Mafikeng — The regulation of the gambling industry in the North West can contribute significantly to various socio-economic imperatives in the province.

This includes job creation, investments, business opportunities as well as revenue and tourism promotion.

Finance and Economic Development spokesperson Barry Morkel told BuaNews today that the North West Tender Board had imposed conditions of licenses for five casinos in the province as part of promoting the broad based Black Economic Empowerment [BEE].

The casinos are Mmabatho Tusk, Rio Tusk, Sun City, Morula Sun and the Carousel.

In his budget speech recently, MEC Darkey Africa said the casinos accounted for about R2 billion in provincial investments.

Mr Morkel said the industry had the potential to generate larger amounts of revenue while positively impacting on economic growth and development.

Part of the development, he said, was emphasised by licensing conditions that previously disadvantaged individuals be appointed in supervisory and management positions at casinos.

The conditions also call for equity shareholding for the previously disadvantaged in licensed casinos as well as skills transfer and training, he said.

Mr Morkel said these casinos were also expected to contribute towards consolidating and promoting projects for needy communities.

"These measures [conditions] are aimed at ensuring that socio-economic benefits of the gambling industry also filter through to PDIs in the province through equity, skills transfer, procurement of goods and service and contribution to needy causes," he said.

He added that Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) would also be considered in rendering various services in the casinos as part of BEE. -