The Department of Trade and Industry’s Deputy Director General for Consumer and Corporate Regulation, Zodwa Ntuli, says part of the focus of this review will be to assess how gambling affects the society, for instance, are people gambling their pensions or grants intended for their wellbeing, how are families affected by gambling, are programs designed to help problem gamblers adequate, etc. We encourage the public to take this opportunity to have their say in regards to activities that affect them.
The public hearings will take place as follows:
Dates: 15 March 2010
City/Town: Worcester
Conference Venue: Protea Hotel: Cumberland
Dates: 15 March 2010
City/Town: Vryburg
Conference Venue: Vryburg Banguet Hall
Dates: 16 March 2010
City/Town: Brits
Conference Venue: Ukuthula Lodge
Dates: 16 March 2010
City/Town: Cape Town
Conference Venue: Protea Hotel: Sea Point
Dates: 17 March 2010
City/Town: Mitchells Plein
Conference Venue: East Reach Community Centre
Dates: 18 March 2010
City/Town: Polokwane
Conference Venue: Protea Hotel: Landmark
Dates: 18 March 2010
City/Town: Kimberly
Conference Venue: Floors Civic Hall �" Square Hill Park
Dates: 19 March 2010
City/Town: Burgersfort
Conference Venue: Greater Tubatse Municipal Chamber
Dates: 19 March 2010
City/Town: Kuruman
Conference Venue: Civic Centre Wrenchville
Dates: 23 March 2010
City/Town: Pretoria
Conference Venue: Manhattan Hotel
Dates: 23 March 2010
City/Town: Empangeni
Conference Venue: Protea Hotel: Umvubu
Dates: 24 March 2010
City/Town: Vereeniging
Conference Venue: Vereeniging Town Hall
Dates: 24 March 2010
City/Town: Durban
Conference Venue: Southern Sun Elangeni
Dates: 25 March 2010
City/Town: Johannesburg
Conference Venue: Sandton Conventional Centre
Dates: 25 March 2010
City/Town: Nelspruit
Conference Venue: Orion Hotel: Promenade
Dates: 26 March 2010
City/Town: Witbank
Conference Venue: Protea Hotel: Witbank
Dates: 29 March 2010
City/Town: Umtata
Conference Venue: Garden Court: Umtata
Dates: 29 March 2010
City/Town: Welkom
Conference Venue: Ferdie Meyer Hall: Ballroom
Dates: 30 March 2010
City/Town: Bloemfontein
Conference Venue: Protea Hotel: Bloemfontein Central
Dates: 30 March 2010
City/Town: East London
Conference Venue: Premier Hotel: Regent
The public can also forward their written submissions by 5 April 2010, to:
Ms Pinky Mothabi
E-mail: PMothabi@thedti.gov.za
Fax: (012) 394 2477
After considering all relevant aspects of gambling, including assessment of all reports from the hearings and written submissions, the Gambling Review Commission will make recommendations to Minister Rob Davies. Based on the recommendations, the Minister will table to Parliament the policy position regarding the proliferation of legal and illegal gambling activities in South Africa.
This review process will assist Government to assess whether there is a need to curtail gambling activities or consider requests to expand such activities, considering the current number of casinos, Limited Payment Machines and bingo outlets already licensed, says Ntuli.
The scope of the Gambling Review Commission covers, amongst others:
* The social effects of gambling and mechanisms in place to address them
* Commitment of the industry to social investment
* Evaluate the adequacy of the regulatory framework to accommodate and effectively deal with the impact of technology and new trends, and
* The effectiveness of current regulation, control and enforcement structures The Gambling Review Commission is chaired by Ms Astrid Ludin and members comprise of Ms Adheera Bodasing, Professor Siphiwe Nzimande, Mr Clement Mannya and Dr Stephen Louw. These members bring together different expertise and experiences in the area of gambling policy and law.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Moloantoa Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 073 522 6801
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
11 March 2010
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.thedti.gov.za)
