GAMING FOR AFRICA
South African industry positive despite challenges
T
he Casino Association of South Africa has issued its 13th annual survey of the
casino industry in South Africa, providing an overview of the health of the industry based on the research findings and statistics published by gambling regulators, CASA member casinos and independent studies. Among the highlights of the report are a recovery of the casino industry, reflecting a 3,5% improvement in Gross Gambling Revenue. Last year’s Survey of Casino
Entertainment in South Africa showed that the casino industry had experienced its first contraction (down 1.8%) since the industry’s inception in 1997. This year’s edition (year ending 31st March 2018) showed it bouncing back to generate R18.5 billion in gross gambling revenue – an improvement of 3.5% over last year’s figure of R17.8 billion and a testament to the industry’s resilience and sustainable business practices. CASA warns, however, that the
challenges that led to the previous decline in GGR have not gone away, and are, in fact, worsening. Difficult economic conditions, the runaway growth of illegal gambling operations and the growing uncertainty regarding the gambling regulatory framework are making it harder for the casino industry to realise its full potential. Besides being valuable
Vermantia live in Nigeria with FortuneBets
betting content from the supplier’s Ultimate Live Greyhound Channel made available to the operator, which is one of the country’s well-established and fastest growing. FortuneBets retail customers now have access to extensive racing coverage from more than 40,000 races per year from countries including the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. The live racing channel is powered by
V
Vermantia’s CONNECT platform which ensures a fully-managed data and odds service, as well as a fully-integrated Bet Acceptance System and Cashier. The channel is customised for the local
market’s needs, while its top-quality content comes exclusively from Vermantia and Arena Racing Company, the largest racecourse group in the UK. Spyros Stavropoulos, Vermantia’s Regional
employers and supporting over 38,000 jobs, CASA members are an enormous contributor to the South African economy, paying R6.1 billion in various taxes and levies at national, provincial and local levels in the year ended 31 March 2019. This makes government the largest recipient of value generated by CASA member casinos, collecting what amounted to 37% of the value generated by CASA members in the year under review 2018. As Adv. Themba Ngobese
explains, “Our members are committed to contributing to a better South Africa. Casinos
attract investment and tourism to the country and the money members pay in taxes and levies is used to improve everything from education and healthcare to infrastructure and housing. One of our biggest concerns is the exponential growth of illegal gambling operations. These illegal operators pay no tax or levies and contribute nothing to the South African economy, while putting players at risk of prosecution. As an industry, we once again urge law enforcement to take a tougher stance on these illegal operations, which are essentially stealing from us all.”
Director, said: “We are very glad to be live with FortuneBets and we believe the Channel’s exciting and fast-paced live betting content, with quality pictures and full data, will prove popular for their customers. “We worked hard to make this a true plug-and-play solution allowing FortuneBets to continue focusing on their retail and digital networks, and their end users.” Prince Greatness Osode, FortuneBets CEO, added: “We are proud to be the first operator in Nigeria to have launched with Vermantia. “It is a fantastic deal for us and we can’t
wait to see what our customers think of the high-quality content that it brings. “We strongly believe that this partnership will lead us to further success, as Vermantia is a highly-regarded supplier with the best live racing channels that the market has to offer.”
ermantia’s market-leading greyhound channel is now live with Nigeria’s FortuneBets. The deal sees premium
26 DECEMBER 2018
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