LIMPOPO GAMBLING BOARD A/REPORT 2022/23

The history of ownership of gambling establishments in South Africa was skewed towards the privileged part of society. The Entity had, through the licensing process, issued licence conditions to ensure that there was inclusive growth in the gambling industry, which ensured that the highly skewed distribution of productive assets of the gambling industry was more equitable. In this regard, the Entity required Licensees to comply with the BBBEE levels that were set in the licence conditions of respective Licensees in terms of the BBBEE Act No. 53 of 2003. Licensees have substantially complied with the set licence conditions in this regard. The BBBEE arrangements of Licensees included worker, community, and Historically Disadvantaged Individuals ownership. Licensees were also required to implement the prescripts of the Employment Equity Act No.55 of 1998 to eliminate gender and race wage disparity in the gambling industry. Section 33 of the Act mandated the Entity to consider issues of competition whilst adjudicating on applications for gambling licences to determine whether the approval of a licence was likely to substantially affect competition in the gambling industry generally, or in respect of the proposed activity within the province. The Entity rigorously implemented this section to prevent the exacerbation of high levels of economic concentration in one sector of the population. The licensing of LPM sites and Bookmakers facilitated the increase in the number of competitive small, medium and micro sized businesses, and contributed to township economies and rural development. This was through employment creation, procurement of goods and services, CSI contributions and contributions to the government coffers through taxes, fees and levies. MTSF Priority 6 – Social Cohesion and Safe Communities – The Law Enforcement Business Unit conducted crime awareness campaigns to educate and empower members of the public on the impact and consequences of illegal gambling activities and urged them to report such activities. The Entity collaborated with various stakeholders, including community organisations, business, public & private sector, traditional leaders, and other relevant structures aimed at reducing illegal gambling activities. The Entity continued to participate in the Provincial Priority Committee on Gambling. Engagement with other institutions such as the Provincial Head General Detective Services, Priority Crimes Specialised Investigations, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Community Safety, National Prosecution Authority, Financial Intelligence Centre were undertaken during the year to widen networks with other agencies involved in law enforcement. The Entity worked closely with ordinary members of the public who actively supported the fight against illegal gambling. Further to this, Informants were employed to work with the Entity to report any form of illegal gambling operations in the province. The Entity prioritised the safety and security of the informants and that of the ordinary citizens, by ensuring that their identities were not disclosed to anyone. As part of the licence conditions, Licensees were required to procure 40% of goods and services from local entities from the province, and this supported the localisation and ‘buy local’ campaigns.

LIMPOPO GAMBLING BOARD 2022/23

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