling Act have been mooted since 2008, with the 2004 Act the current policy in effect.The online gambling tax discussion paper is available on the Treasury website.While industry stakeholders have met it with some cynicism, the public has until 30 January 2026 to submit their thoughts. eNCA s Hloni Mtimkulu reports.

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