In KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, 12 of the largest shopping malls have asked the KZN Gaming and Betting Board to allow them to install electronic bingo terminals. A change in the gambling regulations was published on July 22 and the public comment period recently ended. Public hearings will be convened soon.
KZN Treasury spokeswoman Ntokozo Maphisa said, “The board is now complying with its statutory obligation to publish such applications received for public comment and/or objections. The board is duty-bound to consider such objections received prior to making its final decision.”
Since the changes were announced, the People’s Forum Against Electronic Bingo was formed, made up of a coalition of 21 civic, religious, welfare, community, educational and political groups concerned that easy access to the electronic bingo terminals will contribute to gambling addiction. The coalition represents more than 3 million people; the province has a population of about 10 million people.
Representing the People’s Forum, Stephen Franke of Franke & Associates Attorneys said the province already has the highest number of slot machines in the nation, with more than 7,100. “ If these 12 licenses are approved to operate electronic bingo at an initial 150 terminals per site, there will be a further 3,000 slot machines. This will cause an over-saturation of slot machines in KZN that will cause social issues and gambling addiction, ” he said. “The particular sites as referred to in the government notice are largely in shopping malls and close to business enterprises that employ a large number of employees. Furthermore, the halls are also near schools and churches. The easy accessibility of the bingo halls will increase the propensity for such employees to spend their weekly or monthly pay at the bingo hall before buying their necessary daily or monthly living requirements.”
Sham Maharaj , chairman of the People’s Forum and of Phoenix Child and Family Welfare, added, “We are saturated with machines, Lotto, horseracing and online gambling. Putting another 3,000 slot machines in shopping centers is totally unacceptable. It’s like throwing salt into the sea.”
Mana Magomolo, executive director of the National Responsible Gambling Programme, added, “When you have access to a gambling facility, more people will be drawn to gambling. But most people understand gambling is a form of entertainment. There is that small percentage of people that don’t understand that it is a form of entertainment, and they are the ones who get into trouble.”
