ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN
The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) plays a crucial role in ensuring that the gambling industry operates within a framework of integrity, fairness, and accountability. As custodians of public trust, the Western Cape Government (WCG) is committed to fostering a regulatory environment that is transparent, just, and aligned with the economic growth and job creation goals of our province. The WCGRB is responsible
for instilling public confidence and trust that gambling in the Province is conducted honestly and is free from corruptive elements. Furthermore, the WCGRB also ensures that gambling, indirectly through the provincial fiscus, contributes towards economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape.
The WCGRB’s contribution to economic growth and job creation is done in two ways – firstly with the industry itself creating opportunities for employment, and secondly through the collection of taxes and levies that contribute to the province’s revenue.
In setting out the WCGRB’s Annual Performance Plan for 2025/26, guidance was taken from key strategies of the Western Cape Government, including the Provincial Strategic Plan (PSP) 2025-2030 and the Growth For Jobs (G4J) economic strategy. The PSP provide the context for the policy priorities of Growth for Jobs, Safety, Educated, Healthy and Caring Society supported by the enablers of Innovation, Culture and Governance, with the G4J Strategy setting out a clear path to enabling ‘breakout’ economic growth needed to lift many more people out of poverty and into prosperity
With the aim of enabling a R1 trillion jobs-rich, diverse, sustainable economy, growing at a rate between 4% and 6% annually, the WCGRB has a role to play in assisting the province in reaching this goal. This is all taken into consideration in the development of the WCGRB’s vision which, over the next five years, aims to be the leading gambling regulatory authority for innovative, sustainable business practices, that maximises economic opportunities in a socially responsible manner with the purpose of having a properly regulated gambling industry in the Western Cape.
Innovation is a key driver of our regulatory approach. In an era of rapid technological advancement, the WCGRB embraces digital transformation to strengthen governance, streamline operations, and improve oversight mechanisms. The use of technology ensures that our licensing, compliance, and monitoring processes remain efficient and effective. Through automation we can better equipped to detect and prevent unlawful activities while fostering a fair, innovative and competitive industry.
At the same time, we recognise the potential harms associated with gambling. Protecting vulnerable individuals and mitigating the risks of problem gambling is a fundamental priority. Through responsible gambling initiatives, public awareness campaigns, advocating for self-exclusion processes, and close collaboration with stakeholders, we work to create a safe environment that upholds the well-being of the Western Cape people. The WCG remains committed to implementing policies that prevent exploitation, safeguard consumers, and address the social impact of gambling.
To this end, the Annual Performance Plan will assist in monitoring and evaluating the performance of the Board against set criteria, thereby enhancing accountability, corporate governance, effectiveness, efficiency, fairness, trust and innovation. The WCGRB has my full support as they set about implementing the 2025/26
Annual Performance Plan to ensure the objectives and programmes achieve maximum benefit for the Western Cape people.
The WCGRB has my full support as they set about implementing the 2024/25 Annual Performance Plan to ensure the objectives and programmes achieve maximum benefit for all who live in the Western Cape.
ADV. DEIDRÉ BAARTMAN
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
