Amidst blustery conditions, Helderberg locals flocked to the Charles Morkel Hall in Strand to voice their staunch opposition to Tsogo Sun's plans for relocating their Caledon casino. The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board convened the public forum to scrutinise Tsogo Sun's application to shift their gambling establishment from the Overberg to the Helderberg region.
Economic Concerns
Pieter Human, a vocal resident, articulated profound reservations about the proposed development. He cited research suggesting that casinos often harm local economies, diverting expenditure away from small and medium enterprises. Human emphasised the social toll of gambling, noting that casinos tend to attract middle to lower-income individuals who are more susceptible to gambling-related harm.
Cameron Green, another concerned citizen, questioned the relocation's financial viability. He pointed out that to meet its corporate social investment pledges, the casino would need to generate substantial gross gambling revenue.
Proximity to Schools and Vulnerable Communities
Chris Whacker, a long-standing resident, implored the board to consider community values and advocated for the rejection of the licence transfer. He stressed that the Helderberg area has no need for a government-sanctioned gambling facility near schools and vulnerable communities.
Investment and Development Plans
Rajesh Dullabh, Tsogo Sun's director for Business Intelligence and Analytics, outlined the company's vision for the new casino complex. The R1.1 billion investment encompasses the phased construction of a standalone casino complex and the refurbishment of the existing Caledon complex into a resort destination.
Economic Benefits and Community Engagement
Dullabh sought to reassure residents by highlighting potential economic benefits, including job creation, preferential procurement from B-BBEE compliant and local suppliers, and community engagement initiatives.
Lynton January, general manager of the Caledon complex, underscored Tsogo Sun's commitment to corporate social investment. He revealed plans to allocate R15 million to local schools and organisations in Lwandle and surrounding areas within the first year of opening. Additionally, Tsogo Sun intends to collaborate with the provincial government on a R40 million improvement project for the N2 corridor and townships.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Geoff Budlender, legal representative for Tsogo Sun, addressed objections by stating that the casino would operate either in Caledon or Somerset West, as only one licence is available. He emphasised that many objections were general criticisms of gambling, which he deemed irrelevant to the board's regulatory role, given that gambling is legally sanctioned. Budlender assured that infrastructure enhancements for sewage and roads are planned, along with stringent safety measures to prevent minors from accessing gambling facilities.
Next Steps
The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board will weigh the input from the public hearing before reaching a final decision on the relocation application. Despite Tsogo Sun's assurances, many residents remain unconvinced and continue to express their opposition to the proposed casino relocation.
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