Best Betting Sites in South Africa
Updated:
South Africa is among the countries that have legalised sports betting for a long time. This has led to the development of a wide range of betting sites that accept players from South Africa. On this page, we’ll walk you through all you need to know about betting sites in South Africa.
List of South African betting sites
Found: 6 Bookmakers
Rank | Bookmaker | Bonus | Claim |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Betway |
100% First deposit match up to R1,000 |
BET HERE Go to Betway website |
2 |
Sportingbet |
New customer bonus up to R3,000 |
BET HERE Go to Sportingbet website |
3 |
Easybet |
R50 + 150% First Deposit Match Up To R1,000 |
BET HERE Go to Easybet website |
4 |
10bet Africa |
Welcome package up to R3,500 |
BET HERE Go to 10bet Africa website |
5 |
Gbets |
100% bonus up to R1000 |
BET HERE Go to Gbets website |
6 |
Fafabet |
150% welcome bonus up to R5000 |
BET HERE Go to Fafabet website |
South Africa Online Sports Betting – The Ultimate Guide
Updated:
In this review, we cover:
You’ll find all the information about South African Sports betting on this page.
- Best Betting Sites in South Africa
- History of Sports Betting in South Africa
- How to Bet on Sports Online
- Top-4 betting sites in South Africa
- How we test & review online betting sites
- 3 best betting apps in South Africa
- Live Betting
- 4 new betting sites in South Africa
- Popular sports types
- How to register & place your first bet
- Bonuses and Promotions in South Africa
- Popular payment methods
- FAQ
Our iGaming experts will cover various aspects of sports betting in South Africa, from how you can bet on sports online to popular payment options available, bonuses to look for, and more. We’ll provide you with all the information you need to start your sports betting journey without stress.
We’ll also provide you with a list of the top betting companies in South Africa you can trust. Additionally, we’ve conducted thorough research on these online betting sites in South Africa, considering key factors that include odds, mobile compatibility, bet types, and trustworthiness. Let’s get started!
History of Sports Betting in South Africa
Sports betting in South Africa has a longer history than in most other African countries, with heavily curtailed gambling activities since 1673. Additionally, the Gambling Act of 1965 prohibited all forms of gambling except horse racing. The gambling industry ushered in a new era in 1994, however, when a new democratic government took over and legalised all forms of gambling.
The National Gambling Act of 2004 showed the difference between sports betting in South Africa and interactive gambling. Sports betting SA activities remain legal, provided you’re wagering via a South African licensed operator. However, interactive gambling, such as casinos, poker, and bingo games, are prohibited within the state.
- South Africa accounts for more than 80% of the gambling industry on the African continent.
- The South African sports betting industry focuses mainly on rugby, cricket, and horse racing.
- More than 23 million South Africans have access to smartphones.
- The sports betting SA industry has stricter regulations than most African countries.
A court ruling in 2010 made online gambling via operators outside of South Africa completely illegal for casino and sports betting. Only operators holding a South African gambling permit can offer services within the country. The National Gambling Board is responsible for how licenses are shared among regions.
🌍 Country | South Africa |
👌 Language | Southern Sotho, English, Zulu, Tsonga, Swati, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Ndebele, Venda, and Tswana. |
💲 Currency | South African Rand |
⚽ Popular sports | Rugby, Football, Horse Racing, Cricket |
⚖️ Is Betting Legal | Yes |
🏢 Regulator | The National Gambling Board |
🧾 Gambling taxes | Gambling winnings are fully taxable |
💳 Most popular payment methods | VISA, MasterCard, Skrill, PayPal, ecoPayz |
Top-4 betting sites in South Africa
Here are the biggest 4 international betting sites in South Africa that you should take into account. When it comes to choosing bookies to place your bets with, it's best to check all the information you may need in the process. So, go ahead, read our review, and select the most appealing bookmaker company from our list of the best betting sites South Africa.
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Website #1 in South Africa – Betway
We can't just walk by the Betway company when selecting the best options out of all betting sites in South Africa. Since its launch in 2006, the business has been operating under the MGA and UKGC licenses. Betway is one of the bookies that can offer quick payments, a large selection of sports, and simple navigation.
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Website #2 in South Africa – FafaBet
The Fafabet sportsbook can provide its customers with a wide range of pre-match events from more than 20 different sports genres, as well as numerous excellent live betting options. This is another brand-new bookmaker company that was launched in 2022 but, since it has a license from the Western Cape Gambling Authority, you can play there with the confidence of keeping your data safe.
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Website #3 in South Africa – SportingBet
SportingBet is one of the coolest betting websites too – founded in 1998. Many certifications show that this operator is trustworthy, including licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and the Gibraltar Gaming Commission. Basically, this sportsbook is a company that is well-known for its wide range of soccer accumulators, a useful live streaming feature, over 30 payment methods to choose from, and frequently offered bookies promotions & bonuses.
