Huge Gold Reef City Upgrades, More Family Fun

Over R600-million has been plugged into the Gold Reef City complex in the south of Johannesburg by owners, Tsogo Sun. A recent publicity launch saw some of the country’s most prominent celebrities gather to see the improvements and learn more about the future plans for the gaming, entertainment and tourism hub. The complex has already added a variety of restaurants to its property along with a food court and visitors can enjoy dishes from around the world at The Raj, Boston BBQ, Spur Steak Ranches and many more.

Gold Reef City has long been recognised as a fun and entertaining place to have a day out, both for families and for social groups, but now the group is hoping to bring in more people by providing even more options for potential visitors. The complex already plays home to a theme park where rides such as the UFO and Anaconda are big hits, as well as a casino and restaurant hub where casino lovers can go to play the slots, tables and video poker, and then enjoy a nice meal afterwards.

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Tsogo Sun has also created a new partnership with Kaya FM and just as Jacaranda has a broadcasting office in Monte Casino, so too will Gold Reef City play host to a regular show on Kaya FM. Additionally, families are being encouraged to make Gold Reef their destination of choice and more children’s activities have been added to the entertainment hub, courtesy of the Magic Company, as well as a cinema complex where visitors can go to watch all of the latest releases and a bowling alley.

Though Tsogo Sun only bought over Gold Reef City four short years ago in 2011, the gaming giant has made clear its intentions to go bigger with all of its properties. The R600-million already invested in Gold Reef is just one part of its plan to expand its existing properties. There is a total of $72-million set aside for the upgrades and revamping of many of the other properties owned by Tsogo Sun and the expected returns on this investment are phenomenal to say the least.

The CEO of Tsogo Sun, Marcel von Aulock, explains that Gold Reef City alone brings in about $40-million every year and is the third-highest earner for the group, preceded by Monte Casino and Durban-based Suncoast Casino. He adds that though the industry as a whole is growing rather slowly and consumers are not spending as freely as they may have in the past, the group’s casinos are doing well and with this plan to diversify what they are able to offer, the casinos are expected to do even better in the future.

The group is expected to invest another R200-million into the completion of the refurbishment of Gold Reef City and this will certainly be money well spent if they are able to bring in more families both local and from overseas.