South African casinos have had to adapt to ongoing power supply challenges. Load-shedding—planned power outages—has become a regular occurrence, affecting businesses across the country. For casino operators like Goldrush Group, which runs venues such as Goldrush Dome in Johannesburg and Goldrush Wonderpark in Pretoria North, maintaining uninterrupted operations is essential for both customer experience and revenue.
Historically, Goldrush and similar businesses relied on diesel generators to keep their venues running during outages. However, this approach is expensive, with costs reaching up to R900 per hour per branch. Over a month, a single site could spend R90,000 on diesel alone. Generator failures were also common, sometimes resulting in significant revenue losses. Additionally, diesel generators are noisy, polluting, and do not align with current sustainability goals.
To address these issues, Goldrush Group has started implementing more sustainable and efficient solutions. The company partnered with Logicalis South Africa and Huawei to deploy the Huawei Power-S system. This integrated, modular power solution supports multiple energy sources, including solar, and is designed for reliability and scalability.
The initial installation of Huawei Power-S at one Goldrush branch led to immediate savings—over R400,000 in diesel costs within three months and eliminated downtime during load-shedding. Based on these results, Goldrush expanded the system to other branches, including Goldrush Hebron, Goldrush Morula, Goldrush Vaal, Goldrush Kolonnade, Goldrush Mall@Reds, Goldrush Newmarket, Goldrush Cresta, and Goldrush San Ridge.
The Power-S system integrates grid power, solar, and backup sources, and uses real-time monitoring to manage energy use efficiently. Its modular design allows for maintenance without shutting down operations, and proactive monitoring helps prevent unexpected failures.
Goldrush is also making changes beyond power systems. At Goldrush Rustenburg, renovations have included maximizing natural light and installing energy-efficient windows and insulation to reduce reliance on air conditioning. Water-saving measures, such as greywater systems and low-flow fixtures, are being piloted to reduce consumption and costs. Construction and renovation materials are selected for low emissions and sustainability.
On the casino floor, energy-saving technologies are being adopted. Motion-sensor lighting, low-energy LED fixtures, and slot machines that power down when not in use help reduce electricity consumption. Building-wide energy management systems adjust temperature and airflow based on occupancy, further improving efficiency. Some branches are also trialling hybrid solar systems to reduce dependence on the national grid.
Sustainability efforts extend to daily operations. Goldrush is reducing single-use plastics in bars and restaurants, switching to biodegradable cutlery, and implementing low-waste kitchen practices. Food waste is composted, and refillable water stations are available for guests. Marketing has shifted to digital platforms, and loyalty programs are now paperless. Even casino chips and playing cards are being redesigned with recyclable materials.
Customer preferences are also changing. Many guests, especially younger generations, prefer brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility. Visible sustainability measures, such as eliminating plastic toiletries and sourcing food locally, can influence guest loyalty. Some Goldrush branches are testing rewards programs that encourage sustainable behaviors, such as opting out of daily linen changes or using digital check-in.
Regulatory requirements are evolving as well. In some regions, casino operators must now report on environmental impact and meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. Goldrush is tracking its progress in areas like carbon reduction, water conservation, and waste management to meet these expectations.
Many of these changes do not require large investments. Simple steps, such as upgrading lighting, installing occupancy sensors, and choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, can have a significant impact. Updating POS systems for digital receipts and selecting suppliers with strong environmental credentials are also effective.
Goldrush aims to make sustainability a standard part of the casino experience. Whether visiting any Gold rush guests will find that sustainability is integrated into daily operations.
Goldrush Group’s approach demonstrates that it is possible to improve reliability, reduce costs, and support environmental goals through practical changes in both technology and operations.
https://www.za.logicalis.com/goldrush-critical-power-case-study
https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/tech/huaweis-smart-power-solutions-for-commercial-industrial-and-residential-use/
