58. After considering an application for a licence, an application to transfer ownership or possession of a gambling machine or gambling device, or a request to transfer an interest in a licence, licensee, licensed premises, or the business to which a licence relates, a provincial licensing authority must either- (.) grant the licence, or approve the transfer, as the case may be with or without 30 conditions; or (b) issue a written refusal to the applicant, with reasons for the decision. Licence transfers 59. (1) This section does not apply to employment licences. (2) A person who acquires the business to which a licence relates, or acquires a 35 controlling interest in a licensee, must apply to the relevant provincial licensing authority for a transfer of that licence or approval of that acquisition, as the case may be. (3) A provincial licensing authority must not grant a transfer of a licence or approval of that acquisition, as the case may be if, after conducting the prescribed investigations, the licensing authority has reason to believe that, as a result of that transfer or 40 acquisition, a person who is disqualified in terms of section 50(2) or relevant provincial law would directly or indirectly hold any of the total financial interest in the licensee or the business to which the licence relates. Surrender of licence 60. (1) A licensee may surrender a licence by written notice given to the provincial 45 licensing authority that issued the licence. ( 2 ) The surrender takes effect- 66 No. 26670 GOVERNMENT GAZE'ITE, 12 AUGUST 2004 ~~~~~ Act No. 7,2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (a) 3 months after the notice is given; or (h) on a date stated in the notice. CHAPTER 4 NATIONAL STRUCTURES Part A National Gambling Policy Council Establishment of National Gambling Policy Council 61. (1) The National Gambling Policy Council is established by this Act. (2) The Council consists of- (a) the following regular members- 5 10 (i) the Minister; and (ii) from each province, the Member of the Executive Council responsible for casinos, racing, gambling and wagering in that province; and (b) the following supplementary non-voting members-.. (i) the chairpenon of the National Gambling Board: and (ii) from each province, the chairperson of the provincial licensing authority. 15 (3) The Minister is the chairperson of the Council. Functions of National Gambling Policy Council 62. (1) The Council is a body in which the national government and the provincial governments consult on- ( a ) the determination and establishment of national gambling policy; ( h ) gambling laws, including the promotion of uniform national and provincial laws in respect of gambling n o m s and standards; (c) any matter concerning gambling within the national or provincial sphere of government; (d) any matter concerning the management or monitoring of gambling in the (e) Republic or in any specific province or provinces; the resolution of any dispute that may arise among provincial licensing authorities, or between a provincial licensing authority and the board, regarding the regulation and control of gambling activities; and (f) other matters that may be referred to it by a member of the Council. 20 25 30 (2) The Council- ( a ) may provide oversight and direction to the board in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties; (b) may refer any matter within its authority to the board or any provincial 35 licensing authority, with a request for a report or recommendation; and (c) may make a finding that a provincial licensing authority has failed to comply with this Act and, if it does so, may direct that provincial licensing authority to enter into an agreement with the board in respect of the steps to be taken by the provincial licensing authority to ensure compliance with this Act. 40 Council meetings 63. (1) The Minister may convene a meeting of the Council at any time, but must convene at least two meetings in each financial year. (2) The Minister may designate any meeting of the Council to be a meeting of all members, or only of regular members, but must designate at least one meeting in each 45 financial year to be a meeting of all members. 68 No. 26670 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12 AUGUST 2004 Act No. 7,2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (3) At a meeting of the Council to which supplementary members are called a supplementary member may be represented by an alternate, chosen by that supplemen- tary member from among the other board members of the applicable regulatory authority. (4) As a body through which the national and provincial spheres of government seek to co-operate with one another in mutual trust and in good faith, the Council must attempt to reach its decisions by consensus. ( 5 ) If the Council is unable to reach a consensual decision in any matter before it, the Council may resolve the matter by formal vote on a motion. 