Unlike casino, poker and bingo play in South Africa, sports betting is perfectly legal. The National Gambling Act of 2004 legalised sports betting, and the 2010 update confirmed that sports betting at licensed sites in South Africa was permitted. There are now plenty of sports betting sites in South Africa available to both keen and casual punters who want to bet on sports.
This page will outline your options as a sports bettor in South Africa as well as informing you about the best betting sites in the country.
Top Ten Betting Sites for South Africa
- All
- Free Bet
- Money back
- New sportsbook
- Deposit bonus
- Masterpass deposit
- Betting App
- Cash out
- More Filters
200% Bonus up to €10,000 + 50 Free Spins
06/12/22200% Bonus up to €10,000 + 50 Free Spins
- Sportsbook with 5,000+ casino games
- Instant deposits and withdrawals
- Supports 9 cryptocurrency payment options
NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More00#1 Betting Site for South AfricaR25 Sign Up Offer
22/04/22R25 Sign Up Offer
- Horse racing tips and analysis available
- 15+ sports covered
- Fully functional on mobile devices
9.8NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11Once you activate your Hollywoodbets account and you will receive a R25 Sign-up Bonus! For more information, contact our helpline on 087 353 7634. Terms and conditions apply.To qualify for the sign-up Bonus, the customer must sign up for an online/mobile betting account. In order to participate, the individual must be over the age of 18. A limit of one account per customer applies. ID numbers entered on registration will be verified by Hollywoodbets nominated verification tool at the time. If the verification tool fails to recognise a customer’s registration, Hollywoodbets has the right to request documents before processing the registration. R25 Sign-up bonus must be used within 24 hours of account activation or it will be forfeited. Persons who have signed up successfully but have not yet submitted FICA documentation can also participate. The account holder will not be entitled to withdraw the R25 out of their account until the funds have first been bet and turned over in full.
First Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $100
22/04/22First Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $100
- Competitive Welcome Bonus
- Live Streams of Some Events
- Huge Range Of Betting Markets
9.7NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11This offer is only available to new customers, who have registered and made their first real-money deposit at Sportaza. THe Bonus is 100% of a player's first deposit bonus up to 8,000 INR. In order to qualify for the bonus, hte player nmust play through the full amount of hte first deposit at least once with odds no less than 1.50. All bets must be settled.This offer is only available to new customers, who have registered and made their first real-money deposit at Sportaza. THe Bonus is 100% of a player's first deposit bonus up to 8,000 INR. In order to qualify for the bonus, hte player nmust play through the full amount of hte first deposit at least once with odds no less than 1.50. All bets must be settled.
This offer is only available to new customers, who have registered and made their first real-money deposit at Sportaza. THe Bonus is 100% of a player’s first deposit bonus up to 8,000 INR. In order to qualify for the bonus, hte player nmust play through the full amount of hte first deposit at least once with odds no less than 1.50. All bets must be settled.
First Deposit Bonus R1,600
14/09/22First Deposit Bonus R1,600
- Fast Withdrawals
- Good selection of betting markets
- iPhone and Android Apps
9.7NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More00This offer is only available to new customers who have made their first deposit. The bonus is 100% up to the player’s first deposit of I,600 ZAR/ 100 EUR. Qualifying odds of no less than 1,50 apply. Please get in touch with customer support to obtain the bonus. Deposits made by Skrill or Neteller will not be eligible for this promotion.This offer is only available to new customers who have made their first deposit. The bonus is 100% up to the player’s first deposit of I,600 ZAR/ 100 EUR. Qualifying odds of no less than 1,50 apply. Please get in touch with customer support to obtain the bonus. Deposits made by Skrill or Neteller will not be eligible for this promotion.
R400Bank Transfer
Debit and Credit Card
ecoPayz
Skrill
Neteller
Muchbetter
CuraçaoThis offer is only available to new customers who have made their first deposit. The bonus is 100% up to the player’s first deposit of I,600 ZAR/ 100 EUR. Qualifying odds of no less than 1,50 apply. Please get in touch with customer support to obtain the bonus. Deposits made by Skrill or Neteller will not be eligible for this promotion. Customers from Germany, Brazil, Austria, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Austria must roll over the bonus 5 times. Customers from other countries must roll over the bonus 6 times on settled sports bets of at least odds of 2.0 per selection for single bets and 1.5 for multi bets. Wagering requirements must be met within 30 days to be valid.
