Lev Leviev, CEO Africa-Israel

Lev Leviev, the Founder and Chief Executive of Africa-Israel, earned his first billion dollars in the lucrative diamond trade. Although South Africa is widely regarded as the diamond center, Africa-Israel made it's fortune in the diamond markets of Russia and Angola.

Casino Simba opened it's doors over the weekend with a grand opening that turned out to be the biggest social event in the history of Kampala. Located within the Garden City Mall complex, Casino Simba is already off to a roaring start, with more excitement yet to come.

The initial opening of Casino Simba on Saturday evening was an event that drew a crowd, as anxious onlookers hoped for a glimpse of the action the must have been going on inside.

The initial opening took place before the public opening, and was an invitation only event that targeted the top rung of Kampala's social ladder. For those who were fortunate enough to receive an invitation to this event, it was truly a red carpet event, which only added to the excitement that awaited them inside the luxurious new Casino Simba.

The case against Denise Truter (21) and Cornelius Roos (22), who were charged with child neglect after leaving their 22-month-old daughter in the car while gambling, was postponed until March 6 during a brief appearance in Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court.

They were released on bail of R1 000 each. Loraine Kalp, an inspector, said earlier that the 22-month-old girl had been taken to a place of safety.

We may not admit it but we are all, no matter how pious we maybe, once in a while fascinated by riches and the rich. Given a choice most of us would rather be another billionaire Bill Gates than another the late Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

While we easily express anger when for instance certain sections of our nation award themselves huge salary increases while the majority cannot even afford a decent meal every day, we would happily exchange places if given a chance. The bottom line is most of us are rather mad and sad that we are not rich. It is, therefore, not surprising that a number of Malawians are jumping at the opportunity to become millionaires through gambling at the mushrooming casinos or the lottery.

FUNDS from gambling would be channeled to tourism as one way of boosting infrastructure in the sector, an official from Malawi Gaming Board (MGB) has said.

But government has advised operators in the tourism sector to desist from externalising foreign currency generated from the industry.

KUWAIT CITY: Three persons who were injured in a two-vehicle collision have been admitted to a hospital, reports Al-Watan daily. A police source said a pick-up truck overturned after crashing into the car driven by a young Kuwaiti woman. Inside the overturned pick-up truck police found a roulette machine and three bottles of vodka. It has been reported the occupants of the pick-up truck — an unidentified man, a young woman and her mother — were all under the influence of alcohol. They will be referred to a police station for interrogation after they are discharged from the hospital, says a reliable source. Police have also found in the vehicle a list containing names of VIPs and information on gambling activities.

CORRUPTION suspect Sackey Namugongo was released on bail of N$20 000 on Friday, five days after he was arrested on charges that he allegedly used his position as a senior official in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to sell fake gambling licences.

Namugongo (54) was granted bail during his second appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's court on charges of corruption, fraud, forgery and uttering.

Nelspruit - Eleven of 14 men charged with a daring casino robbery briefly appeared in the Nelspruit regional court on Tuesday.

They are charged with holding up Emnotweni Casino in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, on December 12 last year.

More than a dozen gangsters entered the casino and held up staff and gamblers.

THE diversification of listed gaming and leisure group Sun International could become more obvious as an advantage over its listed rivals as the rand continues to weaken against the greenback.

In SA, gaming has been a big beneficiary of the low interest-rate environment, in much the same way as retailers and media companies have benefited. However, the Reserve Bank increased interest rates last month due to concerns about the country’s widening trade account deficit.