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Operators of illegal gambling establishments have their days numbered if the organised gambling industry, the Gauteng Gambling Board and the MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Lebogang Maile have their way.

This was the consensus at the engagement session with the gaming industry held on Monday, 01 June at the Gambling Board offices in Johannesburg.

The session, which was attended by several casino operators including Peermont, Tsogo Sun and Sun International as well as Limited Payout Machine (LPM) and Bingo Operators in Gauteng expressed concern over the existence of nearly 180 illegal gambling establishments across Gauteng. Many of these are illegal online gambling establishments that masquerade as Internet Cafes in city centres and residential areas.

“Online gambling continues to be a challenge. There is an ongoing process of training investigating officers on methods of securing information or evidence in order to prosecute successfully. The cooperation of the industry in our efforts to eradicate illegal gambling is important and we urge anyone with information to bring this to the attention of the regulatory authority – the Gauteng Gambling Board.” said Maile.

The gambling industry makes a huge contribution to the provincial fiscus through levies and taxes. Maile said that the existence of so many illegal operations deprives government of the much-needed revenue to fast track service delivery and increase access to health, education, infrastructure and many social goods in society.

In 2013, the industry generated R848 million worth of taxes and levies for the province and this figure has increased to R883 million currently. The National Gambling Board’s 2012 report on the economic impact of legalized gambling estimated the number of jobs in the industry at 26 679, with almost an equal number of jobs created from gambling related activities.

Maile urged the sector to play a greater role in developing township businesses and creating space in their supply chain processes for businesses that operate in townships, using the Township Economic Revitalisation Strategy as a guide to the kinds of interventions required to boost township businesses.

The Gauteng Gabling Board said that it is important for the industry to continue playing a role in educating society and raising awareness about illegal and problem gambling. The board regularly undertakes raids, inspections and compliance audits with the relevant law enforcement agencies. Over forty (40) gambling industry representatives attended the session.

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development