Sun International, a significant competitor, plans to challenge the regulators’ decision that allows Tsogo Sun to transfer its Caledon casino license to the Helderberg area within Cape Town’s metropolitan region, effectively pausing this investment for now.

This detail is found within the financial results of Sun International for the 2025 fiscal year (ending in December), published in March.

Read: Tsogo Sun secures Somerset West casino license after a decade-long wait.

In September, Tsogo announced that it had finally received approval from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB), ending a regulatory impasse that lasted over ten years.

This deadlock has now been prolonged by Sun International.

During the March presentation, Sun International CFO Norman Basthdaw remarked, “In light of the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board’s decision concerning the license relocation, the group has decided to review that decision. We will engage through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels.”

The duration of this delay remains uncertain, as a judicial review might take several years.

Sun International is expected to file for an interim interdict soon (if it hasn’t already), which would be followed by a review in the Western Cape High Court.

Additionally, the court’s ruling may also be subject to appeal. Ultimately, the courts will decide whether the decision-making process was fair and rational. An insider anticipates that the delay could last at least 24 months.

Moneyweb understands that initially, Sun International had no intention to contest the WCGRB’s decision; however, a talent exodus, which saw some staff move from its key SunBet division to Tsogo’s online betting platform, playTsogo, forced its hand.

In 2025, SunBet reported adjusted Ebitda profits of R744 million, more than doubling its earnings from 2024. It has quickly become the largest profit center within the group, positioning itself 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 starts on R650m GrandWest Mall development

SunWest’s GrandWest, which benefits from practical exclusivity in the Cape metro, reported an adjusted Ebitda of R625 million last year, holding an estimated 81% market share of the province’s casino revenue.

Upping the ante

It is understood that while the departed personnel were not executives, many held senior and influential roles within SunBet.

Simon Gregory, CEO of SunBet, did not join those recruited by Tsogo. He has been with Sun International since January 2022 and has over 15 years of experience in online betting and gaming. He continues to serve as the unit’s CEO.

To strengthen 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 onboarded SA Corporate’s Nomzamo Radebe

Under the new leadership of CEO Ulrik Bengtsson, who took over in July 2025, Sun International has made significant recruitment efforts, including hiring 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 adding a casino in the broader Cape Town area would ultimately offer Tsogo Sun customers a superior property in a desirable location and provide exciting new facilities to the underserved communities in that area of Cape Town.

The estimated development cost for the Somerset West site is approximately R1.29 billion, based on current values, over the course of two years (final detailed costings are still being determined), assuming there are no interruptions to regulatory or construction processes.

Tsogo’s existing casino, The Caledon, remains operational.

It features over 300 slots, table games, and a 95-bed hotel.

Across the Western Cape (no longer detailing individual property performance), 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 is reasonable to estimate that The Caledon accounts for roughly half of each of these figures.

Read:
Tsogo Sun loses R30m on City Lodge sale
South Africa, we have a (gambling) problem

The complete relocation process is predicated on Tsogo capturing a portion of GrandWest’s existing market share (Sun International’s transfer of The Carnival to Time Square in Menlyn effectively took a bite out of Tsogo’s dominance in Gauteng, likely diminishing some of the market share of Peermont’s Emperor’s Palace).

In 2025, GrandWest reported an income of R1.85 billion and adjusted Ebitda of R625 million.

There’s much at stake.