Swedish Gaming Veteran Set to Revitalise Iconic SA Leisure Group

In a significant shift for South African gambling giant Sun International, CEO Anthony Leeming will step down at year-end after eight years at the helm, making way for Swedish gaming expert Ulrik Bengtsson, the company announced on Monday.

Leeming, who joined the group in 1999 and has served as CEO since 2017, will officially relinquish his position on 1 July but may depart earlier depending on Bengtsson's work permit approval. The Swedish executive will relocate to South Africa to take up the position.

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Digital Transformation Legacy

Under Leeming's leadership, Sun International has embarked on an aggressive omnichannel strategy, successfully connecting its gaming experiences across platforms while leveraging its established brands. This approach has yielded impressive online gaming growth, with the group now boasting half a million online punters.

Leeming has also spearheaded efforts to acquire Peermont, owner of Emperors Palace, although this acquisition still awaits regulatory approval from competition authorities.

"It has been an absolute privilege to lead Sun International over the past eight years," said Leeming. "I would like to thank all of our stakeholders including shareholders, the board and all the dedicated people of Sun International for their confidence in my leadership and support."

International Gaming Expertise

Bengtsson brings nearly two decades of CEO experience from international listed companies across gaming, betting, broadcasting and telecommunications industries. His impressive track record includes:

• Former CEO of William Hill, where he orchestrated a successful turnaround.
• Led the sale of William Hill to US giant Caesars Entertainment for £2.9 billion
• Oversaw the subsequent sale of William Hill's European assets to 888 Holdings for €2.3 billion
• As CEO of Swedish-listed online gaming group Betsson AB, doubled revenue in five years

"Sun International is an iconic leisure group with a proud heritage, and a unique growth opportunity to become a leading omnichannel player in the rapidly evolving global gaming landscape," Bengtsson said in a statement.

"I am thrilled to bring my experience and expertise to this fantastic organisation as chief executive and look forward to working with the board and other stakeholders to drive its continued success and chart a bold path forward into the future."

Strategic Positioning

Founded in 1967 and currently valued at approximately R11 billion on the JSE, Sun International's portfolio includes prestigious properties such as The Palace of The Lost City at Sun City, Time Square in Pretoria, The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, and Carnival City in Brakpan. Its online gaming business, SunBet, continues to expand, while Sun Slots operates limited payout machines at over 700 venues nationwide.

The announcement was well-received by investors, with shares lifting just under 1% on Monday, contributing to gains of about a fifth over the past year.

As the global gaming landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Bengtsson's international experience and digital transformation expertise position Sun International to capitalise on emerging opportunities in both traditional and online gaming sectors.