NEWSLETTER. JANUARY 2018 NORTH WEST GAMBLING BOARD NWGB WELLNESS DAY G-BETS SITE OPENING RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING CAMPAIGNS

Transcription

1 RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING CAMPAIGNS G-BETS SITE OPENING NWGB WELLNESS DAY NEWSLETTER Nort h West Gambling Board Office: 131 university drive Mmabatho 2735 Tel: Facsimile: ceo@nwgb.co.za 67 Brink Street, New Heights, Office No.28 Rustenburg Tel: Facsimile: GAMBLING TIPS Don't think of gambling as a way to make money.... Always gamble with money that you can afford to lose. Never chase losses.... Set a money limit.... Set a time limit.... Don't gamble when you are depressed or upset.... Balance gambling with other activities.... Gambling and alcohol are not a good combination.!1

2 NWGB CEO Mr Fortune Sekgapane The North West Gambling Board as one of the In conclusion, let s all pull together in seeing to it that leading regulators in the country continues to write a we create a conducive environment for the gambling new narrative about creating socio-economic industry to thrive. Moreover, we want to appeal to our opportunities for the previously disadvantaged licensees and stakeholders to continue to support our individuals within the industry. The transformation of CSI projects and initiatives particularly in responding the gambling industry in our province is high on the to matters of socio-economic concern confronting our agenda of the Board. During the third quarter of the diverse communities. 2017/18 financial year the Board has been instrumental in dealing with the imbalances of the past particularly when one looks at the recently opened license operations in the province. We are proud to announce that the majority shareholding in these operations is held by Previously Disadvantaged Individuals. Indirect jobs were created during the construction phase of these operations and there have been permanent jobs created in many of these operations. These operations will contribute in the collection of levies and taxes for government. This will go a long way in addressing some of the socioeconomic challenges confronting the province..!2

3 NWGB Chairperson Mr. Lavelle Vere The North West Gambling Board is mandated These sites are of grave concern to the Board. to regulate the gambling industry in the They do not only rob our government of taxes province. Its functions are to oversee all and levies but a haven for criminal activities gambling activities within the province. such as money laundering, human and drug Moreover, the Board is mandated to regulate trafficking. We would like to make an appeal the industry which will in turn contribute to our people to report these illegal activities positively towards economic growth in the to the police or call our toll-free number. province. We wish to extent our gratitude to our political We are creating a new narrative for the Board, head, MEC of Finance, Economy, and which seeks to deal with matters of socio- Enterprise Development, Honorable Wendy economic concern hampering growth and Nelson, Members of the Board, Executive development in our economically depressed Managers and staff members for their communities. We can only achieve this by continued support, high moral and dedication making sure that we create opportunities for in seeing to it that we live the reality of being our people in the gambling industry. This has the best amongst our peers in the global the potential to address the triple challenges spectrum. of poverty, unemployment and income inequalities confronting our people. Illegal gambling operations in the Province remains a concern for the Board. Working hand in glove with the police, we have issued notices to alleged illegal operations in the Dr.Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts in an effort to curb the scourge of illegal gambling in the province.!3

4 Editors Desk: Mr S. Tatai The Corporate Relations Department of the North West Gambling Board takes this opportunity to welcome you all in the 3rd issue of the 2017/18 Newsletter. In this issue we explore some of the work done by the Board in carrying out its mandate of regulating gambling in the province. Creation of socio-economic opportunities for the marginalised and downtrodden also topped the agenda of the Board and this could be seen through the licenses that have been issued to operators. unlock economic growth and contribute to the social impact that gambling has in our communities. The Board embarked on a number of campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the scourge of illegal gambling in the province. These campaigns were also part of the Setsokotsane Campaign-An initiative by the provincial administration to take government programmes and services to the disenfranchised and marginalised communities of the province. In keeping up with philosophy of the 5 th administration some of the newly opened operations are in what is known as VTSD areas i.e. the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies of our province. The North West province is predominantly rural and job opportunities In conclusion this issue covers a broad spectrum of activities undertaken by the Board. This ranges from initiatives taken by the Board to transform the industry, responsible gambling campaigns as well as social responsibility programmes by the Board. created in this areas have the potential to!4

5 NWGB TEAM BUILDING & WELLNESS DAY MAGALIES-It was that time of the year when the Board, Management and staff members took stock of the Board s challenges, achievements and to plan ahead. Part of the activities included team building exercises were staff members were segmented into teams and allocated tasks to execute as a collective. This was aimed at inculcating the spirit of working together as a team when performing the work of the Board. The Chairperson of the Board Mr Lavelle Vere took the opportunity to thank the outgoing CEO Mr Fortune Sekgaphane for his meticulous leadership in the ten years he has spent at the helm of the Board. Mr Vere maintained that the Board has grown by leaps and bounds during the leadership of Mr Sekgaphane. And under his leadership Mr Sekgaphane has been instrumental in his advocacy for the creation of socio-economic opportunities for the less privileged and previously disadvantaged individuals. As the Board, we take this opportunity for being instrumental in shaping the gambling in the North West province. You are one of the outstanding leaders in the industry who has put our province in the global map when one talks gambling industry in the world. We are saddened by your departure but we will always consult with on matters relating to the industry and its growth in the province Mr Vere said.!5

