The Casino Association of South Africa (“CASA”) is calling on Government to adopt a zero tolerance approach to illegal gambling activities and unlicensed casinos.
CASA, the body that represents the interests of South Africa’s legal casino gambling industry, as well as the public it serves, has noted an alarming increase in illegal gambling. It warns that if immediate action is not taken to stamp out these criminal activities, the negative impact on the economy, and society in general, could be far reaching.
As CASA’s Chief Executive Officer, Adv. Themba Ngobese explains, “Not nearly enough is being done to combat illegal gambling. There are laws in place but they are meaningless without a firm and consistent commitment to enforce them. Unfortunately, there will always be people who believe that illegal gambling and illegal casino activities are somehow victimless crimes but nothing could be further from the truth.”
Ngobese elaborates by explaining that illegal gambling operations are eroding the revenues of licensed casinos and thereby negatively impacting everything from job security, corporate social investment budgets to their ability to support the economy through taxes. Licensed casinos currently pay a massive portion (around 36%) of the value that they generate to the state through various local, provincial and national taxes and levies, and even a small percentage decrease in revenues can result in dire consequences for a treasury that is already under pressure.
“In the year ended March 2017, our members experienced losses in revenue of almost 2%, attributable in large part to aggressive illegal gambling activities. That may not sound like much but for an industry that contributes almost R6 billion in taxes and levies, a few percent points can have a massive knock on effect,” says Ngobese.
Ngobese implores Government to step up with a deliberate and concerted effort to enforce its laws to protect the regulated gambling industry and the public.
The general public is also encouraged to stamp out illegal gambling activities by reporting suspicious operations. To report a suspected illegal gambling establishment or casino, members of the public can contact the following provincial gambling boards:
- Eastern Cape: (043) 702 8300 or ceo@ecgbb.co.za
- Free State: (051) 404 0300 or officeoftheceo@fsgrb.co.za
- Gauteng: (011) 581 4800 or info@ggb.org.za
- KwaZulu-Natal: 080 112 2568 or KZNGBB@tip-offs.com
- Limpopo: (015) 230 2300 or ceo@lgb.co.za
- Mpumalanga: (013) 750 8000 or ceo@mgb.org.za
- Northern Cape: 081 761 9101 or enquiry@ncgb.co.za
- North West: (018) 834 3215 or info@nwgb.co.za
- Western Cape: (021) 480 7400 or Enforcement@wcgrb.co.za
Notes to Editors
The Casino Association of South Africa was established in 2003 and represents the interests of 92% of the 38 legal land-based casinos operating in the country. CASA’s emphasis is on playing a constructive and positive role in the evolution of good public policy and good governance in respect of the casino industry. CASA conducts and publishes an annual survey of the industry and all members subscribe to an agreed code of conduct. For further
information visit CASA at www.