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Bingo
As stated in
the NGA, ‘‘bingo’’ means a game, including a game played in whole
or in part by electronic means:
(a) that is played for consideration, using cards or other devices:
i.that are divided into spaces each of which bears a different
number, picture or symbol; and
ii.with numbers, pictures or symbols arranged randomly such that each
card or similar device contains a unique set numbers, pictures or symbols
(b) in which an operator or announcer calls or displays a series of
numbers, pictures or symbols in random order and the players match each such
number, picture or symbol on the card or device as it is called or displayed;
and
(c) in which the player who is first to match all the spaces on the
card or device, or who matches a specified set of numbers, pictures or symbols
on the card or device, wins a prize, or any other substantially similar game
declared to be bingo in terms of section 6(4).
Of the nine
provinces in South Africa, bingo has been rolled out in six provinces namely
Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in
FY2020/21 (as at 31 March 2021). A total number of 65 (out of 69 licensed)
bingo halls were operational as at 31 March 2021 of which 11 were operational
in Gauteng, 15 in Eastern Cape, 20 in KwaZulu-Natal, 6 in North West, 6 in
Mpumalanga and 7 in Limpopo.
The bingo
operators which are operational in South Africa are represented by Galaxy Bingo
operational in all provinces offering bingo for play i.e. Gauteng,
KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and Eastern Cape. Goldrush
operated in five out of six provinces namely Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo,
North West and Eastern Cape; Great Bingo operated in KwaZulu-Natal and
Mpumalanga, Vegas Bingo operated in Limpopo and North West, Boss Gaming
operated in Limpopo and Eastern Cape, and Viva Bingo operated in Mpumalanga.
The table below shows that, there was a total of 8625 operational bingo
positions across all the bingo operators, of which more EBTs (8097) than
traditional bingo positions or seats (528) were operational as at 31 March
2021.
GGR
generated in the bingo sector represents 4.7% of the total amount of GGR
generated by all licensed gambling modes during FY20/21, making bingo the
lowest contributor of GGR generated in FY20/21. Although extremely high
increases in GGR were recorded since FY2012/13 to FY2014/15 (i.e. increases in
GGR generated by 67.7% from FY2012/13 to FY2013/14, and by 52.5% from FY2013/14
to FY2014/15), a decrease of 16.2% was noted from FY2014/15 to FY2015/16. A
further decline of 2.4% was recorded between FY2016/17 and FY2017/18 mainly as
a result of less GGR generated in Gauteng during FY2017/18 compared to
FY2016/17. This was followed by rebound in GGR growth of 26.6% between
FY2017/18 and FY2018/19 which can be attributed to increases in the number of
bingo positions in Limpopo, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in this period.
Bingo GGR growth fell to 14.6% in FY2019/20 and was negative (-39.1%) in
FY2020/21 due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Taxes/levies collected
from bingo have decreased from R172 million in FY2019/20 to R93 million in
FY2020/21.
Variable
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Quarter 1
1 Apr – 30 Jun 2020
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Quarter 2
1 Jul – 30 Sep 2020
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Quarter 3
1 Oct – 31 Dec 2020
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Quarter 4
1 Jan – 31 Mar 2021
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Operational bingo outlets
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24
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59
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62
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65
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Operational bingo positions
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5 959
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8 244
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6 884
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8 625
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