Sun International, a major competitor, is poised to contest the regulators’ ruling that allows Tsogo Sun to transfer its Caledon casino license to the Helderberg region in the Cape Town metro, effectively pausing this investment for now.
This detail is found in Sun International’s financial results for the 2025 fiscal year (ending December), published in March.
Read: Tsogo Sun secures Somerset West casino license after a decade-long wait.
In September, Tsogo announced it had finally received approval from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB), marking the end of a lengthy regulatory impasse that lasted over ten years.
This stalemate is being extended by Sun International.
During its March presentation, Sun International CFO Norman Basthdaw stated, “In light of the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board’s decision regarding the license relocation, the group has chosen to review that decision. We will continue to engage through the appropriate legal and regulatory avenues.”
It remains uncertain how long this delay will persist, as a judicial review may take several years.
Sun International is expected to request an interim interdict soon (if it hasn’t already), which would be followed by a review in the Western Cape High Court.
Moreover, that court’s verdict could also be contested. Ultimately, the courts will decide whether how the decision was reached was fair and rational. An insider estimates the delay could last at least 24 months.
Moneyweb understands that Sun International initially did not plan to challenge the WCGRB’s decision; however, a talent war—marked by personnel moving from its key SunBet division to Tsogo’s online betting unit, playTsogo—prompted this decision to act.
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In 2025, SunBet reported profits (adjusted Ebitda) of R744 million, more than doubling its earnings from 2024. It has emerged as the largest profit center within the group, quickly solidifying its position among the top five online betting platforms in the country.
Read:
SunBet now more profitable than cash cow GrandWest
Online gambling: Don’t let good intentions lead to poor policy
Construction commences on R650m GrandWest Mall development
SunWest’s GrandWest, which enjoys practical exclusivity in the Cape metro, reported adjusted Ebitda of R625 million last year, holding an estimated 81% market share of the province’s total casino revenue.
Upping the ante
It is understood that while the departed personnel were not executives, many held senior and influential operational roles within SunBet.
Simon Gregory, CEO of SunBet, was not among those lured by Tsogo. He joined Sun International in January 2022 and brings over 15 years of online betting and gaming experience. He continues to serve as CEO of the unit.
To enhance its executive team, Leslie Peters, a former executive from Games Global (previously Derivco), was appointed as chief technology and product officer in November 2025.
Read:
Sun International’s digital strategy yielding results
Sun International recruits SA Corporate’s Nomzamo Radebe
Under the leadership of new CEO Ulrik Bengtsson, who took the helm in July 2025, Sun International has made significant recruitment efforts, including Mark Sergeant from the UK as COO of land-based casinos in February and Nomzamo Radebe as COO of hospitality and sales (previously COO at SA Corporate Real Estate).
Tsogo’s hand
Tsogo indicated in November that “the addition of a casino in the broader Cape Town area will ultimately provide the Tsogo Sun customer base with a superior property in a desirable location and will offer exciting new facilities to the unserved surrounding communities of this area of Cape Town.
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The estimated development cost for the Somerset West site is approximately R1.29 billion at current values, over two years (final detailed costings are still underway), assuming no interruptions to regulatory and construction processes.
Tsogo’s existing casino, The Caledon, remains operational.
It houses over 300 slots, table games, and a 95-bed hotel.
Across the Western Cape (no longer detailing the performance of individual properties), Tsogo’s casinos—The Caledon, Garden Route Casino (Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay), and Mykonos (Langebaan)—reported income of R573 million and adjusted Ebitda of R219 million for the year ending March 31, 2025.
It would be fair to estimate that The Caledon constitutes roughly half of each of these figures.
Read:
Tsogo Sun loses R30m on City Lodge sale
South Africa, we have a (gambling) problem
The entire relocation process hinges on Tsogo capturing a portion of GrandWest’s existing market share (Sun International’s relocation of The Carnival to Time Square in Menlyn effectively encroached on Tsogo’s dominance in Gauteng, likely diminishing some market share from Peermont’s Emperor’s Palace).
In 2025, GrandWest reported income of R1.85 billion and adjusted Ebitda of R625 million.
There’s much at stake.
