Sun International and its associate company in KwaZulu-Natal, Afrisun KZN, will open the R200m SugarMill Casino in February 2001 in Mount Edgecombe north of Durban.

Developed as a temporary casino, while Afrisun KZN’s permanent casino is being planned and constructed six kilometres away at Umdloti Beach, SugarMill Casino will offer guests a conveniently located and vibrant gaming facility.

The architectural design and theme of the new SugarMill Casino reflects the rich heritage of the province. SugarMill is unique and unlike anything offered before in the casino and entertainment industry in KwaZulu-Natal.

The casino is an intriguing combination of characteristics, combining an exciting, ‘happening’ and ‘vibey’ atmosphere with the relaxed, easy-to-take aspects of Durban’s sub-tropical African lifestyle. SugarMill offers a fresh, crisp, clean and fun-filled environment, which reflects energy, buzz and warm friendliness in a professional manner. The casino is designed for the young at heart is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

SugarMill is the first licensed casino to operate in the Durban Metropolitan Region and provides guests with 26 gaming tables and 800 Smart Card operated slot machines, including many of Sun International’s famous linked jackpots such as Dream Machine, Super Slam and Poker Magic, plus Millennium Mania with a R2 million jackpot. Table players are able to choose from Blackjack, American Roulette and Punto Banco.

The SugarMill experience is a rewarding one, both in terms of the feel and ambience of the venue, as well as in terms of the winning opportunities brought to Durban by Sun International’s extensive experience in the gaming, hospitality and entertainment industry in South Africa. Sun International brings to SugarMill the largest on-line network of linked jackpots, substantially enhancing guests’ chances of winning major prizes.

As with Sun International’s other established and successful casino operations, SugarMill offers guests a full range of leisure and gaming amenities. On-site, secure parking is provided for 1400 vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the casino entrance.

The SugarMill gaming area is divided into four areas: main slots, slots privê, main casino and privê casino. The slots floor has 744 machines and 20 tables, and the privê casino has 56 slot machines and 6 tables. Denominations range from 25c to R100 and are grouped in different areas, with the top denominations in the privê area. The main floor accommodates twenty tables comprising ten American Roulettes, one ‘Raise ’Em Poker’, seven Blackjacks and two Diamond Rush Progressive Blackjack tables. The casino privê has two Roulettes, three Blackjacks and one 14-seater Punto Banco table.

Guests will have access to a range of cashiering facilities, including cash, credit card and cheque transactions. Smart Cashiers – a new, innovative Sun International product which is installed at convenient points throughout the casino will operate on the same basis as an ATM transferring cash to smart MVG cards. The casino has an internal banking facility (ATM – Saswitch)

SugarMill has a Gold Card Lounge for our MVG (most valued guests) in which guests can relax in comfort, and this lounge operates from midday until the early hours of the morning.

Other leisure and entertainment facilities at SugarMill include the Magic Company and children’s area offering fast food and snack meals, cold drinks and games and toys for the under-18 set. A crèche provides safe and supervised care for children while parents enjoy themselves in the casino.

The casino has a 140-seater Buffet Restaurant with ready prepared and individually served meals of a traditional KwaZulu-Natal culinary variety. The restaurant menu includes stir-fries, barbecues and tasty dishes prepared in the tandoori ovens.

An exciting and well-known branded coffee shop and wine bar, News Café, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This 80-seater restaurant provides guests with a full menu, a range of drinks prepared at the cocktail bar by specialist barmen, and a selection of imported coffees and light refreshments.

For guests wanting to stay in the vicinity of the gaming floor, SugarMill provides three walk-up bars that are conveniently located along the perimeter of the gaming area. These bars offer a full service of popular brands and mixes, served by highly trained and efficient bar staff 24 hours a day.

SugarMill Casino brings to Durban the fun, excitement and professionalism of an international standard gaming facility. Sun International has designed and developed this casino to meet the exacting standards of a discerning market, and every effort has been made to ensure that a visit to SugarMill is highly memorable. SugarMill will operate for approximately 22 months while construction of the permanent casino is undertaken at Umdloti Beach.

Guests can look forward to a very rewarding gaming experience at SugarMill and to a convenient and easy-to-access opportunity to join the MVG program and earn valuable points.