Will this bingo be a winner?

A GALAXY Bingo outlet appears to be on the cards for the Southcoast Mall.

This comes as KZN Finance MEC Belinda Scott and the KZN Gaming and Betting Board received applications from tenants/operators at various malls to install electronic bingo terminals (EBTs).

They include Southcoast Mall, Galleria Shopping Mall and Liberty Midlands Mall.

The malls want Scott and the board to amend their trading conditions and allow them to register EBTs around the province.

A notice to this effect was gazetted on July 22. The public and interested parties had until Thursday last week to file objections to the application.

The People’s Forum Against Electronic Bingo, made up of 21 civic, religious, welfare, community, educational and political bodies submitted objections to the proposal. They represent more than three million people, who are outraged by these ‘mini casinos’.

KZN Treasury spokesman Ntokozo Maphisa confirmed that the board had received applications from licence holders. “The board is now complying with its statutory obligation to publish such applications received for public comment and/or objections,” she said.

“The board is duty bound to consider such objections received prior to making its final decision,” she said. Ms Maphosa said hearings will be held at public venues in order to allow any interested parties, including members of that specific community to participate in the proceedings.

Gerald Davey, Southcoast Mall regional manager, said that negotiations with a number of national tenants in addition to Galaxy Bingo have been finalised and redevelopment of the mall has commenced with expected completion date being August next year.

“It was decided to undertake a major redevelopment in order to provide a better offering to patrons,” he said.

He explained that Galaxy Bingo contacted the management company regarding the introduction of a bingo outlet to the mall as it had a licence to operate.

“Galaxy Bingo was already trading in the Amanzimtoti area, with patrons travelling from the coast to utilise the facility. As such, it was decided to create a premise for this outlet,” he said.

Mr Davey said the mall believes that Galaxy Bingo will be a great addition and will allow for additional entertainment.

“It’s important to note that Galaxy Bingo is not a casino, it’s a bingo outlet designed purely for entertainment,” he said.

Mr Davey explained that the bingo outlet will only occupy approximately 700m2 out of the gross letting area of the entire mall, which is 30 000m2. It will also include a restaurant.