SunBet outpaces South African market growth in H1, driving group income up 7%

By jili tutorial · September 8, 2026

Sun International’s H1 2025: How SunBet Turbocharged Growth and What It Means for the Future

Sun International has reported a 7.4% increase in group income for the first half of the year, driven by the explosive performance of its online brand, SunBet. This growth, which reached the “upper end of expectations,” signals a pivotal shift for the South African gaming giant as it balances digital expansion with a revival in its land-based operations. Below, we break down the numbers, the strategic moves behind them, and the implications for employees, investors, and the broader market.

Online Division: SunBet Outpaces a Booming Market

Key Growth Metrics

Sun International’s online division was the undisputed star of H1. Revenue from SunBet surged 35.5% year-on-year to R1.18 billion ($74 million). This performance significantly outpaced the broader South African online market, which grew by 19% during the same period. To put this in context: SunBet is not just riding the wave of a growing market—it is actively gaining share.

What drove this success?

Active player days increased by 32.3% , indicating higher engagement among existing users.
First-time depositors rose by 17.5% , showing successful customer acquisition.
The rollout of proprietary in-house technology within the SunBet tech stack enabled a fresh user interface in South Africa and Botswana, improving the user experience.

CEO Ulrik Bengtsson described the early signs as “encouraging,” noting: “Growth continues to be driven by existing customers in slots and casino, although we are starting to broaden our offering through our sport business where recent momentum has been building.” This suggests a deliberate strategy to diversify beyond core casino verticals into sports betting, a segment with high growth potential in a market where football, rugby, and cricket are national obsessions.

While Sun International did not disclose SunBet’s current share of the South African online market, the company stated in March that it plans to double its market share. Given the current growth trajectory, this goal appears realistic. For context, South Africa’s online gambling market is estimated to be worth over R8 billion annually, with players like Betway, Hollywoodbets, and Betfred competing fiercely. SunBet’s proprietary technology and focus on slots and casino (where margins are typically higher than sports betting) give it a unique advantage.

Land-Based Casinos: A Return to Growth After Three Years

Segment Performance

After a prolonged slump, Sun International’s land-based casinos segment posted 1.5% revenue growth to R3.42 billion. Its share of the domestic