Celebrating 2024’s Top 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa: Sol Kerzner
Sol Kerzner, the legendary hotelier and founder of Southern Sun, Sun International, and Kerzner International; Kerzner rose from humble beginnings to redefine the global hospitality industry, creating some of the world’s most iconic resorts.
His career began in 1962 with the transformation of a small Durban inn into a sought-after hotel. At 26, he built South Africa’s first five-star hotel, The Beverly Hills, and later created the groundbreaking Sun City, a luxury resort featuring world-class hotels, entertainment venues, and golf courses.
Central to Sun City’s appeal were its casinos, which set new standards for luxury gaming in Africa, showcasing Kerzner’s ability to merge hospitality with entertainment.
Kerzner’s impact on land-based casinos extended internationally. In the 1990s, he revolutionised the concept of destination gaming with Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas, blending extravagant casinos with family-friendly entertainment.
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He later expanded the model with Atlantis The Palm in Dubai and The Mohegan Sun in the U.S., which remains one of North America’s largest gaming and entertainment complexes. Kerzner’s casinos were not just about gambling but about offering a holistic luxury experience, combining high-end accommodations, fine dining, and world-class entertainment.
Despite his fame, Kerzner remained deeply family-oriented and resilient in the face of personal and professional challenges. His legacy as a pioneer in the global resort and casino industries continues to inspire, with his innovations shaping the modern concept of land-based casinos in Africa and globally.
Women in Gaming Africa in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA felt it important to honour an African pioneer of the industry, as part of our celebration of men in the industry during Men’s Month.
2024 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa as Brought to you by Women in Gaming, The African Chapter in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA.
