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Sun International Cuts Losses and Liquidates Swazi Casino
South African casino and hotel group Sun International has reported its half-year headline loss has shrunk to R7-million ($475,104), and that it has placed its Eswatini operation into liquidation after not being able to pay creditors. The travel and leisure sector is showing signs of slight recovery as South Africans have started booking domestic trips rather than foreign travel, and visiting casinos again.
HOWEVER CURFEW hours, restrictions on serving alcohol and limited demand from international business and leisure travel into the country prevented a meaningful recovery. South Africa’s slow COVID-19 vaccination roll-out has also weighed on demand.
The group, which runs the Sun City resort and high-end hotels The Maslow Sandton and The Table Bay, reported an adjusted headline loss of R885-million in the prior year.
Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization from continuing operations increased to R739-million from R60-million rand, Sun International said.
Income at the resorts and hospitality operations rose by 21%, while alternate gaming, which includes sports betting, jumped by 97% as international sports resumed. Overall group income from continuing operations rose by 51% to R3.8-billion rand.
($1 = 14.7336 rand at time of conversion)
Sun International has been looking to exit Eswatini, formally known as Swaziland, since 2016, but had been waiting for final regulatory approvals from the King to sell its 51% stake in Swazispa.
Hurt by lockdowns and not being able to obtain additional funding from shareholders, Swazispa was unable to pay its creditors and its liabilities exceeded its assets, forcing it to be placed into final liquidation, the firm said.
Royal Swazi Spa, Resort & Casino has been placed in liquidation, closing the doors on this iconic African casino.
