» pigg’s peak

Following a lengthy battle by the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB) for a ban on online casinos in an attempt to protect South Africa’s R16 billion (US2.2 billion) gaming industry from fierce competition from online companies the Gambling Board has finally won its case.

In the North Gauteng High Court, a judgment was handed down by Judge NB Tuckten on August 20th 2010 making online poker and all forms of online gambling strictly prohibited in South Africa and anyone found breaking this new anti-online gambling law will face a fine of up to R10 million (US$1.36 million) or up to ten years in jail.

Thanks to aggressive advertising to the South African audience, online casino is becoming very popular in Swaziland with the growth expected to increase even more as the 2010 FIFA World Cup nears.

The first gaming interest to receive a license after Swaziland started issuing licenses in 1998 allowing certain Swazi gaming interests to sponsor online gambling was Pigg’s Peak Casino. This brick-and-mortar casino is allowed to run an online casino and poker room. However, play is limited to Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa and Namibia at Pigg’s Peak Online Casino as the only currency used on the website is the Rand.