Anthea Platt has been sworn in as chairperson of the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB.) Her new position was confirmed by Parks Tau, the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development. Platt won’t be going at it alone, with businessman Timothy Sukazi acting as her deputy.
MEC Tau chose Platt as part of his plan to strengthen management at the GGB. As their first order of business, he has instructed the new board to appoint an executive manager. Speaking on the matter, Tau explained that the gambling industry plays an important role in Gauteng’s economy. Tau elaborated that online betting in South Africa is not merely just a past time for some, but it is essential for creating jobs and also for generating important tax income.
Transforming the Industry
Tau continued by saying that socio-economic inclusivity is a major priority, stressing that transforming the industry is a key role of the GGB. He concluded by adding that a transformed gambling sector will serve to benefit both Gauteng and South Africa as a whole.
Looking closer at the GGB, the organization has been extremely successful since its original inception. It has been responsible for collecting taxes that exceed R14 billion on behalf of the government, with that number only expected to grow. Even more noteworthy is that with the world health crisis weighing heavily on the local economy, tax income from gambling has remained steady. To put it another way; Gauteng has remained stable during the global crisis thanks in no small part to the GGB, and its reliable collection of casino-related taxes.
The new chairperson, Anthea Platt, shared a few thoughts of her own.
Committed to the Job
Platt did not beat around the bush in her statement, declaring that the new members of the board are fully committed. She emphasized that the board will focus on regulating the industry in a transparent and ethical manner, giving stakeholders the peace of mind they are looking for.
She went on to declare that while improving regulations is a priority, thought would also be given to adopting new technology. She added that new legislation would also be developed in conjunction with new technology, thereby ensuring that the market is fair for both bettors and license holders.
Platt added that the GGB would play its part in helping the province recover. She concluded that the industry would ultimately benefit all South Africans from all walks of life.