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Website #4 in South Africa – Gbets
Are you looking for the biggest and most reliable betting sites in South Africa? Check out Gbets, founded in 2005 with a permit from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. It only recently switched to its present software platforms. The website is generally quick and easy to use, which is good. There are many different kinds of bets, including multiples and singles. Plus, withdrawals are processed very quickly.
How we test & review online betting sites in South Africa
When it comes to real money gambling, we understand that you want the best value for your money. So we don’t just list sites on our page. We ensure to scrutinise them using several benchmarks to determine that South African punters get nothing but the best gambling experience. Below are the factors we consider when testing and reviewing betting sites in South Africa.
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Odds
Odds determine your chances of winning a particular bet. So the higher the odds, the higher your winning chances. When reviewing sites, we only choose betting sites with high odds for popular events.
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Mobile Compatibility
Mobile compatibility is of the utmost importance, so we test these sites on different mobile devices and operating systems. Additionally, we consider the mobile layout and how easily players can navigate the pages.
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Available payment options
It can get frustrating when you play with limited and slow payment options. So, we ensure that the betting sites we recommend feature a wide range of payment options available for South African punters.
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Bonuses and promotions
These are great ways to increase your bankroll and your chances of winning. We consider sites with attractive bonuses and promotions. These include deposit bonuses, risk-free bets, boosted odds, and cashback bonuses.
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Bet types
A betting site with limited bet types will be boring for South African players. All betting sites on our list offer access to vast betting options, including money-line, totals, spread, handicap, and halftime bets.
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Support work quality
Punters are likely to experience glitches or have questions. For these issues, we consider the quality of the support service and ensure that the bookie provides communication paths like live chat, email, and phone support.
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Trustworthiness
There are a series of gambling sites online trying to scam punters. For this reason, all betting sites on our list hold a license from top South African gambling regulators.
3 best betting apps in South Africa
Our team of professionals consistently reviews new betting sites South Africa options and pays close attention to the small print to determine whether a particular sportsbook is a respectable one. Many bettors favour betting websites that are accessible even when a PC device is not there. Mobile gambling has grown very popular for this same reason. So, feel free to check out the top mobile betting apps available.
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#1 South Africa betting app – Betway
Given that Betway is one of the most popular betting websites in South Africa, it seems fair that the company also decided to come up with its own mobile apps. As a result, you may use your iOS and Android smartphones to enjoy high-quality mobile play with Betway. Sadly, there isn't a Windows application. On the other hand, you can also access the Betway sportsbook through the built-in browser.
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#2 South Africa betting app – SportingBet
One of the bookmakers that is ideal for football accumulators is SportingBet, and fans of live betting will find the site engaging enough. You can select from more than 30 payment options, get free bets, take advantage of lucrative promotional deals, and even use iOS and Android apps. If you have a Windows smartphone, you’ll just need to use the site’s mobile version and, this way, you’ll be able to enjoy the same perks.
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#3 South Africa betting app – Gbets
We also have to mention Gbets as one of the top mobile sportsbook platforms. Both Android and iOS tablets and smartphones have mobile applications. But, you can open a browser and take advantage of mobile gambling with GBets as well. The Gbets website closely resembles the desktop version of the platform in terms of layout. Besides, you can access the same sports, promotions, payment options, markets, and other features.
Live betting in South Africa
This is the most exciting part of sports betting, and punters worldwide love wagering at betting sites that offer this feature. With live betting, players can stake on sports events that have already started. This gives the punters an edge as they can make informed decisions based on what is happening in the game. However, bettors should remember that live game odds change rapidly.
The best betting sites in South Africa allow punters to stream and bet on live sports games. With this feature, bettors can stake on different betting options, like halftime or the number of fours during a game. One of the benefits of live betting is that bettors can adapt to the changing nature of events and adjust their strategies accordingly. Most online betting South Africa options will provide you with odds ahead of an event.
Interestingly, these sites offer live betting on popular sports events, which changes as the game progresses. Several factors can affect the odds of live games, including goals scored, injuries, and weather. Betting websites use an algorithm to adjust the odds in favour of or against your chosen team. Popular types of sports for live betting at South African online bookies include.
- Football
- Cricket
- Horse racing
- Soccer
- Rugby
4 new betting sites in South Africa
The South African sports betting industry is booming, and several new online gambling sites South Africa based are on the rise. While there are numerous new betting sites, some are better than others. This section will provide you with our pick of the four new betting sites in South Africa you can trust.
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Betway
This betting site is among the top new betting sites that have captured the heart of several South African punters. The betting site is operated by Betway South Africa and licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. At Betway, punters from South Africa can enjoy fantastic sports bonuses and promotions that will boost their bankroll. Additionally, there’s a wide range of sports events.
