Western Cape Government Gazettes: New Casino Legislation for Public Comment | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Government Gazettes: New Casino Legislation for Public Comment

18 March 2012

Media Statement by Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism

On Friday, 16 March 2012, the Western Cape Provincial Treasury gazetted for public comment amendments to the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Regulations.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the draft bill and regulations on or before 20 April 2012.

The bill provides for one of the Western Cape's outlying casinos to move to the Cape Town Metro. Should the amendments be passed, the casinos will have to bid for the new ten-year exclusivity licence in the Metro.

The amendments will also provide for:

  • Fees to be paid for new licence applications, annual licence fees and investigation fees to be dealt with by way of regulation.
  • The increase in the annual licence fee for casino licence holders.
  • The simplification of the casino tax structure reducing the number of taxation bands from the current six to two. In addition, provision is made for an increase in the taxation rate applicable to casinos.
  • Details on the actual new licence, annual licence and investigation fees payable including the annual escalation of these fees.

Minister Alan Winde said: "We have conducted an extensive consultative process with all casinos in the province and conducted external research into the viability of a second casino in the Metro. Based on this, Cabinet has approved these amendments. 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. The revenue generated by the Western Cape Government in licence fees will be used to improve the livelihoods of the citizens of the Western Cape. 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. It is in collaboration with the private sector and government that we can be better together."

All interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the said draft Bills and regulations on or before 17:00 on Friday, 20 April 2012: Such comments should be forwarded to:

(i) by posting it to:
Head Official: Provincial Treasury
Private Bag X 9165
Cape Town
8000
Attention: Ms C Horton

(ii) by e-mailing it to:
Claire.Horton@pgwc.gov.za
Telephone: (021) 483 6037
Fax: (021) 483 5006

(iii) by delivering it to:
Ms C Horton
Room 307
3rd Floor, 15 Wale Street
Cape Town
8001

Western Cape Gambling and Racing Draft Amendment Bill 2012

Media Enquiries: 

Phumzile Van Damme
Spokesperson for Minister Winde
Cell: 084 483 2660
Follow Minister Winde at: www.twitter.com/alanwinde