Two months after celebrating its 16th anniversary as South Africa’s first legal casino, Tsogo Sun launched the upgrade of Nelspruit’s Emnotweni Casino complex in the province of Mpumulanga.
Redeveloped at a cost of $200,000 by Tsogo Sun, with 70% of the purchasing sourced through local suppliers, the project includes upgrades to both the complex’s business tourism facilities, with a redesigned and extended banqueting facility, as well as its leisure tourism offering, in the form of enhancements to the casino and entertainment facilities.
Emnotweni now boasts a larger casino floor, including a substantial new Privé, and a smoking and non-smoking casino. As part of the upgrade, the number of slot machines has increased to 425 and tables to 18.
The Arena, a new multi-purpose venue, will host lifestyle events, exhibitions, conferences, concerts and banquets. With over 700m2 of floor space, the venue is multi-purpose in nature and can cater for many types of events, accommodating up to 800 guests for cocktail functions.
Flanking the new multipurpose venue is a bar and restaurant featuring an open terrace overlooking the Lowveld Botanical Garden and the Southern Sun Emnotweni Hotel.
Other enhancements include the addition of three parking levels, improved public amenities, a refreshed centre court and upgraded walkway to the Riverside Mall.
The newly launched facilities are the first of a two-phase project; the second phase will refurbish the Explorers Restaurant and the front entrance of the building by April 2014.