Mpumalanga Gambling Board

How the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator Works

The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator aims to be at the forefront of the gambling and liquor industries. It does that by maintaining efficient regulation of providers and users. Notwithstanding, its services are limited to the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.

Key Objectives

• To ensure that persons wishing to participate in the Mpumalanga gambling and liquor industries are suitable.
• To ensure effective regulation of the Mpumalanga gambling and liquor industries.
• To ensure that the MER operations align with the government’s policy for the Mpumalanga gambling and liquor industries.
• To conduct research and advise the government on the socio-economic impact of the gambling and liquor industries.
• To perform other functions that align with the government and the gambling industry.
• To promote responsible gambling within the Mpumalanga province in South Africa and in line with the government.
• To promote responsible liquor trade and consumption in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.
• To transform and sustain the gambling and liquor industries within the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.
• To assure players and the public of adequate provisions to protect them in the gambling and liquor industries.

Structure and Location

The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator has an eleven-member board, including the chief executive officer. These deal with the province’s legislation. It also has corporate services, audit and risk, and compliance committees to support regulating the gambling and liquor industries.

You can visit the office at First Avenue, White River, Mpumalanga, Province of South Africa. Business hours are from 08:00 to 16:30, Mondays to Fridays.

The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator has a management structure with five executive managers. Each executive manager performs specific functions assigned to them.

Legislation and Acts

Acceptable corporate governance practices are at the core of the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator duties. Its legislation on the gambling and liquor industries is divided into the following:

• Acts
• Gambling regulation
• Gambling rules
• Liquor regulation

The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator Acts

You’ll find four acts on the official website. These include the MER Act, the Mpumalanga Gambling Levies Act, the Mpumalanga Liquor Licensing Act, and the Mpumalanga Gaming Board Act.

Gambling Regulation

This legislation contains amendments to the Mpumalanga Gambling Levies Regulation and the primary Mpumalanga Gambling Regulation. These documents are available for download in PDF format.

Gambling Rules

You’ll find the rules for casino games in the licensed gambling establishments within the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. The section also extends to regulation for bookmakers and sports betting.

Some licensed gambling establishments within the Mpumalanga province of South Africa include the following:

• The Ridge Casino
• Graceland Hotel Casino and Country Club
• Emnotweni Casino

Note that the provisions in this section can change. Hence, you should visit the concerned websites to keep up with new legislation or amendments.

The Mpumalanga Gambling Board

Monitoring and regulating the gambling industry is challenging. While the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator controls the gambling and liquor industries, the Mpumalanga Gambling Board is also a regulatory body. Both complement each other for all-around regulation.

The Mpumalanga Gambling Board is a provincial public entity under Section 2 of the Mpumalanga Gambling Act (Act 5 of 1995), as amended. It performs the functions assigned to it by the province’s Gambling Act or any other legislation. Furthermore, it advises, reports, and recommends to the Responsible Member on matters relating to gambling control in the Mpumalanga province.

You can visit its office at First Avenue, White River, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, 1240. Its office hours are from Monday to Friday.

The Mpumalanga Gambling Board was established in 1995. It reports to the Provincial Department of Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Section 4 of the Act approves the appointment of, at most ten, board members drawn from different backgrounds. These board members are expected to act with the highest professionalism as they participate in regulating gambling in the province.

The Mpumalanga Gambling Board strives to be at the forefront of efficient regulation. It ensures integrity as it carries out efficient regulation of licensed gambling establishments within the Mpumalanga province.

Objectives of the Mpumalanga Gambling Board

Here are some objectives of the Mpumalanga Gambling Board:

• Ensure honest, fair, and criminal-free gambling activities
• Ensure the suitability of persons involved in gambling
• Provide efficient regulation in the province
• To support the National Gambling Board of South Africa
• To conduct research and advise the government on the socio-economic impact of gambling within the province

How casinos are licensed in the province

Gambling has a socio-economic impact in any jurisdiction. That is why most regulatory bodies engage stakeholders to ensure player and operator protection.

Licensing within the Mpumalanga Province comes from the Mpumalanga Gambling Board (MGB). The MGB demarcates the jurisdiction into four zones, offering a casino license for each zone. This approach resulted in the licensing of three casinos within the jurisdiction.

The licensing policy adopting four zones was revised due to the re-demarcation. Three district municipalities emerged from the re-zoning. Also, the MGB held three public hearings in 2012 with respect to the proposed amendments.

Stakeholders offered their objections and input to the review. The MGB checks all gambling equipment within any establishment. Operators must act with integrity and fairness to receive a license from the regulatory body.

Steering the jurisdiction forward

Opening a casino account and betting, inter alia, is easy within Mpumalanga. South Africa has a highly regulated gambling industry. All regulatory bodies operate with integrity, conduct research, and modernize their regulations.

The National Gambling Board of South Africa keeps data on all gaming machines within the country. Provincial authorities participate in the regulatory process and provide licenses to casinos and bookmakers.

Conclusion

Effective regulation is best achieved at the grassroots, and the Mpumalanga Gambling Board is up to the task. It oversees the provincial gambling industry, while the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) chimes in on a broader scale. The latter also assists the National Gambling Board in regulating the industry.

Providing efficient regulation within Mpumalanga boils down to the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator and the Mpumalanga Gambling Board. Both bodies operate with integrity to protect players and operators. The MGB directly oversees casinos, bookmakers, and licensing proceedings.

You can contact the MER through its office, telephone, or live chat. Alternatively, use the online message form to send your enquiries. Postal service is also available.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mpumalanga Gambling Board