THE country’s largest gaming and leisure group, Sun
International is not only experiencing the gaming boom
in the country’s most lucrative market, Gauteng, but is
also riding a wave in Western Cape.
So much so that its GrandWest casino in Western Cape,
according to CE David Coutts-Trotter, cannot meet
demand. Hence a R425m expansion programme, which will
take the number of slot machines to 2500 from the
current 1846.
The GrandWest spewed out R1,4bn in revenue in the
group’s financial year to June.
The diverse nature of Sun International’s portfolio
doesn’t end there. Last September the group opened a new
casino in Bloemfontein.
The group also has a well placed KwaZulu-Natal operation
Sibaya, which has just completed its first year of
operation. Well placed because it is located near the
site of the new airport north of Durban. Construction of
the King Shaka International Airport is, according to
government, set to be completed before the 2010 Soccer
World Cup.
With a large number of international tourists expected
to visit the country — Durban in particular — the casino
could be set for an interesting 2009 and 2010.
According to the group, Sibaya already has 35,5% of the
gaming market.
Analysts say key to future growth of any gaming stock
will be diversity, how many pockets and in how many
provinces do your tentacles reach.
Sun International at present, has the longest tentacles,
among the listed players.
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