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Sportingbet
Another new betting site that offers a unique gambling experience is Sportingbet. We’re pleased with the appealing design and user-friendly interface. Additionally, the operator has several betting markets that players can bet on. Punters can also claim mouth-watering bonuses and promotions that extend their game play.
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Gbets
With Gbets, a great gambling experience is assured. The Western Cape Gambling Board regulates the site, so punters can rest assured when they wager for real money that they do so securely. Additionally, South African punters can claim bonuses, promotions, and access to professional customer support. Again, the site has options for pre-match and live betting.
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FafaBet
One of the new SA betting sites is FafaBet; founded in 2022. Since the sportsbook works under a license from the Western Cape Gambling Authority, it is completely legal and one of the most reliable and secure websites to wager on. You may bet on more than 20 sports with FafaBet, take advantage of excellent odds, particularly on football, and even play using Android or iOS mobile devices. So, pay attention to this one if you’re hunting for new SA betting sites.
Popular sports types for the best bookmakers in South Africa
Betting on different sports is gaining more and more popularity, and punters in South Africa also love to bet on various sports types, although they focus on some sports more than others. Below are popular sports types among South African bettors.
Cricket
The sport was first introduced in South Africa by the British in the early nineteenth century. Since then, the sport has grown to become one of the most popular sports types for online betting in South Africa. Whether you want to bet on International Test Day Cricket or the IPL, South African betting sites offer everything.
Rugby
South Africans are known for being drawn to several sporting passions and the main one is rugby. This country’s national team is rated one of the best in the world, having been ranked in the top seven of the World Rugby Rankings since its inception. Sports betting sites offer various betting options in this category.
Football
Football is the most popular sport in the world and South Africa is no different. Whether you want to bet on national or international leagues, sports betting sites in South Africa cover you. You can bet on the money-line, total, halftime, handicap, and correct score.
Basketball
This is an increasingly popular sport among South Africans. Though the sport has been around since the apartheid, it only gained popularity in the 1990s. The Basketball South African is the body that governs the country’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. Whether you want to bet on the NBA or local team, you’re covered.
How to sign up, verify & place your first bet with bookmakers in South Africa
Creating an account with your desired South African bookmaker involves simple steps. With the right guide, you can start wagering in no time. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to register an account.
- Get a reliable sports betting site in South Africa. You can choose from our recommended list.
- Once you’ve selected one, visit the site and click the ‘Sign-up’ button to supply the required details.
- Some sites may request a verification in which you supply copies of documents like your government-issued ID card.
- Once you’re done verifying your account, make your first deposit and claim your bonuses.
- Proceed to make your selections and place your first bet.
Bonuses and Promotions for Online betting in South Africa
Bonuses and promotions are an excellent way to add to your bankroll. Punters are advised to take advantage of these bonus offers. Below are common bonuses for online betting in South Africa.
Deposit bonuses
Deposit bonuses are offered to bettors when they deposit at a South African site. This is usually a percentage of your deposit and may vary from site to site.
Welcome offers
South African betting sites offer welcome bonuses to new players starting at their site. Most betting sites in South Africa offer these bonuses as a reward to make punters stay at their site. It can come as a deposit or no deposit offer.
Free bets
This is another common bonus available at most sports betting sites in South Africa. Free bets allow you to wager on your favourite sports events without using your money. You can claim this offer without making any deposit.
Cashback
This is one of the most beneficial bonuses you can claim at the best South African betting sites. A cashback bonus returns a certain percentage of your losses. The percentage of this type of bonus can change from site to site.
VIP offers
These offers are designed for loyal and high roller players. When you become a VIP member of a site, you unlock access to exclusive perks like free spins, birthday bonuses, a dedicated account manager, and tickets to events.
Popular payment methods available at sport betting sites in South Africa
It is important to ensure that the betting site features your desired payment options. Below are popular payment options accessible at South African betting sites.
- VISA: This is a popular payment option widely accepted among most South African betting sites. You can add your Visa details to your bank account. Transactions with Visa are safe, secure, and easy.
- MasterCard: This is another popular payment option among South African betting sites. With Mastercard, players can enjoy instant deposits and quick withdrawals. Mastercard allows you to deposit directly from your bank account.
- Skrill: This is highly popular among bookmakers in South Africa because of its quick deposits and fast withdrawals. It’s an e-Wallet method that offers low transaction processing fees.
- PayPal: This widely used e-wallet payment option on most South African betting sites offers an easy and secure way to deposit and withdraw from a betting site.
- ecoPayz: This is a global payment option that facilitates secure and fast means of depositing and withdrawing from sports betting sites in South Africa. You can deposit funds into your ecoPayz account via credit or debit cards.