Gauteng

• The smallest and richest province, Gauteng, is the gateway to South Africa – and a gambling and entertainment hotspot.
  
  
• Visitors touch down at Johannesburg International Airport, a stone's throw from the Emperor’s Palace Casino complex. This R1, 3 billion mega-casino has 1500 slots, 50 tables and a five-star 196-room hotel.
  
  
• Near Soweto, Gold Reef City operates 1600 slots and 50 tables in a setting that pays homage to the Johannesburg Gold Rush days. The Gold Reef City complex is an entertainment mecca with theatres, restaurants and a theme-park especially for the kids.
  
  
• In the Johannesburg northern suburbs, Montecasino is a R2-billion Tuscan village, complete with a hotel, theatre, shops and award-wining restaurants.
  
  
• On the Vaal River (that divides Gauteng from the Free State) you’ll find the Emerald Casino Resort – the ideal weekend getaway for city dwellers in need of rest & relaxation.

Limpopo Province

Looking north from Gauteng to Limpopo Province:

• Gamblers and tourists are welcome at the Meropa Casino in the provincial capital Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg). The Casino features 12 gaming tables and 250 slot machines as well as four restaurants.
  
  
• In the far north among the misty mountains of Thohoyandou is the Tusk Venda Resort, a popular venue for those in need of a serious entertainment fix.

North West Province

Driving west into North West province, the entertainment-seeker will find five casinos:

• The biggest drawcard in North West is the legendary Sun City Resort Casino Complex. This entertainment utopia has an international airport, two golf courses, a man-made forest and the kid’s favourite haunt – Valley of the Waves. Three excellent hotels are on offer including the fantastical Palace of the Lost City. Visitors can enjoy the adjoining 55 000-hectare Pilanesberg Game Reserve, which is stocked with the ‘Big Five’.
  
  
• Tusk Taung Casino and the Tusk Mmabatho Casino Resort are both found in the North West Province. Although they can’t compete in size with Sun City – both casinos are extremely popular with locals and international visitors who seek a more intimate setting.
  
  
• The Morula Sun is situated in Karenpark to the north west of Pretoria. This mini-casino features 630 slots and twelve gaming tables.
  
  
• The Carousel Entertainment World is in the Temba region. The property has six restaurants a 103-bedroom hotel and over 800 slots.

Mpumalanga

• To the east of Gauteng is Mpumalanga – ‘the sunrise province’ home to the lush Lowveld and the world-renowned Kruger National Park.
  
  
• The Lowveld capital of Nelspruit boasts the mid-sized Emnotweni casino, with 298 slots and 12 tables. There is a hotel on site with 120 rooms.
  
  
• Graceland Hotel Casino can be found in the petrochemical town of Secunda. This Victorian-styled casino resort and golf course is popular with the local crowd.
  
  
• The Ridge Casino and Entertainment World can be found in Witbank and offers visitors over 300 slots.

Free State

• Naledi Sun Hotel and Casino – this mini-casino is open 24/7 and offers 120 slots. There is also hotel accommodation available.
  
  
• Thaba 'Nchu Sun Hotel & Casino can be found in the Free State capital of Bloemfontein. The 200-plus slot machines are open 24 hours a day and there are nineteen gaming tables. Chill out at one of the two restaurants or stay the night at the 118 room hotel.

Northern Cape

• Casino’s worth visiting include the Flamingo in the diamond-rush town of Kimberley, and in Upington - on the fringe of the Kalahari, where you’ll find the Desert Palace Casino.

KwaZulu Natal

• The Sugar Mill Casino north of Durban (in the Mount Edgecombe area) is a favourite. It’s open seven days a week and offers up some 800 slot machines.
  
  
• The Golden Horse Casino can be found in the Victorian jewel-box town of Pietermaritzburg (not too far from Durban). A popular weekend haunt for Durbanites.
  
  
• The Tusk Umfolozi Casino Resort in the northern coastal town of Empangeni has a 2000-square foot casino and a notable restaurant.
  
  
• The Sun Coast Casino and Entertainment world on Beach Road, Durban is the piece de resistance in this part of the world. 1250 slots, 48 gaming tables and seventeen restaurants mean that having an early night is not a possibility. Not ever.

Eastern Cape

• The Wild Coast Sun Casino is situated on one of the most beautiful strips of coastline in South Africa. Over 400 slots are up for grabs and there are a number of excellent restaurants on site. Children are also well-catered for at this establishment.
  
  
• Further south, there are mid-sized casinos in the two main ports on this coast. The R533-million Boardwalk serves Port Elizabeth, while East London has the newly opened Hemingway's Casino, with a Caribbean atmosphere.

Western Cape

• Cape Town really has only one casino to speak of - but it's a blockbuster! The R1, 5-billion GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World can compete with any other mega-casino on the planet; facilities here include an Olympic ice rink, a flower market and a wooden pirate ship that once sailed the seas.
  
  
• Over the mountains is the secluded Caledon Casino and Spa, built on top of a therapeutic hot spring – this casino features 250 slots and fourteen gaming tables.
  
  
• Up the Atlantic Coast is Casino Mykonos, in the picturesque region of Langebaan. 250 slots, twelve gaming tables and three restaurants are all on offer.

Links:

• You will find some of South Africa’s top casino resorts at the Sun International website: www.suninternational.com (including Sun City).
• For information on Sun Coast casino in Durban, visit: www.suncoast.co.za
• Hemingways in East London can be located at: www.hemingwayscasino.co.za
• The Tusk Casino Resorts can be located at: www.tusk-resorts.co.za
• Gold Reef City Casino: www.grcc.co.za
• Casino Mykonos in Langebaan: www.casinomykonos.com
• Emerald Safari resort: www.emeraldsafari.co.za