GAMING FOR AFRICA Gaming for Africa
Casino International’s Africa partner is the excellent Gaming For Africa magazine, bringing you the continent’s latest developments.
Sun International Appoints New CEO
Sun International Limited announced this week that, following a comprehensive global search, internationally renowned gaming executive, Ulrik Bengtsson, has been appointed Chief Executive of Sun International with effect from 1 July 2025, or such earlier date, dependant on the date of securing his work permit. Ulrik, a Swedish national, has been CEO of international listed companies and consumer services groups across gaming, betting, broadcasting and telecoms industries for nearly 20 years, most recently serving as CEO of UK-based gaming
group William Hill plc and prior to that serving as President and CEO of Swedish-listed online gaming group Betsson AB.
Ulrik will succeed outgoing Chief Executive, Anthony Leeming. Anthony has provided formal notice to the board that he intends taking early retirement from Sun International on 31 December 2025 to pursue various personal opportunities outside of the group. Anthony been with Sun International for 26 years, making a signifi cant contribution over this time and the board takes this opportunity of thanking Anthony for his unwavering commitment to the company and group, particularly over the last 8 years when he served as Chief Executive. Anthony Leeming will step down as Chief Executive effective 1July 2025, but will remain with
the company until December 2025, working closely with Ulrik to support a smooth transition. While Sun International has undergone a
signifi cant transformation in recent years, evolving from a traditional land-based casino and resort operator into a comprehensive omnichannel player with an attractive online offering, Ulrik’s experience and proven track record will further accelerate and enhance this strategic journey.
Sam Sithole, Sun International Chairman, commented: “Anthony has left an indelible mark on Sun International and the remainder of the group, and I would like to thank him for his signifi cant contribution and dedication to the business over the last 26 years, and especially for his exemplary stewardship of the group since 2017. Ulrik is a highly experienced and accomplished global executive with deep industry knowledge and expertise. His proven track record of delivering results and unlocking value in complex, dynamic environments position him extremely well to lead Sun International into its next phase of growth. The board extends a warm welcome to Ulrik as Chief Executive.”
Commenting on his appointment, Ulrik Bengtsson remarked: “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. I am thrilled to bring my experience and expertise to this fantastic organisation as Chief Executive and look forward to
working with the board and other stakeholders to drive its continued success and chart a bold path forward into the future.”
Ulrik Bengtsson was previously the Group CEO of UK-based gaming group William Hill plc, where he turned the company around, and led the sale of the group to Caesars Entertainment Inc. in the US for £2.9 billion, and the subsequent sale of William Hill’s European assets to 888 Holdings Limited for €2.3 billion. He was also previously President and CEO of Swedish-listed online gaming group Betsson AB, where he doubled revenue within fi ve years and completed multiple acquisitions. He brings a proven track record of driving business transformations, scaling omnichannel platform businesses, both organically and through M&A, as well as in-depth knowledge of the global land-based and online gaming markets. Ulrik holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University in Canada and is currently Chairman of Hostelworld plc, Raketech plc, and Gamenation (UK), roles he will retire from in order to relocate to South Africa and assume the role of Chief Executive of Sun International.
Malawi Authorities Impose Strict Regulations On Underage Gambling
The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has introduced strict new regulations to protect vulnerable populations, including a ban on anyone under the age of 18 participating in gambling activities.
The announcement was made by MAGLA Director General, Racheal Mijiga at a key regulations sensitization workshop in Mangochi, which was attended by operators, industry experts, and media representatives.
Mijiga underscored the importance of safeguarding minors from the harmful effects of gambling, saying individuals found in violation of this rule would face signifi cant consequences.
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“We must protect our youth from the serious social and psychological risks that gambling poses. That is why the new regulations are clear, anyone found entertaining children under the age of 18 to participate in gambling activities will face a fi ne of K20 million,” said Mijiga.
Commenting on the development, Betway Chief Operations Offi cer, Charles Phiri, expressed support for the new regulations, highlighting the importance of protecting young people from the dangers of gambling.
“We fully welcome these developments. Betway is committed to complying with the new regulations, and we will ensure our staff is
thoroughly trained on the new rules,” said Phiri. As part of the revised regulations, operators are also encouraged to launch awareness campaigns that educate the public, particularly the youth, about the risks of gambling.
Some of the newly introduced regulations are Sports betting regulations, National lottery regulations, player protection regulations, internet gaming regulations, advertisement regulations and the electronic monitoring system
MAGLA has established an electronic monitoring system, mandating the integration of all operators to promote compliance and augment transparency throughout the sector.
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