Public hearings on the desirability of having bingo halls in the Eastern Cape

Warning:

This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.

Read the article

Public hearings on the desirability of having bingo halls in the Eastern Cape will be held in the major centres throughout the province from Monday (March 25).

Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board CEO Mabutho Zwane said greater employment was the underlying motivation in introducing bingo in addition to big casinos and Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) at smaller sites.

Bingo appealed to a different market and would also open the way for small and medium sized enterprises to enter the gaming industry which to date was dominated by major corporations that invested billions.

A feasibility study in the province had shown that bingo was viable and in addition to employment, both direct and indirect, it would benefit tourism, the catering and hospitality projects in smaller centres, Mr Zwane said.

Expressions of interest had been invited from operators and the ECGBB had inspected various potential premises throughout the province.

As part of an extensive public participation process, members of the public were invited at attend public presentations from the aspiring bingo operators to ask questions or voice their objections before bingo licences were awarded.

The first presentation will be given by Galaxy Bingo Gaming at the Hotel Savoy and Conference Centre, Mthatha, on Monday, March 25, at 9am.

The second presentation will be given by Ritz Bingo at the same venue starting at 11am. A third presentation will be given by Goldrush Bingo at the Msobomvu Hall, Butterworth, at 3pm.

On Tuesday, the public hearings move to The Venue, Hemingways Casino, East London, where four presentations will be given.

First will be Ritz Bingo (CBD) at 8am followed by Ritz Bingo (Beacon Bay) at 10am. At 1pm will be the turn of Galaxy Bingo Gaming (Gonubie) and Goldrush Bingo (Beacon Bay) will be at 3pm.

Public hearings in Port Elizabeth will be held in April. The names of applicants and dates are still to be announced.



ISSUED BY: Geoff Bird

ON BEHALF OF: Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board