Gov't embraces expanding casino business
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday March 15, 2022 06:00
Speaking during the official opening of Moonlight Casino recently, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment (MITI) Mmusi Kgafela said the recently revamped casino's relocation to Airport Junction was a strategic move.
“The casino relocated to Airport Junction in February 2020 after many years of research. The casino, which is operated by Bipin Awasthi, is regulated by the Gambling Authority and abides by all the regulations,” he said.
Moonlight Casino, which first set foot in Botswana in 2006 with their first casino at the Gaborone Hotel at the bus rank, had a staff complement of 18, 62 slot machines and four tables.
Kgafela said after years of marketing research and planning, the company saw it fit to revamp their brand and the environment in which they operate in including the space for slot machines. Currently, the casino has created 82 jobs direct jobs , 79 Batswana and three foreigners who work in seven different sections namely marketing, casino tables, surveillance, cashier, human resources, and food and beverage. The company has also created18 indirect jobs which include cleaning, security and maintenance.
According to the minister, the casino is playing a role in creating employment, which is one of government’s top priorities.
“We appreciate you for creating jobs for Batswana, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to change bad perceptions about gambling because there is the good that also comes out of it,” Kgafela added.
The casino caters for different clientele, including the smoking, non-smoking, the private lounge and the galaxy lounge, which is for people who do not gamble but want to relax.
Sharing on his journey, Awasthi said the road has been tough as business at the bus rank kept declining daily. He, however, urged the government to continue supporting the casinos, adding that casinos support the value chains in the process.