5 (6) A motion in terms of subsection ( 5 ) passes only if it is supported by- 10 ( a ) the Minister; and ( b ) at least 5 of the other regular members of the Council. (7) Subject to subsections ( 2 ) to (6), the Council may establish Rules of Procedure for its own proceedings. Part B National Gambling Board Continuatiorr of National Gambling Board 64. (1) The National Gambling Board, as established by the National Gambling Act, 1996 (Act No. 33 of 1996), is retained under this Act, subject to Item 3 of the Schedule. juristic (2) The board is a person. Objects and functions of board 15 20 65. (1) The board has the following powers and duties to be exercised and performed in accordance with this Act: (a) Monitoring and investigating, when necessary, the issuing of national licences by provincial licensing authorities for compliance with this Act in accordance 25 with sections 40 to 43; (b) investigating, monitoring and evaluating compliance with this Act by provincial licensing authorities, entering into agreements with those authori- ties in respect of steps to be taken to correct any deficiencies, and making recommendations to the Council in relation to such matters, in accordance 30 with sections 33 and 34; (c) establishing and maintaining- (i) the national register of excluded persons, in accordance with section 14; (ii) the national central electronic monitoring system, in accordance with section 27; 35 (iii) the national register of gambling machines and devices, in accordance with section 21; (iv) a central registry of information contemplated in section 35; and (v) the national probity register in terms of section 57; (d) monitoring socio-economic patterns of gambling activity within the Republic 40 and in particular must research and identify factors relating to, and patterns, causes, and consequences of- (i) the socio-economic impact of gambling; and (ii) addictive or compulsive gambling; ( e ) carrying out the responsibilities set out in section 33; and (f, exercising any other powers and performing any other duties assigned to it in 45 terms of this Act. (2) The board may- (a) advise the Council on the maximum number of any kind of licences relating to casinos, racing, gambling and wagering that should be awarded in the 50 Republic or in any particular province; 70 No. 26670 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12 AUGUST 2004 Act No. 7, 2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (b) advise the Council on matters of national policy relating to casinos, racing, and on the determination of national norms and gambling and wagering standards regarding any matter in terms of this Act that should apply generally throughout the Republic; (c) recommend to the Council changes to bring about uniformity in the laws of the various provinces in relation to casinos, racing, gambling and wagering; (d) advise the Council, through the Minister, in respect of any matter referred to 5 it by the Council; ( e ) monitor market share and market conduct in the gambling industry and refer any concerns regarding market share or possible prohibited practices Competition Commission in terms of the Competition Act, 1998 (Act No. 89 of 1998); and to the 10 (f) provide a broad-based public education programme about the risks socio-economic impact of gambling. and (3) The board may liaise with any foreign or international authorities having any 15 objects similar to the objects of the board. (4) In exercising its powers and performing its duties set out in this Act, the board- ( a ) must comply with directions issued to it by the Council relating to casinos, racing, gambling and wagering; (b) may have regard to international developments in the field of casinos, racing, 20 gambling and wagering; and ( c ) may consult any person, organisation or institution with regard to any matter deemed necessary by the board. Relations with provincial licensing authorities 66. (1) At the request of the relevant Member of the Executive Council of a province, 25 or the provincial licensing authority, the board- ( a ) may engage with that authority in co-operative activities of research, publication, education, staff development and training; and (b) in consultation with the Minister, may- (i) engage with that authority in staff exchanges or secondments; or (ii) provide technical assistance or expertise to that authority. (2) At the request of the Member of the Executive Council or provincial licensing authority, the board may engage with that authority in co-operative activities to detect and suppress illegal gambling activities if there are good grounds to believe that those may activities be occumng across provincial boundaries. (3) At the direction of the Council, the board must engage with any relevant provincial licensing authority in co-operative activities activities occumng- to detect and suppress illegal gambling 30 35 (a) across provincial boundaries; or (b) entirely within a particular province, if, in the opinion of the Council, the 40 provincial licensing authority is unable to suppress that activity on its own. (4) The board may liaise with provincial licensing authorities on matters of common interest. ( 5 ) The board may request any provincial licensing authority to submit any report or information related to the activities of that licensing authority to the board. 