Africa - Round Up

In South Africa, Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, the continent’s biggest horse racing and tote betting company, has reported a 31 percent increase in total profit to ZAR64.97m (E4m). The company’s domestic revenue grew by a large margin (18 per cent), whilst its international takings fared still better – swelling by some 26 per cent.

Euro Games Technology (EGT), meanwhile, has followed up on continued progress throughout Tanzania with a market breakthrough in Uganda. Both the capital’s Kampala Casino and Pyramids Casino properties are now equipped with EGT products – operating the Bulgarian manufacturer’s Stork multiplayer terminals. EGT processed both orders out of its Tanzania office, where it also maintains an assembly plant. “Having a factory in Tanzania, which is part of the East African Community, plays a significant role for us,” stated EGT Tanzania director Radoslay Le. “It facilitates the distribution of our products throughout EAC member-states, shortening our delivery times and allowing us to maintain competitive pricing.”

Finally, in Ghana, the slot machines at the Vienna City nightclub in Accra escaped miraculously unharmed last month, after a fire gutted much of the rest of the building. A faulty air conditioner was found to be the cause of the blaze, which raged unchecked for over an hour before firefighters were able to control it. “The fire people had problems entering with their cars – hence this level of damage,” one worker told local news outlet, Starr News. “I don’t think there is anything that can be salvaged except the machines at the casino.”