Gold Reef City casino review

Gold Reef City is one of South Africa's best-known casino resorts. It is owned by the international entertainment and leisure group Tsogo Sun. The group has a portfolio of 13 casinos and 100 hotels across Africa, the Seychelles, and the Middle East. As a result, the Gold Reef City is an international tourist attraction that draws people from around the globe.

Gold Reef is located in Ormonde, Johannesburg (Northern Pkwy, Ormonde, Johannesburg South, 2159, South Africa). It is 10 minutes away from the city's business district and 20 minutes from Sandton City. Not only this, but it has easy access to the highway network and is only half an hour from Tambo International Airport. Hence, the casino is in the perfect location for a local and international visit to gamble cash or for a night out. This Casino can be found at Northern Pkwy, Ormonde, Johannesburg South, 2159, South Africa.

By Adiela de Bruyn - Last modified 2024/02/08 - Estimated reading time: 9 minutes.

Table of contents

Gold Reef City casino review

The Casino

Gold Reef City is home to over 1450 slot machines and table games scattered across different venues. They include smoking and non-smoking areas and a salon privé where high rollers enjoy private gaming during the day or night. Plus, players enjoy a special Tsogo Reward when they visit.

The reward program applies to all casinos, outlets, and hotel accommodations. Individuals sign up for a Tsogo Rewards membership card to try slots for free at any Tsogo-owned locations and earn points immediately. Other benefits include discounts ranging from 10% to 25%.

Slot Gaming at Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City has 814 slot machines in the non-smoking main floor area and 564 slots in Barney’s Smoking Casino. Likewise, 131 machines in the upmarket prive area and 10 machines in the exclusive private slot areas.

The denominations range from 1c to R100, and smart gaming allows players to gamble with smart cards. The low denomination slots at Gold Reef City have up to 98% payback stand-alone progressives. As a result, they are one of the lowest denomination slots with high payback percentages in South Africa.

Like the slot machines, the roulette is available in single and 8-seater formats. Plus, individuals can win cash from the Royal Flush on video poker with low and high stakes.

Gold Reef City publishes the latest slots payouts for transparency. Individuals who don’t want to play with cash can apply for a card. Like prepaid cards, players load cash onto the card by inserting notes into the bill validator. They can also get a refund or withdraw cash winnings at the smart card machine or the cash desk.

Table Games

Gold Reef City gaming centers have 34 games and 24 roulette tables. Gamers play roulette with R10 and R25 minimum bets. Conversely, 10 card games are split between R50 and R100 for blackjack, poker, and baccarat.

Salon Privé

The Salon Privé is an exclusive gaming centre at Gold Reef City. It is perfect for individuals who want privacy, elegance, and ambiance. The area features 17 tables, including a baccarat room and a private baccarat room.

The 6 roulette tables have R50 and R100 minimum bets. Similarly, the 5 card games, blackjack, and poker variants have R100 to R500 min wagers. The salon hosts various side bets and progressive cash wagers, and a Prive Mystery Bonus Jackpot is linked to selected poker tables.

Promotions

Players who are Gold Tsogo Reward Cardholders start earning points for table and slot games. With this, they move to a higher reward status quickly. Gold Reef City has an ehost, a self-service kiosk players use to print cash reward vouchers. It tells individuals what to do for everything related to gaming and rewards.

Other benefits include:

  • 10% to 25% cash discounts at participating bars and casinos, theme parks, and spas.
  • 30% to 60% cash discounts at the movie cinema or Montecasino Bird Garden.
  • 10% to 50% on hotel accommodations at Tsogo Sun hotels throughout South Africa.

Gold Reef City holds promotions at intervals to maximize player experience. They include:

  • Saturday bonus jackpots
  • Prive nights – exclusive to Ace, King, & Queen rewards cardholders
  • Go big with Gold Reef City
  • Super 9

Restaurant and Hotel Promotions

The restaurant and hotel at Gold Reef City have special offers and promotions for their hospitality packages. For instance, The Perfect Pour allows tourists to enjoy a selection of drinks on the gaming floor, while the Awesome Summer Gateway is perfect for relaxing and having fun during the day and night. Others include:

  • Walk the Walk with Johnnie Blonde
  • J.C Le Roux Sparkling Wine Varietal Upgrade
  • Barneys Coffee Shop and Restaurant Festive Specials
Gold Reef City casino area

Gold Reef City Casino playing area.

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Dining Facilities

Gold Reef City has plenty of food options for the hungry gamer. They include bars, coffee shops, fast food, and restaurants. For speed and convenience, there are 10 fast food outlets.

For example, visit the KFC and Steers. For those with a little more time, there are 16 separate a la carte restaurants. They offer an impressive variety of cuisine, from Portuguese to local dishes.

While this array of dining options will be enough to keep most customers in the complex, the central Johannesburg location means that all of the city's restaurants, bars, and eateries are also easily accessible. Hence, it is perfect for a night out.

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Hotel Accommodation

Casino guests who want to stay for a few days can choose from two hotel accommodations at Gold Reef City.

