More than a million visitors have passed through the main entrance of The Boardwalk casino since it opened in October 2000.

“In a very short time The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World has established itself as the action and fun centre of Port Elizabeth,” says general manager Graham Vass.

“Proof of this is the fact that we’ve hit the million mark more than six months ahead of our expectations.

“That figure excludes the hundreds of thousands who have come to dine at the restaurants, attend shows and events in the Tsitsikamma conference centre, shop in the retail mall or have fun in the fairground,” he adds.

Over 400 000 cars have used The Boardwalk’s free parking since it opened – an average of four thousand a day.

On Friday, March 02, 2001, one of those cars brought the millionth casino guests, Christiaan and Elizabeth Barnard of Forest Hill, Port Elizabeth.

The couple were given champagne, Boardwalk sweaters and caps, dinner with their family at the casino’s Bayside Pantry Restaurant and a night in the luxurious Courtyard Suite Hotel to celebrate the occasion.

The two hold silver Most Valued Guest (MVG) cards and are regular visitors to the casino because of the pleasant atmosphere, says Mr Barnard. “It is also a place where we meet our friends and, who knows, one day we might strike it lucky,” he says.

During the past five months the casino has paid out 3874 jackpots valued at R38-million, or over R240 500 a day, according to Mr Vass.

There have been four payouts of more than a million rand, and five of over half a million rand.

“Then there is the Boardwalk Craft Workshop. It is attracting some of the best crafters in the Eastern Cape, and is a firm favourite with both local and international visitors.”