South Africa’s Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments that would introduce a new tax for casino operators relocating within the province.
The proposal forms part of the Western Cape Twentieth Gambling and Racing Amendment Bill, currently under review by the Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance. If approved, the amendment would require casinos moving to more commercially favourable locations to pay an “economic opportunity tax” as part of the relocation approval process.
The tax is designed to ensure that the economic benefits generated from such relocations are shared with the provincial government. According to WCGRB legal services manager Liezel Hartman, the measure is primarily financial in nature and applies specifically to operators seeking to move their licensed premises within the province.
The review comes amid broader shifts in South Africa’s gambling landscape, particularly the continued growth of online betting. WCGRB chief executive Primo Abrahams reiterated the distinction between licensed online sports betting which is legal under provincial oversight and online casino gambling, which remains prohibited under national law.
Abrahams noted that the expansion of digital betting has been driven by increased access to licensed platforms and a shift away from unregulated operators, particularly among players previously limited by distance from land-based casinos.
The Standing Committee on Finance has invited stakeholders, including operators and members of the public, to submit feedback on the proposed amendment before the consultation deadline of July 19, 2026. Submissions can be made in writing, via voice note, or through oral presentations upon request.
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