Mpumalanga's gambling laws stand firm after Supreme Court ruling on roulette bets
The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) has clarified its stance following a key Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling on gambling laws. The judgment, handed down in Portapa (Pty) Ltd t/a Supabets and Others v Casino Association of South Africa in 2025, centres on the legality of certain betting activities in Gauteng Province. However, the regulator confirms that Mpumalanga's gambling framework remains unchanged by the decision.
The SCA ruling focused on whether roulette qualifies as a sporting activity under Gauteng's Gambling Act. The court upheld an earlier High Court decision that fixed-odds bets on roulette are unlawful in the province. It also reaffirmed that provincial laws govern casinos, racing, gambling, and wagering—unless national legislation demands uniformity.
The MER has stressed that the judgment applies only to Gauteng and does not alter Mpumalanga's existing regulations. Under the Mpumalanga Gambling Act, licensed bookmakers in the province can still offer bets on any lawful contingency. This means current betting options and operations will continue as before. Meanwhile, the Casino Association of South Africa has announced plans to challenge the SCA's decision. By April 2026, the association intends to lodge an appeal with the Constitutional Court. Alongside this, it will push for stricter regulations on online gambling and seek legislative changes to tighten controls.
The SCA's ruling leaves Mpumalanga's gambling sector unaffected, with no changes to its legal framework or betting services. The Casino Association's upcoming appeal and lobbying efforts could, however, shape future regulations if successful. For now, licensed operators in Mpumalanga can proceed under the province's existing laws.
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