Hemingways Casino faces licence expiry as 277 jobs hang in balance
The licence application comes alongside a restructuring plan that could affect dozens of positions across the KuGompo City casino complex.
South Africa.- Hemingways Casino in KuGompo City faces uncertainty over its future as its operating licence approaches expiry on September 25, with operator Tsogo Sun Gaming seeking a new Zone 2 licence through the Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB), according to local reports.
Tsogo Sun participated in the ECGB’s public hearing on its Zone 2 casino licence application in July and has notified employees that continued operations depend on securing regulatory approval. The licence expiry puts 277 casino jobs at risk and could also affect the wider Hemingways complex, which includes a hotel, conference facilities, restaurants and retail outlets.
Tsogo Sun has also launched a separate restructuring process that could result in 74 positions being eliminated even if the casino secures a new licence. The company said its review identified positions that were duplicated, inefficient or no longer necessary. It also cited declining business levels and increased competition as factors behind the proposed restructuring.
Food and beverage operations face some of the largest proposed reductions, including 15 waitrons, seven commis chefs, four food and beverage supervisors, four general assistants, four cashiers and three bartenders. Other positions under review include gaming-floor officers, payroll supervisors, gaming technicians, surveillance specialists, security supervisors, guest relations attendants, maintenance workers and gaming ambassadors. Several management and administrative roles are also affected.
Tsogo Sun said it sees limited alternatives to retrenchment but remains open to proposals from employees and their representatives during the consultation process. Target Orientated Trade Union of SA (Totrusa), which represents Hemingways employees, is also involved in the discussions. Secretary-general Jeff Maleni said the union received the initial retrenchment notice on August 17 and would brief affected workers.
