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Mind Sports South Africa is the oldest national federation in the world for esports, having been established in 1985. It is also the custodian of all esports activities in South Africa.
Private operators are increasingly interested in starting their own competitions, as esports develops in South Africa. These private operators are often reluctant to apply for official accreditation, as they want to avoid the regulatory bodies and laws.
eSports is not governed under gambling legislation. Therefore, a license from the provincial gambling board is not needed if events are accredited by MSSA.
The eSport regulator will be in charge of the event if it meets the criteria for an eSport.
South Africa has seen a significant increase in online gaming. There are leagues dedicated to hosting local competitions. Entrants pay a fee (similar to Registration Fees) to compete and win cash prizes.
Online gaming at a competitive level can be considered an eSport. MSSA has made great progress in recognizing eSports as a sport in South Africa. This way, online and competitive gaming are regulated under sporting regulations and not gambling laws.
The White Paper on Sport and Recreation in the Republic of South Africa for 2013 (White Paper) defines sport as a wide range of inclusive activities that people of any age and ability can take part in.
The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for the Development and Peace, in 2008, defined sport as, for the purpose of development, “all forms physical activity that contributes to physical fitness and mental wellbeing, social interaction and play, recreation, organized or competitive sport and indigenous sports and game”.
Thankfully, Mind Sports South Africa’s (MSSA), the official organisation that has the right to award South African colors to eSports team at the national and provincial levels, makes a provision in its constitution for the recognition of eSports. eSports is recognised as a sport and as such are regulated by sporting legislation, not gambling legislation.
MSSA believes that a private operator should register their event as an eSports event to avoid having to approach a gambling regulator.
