LPM’s OK’ed
May 07 2008 12:13:59:030PM  - (SA)  

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The Free State has been one of the remaining provinces in the country which had not yet licensed route operators.

Provinces already regulating this industry are: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KZN. Those remaining after the Free State has licensed are: Northern Cape, Gauteng and the North-West.

This board approached the Free State government in 2006 with the request that the policy on LPMs be approved so that the board can introduce this form of gambling. After several engagements, the policy was approved, and the board started the licensing process by drafting the RFP and finalising it, advertised for interested business in the industry to apply for these licences and three applications were received.

A public hearing was held to involve members of the public to engage and have a say in what these companies were proposing in their bids, thereafter it adjudicated and evaluated the said applications.

The board has now taken a decision on whom it regards suitable to license, so that the said companies can successfully roll out the LPMs in the province.

At this function the successful companies to whom the two route operator licences will be awarded will be announced. The objective is to celebrate the achievement of the board in fulfilling its mandate to develop and regulate the gambling industry in the Free State.

Amongst the invitees to this function will be MEC for Tourism, the premier, and other MECs, HOD for the Department; board members, management and staff of the board, colleagues in other provinces from different spectrums, including the National Gambling Board and invited guests.

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