Morula Casino

Review

The Morula Casino may not be the largest in South Africa, but it's one of the oldest and most well known. In fact, it's been operating for close to 3 decades from its unique location – on the banks of the Nooitgedacht Dam.

Spread over several sections, the casino has hundreds of slots titles and 7 tables where players can enjoy card games and so on. Morula Casino offers American Roulette (the casino's most popular table game – not a huge surprise given the absence of the European variant that favours players slightly more), Blackjack and Raise 'Em Poker.

Seven tables may not sound like a lot but, for the size of the casino, it's more than enough – tables get busy, but not so much so that it's impossible for new players to join the action.

Eligible MVG members can visit the private, and exclusive, gaming section of the casino – the Letsatsi Privé, but other players will have no trouble finding a slot machine to suit them in the extensive smoking and non-smoking areas of the casino.

Smart Gaming cards can be used on all slot machines so you don't need to carry a lot of coins or cash, which is always a good thing. There are regular "cash and cars" giveaways, as well as mystery jackpots and bonuses, which all help to add to the excitement of the casino experience.

It's true that Morula Casino doesn't have quite as many slots or tables as some of South Africa's huge megacasinos but, as you watch the sun set over the Dam as you gamble, it's difficult to imagine that any of them have such an idyllic setting.

Restaurants & Bars

For a relatively compact venue, players at Morula Casino have plenty of dining options to choose from. The Calabash Restaurant serves everything from grills and burgers to pizza and authentic homemade curries, as well as a hearty breakfast buffet every morning.

If you're looking for something a little lighter – maybe after being a bit overzealous at the breakfast buffet? – visit Razoos Revue Bar for light snacks and televised sports on the big screen or the Lethabong Tavery for African cuisine and live entertainment.

Players who are lucky enough to have access to the Letsatsi Privé can also enjoy light meals, drinks and snacks in the adjoining Letsatsi Bar 24 hours a day. There's also a dedicated area for delicious braai in the Morula Gardens.

Hotel Accommodation

As well as being a casino, the Morula is also a hotel and resort. With just shy of 75 rooms, including suites and luxury rooms, it's an extremely comfortable and relaxing place to stay.

There's a breakfast buffet included and many rooms enjoy views of the nearby dam, as well as the Morula Gardens and guest swimming pools. Located within the heart of the complex, all rooms are just a short walk away from the casino. Perfect for those who are coming to gamble!

The Morula Casino isn't too far from Johannesburg, so you could stay there and just visit for the day, but the Morula Hotel is affordable and has an enviable location – it's the obvious choice if you're planning to spend some time in the casino.

Entertainment & Nightlife

Let's be clear about one thing: Morula Casino probably isn't the venue for you if you love to follow up a long day of hitting the slots or tables with a drink or five and dance the night away. There's karaoke until midnight every Thursday, but that's about the extent of Morula Casino's nightlife.

As long as you're OK with that, you'll find plenty of other activities to enjoy in Pretoria's year round sunshine. Go for a dip in the swimming pool, hike around the banks of the Nooitgedacht Dam and commune with nature or grab your fishing rod and see if you can catch anything in the river.

If you're finding everything just a little too sleepy, there's a busy mall less than 20 minutes drive away and other stores and restaurants nearby that you can check out. But, we suspect that you'll probably soon fall in love with the laidback vibe of the Morula complex and end up spending the whole time there!

Other Facilities

The Morula Casino complex isn't all about gambling; it also hosts conferences, weddings, sporting events and reunions. Its Boma, with a large central firepit, is the perfect spot to gather around for a meeting with a difference.

There's a crèche and arcade for the kids to enjoy while you try your luck or dine out in style, or visit the Mangwanani day spa if you're in desperate need of some pampering.

With fine weather no matter what season you visit, all sorts of activities to keep the whole family entertained and a fantastic casino, Morula has everything you need to plan a riverside retreat that you won't soon forget.