The department of trade and industry has tabled a bill that aims to regulate the interactive gambling industry in South Africa.

The National Gambling Amendment Bill, tabled by trade and industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa, notes that the interactive gambling industry - or remote gambling taking place through the Internet or other related forms - is plagued by crime, little protection of players and uncontrolled exposure of children.

In terms of the bill, any interactive provider may not extend credit to any person "for the purpose of engaging in interactive games".

An interactive provider must immediately credit the account of a player who wins a monetary prize. A player must have an account with an authorised financial institution. And players must be 18 years or older.

This article first appeared in Business Report.