CASA members have collectively spent over R667m on CSI initiatives during the past five years. Commenting on CSI spend for 2015/16, CASA CEO, Advocate Themba Ngobese said, “Corporate social investment contributions by members increased by 9.4% or R14m, bringing the total spend to R165m. This investment reinforces the industry’s deep commitment to uplifting communities and addressing the country’s social challenges.”
With CSI contributions accounting for 1% of CASA members’ gross gambling revenue, members take a strategic approach to how CSI budgets are allocated, focusing primarily on building and maintaining partnerships with civil society and local communities. Collectively, CASA members support education, skills development, sports development, community upliftment, environmental sustainability and healthcare initiatives.
Pleas for affordable education have been making national headlines for some time now, and this was reflected in CSI spending in the 2015/16 year. Investment in education saw a dramatic 26% increase, with over R70m being invested in bursaries and education initiatives targeting both basic and tertiary education. Employees also benefited from the bump in education spending, receiving in-house training conducted by casino operators.
Community development received R35m, directly mainly towards the upgrading of infrastructure, housing and schools, as well as conservation and community trusts.
As always, healthcare featured prominently in CASA members’ CSI programmes, receiving R23m. Member initiatives included employee wellness programmes, HIV/AIDS training and awareness, a partnership with CANSA, as well as counselling support.
The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation NPC, well known for its flagship programme, the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), also received over R17m from CASA members in 2015/16. The NRGP is tasked with encouraging responsible gambling behaviour and offering free support and counselling to problem gamblers. The programme is recognised globally for its work, which is largely funded by the casino industry itself.
As part of the entertainment industry, CASA members also enthusiastically showed their support for sports, arts and culture, spending almost R11m on academies, festivals, museums and sporting tournaments that facilitate nation building and social cohesion.
To access the full Survey of Casino Entertainment in South Africa 2016, go to www.casasa.org.za.
