The capital of South Africa will be set to get another casino as long as amendments to the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Regulations are passed.
A report by The Cape Times reveals the amendments provide for one of the province’s other casinos to move to the city. But the gossip circulating around the rumour mill is that casinos in either Caledon or Worcester will be closed down as a result.
Members of the public have until 20 April to make their choice and comment on the amendments, which were revealed to them when they were published by the provincial treasury this Friday.
MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in Cape Town, Alan Winde, said in the report: “The relocation of one of the Western Cape’s casinos to the Metro will ensure increased tourist numbers, and in turn, increased revenue generated from tourism.”
”Should one of the outlying casinos move to the Metro, they have a responsibility to minimise the impact on job losses in their current region,” he added.
The current provincial law states that all casinos have to stay where they are based for the 10-year period of their licence. GrandWest in Goodwood had exclusive rights for Cape Town, but that licence expired two years ago in 2010.
Once the law is passed, however, the five casinos in the province – GrandWest, Caledon, Mossel Bay, Worcester and Langebaan – will have to bid for the new 10-year exclusivity licence to operate in the capital.