45 Composition of board 67. (1) The board consists of- ( a ) the following members appointed by the Minister for a term of no more than five years, as determined by the Minister at the time of appointment: (i) a Chairperson (ii) not more than three other members, each of whom, in the opinion of the Minister, has applicable knowledge or experience in matters connected with the objects of the board; and Chairperson; Deputy and a and ( b ) four other members, of whom one each is designated by the- (i) Minister; (ii) Minister of Finance; 50 55 72 No. 26670 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12 AUGUST 2004 Act No. 7.2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (iii) Minister of Safety and Security; and (iv) Minister of Social Development, respectively, to serve until substituted by that Minister who designated that member. (2) To be eligible for appointment or designation as a member of the board, and to continue to hold that office, a person must- (a} be a fit and proper person; ( b ) not be subject to any disqualification set out in subsection (3); and (c) have submitted to the h4inister a written declaration stating that- (i) the person is not disqualified in terms of subsection (3); and (ii) the person does not have any interests referred to in subsection (3)(c). (3) A person may not be a member of the board if that person- is a political office bearer; is listed in the register of excluded persons by order of a court; personally or through a spouse, partner or associate- (i) has or acquires a direct or indirect financial interest in a licence issued in terms of this Act, or in premises used for an activity that must be licensed in terms of this Act; or (ii) has or acquires an interest in a business or enterprise that may conflict or interfere with the proper performance of the duties of a member of the board; IS an nnrehabilitated insolvent, or beconles insdvent and the insolvency icsAts in the sequestration of his or her estate; has ever been, or is, removed from an office of tmst on account of misconduct; is subject to an order of a competent court holding that person to be mentally deranged; within the previous ten years has been, or is, convicted in the Republic or elsewhere of theft, fraud, forgery or uttering a forged document, perjury, an offence under the Corruption Act, 1992 (Act No. 94 of 1992), an offence under Chapter 2 or 3 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 1998 (Act No. 121 of 1998), an offence under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, or an offence involving dishonesty; or has been convicted of any other offence committed after the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of 1993), took effect, and sentenced to imurisonment without the option of a fine. 5 10 15 20 25 30 (4) The Chief ExecutiveOfficer is an ex officio member of the board, but may not vote 35 at meetings of the board. ( 5 ) For the purpose of subsection (3)(c), a financial interest does not include an indirect interest held in any fund or investment if the person contemplated in that subsection has no control over the investment decisions of that fund or investment. Conflicting interests 68. (1) A member of the board must promptly inform the Minister in writing after acquiring an interest that is, or is likely to become, an interest contemplated in section 67(3)(c)(ii). (2) A member of the board must not- engage in any activity that may undermine the integrity of the board; attend, participate in or influence the proceedings during a meeting of the board, if, in relation to the matter before the board, that member has an interest- (i) contemplated in section 67(3)(c)(ii); or (ii) that precludes the member from performing the duties of a member of the board in a fair, unbiased and proper manner; vote at any meeting of the board in connection with a matter contemplated in paragraph (b); make private use of, or profit from, any confidential information obtained as a result of performing that person's duties as a member of the board; or 40 45 50 55 74 No. 26670 AUGUST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12 2004 Act No. 7,2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 ( e ) divulge any information referred to in paragraph (d) to any third party, except as required as part of that person’s official functions as a member of the board. (3) If, at any time, it appears to a member of the board that a matter before the board concerns an interest of that member referred to in subsection (2)(b), the member must- ( a ) immediately and fully disclose the nature of that interest to the meeting; and 5 (b) withdraw from the meeting to allow the remaining members to discuss the matter and determine whether the member should be prohibited from participating in any further proceedings concerning that matter. (4) A disclosure by a member in terms of subsection (3)(a) and the decision by the board in terms of subsection (3)(b) must be expressly recorded in the minutes of the 10 meeting at which the disclosure is made. (5) Proceedings of the board, and any decisions taken by a majority of the members present and entitled to participate in those decisions, are valid despite the fact that- (a) a member failed to disclose an interest as required by subsection (3); or ( b ) a member who had such an interest attended those proceedings, participated in 15 them in any way, or directly or indirectly influenced those proceedings. Resignation, removal from office, and vacancies 69. (1) A Z-nember may resign from the board by-giving to the Minister- ( a ) one month written notice; or jb) iess than one month written notice, with the approval of the Minister. ( 2 ) The Minister may, after taking the steps required by subsection ( 3 ) , remove a 20 member of the board, if that member has- (a) become disqualified in terms of section 67(2) or (3); ( b ) acted contrary to section 68(2); (c) failed to disclose an interest or withdraw from a meeting as required by 25 section 68(3); or (d) neglected to properly perfom the functions of his or her office. (3) Before removing a person from office in terms of subsection (2), the Minister must afford the person an opportunity to be heard. (4) Upon the expiry of an appointed member’s first term of office, the member may be 30 re-appointed to a further term, subject to section 67. ( 5 ) A person may not be appointed to serve for more than two terms as a member of the board. Meetings of board 70. (1) The chairperson may determine the date, time and place for the first meeting 35 of the board, and the chairperson in consultation with the board may determine the date, time and place for each subsequent meeting. (2) The chairperson in consultation with the board may determine procedure at meetings of the board, after due consideration of the principles of openness and transparency. (3) A majority of the members of the board is a quorum for a meeting of the board. (4) The board must attempt to reach its decisions by consensus. (5) If the board is unable to reach a consensual decision in any matter before it, the board may resolve the matter by simple majority vote on a motion. 