Limpopo Gambling Board Annual Report

1. Foreword by the Member of Executive Council

It is my singular honour and gratitude to present the Annual Report for the 2021/22 financial year which reflects the achievements and challenges encountered. Part of our responsibility as the department is to report on our deeds by way of providing a detailed report on our mandated work bestowed to us, including the work of entities which report to our department which in this regard refers to Limpopo Gambling Board (LGB). The Limpopo Gambling Board is a scheduled 3C Entity in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) - charged with regulating, monitoring, and licensing the gambling industry in the Province. In our effort to drive the competitive economy in the Province, the LGB remains one of the catalytic levers in driving such mandate through regulating the gambling industry which in turn creates jobs, alleviates poverty and reduces unemployment. This is all bolstered through the growing of licensed sites such as LPMs, particularly in

rural communities where the scourge of poverty, inequality and unemployment continue to haunt our people. These gambling sites do not only play a role in job creation but also contribute in the upliftment of socio-economic development of our communities. Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the functioning of the economy negatively, the Licensees were able to play their Corporate Social Responsibility roles in various communities. The Entity is very hopeful and optimistic, based on the recent developments on the declaration of the end of the national state of disaster, that the Entity will be able to achieve more and that the Licensees will function fully. While the Entity has been doing very well in discharging its responsibilities in the Province by ensuring that the gambling industry is adequately managed and regulated in compliance with the law, he Province continuously experiences persisting challenges of illegal gambling. The Entity is doing their best in curbing such undesired acts in collaboration with our stakeholders, such as collaborating with law enforcement agencies, government sectors and communities in general. The Entities continuous efforts of rendering awareness relating to illegal and responsible gambling to the people of the Province also plays a crucial role in reducing acts of illegal gambling in the Province which also affects our capacity to generate more revenue.

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