“The gambling industry can confidently be proud of the extent to which it has contributed to the material welfare of the communities within which it operates,” says Casino Association of SA (Casa) chairman David Coutts-Trotter.

“Our contributions come in a variety of ways such as sizeable donations to charitable institutions, the provision of much needed infrastructure and creating employment opportunities. This is an industry that clearly believes that accountability is not only to shareholders, but to the broader SA community.”

The various corporate social investment (CSI) projects ensure compliance with the terms of their licences and beneficiaries are specifically selected according to the needs of each community where each operation is located.

Peermont invests more than R22m annually in corporate social responsibility programmes, focused mainly on education, skills development and community projects, often in partnership with local municipalities. The group’s Thuthuka Gauteng Supplementary Education initiative provides disadvantaged learners with the numerical, literacy and accounting skills required to enter tertiary education. In partnership with the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica), the project aims to increase the number of historically disadvantaged people entering the accounting profession.

Gold Reef Resorts funds the SA Apartheid Museum. At the Goldfields Casino in the Free State, the R1m CSI commitment attached to the temporary licence condition was used to renovate the local Sanca offices, to develop sports facilities in low-income communities, support the education department’s vulnerable learners school uniform programme and renovate local schools. Since its opening in December 2007, the Silverstar Casino in Johannesburg’s West Rand has contributed to the Roodepoort Black Eagles Project.

During the year under review, the Tsogo Sun Group spent more than R10,9m on child-focused welfare projects. The group also supported Business Against Crime, and on the sporting front, contributions were made to development programmes run by the Lions and the Blue Bulls rugby clubs, and the KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union.

The Sun International group contributes 2% of net profits to its corporate social investment projects, with the main focus on health, welfare, education, community development, and sports, arts and culture. For example, Carousel Casino in Hammanskraal, North West, has concentrated on the high levels of unemployment in its area, contributing to the Men on the Side of the Road Project. The project teaches skills in bricklaying and tiling to unemployed matriculants to give them a better chance at formal employment. The Windmill Casino in Bloemfontein built a police station to assist with crime prevention in the area around the unit. Sun International has for several years been a major sponsor of the SA Paralympic team.

A significant amount of the CSI spend by Century Casinos Africa-Newcastle went towards the relocation of the Newcastle Community Radio Station to the premises of the casino. A specifically designed studio was built and it is occupied rent free by the station. The casino also donated all the sound and other equipment for the studio to ensure the proper functioning of the radio station. London Clubs International’s Emerald Casino at Vanderbijlpark contributed R743000 to its CSI projects for the year under review.

“Our industry has cause to be proud of the extent to which it has contributed to the material welfare of the communities within which it operates,” says Coutts Trotter.

Source: Financial Mail