The Security of Gambling and Gambling with Security: Hacking, Law Enforcement and Public Policy—A South African Response

Abstract

Comments on an article by J. McMullen and D. Perrier (see record 2007-19107-002). In South Africa, the various legislatures have also recognised the risks posed by a failure properly to preserve the integrity of the supply chain relating to gambling devices made available for play. Thus, in terms of the National Gambling Act (NGA) and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act (WCGRA), licensed manufacturers cannot lawfully make gambling devices available other than to licensed operators, which in turn, may not procure such devices from parties which are not themselves licensed. There is accordingly no scope for the lawful acquisition, by a member of the public, of a gambling device such as a slot machine. Moreover, section 19 of the NGA provides that a gambling device may be made available for play only once it has been certified as complying with the national standards applicable in respect of such a device. In summary, it is of cardinal importance to uncover, interrogate and pursue risks both before embarking upon regulation and thereafter on an ongoing basis, as part and parcel of the regulatory function. Where this is not done, cracks will inevitably appear and criminal conduct will spring up, thrive and multiply between those cracks, making regulation a dead letter and undermining public confidence in an industry whose integrity it is of vital importance to preserve. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)