Undermining South African Regulatory Authority: The Eastern Cape Gambling Board's Bold Move
Continuing in defiance: Eastern Cape Gambling Board enables ongoing wagers on illegal cockfights
The Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB) is stirring up controversy by defying a directive from Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, to cease promoting illegal cockfighting bets provided by a South African bookmaker, Roosterbet. This action raises red flags about animal welfare and regulatory oversight in the country.
Roosterbet Fueling the Debate
At the heart of this dispute is Roosterbet, an online platform that permits South African gamblers to place bets on live-streamed cockfights occurring in the Philippines. Although cockfighting is outlawed in South Africa under the Animals Protection Act and its online equivalent (e-sabong) was banned in the Philippines in 2022, the ECGB believes it can operate within the law's boundaries. The ECGB justifies this by stating that betting on these events remains legal because the fights are held outside of South African jurisdiction.
The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), along with Minister Patel, strongly object to the ECGB's stance. In December 2024, the NSPCA issued a formal warning to Roosterbet, emphasizing violations of animal cruelty laws due to its promotion and streaming of cockfights. Both the ECGB and the National Gambling Board were targets of this warning.
Initially, Roosterbet's CEO claimed the company would swiftly halt cockfighting-related content. However, upon seeking advice from the ECGB, they were advised on December 9, 2024, that the cockfighting events held in the Philippines were beyond the reach of South African law. Mabutho Zwane, CEO of the ECGB, stated in a letter to the NSPCA that Roosterbet's acceptance of bets on these events falls under a "lawful contingency" as defined by the Eastern Cape Gambling Act.
However, this interpretation of the law is questionable, considering Section 2A(1)(c) of the Animals Protection Act makes it illegal to promote animal fighting for profit or amusement. Furthermore, the Philippine government banned online cockfighting in 2022 due to concerns related to gambling addiction and organized crime.
The Political Aftermath
As the ECGB persisted with their stance, the NSPCA escalated the issue to the national level, filing a formal complaint with Minister Parks Tau. Tau unequivocally supported the NSPCA, stating that both the National Gambling Act and the Animals Protection Act were breached, and accepting bets on cockfighting, regardless of location, was illegal. Tau's office committed to presenting the case to the National Gambling Policy Council, the authority overseeing provincial gambling regulations. Tau instructed the ECGB to demand that Roosterbet cease its cockfighting bets.
Despite this, the ECGB remained obstinate. In a letter, Zwane rejected the minister's interpretation, arguing that the Animals Protection Act applies only within South African borders. He contended that betting on foreign cockfights does not constitute a violation of the law, asserting that the minister's directive was "open to debate." This confrontation directly challenges the national authority responsible for gambling regulation across South Africa.
The ethical implications of the ECGB's stance are concerning, particularly given the brutal nature of cockfighting. Birds are often fitted with sharp blades on their legs and forced to fight to the death, providing entertainment for spectators. The cockfighting industry in the Philippines is vast, with an estimated worth of billions and around 30 million roosters involved in matches annually.
While the NSPCA investigates Roosterbet, citizen demands for accountability from the ECGB are growing. As the issue escalates, calls for Minister Tau to take further action, such as dismissing the board's leadership, are intensifying. The NSPCA claims, "This is not a lapse in judgment-it's an ethical and legal failure of epic proportions."
The ongoing controversy surrounding the ECGB and Roosterbet raises critical questions about the balance between economic interests and ethical considerations in the gambling industry. If the rule of law cannot withstand this test, the consequences could extend beyond the realm of gambling, affecting sectors such as healthcare, education, and finance. Stepping up accountability and ensuring clear, stringent regulations are essential to addressing these challenges and maintaining societal trust in regulatory bodies.
[1] National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA). (2024). NSPCA raises the alarm over Roosterbet promotions for illegal cockfighting. [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.nspca.co.za/nspca-raises-the-alarm-over-roosterbet-promotions-for-illegal-cockfighting/
[2] Republic of South Africa. (1962). Animals Protection Act, Act No. 71 of 1962, as amended. Retrieved from https://www.the-gov.za/act/animals-protection-act-71-1962/
[3] The Philippine Star. (2022). E-sabong ban takes effect today. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/01/02/2154860/esabong-ban-takes-effect-today
[4] Mindway AI. (2023). Mindway AI and Hästensson team up to strengthen responsible gaming in Sweden. [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.mindway.ai/mindway-ai-and-h-stensson-team-up-to-strengthen-responsible-gaming-in-sweden/
[5] Associated Press. (2024). South Africa's Eastern Cape Gambling Board defies order to halt cockfighting bets. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/gambling-south-africa-eastern-cape-990c72385409dae842a4c926ecea3e4f
- The Eastern Cape Gambling Board's (ECGB) persistence in promoting cockfighting bets through Roosterbet has sparked concerns about the regulatory oversight and animal welfare in South Africa, as gambling trends continue to evolve.
- Despite the ban on online cockfighting in the Philippines and its illegal status under the Animals Protection Act in South Africa, the ECGB contends that betting on these events is lawful due to their occurrence outside of South African jurisdiction.
- As the ECGB resists demands to cease promoting illegal cockfighting bets, the issue has escalated to the national level, with calls for Minister Parks Tau to take further action, such as dismissing the board's leadership, increasing in intensity.
- The ongoing cockfighting dispute between the ECGB and Roosterbet sheds light on the need for clear, stringent regulations in the gambling industry to balance economic interests with ethical considerations, promoting responsible gambling and maintaining societal trust in regulatory bodies.
