SunBet Targets Betway and Hollywoodbets as South African Online Growth Accelerates

SunBet is setting its sights on South Africa’s biggest online betting operators after recording another strong period of digital growth.

Sun International’s online betting division increased income by 35.5% during the six months ended 30 June 2026, considerably ahead of estimated growth of around 19% across South Africa’s wider online gambling market.

SunBet CEO Simon Gregory now believes the brand ranks among the country’s largest online operators, although Betway and Hollywoodbets remain ahead.

Speaking to iGamingBusiness, Gregory said:

We’re not as big as Betway or Hollywoodbets, but we have a solution that is highly competitive with those.

He estimated that SunBet is “probably third or fourth” in the South African online market.

SunBet Growth Outpaces the Market

Sun International’s latest interim results show just how quickly its digital operation is expanding.

SunBet's performance means it is growing at almost twice the estimated rate of the broader online market.

The latest figures continue a trend that has been developing for several years. Casino.com previously reported on how South Africa’s traditional casinos are facing increasing pressure as online betting grows.

However, Sun International is in the unusual position of having major interests on both sides of that shift.

Casino Network Gives SunBet an Advantage

Rather than viewing its physical casinos purely as competition for its online business, Sun International wants to use them to strengthen SunBet.

The group operates some of South Africa’s best-known casino properties, giving it access to an established customer base and loyalty programme that digital-only rivals cannot easily replicate.

Gregory said the company can offer customers more rewards while increasingly connecting their online activity with visits to Sun International casinos.

This strategy could prove important as SunBet attempts to double its share of South Africa’s online market.

Sun International is also seeing improved performance from its traditional casino division. Land-based casino gross gaming revenue increased 4.4% during the first half of 2026, while its market share rose by 2.3 percentage points to 49%.

That suggests the rapid growth of SunBet does not necessarily mean the company has to sacrifice its physical casino business.

Competition for South African Players Intensifies

South Africa has developed into one of Africa’s most competitive digital gambling markets.

Betway and Hollywoodbets have built particularly strong positions, while several other established bookmakers continue to invest heavily in mobile betting, casino-style games and customer rewards.

SunBet has also been expanding its content offering. Recent partnerships with international gaming suppliers have added more digital games to the platform as operators compete for player attention.

For Sun International, the next challenge is converting rapid percentage growth into greater overall market share.

SunBet may still trail South Africa’s two biggest online brands, but growing 35.5% in a market expanding at around 19% suggests the gap could become increasingly important to watch.