The Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board has written to Councillor Brian Jackson telling him that the application for a gambling licence on the premises at 40 Beaufort Street has been withdrawn.
The Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board has written to Councillor Brian Jackson telling him that the application for a gambling licence on the premises at 40 Beaufort Street has been withdrawn.
A bookmaking business, Hollywood Bets, had initially applied to the Board for a bookmaker's licence along with an application to host three to five gambling machines.
Members of the local community in Ward 8 strongly objected to the application because they felt it would lower the tone of the area and possibly attract undesirable individuals to the establishment, located close to several schools.
Residents felt that the Board had not complied with the spirit of a law which required them to publicise their intentions in a locally distributed newspaper. There was only a small reference to the initial applications in the Dispatch, a regional newspaper published in East London. They felt that if there was an application for a gambling licence, a notice should have been placed in Grocott's Mail.
Residents also felt it unfair that public hearings about the bookmaker's licence would be held in East London, at a venue that is not easily accessible to the vast majority of Ward 8 residents.
The business premises at 40 Beaufort Street housed a used car dealer before it was vacated. It is believed that Hollywood Bets had agreed to lease the property only if it received a bookmaker's licence.
