MEC Scott to target "transformation" in the KZN Gaming and Betting industry
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Belinda Francis Scott, wants radical transformation in the provincial Gaming and Betting sector. She was speaking at the cocktail function in Durban, which she hosted to introduce the new Gaming and Betting Board Members to the members of the media and the industry stakeholders.
“I have the honour of introducing the new Gaming and Betting Board Members. I would like to stress from the outset that transformation of the betting and gambling industry remains a key priority. I want to commit the board to vigorously pursue a transformation agenda in their term of office. I want to see many more people entering into horse-racing; I want to see many more people of our community entering into book-making industry, the same I say for casinos, and the same I say for bingos. I don’t want a situation where there are a few stakeholders that own all the licences. But rather to get more people on board so that we can say that we are looking at real transformation of the gaming industry” said MEC Scott.
“This new board comes when we are currently in the process of amending the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Act, 2010, which is not in any way controversial. It is a very technical piece of legislation, fixing up some of the wrongs in the legislation to assist to effect transformation in real terms”
"The fundamental changes that I have incorporated into the new bill are all about transformation, it’s about allowing horse racing in the rural areas and many other forms of gaming to be regulated so that they can be given money. The good example is that at the moment rural racing depends on stipends from the Department of Sports and Recreation, which are small amounts that really do nothing for the industry; it does not allow them to develop a race track and totalizator. By regulating this industry we can start looking at giving them real money” said MEC Scott.
“The challenge that we face in this five year term is how do we transform the gaming and betting industry in real terms, how do we get more people involved, how do we increase employment but at the same time avoid creating social ills” she continued.
She then introduced the new members of the board as follows:
Members of the Board (their profiles are attached)
- Adv Vusi Khuzwayo (Board Chairperson )
- Mr Emmanuel Mpanza (Deputy Chair)
- Mrs Sinenhlanhla Mthembu
- Ms Bongekile Zulu
- Mrs Pinky Mkhize
- Adv. Nigel D Hollis S.C
- Mr Peter M Miller
- Mr Siva N Chetty
- Mrs Hillary Hart
The new chairman of the board pledged on behalf of all members of the board and said that; “The board is more committed than ever to maintaining a bright, vibrant, and diverse Gaming and Betting industry. The continuity that we going to pursue will be much driven by the processes that the board has to follow in terms of the regulations, the act, and the best practices. We are pledging that in serving this board we will be following best practices. We pledge ourselves as a board to ensure that we do what the act, the constitution and what commonsense requires us to do” said Adv Khuzwayo.
For more information please contact:
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