13th
August
South Africa Source: Business
Day
Sun
International South Africa's disposal of 10 casinos to meet the requirements
of the National Gambling Act has led to a 35% drop in earnings per share.
The opening of new casinos in Gauteng over the last year or so has also
had a negative effect. The Gambling Act stipulated there would be 9 regional
Gambling Boards and a total of 40 casinos. Prior to the Act the company
had a virtual monopoly on casinos that for many years were only permitted
in the in the Homelands.
Sun
suffers from closure of gaming operations
8th
August
South Africa Source:
ANC News Service
The
much sought after but much delayed Durban casino license was awarded to
Tsogo Sun by the KwaZulu-Natal Gambling Board on 4th August. The R1,4 billion
casino, hotel and theme park complex will be adjacent to Durban's beach
front. It is according to the company now set to create 20,500 jobs, 80%
from KwaZulu-Natal. The temporary casino is due to open in Mid 2001 and
be managed by MGM Grand RSA.
6th
August
Cape Town Source: PANA
(Africa News
Online)
After
a slow start South Africa's casino industry is apparently now performing
above the governments expectations. The Panafrican News Agency reported
on the 4th that 1.6% of household expenditure was presently being wagered.
Very little is foreign exchange, but according to the article, South Africa
would have the ability to generate $140 million in two years should Internet
gaming be regulated under a single gaming authority.
Good
Going on South Africa's Gambling Industry
15th
July
South Africa Source:
IOL
The
Independent Online reported that the African Oceans bid for one of the
two casino licenses in Durban has been abandoned. This follows the death
of John Aspinall who was a major partner in the project along with Kerry
Packer and Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The final hearings for the licenses after a near two year delay have been
set for 5th August. There are now three groups in the running Southern
Sun-backed Tsogo Sun, Durban Add-Ventures and Sun International's Afrisun
bid for Umdloti.
UK
tycoon's death costs consortium licence
11th
July
South Africa Source: ANC
Daily briefing - 7th July
Western
Cape Gambling Board has awarded a casino license to West Coast leisure
for the Mykonos Resort. The application which was the only one received
for evaluation is from a partnership that includes Gold Reef Casino Resorts
and Casinos Austria International. The permanent facility being expected
to create 680 jobs.
11th
June
South Africa Source:
ANC daily briefing
As
a follow up to the National Gambling Board of South Africa releasing its
annual report, the Safety and Security minister revealed on the 8th June
that there are an estimated 431 illegal casinos operating in the country.
The majority (300) are in the Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal regions. The loss
to the Government in potential revenues thought to be in the region of
SAR 1 Billion.
9th
June
South Africa Source:
ANC daily briefing
The
National
Gambling Board has released its annual report to the SA Parliament.
The report covered revenue that has so far been generated by bingo and
casino operations. Of the 40 proposed casino licenses nationally, only
17 have so far been issued. Bingo that has only been licensed in Guateng
is presently generating negligible tax revenues.
According to the report there are a total of 10,222 slots and 364 table
games in the licensed casinos. There are also some 60,000 limited payout
machines operating illegally across the country with local law enforcement
agencies unwilling to close them down.
9th
May
Durban's Source:
Independent Online
Two
of the most famous characters from the gaming world - John Aspinall and
Kerry Packer, have taken a stake in the African Oceans bid for one of the
two Durban casino licenses. Bidding for the licenses was closed on Friday
5th with a total of 4 groups involved.
For the two other permitted areas also in Kwa Zulu Natal - Pietermaritzburg
and Richards Bay there are two bidders for each license. Final decisions
on who the successful applicants will be are expected in the summer.
Spinal,
Packer in Pavilion casino bid
20th
April
Las Vegas/South Africa
Source:
Acres Gaming Press release
Acres
Gaming have announced that Tsogo Sun in Johannesburg has signed a letter
of intent and made an initial payment for the companies Advantage™ casino-wide
slot system at the new MonteCasino. The company is also installing at the
Crown Casino in Melbourne its Coinless Transit™ cashless wagering system.
Acres
Gaming Announces Receipt of $4.6 Million Order and Reports Third Quarter
Results
16th
April
South Africa/Colorado Source:
Press release
Century
Casinos announced on the 14th that they had been awarded by the Western
Cape Gambling Board the casino license for the companies casino development
in Caledon. The 600 acre location being around 1 hour from Cape Town and
expected to open in October. Century will have a 50% stake and a 10 year
management contract on the new property. Five casinos are proposed to be
licensed in the Western Cape region.
Century
Casinos is Awarded Casino License in South Africa
12th
April
Mississippi/Tunisia Source:
Press release
BounceBackTechnologies
that was formerly known as Casino Resource Corp. have released some detailed
statistics from the companies Casino Caraibe in Sousse, Tunisia.
Table games drop for the last months was $3.8 million with a win of $750,000
giving a hold of 19%.
Slot revenue increased to $334,000. Combined revenues being $1,086,267
up 51% on the same period in 1999 and equating to an average daily win
of $6000. BBT also announced that they were also discussing the possible
sale of the property to interested third parties.
30th
March
Johannesburg Source:
Gaming for Africa
Gaming
for Africa magazine has announced that the 2000 Johannesburg conference
has been postponed until 2001. The date and location of the show to be
announced in the future. Also announced was that André Gouws will
be leaving the company on April 1st with Roy Bannister taking over as editor
and publisher.
Gaming
for Africa Expo postponed until 2001
15th
March
Colorado/South Africa Source:
Press release
In
an attempt to secure the 6th and last license for the Guateng region of
South Africa Century Casinos
and partner Silverstar Development Ltd have announced that they have come
to an arrangement with Rhino Hotel & Resort (Pty) Ltd. Rhino will now
withdraw their application. The project is for a $70 million development
with 1500 gaming positions in the western suburbs of Johannesburg.
Further specialist information on the latest South African developments
can be obtained at the Gaming
for Africa website.
18th
February
Johannesburg Source:
Press release
Gaming
for Africa magazine, organizers of the upcoming Gaming for Africa Expo
2000 expect the show to be the most innovative show to date, but the size
and number of exhibitors is expected to be smaller than in previous years.
Whilst the road to South Africa becoming a major casino gaming nation has
so far not been a smooth one, manufacturers and suppliers attending include
IGT, John Huxley, Novomatic, TCS, Bally, Unidesa, Bourgogne et Grasset,
Abbiatti and Money Controls.
Gaming
for Africa Expo 2000 - The Most Innovative Yet
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