Goldrush Bingo was awarded the first Bingo licences in Gauteng during 1998 and the first licenced operation in South Africa became operational on 1 October, 1998.
Since 2005, when wholly electronic bingo terminals were approved and registered by the Gauteng Gambling Board and installed in to licenced Bingo operations, the prospects for the bingo sector have improved considerably. A wholly electronic bingo terminal offers the game of Bingo to the players in a wholly electronic and entertaining format. The wholly electronic version of the game is a much quicker game and appeals to all age groups whereas traditional bingo has not attracted many younger generation players in South Africa.
As well as the 7 bingo licences that the group owns in Gauteng, over the years, the group has won the following additional bingo licences:
- Mpumalanga – The group owns the only 3 licences awarded in the province. These were awarded for the towns of Middelburg, Bushbuckridge and Ermelo. The Middelburg operation commenced trading on the 1st November 2012.
- Kwa-Zulu Natal – The group anticipates operating 9 licences of those awarded in the province. The first of these licences is likely to become operational during 2013 and premises have already been identified for the purpose.
- North-West – The group is a stakeholder in 2 licences awarded in the province for the towns of Rustenburg and Potchefstroom.
- Eastern Cape – The group currently holds 3 licenses in the Province in the following towns: Grahamstown, Graaf Reniet and Cradock
The Eastern Cape has already called for applications for bingo licences and Goldrush submitted 5 licence applications in early December 2012. The group expects the licences to be awarded to the successful bidders in mid-2013.
Further significant potential for bingo licences exists in the provinces of Free State, Limpopo and Western Cape. None of these provinces have as yet invited applications for Bingo licences.
The group currently operate the bingo centres in Gauteng under the Viva Bingo brand but intend to roll out the new, exciting Goldrush Bingo brand both across the existing estate and new developments.
Viva Bingo has operated bingo centres since October 1998 and under the Goldrush banner will continue the success.
For more information about our bingo terminals, visit www.goldrushbingo.co.za.