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PHUMELELA GAMING & LEISURE LIMITED - Voluntary shareholder and stakeholder communication and cautionary update announcement

Release Date: 12/09/2019 11:10
Code(s): PHM     PDF:  
Wrap Text
Voluntary shareholder and stakeholder communication and cautionary update announcement

Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1997/016610/06)
Share Code: PHM ISIN: ZAE000039269
(“Phumelela” or the “Company )

Voluntary shareholder and stakeholder communication and cautionary update
announcement

Phumelela is a licensed totalisator, fixed odds and racing operator. The Company administers the sport
of horse racing and conducts the business of a totalisator in, inter alia, Gauteng.

The prevailing legislative and operational dispensation dates back more than two decades and has
resulted in significant socio-economic benefits throughout the horse racing value chain. Phumelela
plays a pivotal role in the sport and prides itself on being a good corporate citizen.

Because the staging of thoroughbred horse racing and the conduct of totalisator betting thereon has
traditionally been loss-making, and remains so, Phumelela has made significant strides to diversify its
revenue base, locally and internationally, and in the face of competitive pressures from casinos and the
national lottery. If Phumelela had stayed the business it was when first incorporated in 1997, there
would be no business today.

Over more than twenty years, Phumelela has lived up to the letter and spirit of the original objectives of
Government with respect to horse racing and, together with interested stakeholders who have a passion
for the sport and the many who derive a living from the sport, participated in developing a proudly South
African world-class offering.

In the interests of continued open and transparent communication with shareholders and stakeholders
in general, the Company discloses the following information.

On 28 August 2019, the Province of Gauteng issued an Extraordinary Provincial Gazette in respect of
the Gauteng Gambling Act (4/1995) (‘the Act’), as amended. The purpose of the General Notice was to
invite an expression of interest to develop, own and operate a race meeting licence in the Gauteng
Province and to invite an expression of interest to operate a totalisator licence in the Gauteng Province.

The content of the General Notice is replicated below, without amendment, in italics. The General Notice
is available for download free of charge at www.gpwonline.co.za

The Gauteng Gambling Board (“GGB”) is established in terms of section 3 of the Gauteng Gambling
Act, no. 4 of 1995 (“the Act”), as amended, to regulate the gambling industry in Gauteng. In terms of
Act, the board is authorised to regulate the gambling industry within the Gauteng Province.

Section 19 of the Act read with section 91 of the Act empowers the board to invite applications for a
race-meeting licence. Currently, there is only one racemeeting licence issued in the Gauteng Province.
This licence was issued at the dawn of the democratic dispensation in South Africa. In the spirit of
fostering competition in the horse racing betting industry, the board is expected to
determine if there is a need and appetite for additional race-meeting licences.

In order to arrive at a decision whether to issue or invite for applications for a race-meeting licence in
terms of section 19 of the Act, the board has nominated to test the market, amongst others, by way of
calling for the interest in applying for a race-meeting licence in terms of the Act.

The responses to the call, must address amongst others, the following:
    • operational details inclusive of the broadcasting of race-meetings, number
    • of envisaged race-meetings per annum, compliance with all other horse racing stakeholders’
      rules and regulations; and any other relevant matter;
    • funding model of the prospective project;
    • transformation imperatives; and
    • any other relevant information.

The deadline for submission of the expression of interest is 30 September 2019.

The Company conducts business in accordance with the Act and the attendant Gauteng Gambling
Rules and Gauteng Gambling Regulations and believes that the legislative dispensation has worked
well, both for licensed operators and for the public who choose to participate responsibly in gambling.

Phumelela is the appointed agent and duly licensed to conduct race meetings but has not been
consulted in respect of this invitation and neither is it privy to the thinking and objectives in this regard.
Given the integral role played by Phumelela, we are entitled to fair, open and honest communication
rather than being kept in the dark.

This latest announcement creates more confusion for the Phumelela executive in a very competitive
and difficult market where gaming margins are dropping all the time.

Moreover, the Company is facing legal actions principally relating to amendments to the Gauteng
Gambling Regulations and the Public Protector’s report into thoroughbred horse racing. This is public
domain information.

The Regulations provide, inter alia, for the GGB to pay half of the betting tax deducted on winnings on
horse racing bets over to Phumelela. However, the GGB has withheld Phumelela’s share since April
2019, with the deprivation having had a material adverse financial effect forcing Phumelela to take
corrective action. Phumelela finds it confusing that an institution with the credibility and fine record of
the GGB would place them in this invidious position.

Phumelela would far prefer a constructive and sensible conversation for the good of the many people,
and their dependents, who make their living from horse racing and from gaming. If Phumelela were
faced with possible liquidation, the ripple effect throughout the horse racing value chain would be
catastrophic and irreversible, threatening the livelihood of thousands of people and stakeholder
dependant on the sport.

The Company is now in closed period but gave a comprehensive voluntary trading update on 12 July,
ahead of year end. The year-end results are schedule to be released on or around Friday, 4 October.

Further to the announcements dated 12 July 2019 and 12 August 2019, the Company remains under
cautionary. Shareholders are advised to continue exercising caution when dealing in the Company’s
securities until a further announcement is made.


Turffontein
12 September 2019
Sponsor: Investec Bank

Date: 12/09/2019 11:10:00
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