40 (6) Subject to subsections (4) and ( 3 , the board may establish rules for its own 45 proceedings. (7) A decision taken at a meeting of the board, or an act performed under the authority of such a decision, is valid despite- 76 ~~ No. 26670 Act No. 7,2004 GOVERNMENT GAZE'ITE, 12 AUGUST 2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (a) a vacancy on the board at the time the decision was taken; or (b) the fact that a person who was not a member sat as a member at the time when the decision was taken. Committees of board 71. (1) The board may from time to time appoint one or more committees to perform 5 any duties and exercise any powers delegated to it by the board. (2) A committee may comprise only persons who are members of the board, except to the extent required to comply with the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999). (3) The board- 10 (a) may designate any number of its members to sit on a committee; (b) must designate which member will chair the committee; and (c) may issue directives to the committee but any such directives must be consistent with this Act. (4) A committee must perform its duties and exercise its powers subject to the 15 provisions of this Act and any directives issued by the board in terms of subsection (3)(c). ( 5 ) :\ c-lxision of a committee taken in the performance of a duty or exercise of a power dclegated to it is a decision of the board, subject to ratification by the board. Remuneration and allowances of members of board and committees 20 72. (1) The Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, determine the remuneration and allowances of any member of the board, or of a committee, who is not in the full-time service of the State. (2) The remuneration and allowances of the persons referred to in subsection (1) may differ according to the different offices held by them or the different duties performed by 25 them. Staff of board and remuneration 73. (1) The board- (a) in consultation with the Minister, must appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person as Chief Executive Officer w h o - (i) subject to the direction and control of the board, is responsible for all financial administrative responsibilities pertaining to the functions of the board; and 30 (ii) is accountable to the board; and (6) may appoint any other staff as may be necessary to enable the board to 35 perform its duties. (2) Sections 67(2) and (3) and section 68, read with the changes required by the context, apply to the Chief Executive Officer and each staff member to be appointed in terms of this Act. (3) The board, in consultation with the Minister, may determine the remuneration, 40 allowances, employment benefits and other terms and conditions of appointment of a person appointed in terms of subsection (1). (4) Subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), the board may delegate to any member of the staff any power or duty that the terms board may exercise or perform in of this Act. 45 Finances 74. (1) The board is financed from- ( a ) money appropriated by Parliament for the board; ( b ) any fees payable to the board in terms of this Act; ( c ) income derived by the board from its investment and deposit of surplus money 50 in terms of subsection (6); and (d) other money accruing to the board from any source. (2) The financial year of the board is the period from 1 April in any year to 3 1 March in the following year. (3) Each year, at a time determined by the Minister, the board must submit to the 55 Minister a statement of the board's estimated income and expenditure, and requested appropriation from Parliament, in respect of the next ensuing financial year. 26670 78 No. GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12 AUGUST 2004 Act No. 7,2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (4) The board must open and maintain an account in the name of the board with a registered bank or other registered financial institution in the Republic and- (a) any money received by the board must be deposited to that account; and (b) every payment on behalf of the board must be made from that account. (5) Cheques drawn on the account of the board must be signed on its behalf by two 5 persons authorised for that purpose by resolution of the board. (6) The board may invest or deposit money of the board that is not immediately required for contingencies or to meet current expenditures- ( a ) on a call or short-term fixed deposit with any registered bank or financial institution in the Republic; or (b) in an investment account with the Corporation for Public Deposits established in terms of section 2 of the Corporation for Public Deposits Act, 1984 (Act No. 46 of 1984). Accountability, audits and reports The 75. (1) board is responsible to- 10 15 ( a ) account for State and other money received by, or paid for or on account of, the board; and (b; cause the necessary accounting and rel:!ted records io be kept, in accordance with the Public Finance Managemer?t Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999). (2) The records referred to in subsection (l)(b) must be audited by the Auditor- 20 General. (3) The board must report to the Minister at least once every year on its activities. (4) As soon as practicable after receiving a report referred to in subsection ( 3 ) , the Minister must- ( a ) transmit a copy of the report to the Premier of each province; and (b) table it in Parliament. 