Overall numbers up 9.6 percent
Casino lobbyists in South Africa say online gaming’s contribution to the national gross domestic product jumped 4.5 percent on a year-on-year basis for the 2014-15 fiscal year, according to the website Onlinecasinoreports.com.
Figures from the Casino Association of South Africa show internet gaming added R17.2 billion (US$1.13 billion) to the GDP, and the gaming industry as a whole generated revenue of R24 billion for the same period for an increase of 9.6 percent. In addition, the industry contributed R5.7 billion in taxes, up 3.6 percent year-on-year.
CASA CEO Themba Ngobese said the positive figures represent an “important contribution” by casinos to the South African economy. Ngobese said capital expenditures by CASA members amounted to R2.3 billion. For that contribution, and the 64,000 jobs provided by the industry, Ngobese asked the government for more equitable operating conditions and decisive action against foreign offshore gaming operators.
The website reported that online casinos such as CrazyWinners Casino, Rich Casino and SlotsPlus Casino are very popular among South African players. CASA is fighting online gambling with a hotline where punters can report online marketing and pop-ups from unauthorized gambling sites.
