Minister Witbooi made the announcement on her visit to the National Responsible Gambling Programme's (NRGP) addiction treatment centre at Kenilworth Clinic, also the national headquarters for the NRGP's treatment and counselling network and helpline.
She said that a maximum of 2000 machines will be rolled out by two operators in pubs, clubs and taverns. In accordance with national regulations, a maximum of 5 machines will be allowed per site, at a maximum of R5 per bet, and the machines will pay out a maximum of R500.
"The number of machines to be deployed in the Western Cape, has previously been reduced from 9000 to 3000, and now, in the light of the sensitivity surrounding the further deployment of any further form of gambling in the Province, the Board has decided on the further reduction to 2000 machines," said Minister Witbooi.
At present the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board will consider inputs from the Western Cape Department of Social Services regarding the appropriate allocation of LGM sites. The impact of the machines will be closely monitored to determine the actual size of the market.
Today Minister Witbooi spoke to NRGP medical director, Dr. Rodger Meyer, and professional staff at the centre, and also to some patients at the clinic.
Explaining the purpose of her visit to the clinic, she said, "Western Cape Government is fully conscious of the unfortunate impact of problem gambling. I wanted to see for myself how the treatment and counselling for problem gamblers work in practice. I would like to thank Dr Meyer and his team on their excellent work on responsible gambling."
Working closely with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, the NRGP integrates treatment and counselling, research and education on problem gambling.
Since the inception of the programme, 2860 patients nationally have been referred for out-patient treatment, averaging 72 problem gamblers (nationally) per month. Of all the calls received on the help line, 23,01% emanated from the Western Cape, which is indicative of the success of initiatives of the NRGP, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, and the Department of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation, to publicise the free professional help available.
The NRGP, which was founded in the Western Cape, is internationally recognised as a pioneering model since it is the only programme of its kind constituted as a Public Private sector partnership and in which treatment, research and education are integrated.
Quote Minister Witbooi, "We are concerned about people not gambling responsibly. At the same time, there are more benefits to a properly regulated gambling environment than an unregulated industry."
The problem gambling help line is 0800 006 008.
