The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World in Port Elizabeth has published one of the first environmental reports to be produced by a gaming and entertainment venue in South Africa. All aspects of the impact of the complex on the metro are covered, including the effects of gambling. “We have focused on the environment in the broad sense of the word,” says Boardwalk general manager Graham Vass. “This means that our report covers a range of issues relevant to the natural and human environments. We therefore report on our efforts to conserve the use of resources such as water and energy, as well as our community projects and our approach to dealing with problem gambling,” says Vass in the foreword to the report. The Boardwalk’s responsible gambling programme prescribes a number of ways in which to identify and assist in the treatment of problem gamblers. Boardwalk staff are given training to ensure that they are able to identify possible addictions at an early stage by monitoring the frequency of visits of certain individuals, the amount money spent and any behavioural changes. Senior management is called in to assist where problem behaviour is identified, according to the report. Treatment generally entails a “self-exclusion” period, which is agreed on by the player and gaming management. In extreme cases, management will intervene and insist that a player be assessed by a National Responsible Gambling Programme – trained counsellor. All treatment, including hospitalisation in very serious cases, is free. According to the report, the Responsible Gambling programme is one element of the procedures and systems being implemented by The Boardwalk to meet the internationally-recognised ISO 14001 environmental management standard. “The key performance areas we have identified are linked to the theme of the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development, which was ‘People, Planet and Prosperity,’” says Vass. Key performance areas for The Boardwalk include community interaction and social responsibility, noise management, emergency preparedness, environmental education, employment/labour practices, water management, energy efficiency, waste management and reduction, hazardous substance management, emergency preparedness, and aesthetic preparedness. “Where our environmental plan differs to many others is that we have added financial management and corporate governance to the key performance areas. Without these, we believe the company cannot be sustained in the long term,” he says. The Boardwalk is also contributing to the economic upliftment of the Nelson Mandela Metro. “A needs assessment conducted by our Corporate Social Investment Committee found that the fundamental problems facing our communities are a high unemployment rate, poverty and crime. “In the light of these, the CSI Committee is targeting projects aimed at employment creation and the generation of a sustainable income.” In the report, Vass commits The Boardwalk to continuous improvement. “Whilst we are on the path of achieving many of the objectives set out in our environmental and social policy we recognise that there are areas that need further work. Over the next year, we will be working more actively with all our stakeholders in achieving the environmental and social goals that we have set ourselves,” says Vass. Copies of the report will be made available electronically in the metro’s public libraries. It can also be downloaded from www.megateam.co.za. A printed copy may be collected from the general manager’s office at The Boardwalk.