On 7 April 2015, the Eastern Cape Gambling & Betting Board (“ECGBB”) resolved, inter alia, that TellyTrack is not a subsidiary of Phumelela and that its activities do not fall within the ambit of clause 8(6) of Phumelela’s racecourse licence.
The ruling follows a request submitted by the Gauteng off-course bookmaker association (“GOBA”) to the ECGBB on 28 January 2014 to urgently investigate and order Phumelela to ensure that televised broadcasting of horserace events from the Arlington and Fairview racetracks continue to be received by the members of GOBA and to conduct an enquiry into the further matters raised by GOBA.
The ECGBB conducted a hearing in September 2014 and invited the parties to submit further written submissions thereafter.
The ECGBB has now decided that it is empowered to regulate or approve those signal fees which pertain to horseracing events taking place in the Eastern Cape and that its jurisdiction pertains to such fees charged to bookmakers licenced in the Eastern Cape. The board further decided that the television signal fees proposed by Phumelela for the races taking place in the Eastern Cape are reasonable and approved and also that TellyTrack must apply for a suitability certificate if it wishes to continue to render a service to Eastern Cape bookmakers.
Phumelela and TellyTrack welcome the decision of the ECGBB and TellyTrack will apply for a suitability certificate from the ECGBB in due course.
A copy of the ECGBB letter is attached for completeness.