Southern Sun Gold Reef City

The Southern Sun Gold Reef City is the perfect high-end option for guests who want a little more luxury. There are 38 rooms, and the staff devote their energy to providing the best services.

The rooms feature king-size or four-poster beds, free uncapped wifi, satellite TV channels, and more. Likewise, a mini-bar, direct access to The Lyric Theatre, and a walkway connecting guests to the Gold Reef City Theme Park. Business and conferencing guests enjoy eight unique venues, ranging from a 12-seater bedroom to the 1,100-person capacity venue at the theatre.

Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel

The Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel is a better bet for families. It has a mining town theme and offers a relaxing atmosphere. With 75 rooms available, there is plenty of space, and, like the Southern Sun, it is just minutes from the casino.

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Entertainment

Guests choose from various leisure activities, from bars to ten-pin bowling. The complex includes a 6-screen cinema and a 1,000-seat theatre that regularly stages rock shows and comedy nights.

Movies @ Gold Reef City

Movies @ Gold Reef City is South Africa’s only Victorian train station-themed cinema complex. It shows Hollywood and Bollywood blockbuster movies and local films. The theatre showcases large Broadway shows, popular musicals, and comedies.

Apartheid Museum

For a change of pace, there is the fascinating Apartheid Museum, located down the street from the casino complex. It offers a detailed and revealing look at the troubled history of South Africa. In the end, you will understand more about this country and the obstacles it has overcome over the decades.

Finally, the complex includes multiple shops, an arcade, a swimming pool and a conference centre. There's even a chapel and a wedding venue if you're looking for somewhere unique to make that special commitment to your partner!

Theme Park

The Gold Reef City Park allows individuals to escape to great events and entertainment in the heart of Jozi South. It is open 24 hours, and as a result, the site is constantly alive with excitement.

Tsogo Sun Rewards cardholders enjoy discounts of over 10%. Besides being the largest of its kind in South Africa, the theme park is voted one of Johannesburg’s coolest entertainment destinations. There are about 51 rides available. They include helicopter flights, a golden loop, and a fun train. Others are:

  • Anaconda
  • Ballon-wheel
  • Barrel roll
  • Bumper cars and bumper cars junior
  • Carousel and carousel lost reef
  • City bus
  • Congo queen
  • Classic cars

The theme park allows visitors to capture their events and experiences by buying a printed photo for R50 or a digital photo for R20 at one of the rides. The photos are available immediately, and downloadable links will appear on the till slip.

Children can book a birthday party as long as they are up to five. The rate is R350 per child, while younger children less than 3 years pay R150. It covers a meal, juice, toy, ice cream, and applicable rides. Although the park does not allow food or drinks, you can bring your birthday cake.

Jump City is a trampoline park within the bigger theme park. It has 21 regular trampolines, a dodgeball court, 2 basketball lanes, a foam pit with a climbing wall, and a jumping wall. Lastly, schools can organize tours to teach history lessons or simply for entertainment.

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Customer Support

Gold Reef City has a comprehensive FAQ section. Apart from this, another page on the site is dedicated to dispelling myths about gaming. The casino is at the Corner of Northern Parkway & Data Crescent, Ormonde, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Players can reach support on +27 11 248 5000 and Private Bag 1998, Gold Reef City, 2159. Plus, the casino is active on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Responsible Gambling

Gold Reef City supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. As such, the casino is not open to people 18 years or younger. Not only this, but it offers a gambling counselling toll-free helpline. Likewise, a link to the NRGP to take the self-check quiz.

Conclusion icon

Conclusion

Gold Reef City is perhaps the most successful example of a casino complex that doubles as a hotel resort. In fact, it is possible to spend days there without ever setting foot on the casino floor, although that would be a waste!

The destination has a vast selection of slots and other games that would not be out of place in Las Vegas. As a result, Gold Reef City offers one of the most luxurious and enjoyable casino gaming experiences in South Africa. Besides gambling, you can visit the park alone or with friends for a nice time.

There are venues for conferences and weddings, and the hotels provide a place to spend the night. Meanwhile, the dining options serve the best meals and drinks. Visit today to enjoy the bonus jackpots and other facilities from the ripple effect.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Gold Reef City Casino

How much is the Gold Reef City Theme Park entrance fee in 2023?

The general admission fee is R250 per person. However, 10 Tier Tsogo Rewards member ticket is R225 per person, while group booking is R250 for 1-50 people.

Is food allowed at Gold Reef City?

No, visitors cannot bring their food or beverages. The only exception is a birthday cake.

Who is the owner of Gold Reef City?

The gambling and fun destination is owned by Tsogo Sun.

How many games does Gold Reef have?

There are 34 tables and 1450 slot games. Individuals play at smoking and non-smoking venues, and there is a private area for high rollers.

Which part of Joburg is Gold Reef City?

It is located on an old gold mine which closed in 1971. The casino is at the Corner of Northern Parkway & Data Crescent, Ormonde, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Author and fact checker: Adiela de Bruyn

Adiela de Bruyn biography

Expertise: Online casino reviews, player insights, and marketing strategies.

Experience: 10+ years. Former croupier, casino enthusiast, and contributor to South Africa's online gambling regulations.

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