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Sun International has appointed seasoned industry executive Ulrik Bengtsson as its new group CEO, signifying a change in leadership for the South African gaming giants. Bengtsson will resume his new role on or before July 1, 2025, pending a work permit approval. This announcement concludes a rigorous selection process for an experienced leader to usher in the brand’s next growth phase.
Ulrik Bengtsson succeeds long-time CEO, Anthony Leeming, who decided to retire early after 26 years in charge of Sun International. Despite stepping down, Leeming might remain with the company in an advisory role until December 2025 to ease the transition.
Leeming’s Legacy and The Evolution Of Sun International
Under Anthony Leeming’s guidance, Sun International grew from a land-based casino operator into a dynamic omnichannel entertainment brand. Reflecting on his contributions, Sun International chairman Sam Sithole expressed in an interview:
“Anthony has left an indelible mark on Sun International, and I would like to thank him for his significant contribution and dedication to the business over the last 26 years, and especially for his exemplary stewardship since 2017.”
Following Leeming’s departure, the company has secured its future by appointing a strong replacement to navigate South African market’s evolving regulatory landscape.
Bengtsson Brings a Wealth of Industry Experience
Ulrik Bengtsson is a Swedish national with almost two decades of experience in senior leadership roles across gambling, broadcasting, and telecommunications. His portfolio includes serving as Betsson Group CEO from 2013 to 2017 and William Hill Group CEO between 2019 and 2022. In the latter role, he struck a remarkable £2.9 billion deal with Caesars Entertainment.
He has also previously held leadership positions at City Gaming and Hostelworld. However, Bengtsson’s most recent role was working as Chairman of Raketech, from which he resigned to accept the new position at Sun International.
His appointment highlights Sun International’s plans to provide world-class omni-channel offerings by improving the land-based operations and expanding its digital footprint.
“Ulrik is a highly experienced and accomplished global executive with deep industry knowledge and expertise,” said Sithole. “His proven track record of delivering results and unlocking value in complex, dynamic environments positions him extremely well to lead Sun International into its next phase of growth.”
New Sun International CEO, Bengtsson has expressed his enthusiasm about leading the brand due to its solid reputation and innovative potential.
“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 stated. “I am thrilled to bring my experience and expertise to this fantastic organization as chief executive and look forward to working with the board and other stakeholders to drive its continued success.”
A Bold Vision for Sun International’s Future
Since launching in 1967, this company has transformed the South African industry with a unique blend of land-based operations and online gaming platforms. Sun International boasts numerous gaming properties, hotels, and resorts across the country and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) with a secondary listing on A2X Markets.
With Bengtsson in charge, the brand can easily navigate the regulatory framework and maximise new opportunities in online gaming and hospitality. Furthermore, Sun International will benefit significantly from his expertise in closing high-value deals, optimizing digital growth, and guiding global iGaming businesses. This leadership change marks a new era at the company and we can expect interesting collaborations in the coming months.
Source: Next.io
