By THABO KOBOKOANE

LONDON Clubs International, the British-based casino group, has diversified its acquisition trail into South Africa with plans to apply for casino licences in four provinces.

Alan Goodenough, chief executive of LCI, said the group would apply for licences in four provinces - Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

He would not divulge who the group's SA partners would be, owing to "sensitivities", nor the size of its investments, although a figure of £10-million has been mentioned.

Goodenough said investments would depend on the viability of projects. "We have the financial muscle to invest £50-million and more."

He would be "surprised and disappointed" if the group did not get at least one licence.

"We are one of the top companies in the world in terms of integrity and history. We would be happy to get one licence - and obviously delighted with two."

LCI is one of Britain's biggest gaming operators, with a market capitalisation of £350-million. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1994. Last year it reported operating profit of £34-million on a turnover of £167-million. It owns seven casinos in London and operates several gambling centres in France, three in Egypt, one in Beirut, and five on board cruise liners.

Last week LCI announced it would invest £31-million for a 25% stake in Aladdin Gaming Corp, which has a licence to build a hotel-casino development in Las Vegas.

South Africa is part of the group's global expansion. Goodenough said the group traditionally liked taking a management contract with a minority stake, if necessary.

Empowerment and affirmative action would be part of all agreements. "We are looking for partners at national and provincial levels. These groups would have to embody the principle of affirmative action and empowerment." Goodenough clearly knows where the political premium is.

The group would look towards a listing in a few years' time and offer up to 30% equity to the public.

He hoped that action would be taken against illegal casinos because gaming "is far better run in a regulated environment".

Goodenough claimed the group "genuinely believes the industry should have a conscience. We need to give back and not be parasitic.