South Africa Experiencing Poker Boom

13-Mar-2007, 12:20

The online poker industry in South Africa has been booming, despite being illegal in terms of the National Gambling Act of 2004.

And now the game of poker is growing in popularity in South Africa as well. The All-Africa Poker Championship was held last month in Swaziland at the Piggs Peak Casino and attended by 90 players from around the world.

Cape Town retiree Peter Vermaas won the event's R1-million jackpot for the second time in his career.

The Gauteng Gambling Board and Casino Enterprises, the company that runs Piggs Peak, are embroiled in a battle over the legality of the operation. Meanwhile, in December, Cabinet approved a Draft Gambling Amendment Bill to regulate online and cellphone gambling.