The exponential growth of the gambling industry in South Africa has been the
consequence of liberalized gambling laws. Casinos that were previously
restricted to the homeland regions of the country have now become a
common urban phenomenon that is easily accessible. Casino developments
are still at an early stage of development, but the wide-scale consumption and
popularity of the product has generated numerous debates over the cost and
benefits associated with the industry. Whilst proponents of casino
developments tend to emphasize the economic benefits, the opponents
highlight the inevitable social costs, generated by the industry.
The aim of this study is to determine the social and economic impacts of the
Sugar Mill Casino and the Golden Horse Casino on the Mount Edgecombe
and Pietermaritzburg communities respectively. These impacts have been
assessed by making use of both quantitative and qualitative data sources.
The findings suggests that both the Golden Horse Casino and the Sugar Mill
Casino have afforded their respective communities economic benefits and
growth opportunities in the form of firstly, the initial capital investment of the
casinos, and secondly, by the subsequent revenues generated by the
industry. However, the industry has also generated social costs that have
been encountered mainly by those individuals who do not have control over
their gambling practices, and are thus classified as problem gamblers.
Problem gambling tendencies result in a host of psychological, financial and
physical repercussions that are manifested at a personal and interpersonal
level.
If the casino gambling industry is expected to be of any benefit to the
Pietermaritzburg and Mount Edgecombe regions, the economic gains of the
industry have to be maximized whilst ensuring that the negative social cost
remain minimal. Balancing these impacts remains imperative to the mutual
sustainability of the casinos and their respective communities. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/2864 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Pillay, Krishnee. |
| Contributors | Maharaj, Brij. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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