Goldrush Bingo was awarded the first Bingo licences in Gauteng in 1998 with the first licenced operation in South Africa became operational on 1 October 1998.
The prospects for the bingo sector improved considerably in 2005 when the Gauteng Gambling Board approved and registered wholly electronic bingo terminals and permitted installation into licenced Bingo operations. A wholly electronic version of the game is an entertaining and much quicker game, and appeals to all age groups, whereas traditional bingo has not attracted many younger players in South Africa.
As well as the 7 bingo licences that the group owns in Gauteng, the group has won the following additional bingo licences over the years:
- Mpumalanga – The group owns the only 3 licences awarded in the province. These were awarded for the towns of Middelburg, Bushbuckridge and Ermelo.
- Kwa-Zulu Natal – The group operates 9 licences of those awarded in the province, with the first of these licences becoming operational during 2013.
- North-West – The group is a stakeholder in 2 licences awarded for the towns of Rustenburg and Potchefstroom.
- Eastern Cape – The group currently holds 3 licenses in Grahamstown, Graaf Reniet and Cradock.
Further significant potential for bingo licences exists in the provinces of Free State, Limpopo and Western Cape. None of these provinces have as yet invited applications for Bingo licences.
The group currently operate the bingo centres in Gauteng under the Viva Bingo brand but intend to roll out the new, exciting Goldrush Bingo brand both across the existing estate and new developments. Viva Bingo has operated bingo centres since October 1998 and under the Goldrush banner will continue the success.