NWGB calls for player protection at North West Tourism Month launch
The event brought together tourism stakeholders to discuss technology, AI and the future of the province’s visitor economy.
South Africa.- Responsible gambling and consumer protection must remain part of the North West’s tourism and entertainment development as technology changes how the sector operates, North West Gambling Board (NWGB) acting chief executive officer Boitumelo Qalinge has said.
Qalinge made the remarks during the Tourism Month Media Launch at Bakgatla Resort in Pilanesberg, hosted by the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) on Tuesday, September 15. The launch was held under the theme “Digital and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, placing technology and AI at the centre of discussions on the province’s tourism sector.
Qalinge outlined the gambling sector’s role in tourism and entertainment while emphasising the need for effective regulation. He identified player protection and safer gambling measures as key priorities, including support for people affected by gambling-related problems.
The discussion comes as the North West tourism sector looks at how AI and digital technology can improve services for visitors and support businesses. In her keynote address, MEC Bitsa Lenkopane identified tourism as an important economic sector supporting livelihoods across the province. She also called for greater adoption of digital technology and artificial intelligence to strengthen the sector, improve visitor experiences and help tourism businesses operate more effectively.
The North West is home to gambling venues that form part of the province’s broader tourism infrastructure, contributing to the local economy alongside hospitality, entertainment and other tourism-related businesses.
The growing use of digital technology in tourism also creates new considerations for gambling regulators, particularly around consumer protection and responsible gambling. For the NWGB, this means maintaining regulatory safeguards while working with tourism stakeholders.
The regulator said its participation in the event reflected its focus on collaboration and supporting a safe, inclusive and innovative tourism sector in the North West Province.
