Gross gambling revenue on the rise

Gross gambling revenue (GGR) in SA increased to R18.45bn in 2017-2018‚ up from R17.83bn in 2016-2017 and R18.15bn in 2015-2016.

“While the increase is definitely encouraging‚ as an industry we’re still held back by a tough economic climate and the impact of illegal gambling activities‚”

Casino Association of

SA (Casa) chief executive

Themba Ngobese said.

“Our biggest competition is actually retail. A family with R1‚000 to spend on entertainment is most likely to go to a restaurant because at Spur, mom‚ dad and kids can have something to eat and have fun as opposed to choosing the option to gamble.” Casa presented its latest figures on Tuesday at Montecasino in Johannesburg. The association was founded in 2003 and represents 35 of the 38 casinos in SA. Its members include Tsogo Sun‚ Peermont Global and Caesars Entertainment.

Gauteng was the busiest province‚ generating R8.01bn of the gross gambling revenue (43%) in seven casinos‚ followed by KwaZulu-Natal with R3.51bn and the Western Cape with R2.92bn.

Gauteng has the most casinos‚ followed by KwaZulu-Natal‚ the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape‚ which have five each.

Casa’s casinos housed 922 tables‚ generating about R4.52m a table‚ and 24‚508 slot machines‚ generating R582‚991 per machine. Ngobese said some of the regulatory challenges gambling faced included increased smoking legislation. He claimed the draft Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill could lead to an 18% drop in GGR (R3.16bn).

“The knock-on effect would be massive with as many as 4‚000 direct and indirect industry jobs on the line.”

Ngobese also highlighted concern over illegal gambling. “This not only affects the bottom line of licensed casinos‚ but society at large‚ as tax revenues‚ employment opportunities and associated economic activities are suppressed.”

Casa chairperson Jabu Mabuza called on authorities to shut down illegal online and offline gambling. —