6 Mr Sekgaphane attributed this to hard work and team spirit. After a quick overview of the Board s achievements and challenges, he challenged staff members to be resilient and to always forge ahead in putting the North West Gambling Board on global map of the gambling industry. I want to thank each and every one of you for your dedication and hard work. I urge all of you to continue to work hard to go beyond the call of duty in various functions of the Board. I want to thank each and every one of you for your tenacity and your resilience in sticking with Board during the turbulent times. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson Ms Lerato Seepe then handed out certificates of appreciation to staff members and managers for their, dedication and hard work in carrying out the mandate of the Board.!6

7 G-Bets Creates Two Hundred Twenty-Eight (228) Job Opportunities PHOKENG-The gambling industry in the North West continues to grow by leaps and bounds. And it is through licensed operations that jobs are created and the socio-economic conditions of the poor and downtrodden change for the better. In December, the Board awarded G-Bets two licenses for operations in Phokeng and Wolmaransstad. This will not only bring some of entertainment to residents in these areas. But critically economic opportunities in the form of employment and business development.!7

8 North West Gambling Board cracks The Whip on Illegal Gambling Operations VRYBURG-The North-West Gambling Board has over a number of years been working hand in glove with police to curb the scourge of illegal gambling in the p r o v i n c e. T h e G a m b l i n g C o n t r o l department of the North-West Gambling Board recently conducted several raids in Vryburg and surrounding towns in the Dr. Ruth Segomotso District Municipality where close to four hundred computer terminals and gambling machines were confiscated. Illegal gambling operations remains a concern for the North-West Gambling Board, the provincial government and the security cluster. Often these sites are a haven for criminal activities such as, money laundering, human and drug trafficking. North West Gambling Board CEO Fortune Sekgaphane has on previous occasions indicated that the Board losses R35 million rand in taxes and levies due to illegal Gambling. We have an agreement with police to clean up all illegal operations because we consider them parasites on the system. Despite costing government millions of rands in taxes and levies, the danger that these sites bring in society is that, people who go there are in the dark about these illicit operations.and since the start of the financial year we have conducted several campaigns in an effort to educate our people about the dangers of illegal operations. Sekgapane said.!8

9 Sekgapahane further maintained that places like Rustenburg & Klerksdorp continue to show a stubborn presence of illegal operations despite numerous efforts to curb it. In dealing with the problem the Board s Gambling Control unit issued written notices to three sites which are alleged to be operating illegally in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality. All registered operations are strictly regulated. Despite this our people continue to go to sites that are not licensed, and in most cases when they win they are not given what s due to them. Only when they feel short-changed they would turn to us for help. the applicant sought an order from the High Court, to declare the search warrants issued by the magistrate in alleged illegal sites invalid. The search warrants grant the Board ay opportunity to search and seize machinery used in illegal gambling activities. We want to make an appeal to our communities to report these operations and avoid them at all costs. All licensed operators display their certificates where everyone can see. If anybody goes to these sites he or she must know that they are participating in a criminal act. Sekgaphane said. Furthermore, the Board has won case against Mario Ashwin Albert Strauss where!9

10 NWGB ISSUES TWO NOTICES TO ALLEGED ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPEARTIONS IN VRYBURG VRYBURG-Illegal gambling operations remains a major concern for the North-West Gambling Board in Vryburg in the DR. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District in North West. Despite numerous efforts to contain the situation illegal gambling sites continue to show a stubborn presence in the area stubborn presence in the area. Recently the Gambling Control Department issued two notices to alleged illegal operators in the Vryburg area. In one of the operations the Board and the South African Police discovered forty-one machines and several computers which are used for alleged illegal gambling activities. The issuing of notices correlated with the responsible gambling campaign of the Board. More than one hundred!10

11 residents who interacted with the Board during the campaign which was held in the local Taxi Rank raised concerns about the scourge of illegal gambling in the area. In the 2016/17 financial year the Board uncovered that, the Dr. R u t h S e g o m o t s i M o m p a t i District, which includes Vryburg has over nine illegal gambling sites. The investigation also revealed that the area has one hundred and eighty-four illegal gambling machines and one hundred ninety-five illegal computers. Working hand in glove with the South African Police Service six suspects have been arrested in and around the Vryburg area for running illegal operations and they are soon to appear in court. North West Gambling Board CEO Mr Fortune Sekgaphane maintains, efforts and various measures have been put in place to respond adequately to the scourge of illegal gambling in the area and the province at large. We have an agreement with police to clean up all illegal operations because we consider them parasites on the system. Despite costing government millions of rands in taxes and levies, the danger that these sites bring in society is that, people who go there are in the d a r k a b o u t t h e s e i l l i c i t operations. And since the start of the financial year we have conducted several campaigns in an effort to educate our people about the dangers of illegal operations. Moreover, the province losses over thirty million rand in taxes and levies due to illegal gambling with places like Rustenburg and Klerksdorp as well as Vryburg leading the pack. More often than not these sites target unsuspecting punters promising them huge amounts as returns. We often tell our people to avoid these sites and play at registered operations which are strictly regulated. Despite this our people continue to go to sites that are not licensed, and in most cases when they win they are not given what s due to them. Only when they feel short-changed they would turn to us for help. PROBLEM GAMBLING? Almost everyone who develops a gambling problem thinks it s just a matter of time until they ll hit the jackpot. They often gamble to the point that their relationships, finances, and health are negatively affected. That s why it s important to make gambling safer.!11

12 WELLNESS DAY Mens Sana in Corpore Sano - A Healthy Mind In A Healthy Body!12

13 Gamble Responsibly Yesterday is not Today, and Tomorrow is not Yesterday !13