SunBet online betting platform provides major boost as Sun International reports 5,9% rise in earnings

Stephen Grootes speaks to Ulrik Bengtsson, new CEO of Sun International, as the group reports its half-year results.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below. 

The massive rise in online gambling is having a big impact on South African gambling and hospitality company, Sun International.

It's Headline Earnings Per Share (HEPS) is up 60% in the six months to the end of June 2025.

A big part of that is a 70% increase in income from its SunBet platform. the company's premier online betting platform.

But due to the growth in online betting, it appears to be negatively impacting the company's traditional casino establishments.

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Ulrik Bengtsson, new CEO of Sun International says the gaming business is under pressure due to the growth in the online space.

"The market is down 3,75%...we do have some operational challenges in that business that we do have to address. In our gaming business, it's about our mix of machines, and also the investment in machines. On the table business it's pricing, in some of the operational procedures..."

- Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO - Sun International

"Our land-based gaming business is still by a mile our biggest contributor. It's still growing from a relatively small base, but if something grows 70% for a long time, all of a sudden it becomes big business."

- Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO - Sun International

"We of course have the benefit of also having physical assets, so our job is to make sure that we enable the customer to play in the way the customer wants to play. If they want to play online, they can play online. If they want to play in our property, they can play in our property..."

- Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO - Sun International

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to the full interview.