The Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB) is set to make a decision regarding the relocation license for the Morula Sun Casino. The decision will be announced on Friday whether or not the casino will receive a license to relocate from Mabopane to Menlyn Maine in Pretoria East.
Sun International Reports Losses
The request for a license for the relocation of Morula Sun Casino came after Sun International reported revenue losses in the area, partially due to a high level of competition.
According to Graeme Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of Sun International, the area is difficult to access and that, coupled with competition from alternative gaming, has resulted in the revenue loss that they have recently experienced.
Sun International expects that the new location will be significantly more profitable than Morula and is planning to spend R3 billion on the relocation project.
Decision Delayed Due to Complexity of the Case
Decisions are usually made by the Gauteng Gambling Board in 14 days, but this decision has been significantly delayed due to the complexities of the case, said Prince Mafojane, Chairperson of the GGB. There has been significant opposition on both sides of the debate which the board has been analyzing. Public hearings were held earlier in the year in an attempt to understand both sides of the arguments.
Sun International has argued that the move will help unemployment by creating new jobs which will in turn help with black economic empowerment.
On the other side of the debate are the residents of Menlyn Maine who claim that the proposed location for the casino is too close to a school and a church and they argue that the social cost to the community will be too high.
Other gaming groups, such as Peermont which owns Emperor's Palace argued that moving Morula Sun Casino would have a negative socio-economic impact on Morula, as well as overrunning the market near Menlyn Maine which would negatively impact the casinos already operating there.
"We will make the announcement on Friday, on our stance regarding the proposed removal of the casino, "announced Mafojane. "It was a difficult case and we had to take some time to make sure that the outcomes will suit both parties."
Sun International has announced that if their license is approved, the project is expected to take three years to complete. It has promised it will build a not-to-be-missed attraction for the city.
