Sun International warns tax could push players offshore
The operator says player protection is a shared responsibility, while the government plans a 20 per cent national tax on online gambling revenue.
Key takeaways
- Sun International CEO Ulrik Bengtsson met with trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau and National Gambling Board officials to discuss gambling regulation.
- The company called for stronger enforcement against illegal offshore gambling operators, including cooperation with financial institutions.
- Sun International warned that excessive regulatory and tax burdens could push players towards unlicensed platforms outside South Africa’s player-protection framework.
- Sun International plans to introduce AI-supported behavioural monitoring in 2027 to help staff identify players at risk of gambling-related harm earlier.
South Africa.- Sun International chief executive Ulrik Bengtsson has led discussions on South Africa’s gambling regulation with trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau and National Gambling Board (NGB) officials, as the company calls for stronger action against illegal offshore operators.
In an announcement on October 27, a week after the meeting, Sun International said the discussions covered responsible gambling, enforcement against unlicensed operators and the potential impact of regulatory and tax requirements on licensed businesses. The group said player protection should be a shared responsibility between operators, players and regulators. It also called for responsible gambling tools to be readily available and easy to use.
The discussions follow Sun International’s launch of its Group Responsible Gambling Charter on October 13. The charter sets out commitments covering player protection, responsible marketing, player education and staff training across its land-based casinos and online operations.
Sun International said illegal offshore gambling operators undermine player protection and generate no tax revenue for South Africa. The company called for stronger enforcement, including cooperation with financial institutions to tackle unlicensed operators. The company also cautioned that regulatory and tax requirements could make licensed gambling businesses less competitive. It argued that excessive burdens could push players towards offshore platforms that fall outside South Africa’s regulatory framework and player-protection measures.
The discussions come as South Africa considers changes to gambling regulation. In February 2026, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition published draft National Gambling Amendment Regulations for public comment. Separately, the government is planning to introduce a 20 per cent national tax on online gambling revenue, with the final design expected to be announced in the February 2027 Budget. If implemented, the tax would apply in addition to existing provincial gambling taxes.
Sun International also plans to introduce AI-supported behavioural monitoring in 2027 to help staff identify players at risk of gambling-related harm earlier. The system will complement existing player-protection tools across the group’s operations.
Under its Responsible Gambling Charter, the company has committed to making these tools accessible to players. The charter also sets out commitments to player support, board-level oversight and public reporting.
Sun International said it would continue engaging with the government on regulation that protects players while keeping gambling within the licensed market.
