Traditional horse-racing is just weeks away as the annual Berlin November is once again ready to light up the track in Berlin.
Once again a major force in making the event successful is the strong partnership between the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board (ECGBB), the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Premier Horse-Racing League.
“This successful partnership presents an ideal horse-racing meeting that is inclusive and recognises rural development and traditional horse-racing as the future pillars of tourism development,” said founder of the Premier Horse-Racing League Luthando Bara.
As an effective gambling regulator, the ECGBB continues to develop innovative means to ensure it plays a stimulating role to promote not just responsible gambling but tourism in the region.
“As an empowering regulator, the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board continues to develop and partner with innovative entrepreneurs as a means to ensure that it plays a stimulating role to promote not just responsible gambling but tourism in the region,” said ECGBB chief executive Mabutu Zwane.
At the November 28 event, over 260 horses, along with owners, breeders, jockeys and revellers will be descending on the small town of Berlin for the leagues flagship event.
“The Berlin November is a great sociocultural event that is positioning the long-standing sport and the Eastern Cape in a manner that will give both recognition and certainly growth over time,” said Zwane.
“Traditional horse-racing resuscitates ancient activities for social cohesion. It extends beyond uniting communities but ensures economic development of communities that participate in the sport.”
The League structure is in many ways unique and helps to bring under one platform all the districts where horse-racing takes place and, most importantly, gambling.
“Our partnership with the gambling board is very important in that it promotes responsible gambling practices and teaches people about the dangers of gambling addiction,” said Bara.
“Horse-racing is linked to betting and gambling so it makes perfect sense that they are involved with us and that the event could be mutually beneficial to both parties.
“Our joint interest is to develop an informed regulatory framework aimed at preserving the sociocultural aspects of the events whilst setting new standards for traditional horse-racing.”
Further investment in horse-racing will lead to generous commitment to the highest standards of horse welfare, while the the country’s best races will continue to grow in stature.
The importance of prize-money for all taking part in the sport and the commitment of those working in it cannot be understated as it works as an incentive for all involved.
“The participants at the heart of the sport continue to make significant financial contributions, most notably owners whose expenditure has risen in light of the rising feed costs, medicines and related services,” said Bara.
It is heartwarming to see the growing interest by the provincial government and private sector to support this initiative.
With the mutually beneficial relationship between the gambling board and the league as strong as ever, it bodes well for the future of horse-racing in the region and the country as a whole as the event looks to reach new heights.
“As the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board we receive a number of proposals for partnerships from events that promise to have a high impact and return on investment and quite honestly, we would like to do more to support those that truly have a high potential, but we also have a limited budget,” said Zwane.
“The reality is that the Responsible Gambling messaging is our prime concern and over time we have identified that repetition of the message through various media and communication channels is effective.”