Operator News
South Africa – Tsogo Sun confirms Cape Town interest
By Phil - 25 November 2013
Tsogo Sun has confirmed its interest in Cape Town’s second casino licence, saying it will bid ‘to compete with Sun International’s GrandWest Casino.’
The operator, which already runs casinos in Mykonos, Caledon and the Garden Route, is keen to get involved in a market dominated by Sun International’s GrandWest Casino which held an exclusivity licence up until 2010.
An official from Tsogo Sun said: “The potential to bid for the relocation of one of the smaller casinos in the Western Cape to the Cape metropole remains an opportunity for the group, although the recent increase in provincial taxes in the Western Cape has made this a less attractive opportunity than before. The ability to continue to pursue the group’s investment strategy will depend on the final outcome and impact of the variety of proposed regulatory and tax changes considered by government and will require the successful interaction with various regulatory bodies including gaming boards, city councils, provincial authorities and national departments. The group continues to constructively engage with the various spheres of government in this regard.”
The V&A Waterfront and Cape Town Stadium have both been highlighted as potential locations for the second casino but changes to gaming legislation would be needed first.
Finance MEC Alan Winde said: “At this stage no legislative changes have been made. Provincial treasury is currently in the process of updating economic information and studies which will inform the next step. We recognise that casinos can generate jobs, but we have to take several factors into account before we make a responsible and informed decision. We will keep the public updated.”
Michael Farr, Manager of Corporate Brand and Communications at Sun International, added: “We have had no indication from provincial government that changes to policy have taken effect and thus we are not aware that any bidding process for the relocation of the licence in the Western Cape has been initiated.”