25 CHAPTER 5 ENFORCEMENT AND OFFENCES National inspectorate 76. (1) The board- (a) may appoint any suitably qualified person as an inspector and assign the inspector to monitor, investigate or evaluate any matter on behalf of the board, subject to the control and direction of the board; and (b) must provide each inspector with a certificate signed on behalf of the board and stating- (i) that the inspector has been appointed under this Act; and (ii) any limitation on the authority of that inspector. 30 35 (2) An inspector performing a function under this Act must show his or her certificate of appointment to any affected person who demands to see it. (3) For the purpose of this Act or any other national or provincial law in respect of 40 gambling and associated activities, an inspector is deemed to have been appointed a peace officer for the purposes of the relevant sections of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977). Powers and duties of inspector 77. (1) An inspector may attend at the offices of any provincial licensing authority for 45 the purpose of carrying out any activity contemplated in section 33 or 34. 80 No. 26670 GOVERNMENT GAZETIT, 12 AUGUST 2004 Act No. 7, 2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (2) Without prior notice, an inspector in the company of an inspector appointed in terms of provincial law, may- (a) enter any licensed premises, or other premises in which licensed activities are engaged in, conducted or made available, or in which records of any of those activities prepared or maintained; are 5 (b) enter any unlicensed premises in, on or from which it is suspected- (i) that any gambling activity is being engaged in, conducted or made available; or (ii) that any gambling machine or any equipment, device, object, book, record, note, recording or other document used or capable of being used 10 in connection with the conducting of a casino or any other gambling activity may be found; (c) in any premises referred to in paragraph (a) or (b)- (i) conduct any enquiry that the inspector believes to be necessary, after having informed the person who appears to be in charge of the premises 15 of the purpose of the inspector’s visit; (ii) require the person in control of such premises to produce any licence or written permission or authorisation required under this Act or any provincial law; (iii) question1 any person who is on or (iv) examine any prescribed gambling equipment, device, object, book, record, note, recording or other document in, about, upon or around the premises referred to in paragraph (a) or (b); and (v) seize and remove from those premises, and impound- in those premises; 20 (aa) any such equipment for the purposes of examination and inspection; 25 or (bb) any book, record, ledger, game device, cash box and its contents, counting room or its equipment or gambling operations; (d) require any person who appears to be in charge of any premises referred to in paragraph (a) or (b)- (i) to point out any equipment, device or object referred to in those paragraphs that the person has possession or custody of, or control over; (ii) to produce for the purpose of examination or of making copies or extracts. any book, record, note, recording or other document referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) that the person has possession or custody of, or 35 control over; and 30 (iii) to provide any information in connection with anything that has been pointed out or produced in terms of subparagraph (i) or (ii). (3) Without prior notice, an inspector may do any thing contemplated in subsection (2) for the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities of the board in terms of section 40 65(1)(a) or (b). (4) When performing a duty in terms of subsection (2) or (3), an inspector may be accompanied and assisted by an assistant, interpreter or a police official. ( 5 ) An inspector may request and receive information, materials and any other data from any licensee or applicant for a licence or registration under this Act, subject to the 45 provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000). Breach of confidence 78. (1) It is an offence to disclose any confidential information concerning the affairs of any person obtained- carrying (a) in ( 6 ) as a result of making an application or participating in any proceedings in out any function in terms of this Act; or 50 terms of this Act. 82 No. 26670 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12 AUGUST 2004 Act No. 7,2004 NATIONAL GAMBLING ACT, 2004 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to information disclosed- ( a ) for the purposes of the proper administration or enforcement of this Act; (b) for the purposes of the administration of justice; or request of an inspector or other (c) at the person entitled to receive the information. Obstructing administration of Act 5