Since our inception, Tsogo Sun Gaming has been the proud recipient of numerous awards that all point to the fact that – simply put – we are getting it right.

The latest in a long series of awards presented to the group’s flagship property, Montecasino, was by Beeld, in the form of their coveted Readers Choice Award for Best Casino in March 2010.  This, and all the other Readers Choice awards presented year after year to our properties, is particularly significant because these awards reflect a vote of confidence by the readers of some of the highest circulation newspapers in the country and the direct target markets of our properties.

Other examples of awards reflecting the opinion of the public include The Star/Pretoria News award for Best Casino, which has been presented to Montecasino five times since 2004; and the Leisure Options award for Best Cinema Complex and Best Entertainment Complex (every year since 2004) and Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners (for the last three years running).  In 2010, Montecasino was once again awarded the PMR Diamond Arrow Award for Business Sector: Casino/Entertainment Centres in Gauteng Province, this time achieving a 4.10 rating out of 5 - the highest in the sector.

Montecasino was also recently awarded the highly coveted status of “Superbrands” for branding excellence 2009/2010. This accolade positions Montecasino as one of the top 20% of brands in the country and is based on an independent assessment of market dominance, longevity, goodwill, customer loyalty and overall market acceptance.

Suncoast, most significantly, has received the Best Casino award by the readers of the the Daily News in KZN for seven consecutive years, the most recent being in 2010.  Suncoast also recently scooped the Tsogo Sun Gaming’s CSI Award for its various social upliftment projects in Durban and surrounds, and was recognised by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) for its sterling contribution to the Durban tourism offering at the inaugural Tourism Tribute in 2010.

Our smaller properties are also recognised annually by their local publications, such as Emnotweni, which has been awarded the first place in the Entertainment category of the Lowvelder Readers Choice Award for four consecutive years.  Emnotweni has also been recognised for its hotels (1st and 2nd place in the Lowvelder Readers Choice Awards in 2010), corporate events facilities and its CSI initiatives, amongst others.

Many of the awards have been based on the talent of our people, such as our international award-winning casino dealer at Hemingways, Carol Sinuka, who won the TCS/John Huxley Best International Dealer of the Year award a few years ago, reaffirming our position as an employer of choice. 

We’re even being recognised for our energy efficiency, in the form of the Iskhus Power Energy Efficiency Award, which was last year presented to Tsogo Sun, Suncoast and The Ridge.

A particularly proud moment for the group was when Tsogo Sun Gaming scooped the BASA Award for First Time Sponsor in recognition of our investment in the Teatro at Montecasino and The Lion King. The production went on to break all box office records in South Africa, with over 550 000 people watching the show over 36 weeks, making it the longest-running show in South African theatre history. The show was also awarded the Best Production of a Musical in the 2007 Naledi Awards.

During 2008, Southern Sun was recognised as the best hotel brand by the Sunday Times Markinor Best Brand survey.

It’s become increasingly evident, based on these awards, that Tsogo Sun’s casinos have proven their ability to deliver world-class entertainment.  These accolades clearly underpin the fact that our core philosophy and company ethos are noticed and recognised by our customers that continue to vote for us.