Bookmakers turn up heat on North West betting licences

The South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) is questioning the North West Gambling Board’s authority to grant betting exchange licences as bookmaker licences. SABA argues that betting exchanges do not fit the legal definition of a bookmaker, as they do not directly lay bets themselves. Instead, they create a platform for unlicensed individuals to potentially act as bookmakers.

The National Gambling Act does not mention betting exchanges, leading SABA to question the legality of the licenses issued. The board has previously faced legal challenges over its licensing powers, with the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that some of its requests went beyond its statutory authority. SABA has requested records from the board to identify the specific legislative provisions that justify the licensing of betting exchanges as bookmaker licences.