In line with exploring new growth opportunities, Sun International will launch an online sports betting platform in the next month or two in Peru, Leeming told Reuters. “Then that will quickly roll-out in Panama where we have an online sports betting license,” he added.
Leeming also confirmed that the company is very interested on two other key South American markets. “We can roll out sports betting quite quickly if we can secure a license in Brazil and Argentina,” he said.
Coronavirus effects
The South African hotel and casino operator Sun International informed that is already handling cancellation of conference bookings and events by clients, CEO Anthony Leeming said, as companies rush to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Late on Sunday, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster as he announced a range of measures to contain the outbreak that has so far infected 61 and showed the first signs of internal transmission.
Measures to be taken include travel bans from countries such as Italy, Germany, China and the United States. The government will also prohibit gatherings of more than 100 people and cancel large events and celebrations, Ramaphosa said.
Even before the declaration, Sun International had started seeing the impact of travel restrictions, Leeming told Reuters over the phone.
“With travel restrictions we’ve definitely lost all international business and conference group bookings are cancelling left right and centre,” he said. “With the President’s announcement, we’re going to have all conferencing cancelled for the next couple of months. So that’s the real impact on the hospitality side.”
On the casino side, Sun International has not yet seen a significant slow down in foot traffic but Leeming expects “a little bit of slowdown” as people avoid going out.
Source: GMB / Moneyweb (South Africa)
