140945 Limpopo Gambling Board AR DRAFT 7

4. Foreword by the Chairperson of the Board

Introduction

Another year has gone past, and it is now that time when we present the Limpopo Gambling Board Annual Report to the Executive Authority. The Annual Report outlines our achievements against the targets which were set for the 2021/22 financial year.

High Level Overview of the Public Entity’s Strategy and the Performance.

It is with a great pleasure to report that the Entity has achieved all the set targets as per theAnnual Performance Plan. These significant outcomes are through the collective efforts of our Executive Management, the leadership of the Board and continuous support from the Shareholder.

We also appreciate the fact that the undesirable conditions which we were subjected to since 2020, as a result of the

Covid-19 pandemic, has subsided, thus allowing Licensees to operate more easily. The lifting of the lockdown restrictions has also enabled our staff to reach out more to communities to ensure that the gambling laws are enforced. Once more, it is with the outmost pleasure to report that the Board has again done well in terms of maintaining good governance for the year 2021/22 and attained an unqualified audit opinion without any significant findings (clean audit). This outcome could not be realized without the dedication of the staff with support and guidance from the leadership of the Board, the Executive Authority and the entire Shareholder family, including the Provincial Treasury and the Office of the Premier. In addition, our levy collections for the financial year 2020/21 increased by 60%, compared to the previous year, 2019/20. This means that the Entity has contributed more to the fiscus of the Province, which will ultimately make a positive contribution to the socio-economic development of our people. The increase in levies collection was as a result of additional licensed LPM sites and the opening of the Phalaborwa Bingo site.

Strategic Relationships

I am encouraged to say that our continuous cooperation and collaboration with our stakeholders is making a positive impact, particularly in the eradication of illegal gambling activities in the Province. We, however, still experience other challenges related to illegal online gambling. This is not insurmountable and with continued efforts, together with our stakeholders and law enforcement agencies, more will be accomplished.

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