Not long ago the KwaZulu-Natal Gambling Board ordered the destruction of illegal gaming machines operating in the area around Pietermaritzburg, a move that would doubtless have pleased the anti-gambling groups. Now the Board is being heavily criticised by those groups for issuing Route Operator Licences to four companies. Gaming on slot machines will now be available at local bars, racecourses and hotels.

The KwaZulu-Natal Gambling Board has followed other South African provinces in now allowing gaming machines outside the casino environment. In KwaZulu-Natal the machines should be in place by November at places already possessing a liquor licence. The four companies awarded Route licences are Vukani, Gold Circle, Kingdom Slots and Luck-at-It. Part of the licence agreement is the contribution of 0.5% of gross gaming revenue (GGR) to social projects.

Vukani is the wholly owned subsidiary of Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) which now owns a 51% stake in Tsogo Sun and its five South African casinos. It already has machines operating in Mpumalanga, Western Cape and Easter Cape, and will be installing them in Limpopo after having been granted a licence there. Kingdom Slots is partnered by Thuo Gaming, which is part of Australian company Tattersall’s. Thuo Gaming is expected to place around 1,000 gaming machines in KwaZulu-Natal. (E-07.25.06)

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