The sixth edition of the Survey of Casino Entertainment in South Africa has been released by the Casino Association (CASA). The annual publication provides public policy makers, analysts and others with an overview of the casino industry in South Africa. This year the report reflects the impact of the global recession, which in turn has affected disposable income and consumer confidence. South Africa's gambling regulatory regime demands of the industry that it should contribute to the material welfare of the communities within which it operates.

Since the legalisation of casino gambling in 1996, the industry has developed a sustained and enviable record in the attainment of this objective. It is a cause for pride, for example, that in the year under review, the industry contributed more than R60 million in corporate social investment (CSI) activities, while the cumulative contribution since 1996 has amounted to some R286 million. South Africa's casino industry also continues to be an important provider of jobs and tax revenue. In 2008, the industry made a tax contribution of over R6 billion – an amount which includes provincial gambling taxes and indirect taxes.

According to David Coutts-Trotter, CASA chairman and CEO of Sun International, new features in the report give a more detailed perspective of the country’s casino industry. Information on the contribution made by restaurants, conference and other facilities and amenities is included. “It is important to bear in mind that most South African casinos are multi-component entertainment venues offering a wide variety of non-gaming amenities ranging from theatre facilities and golf courses and from health spas to retail shopping and fine dining.”

The 2009 Survey also contains a new section demonstrating the economic impact of the industry since the legalization of casino gambling. This section shows that since the great casino construction boom of the 1990s, the industry's total capital expenditure has totaled a staggering R18.8 billion. If this amount were to be adjusted to today's value (adjusted for inflation), then this spending would be the equivalent of five Green Point soccer stadiums. Derek Auret, Chief Executive of CASA, comments, “The information contained in this survey is drawn from statistics published by the national and provincial gambling boards, casino companies themselves and independent studies produced by such bodies as the National Responsible Gambling Programme. South Africa is fortunate in that it can boast an impressive record of research into all elements of casino gambling, its impact on communities and individuals, and its contribution to the country’s economic development.”

The economic impact study, which forms part of the survey, shows that 28% of turnover was spent on goods and services, of which over 40% favoured black economic empowerment companies. The industry has created close to 48,000 industry-related jobs and, together with indirect jobs, the figure is nearly 90,000. David Coutts-Trotter states, “Such data has strengthened CASA's conviction that over the past thirteen years, South Africa's casino industry has become a significant player in South Africa's provincial economies, the growth of the country's tourism business, and the expansion of safe and trustworthy recreational opportunities.”

He concludes, “In publishing this survey for the past six years, CASA's objective has been to produce the most comprehensive information resource and reference tool on South Africa's casino business - a resource which will enable those who are interested to judge for themselves the contribution made by our casinos to the development of the South African economy. I am confident that the 2009 Survey of Casino Entertainment in South Africa meets that objective and adds meaningfully to a national understanding of the facts about casino gambling.” (E-01.29.10)
The 2009 Survey of Casino Entertainment in South Africa can be found at: http://www.casasa.org.za/Docs/CASA-Survey-2009.pdf

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