South Africa’s (SA) National Treasury is facing strong criticism over its proposal to introduce a 20% tax on online gambling.

Licensed operators warn that the measure could force some businesses to close and result in significant job losses.

Legal expert Garron Whitesman described the proposal as constitutionally questionable, noting that the link between taxation and responsible gambling is misleading. “Tax has nothing to do with responsible gambling unless it is specifically allocated to such programmes in a meaningful way,” Whitesman said. “The idea that this tax would address responsible gambling issues is simply incorrect.”

The proposed tax has sparked discussions among industry players, legal experts, and policymakers over its potential impact on the sector and the wider economy.

–ChannelAfrica–