A second casino could be developed in Cape Town, South Africa, if a new draft bill put forward by the Western Cape provincial government is passed into law.
On Friday, the Western Cape provincial Treasury invited the public to comment in proposed amendments to the gambling act and regulations.
The bill outlines plans to relocate one of the Western Cape’s outlying casinos to move to the Cape Town Metro area. Should the amendments be passed, the casinos will have to bid for the new 10-year exclusivity licence for the area.
However, the amendments also include an increase in the annual licence fee for casino licence holders, as well as a provision for an increase in the tax rate on casinos.
“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,” said Minister Alan Winde. “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.
“Should one of the outlying casinos move to the Metro, they have the responsibility to minimise the impact on job losses in their current region.”
There are presently five casinos in the Western Cape – Garden Route Casino, Golden Valley Casino, GrandWest, Mykonos Casino and Tsogo Sun Caledon.
The Western Cape government is inviting comments on or before April 20.
