Durban Casino Launches ‘World-First’ Call Card 52 Game A Durban casino may be the first place in the world to introduce the popular “Call Card” game into a formal gaming environment. SIBAYA CASINO has confirmed that the game it is calling “Call Card 52” had been approved by the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming & Betting Board and was operational in a new lounge at the casino. “Owing to the fact that this is a new game, we chose to do a soft launch but the results are already very good,” said Sibaya gaming manager, Robin Kennedy, who was responsible for patenting the game on behalf of Sun International. “The take-up is huge, particularly on weekends and word of it is moving fast throughout the province,” he said. Kennedy, who has over three decades of experience, across the Sun International group said he had been made aware of the game by several of his clients and saw the opportunity to ‘legalise it’. “The entire process took eight months. We initially had to patent the name and then lodge
Members of the Sibaya Executive team Robbie Naidoo, Robin Kennedy, Myan Moodley, Deshun Naidoo, and Clix Salman with the Sibaya models at the exciting launch event for Call Card 52.
the concept with the board. Fortunately, they were very amenable and received our proposal positively.” KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board CEO, Portia Baloyi congratulated Sibaya on this level of innovation. “Approving a new card game doesn’t happen every day. Congratulations to GM Myan Moodley and his team at Sibaya. “We wish them the best of luck with Call Card 52,” she said.
Robin Kennedy, Sibaya Gaming Manager, explains how simple and fun it is to play the new Call Card 52 game to invited guests.
Sibaya GM Myan Moodley said that Call Card was particularly popular in the KZN region. “We believe the game came to South Africa with the Indian settlers in 1860. “And since then it has not looked back. The game is flourishing, particularly in townships of KZN. “Hence our reason for bringing it onto the floor,” he said. The game itself is very simple with participants left to guess when a single numbered card in a pack of 52 arrives. If the participant bets on “Card Win” and wins, they will be paid even money less a 10% rake or commission. If someone bets on “Card Lose” and they win they get paid even money without having to pay the rake. A player can earn 11/1 odds if he bets that the chosen card is the first to be drawn out the pack.
Ithuba Holdings Hails Court Victory over Lottostar Ithuba Holdings has said the court victory earlier this week sends a strong signal to gaming companies that have been profiting by illegally feeding off the National Lottery. “IN A landmark judgment for the gaming sector, Ithuba, as the authorised National Lottery Operator, has won its longstanding case against bookmaker Lottostar. Ithuba and the National Lotteries Commission in 2016, brought an application for a declaratory order and interdict against Lottostar. The judgment declares that the bookmaker’s practice of taking bets on the outcome of any lottery (including the South African National Lottery) is illegal,” Ithuba said in a statement. Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza, said, “We welcome the judgement which reaffirms that only Ithuba as the National Lottery operator can lawfully offer bets on the lottery. Ithuba has always been driven by the desire to offer maximum contributions towards the betterment of South Africans. Ithuba has touched many lives through its high-impact programmes and contributed over R1.8 billion to various socioeconomic initiatives and good causes through lottery ticket sales.” “When gaming companies illegally encroach
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on this terrain, they are in effect siphoning off funds that contribute positively to the betterment of the South African economy. The judgment, delivered by the Mpumalanga High Court of Appeal, sets a precedent for Ithuba to challenge any bookmaker deriving free financial benefits through unlawfully accepting bets on the outcome of the National Lottery, and to any responsible Provincial Gambling Board to put an end to this unlawful practice,” Ithuba further stated. “Lottostar along with Betting World (which was granted leave to intervene as the third
respondent) were taking bets on the outcome of the South African National Lottery and some foreign lottery draws. Both companies relied on their bookmaker licences, issued by the Mpumalanga Gaming Board. However, the Provincial Gambling Act does not empower provincial gaming boards to authorise bookmakers to accept bets on the outcome of the National Lottery draws.” The High Court interdicted Lottostar from offering bets on the outcome of any lottery and directed Lottostar, the Mpumalanga Gaming Board and Betting World to pay all Ithuba’s legal costs. The judgment declared the exclusive right of Ithuba to operate the National Lottery to be statutorily protected. This makes it illegal for any bookmaker to offer bets on the National Lottery. Lottostar has said that it would be appealing the decision made by the High Court of Mpumalanga. The company has since given its lawyers instructions to commence with an appeal on its behalf. (SOURCE: Sunday World)
