In an effort to consolidate the national gambling industry, establish a consistent gambling policy and lobby industry interests in the government, South African casino operators have set up the Casino Association of South Africa (CASA).

South African gaming operators set up Casino Association

In an effort to consolidate the national gambling industry, establish a consistent gambling policy and lobby industry interests in the government, South African casino operators have set up the Casino Association of South Africa (CASA) headquartered in Cape Town's central business district (CBD), www.bday.co.za reported.

Casa represents the commercial casino segment of South Africa's gaming industry which attracted in last six years approximately 12 billion South African Rands ($2 billion) in new investment in all nine provinces, and added over 36 billion Rands ($6 billion) to South Africa's gross domestic product in terms of economic multipliers.

According to Casa, the gambling industry has created almost 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and during the 2002-2003 period accounted for nearly 1.3 billion ($214  million) in provincial gaming taxes and value added tax which, together with company tax, brought over 1.7 billion ($280 million) to state coffers.

Casa chief executive Derek Auret said that the decision to locate Casa's headquarters in Cape Town was determined by a number of factors.

"One of Casa's principal activities is to make a positive contribution to the evolution of good policy in respect of the gaming industry, meaning that we need to engage government constructively and regularly. Now that it seems Parliament is destined to remain in Cape Town, it makes obvious good sense for Casa similarly to be based here.

Central City Improvement District (CCID) chief operating officer Derek Bock said that both the Cape Town Partnership and the CCID were delighted with this vote of confidence by a national body.