Malawi and South Africa are quite distinct countries. South Africa is a rising global powerhouse recognized for its liberal and progressive values. Malawi, on the other hand, is a lot smaller country with a less developed economy and a reputation for being a bit more conservative.
However, there are many more areas where these two nations might be compared, including gambling and sports betting legislation. On the ground in these two Sub-Saharan African countries, the legislation differs.
Malawi
Let us first examine the legality of casinos and betting in Malawi. The Malawi Gaming Board taxes the providers and uses the money for government expenditures. This stems from a clear legal position: in-person gambling establishments are explicitly defined in statute.
What about online gamblers in Malawi? Sadly, the image is muddled here. The legislation doesn’t directly include internet gambling, perhaps due to the laws’ age (and the Malawi Gaming Board’s creation). However, as anybody who has worked in the internet gambling industry knows, this does not mean gaming is permitted.
The lack of a law does not imply unbridled participation. In actuality, Malawians can utilize certain offshore operators, so the situation is not entirely bleak. The most intriguing question is what the future holds. The Malawi Gaming Board’s firm position on player safety may indicate that the country’s government may soon license online gaming organizations.
SA
Taking a look at South Africa offers some fascinating distinctions. The country’s in-person gambling rules are permissive. Casinos are located in many major cities, and the legislation protects the interests of both players and suppliers. Local or national governments often oversee casino and gaming licenses, ensuring player safety.
But internet gambling in SA is a quagmire. In this regard, it resembles Malawi, but the situation in that country is significantly more complicated. Currently, sports betting is legal, but internet casinos are not. Unlike in Malawi, the legislation has authorized and forbidden various forms of gambling on several times. In Malawi, the problem is not so much a debate about legalisation but a complete absence of legal references.
Like in Malawi, there are many offshore internet gaming firms in South Africa. Those who wish to play may do so via services, indicating that the legislation, or lack thereof, is ineffective in any country in discouraging gamers. The criminalisation procedure may be ineffectual in these two nations.
Overall, there are certain parallels and contrasts between the two nations. Neither nation has a basic legalisation stance in place, and both appear to have structured their legislation around land-based players rather than online equivalents. The main distinctions are in the views towards legalisation. Unlike Malawi, South Africa has divided the problem into distinct sorts of betting and has shown itself to be indecisive. In summary, it will be intriguing to observe how things develop — and if the two nations’ laws converge in the future years.