Eastern Cape officials are planning to open two casinos in the region by mid 2007. It has not been formally announced yet, but according to reliable sources the local government is firmly decided to carry out the project.
Casinos are expected to improve the unemployment rates of this region, which have reached an alarming level. Likewise, the amount of visitors and tourists would increase, therefore, increasing the income of residents and local authorities.
Proposals will be exhaustively examined by the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board (ECGBB), and this process will take at least a year. Chief Executive of the ECGBB, Vuyani Mati, said that by fall of the upcoming year, they should have chosen a proposal. Projects should meet high requirements. First, they should assure a hiring system favoring Eastern Cape residents, for the casinos are expected to create many jobs in the region mainly. Second, projects have to offer excellent attractions and all kinds of entertainment for tourists. Up until now, eight potential investors have been reported requesting operations licenses for these casinos. Mr Mati informed that there will be given enough time to applicants to request the licenses and submit their proposals.