https://rabona.com/za/Tilaros Ltd2019Cyprus100% Bonus Up To R1,000
22/04/22100% Bonus Up To R1,000
- Easy to use sportsbook
- Competitive odds
- Large amount of statistics available
9.7NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11The bonus amount must be wagered 6 times (Sports bets must be taken at single bet min odds of 7/10 or 0.70, Multiple Min Odds of 12/10 or 1.20 and each leg must be 2/10 or greater) prior to bonus funds and associated winnings becoming withdrawable.Email must be verified prior to participation. Min deposit R50. Max bonus amount R1000. Accept the Welcome Bonus pop up when you make your first deposit. The bonus amount must be wagered 6 times (Sports bets must be taken at single bet min odds of 7/10 or 1.70, Multiple Min Odds of 12/10 or 2.20 and each leg must be 2/10 or greater) prior to bonus funds and associated winnings becoming withdrawable. Please note, for every R1 wagered on Bet Vegas games, only 25c will be allocated to wagering requirments. Winnings accumulated from real money bets may be withdrawn at any time. Bonus is valid for Sports and Bet Vegas betting only. System Bets, Pulse Bets and Bet Builders and Bet Boosts will not contribute towards turnover requirements.
200% Bonus Up To $130
22/04/22200% Bonus Up To $130
- 60+ sports covered
- Market leading odds
- Mobile app available
9.6NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11Register with 1xBet. Fill in your personal profile in My Account and enable the function "Take part in bonus offers". Deposit any amount from 1$. The bonus is automatically credited to a customer's account after they make a deposit.Register with 1xBet. Fill in your personal profile in My Account and enable the function “Take part in bonus offers”. Deposit any amount from 1$. The bonus is automatically credited to a customer’s account after they make a deposit.
Up to $100 in Bet Credits
22/04/22Up to $100 in Bet Credits
- Mobile betting app available
- Range of promotions for new and existing customers
- Excellent soccer coverage
9.6NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.100% Bonus Up To R10,000
22/04/22100% Bonus Up To R10,000
- Range of appealing promotions
- Large number of sports covered
- Excellent bookie for in-play betting
9.5NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11Make your first deposit. Rollover your first deposit 5 times with bets where the odds are greater than 7/10 (0.7). Only bets placed on pre-match and in-play sports will count to the Welcome Bonus rollover requirements. Once you have fulfilled the rollover requirements, we will then match your first deposit with a 100% bonus. The maximum bonus amount that can be claimed in this promotion is R10 000.Make your first deposit. Rollover your first deposit 5 times with bets where the odds are greater than 7/10 (0.7). Only bets placed on pre-match and in-play sports will count to the Welcome Bonus rollover requirements. Once you have fulfilled the rollover requirements, we will then match your first deposit with a 100% bonus. The maximum bonus amount that can be claimed in this promotion is R10 000.
Sign-up for an online and cellphone betting account and deposit anything from R50 to R1000 and we will double it for you! Our 100% First Deposit Match Bonus is available to all new customers and you can claim up to R1000 in bonus bets! To get your Welcome Bonus, sign up for an online and cellphone betting account at https://playabets.co.za/en/sign-up. Make your first deposit. Claim your bonus by emailing [email protected] or sending a whatsapp to 078 800 1018. The maximum bonus amount that can be claimed in this promotion is R1000. This offer is for new customers only and cannot be claimed if you received any other sign-up offer, promotional offer or bonus credit.
Bet $10 Get $40
22/04/22Bet $10 Get $40
- Daily price boosts on selected sports
- Casino games also available
- Easy to use sportsbook
9.5NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11T&Cs apply. 18+100% Up To $100
22/04/22100% Up To $100
- Range of ongoing promotions
- Excellent sports coverage
- Many Esports markets
9.4NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11Bet on multiple games (total minimum betslip : 1.85 ; 2 items minimum ; one item must be at minimum 1.40 odds). Wager 10x on the bonus amount. If the wager is not reached after 14 days, or if the bonus is cancelled, the bonus winnings and the associated bonus are deleted. - The minimum bet is 1 to be counted in the wagerBet on multiple games (total minimum betslip : 1.85 ; 2 items minimum ; one item must be at minimum 1.40 odds). Wager 10x on the bonus amount. If the wager is not reached after 14 days, or if the bonus is cancelled, the bonus winnings and the associated bonus are deleted. - The minimum bet is 1 to be counted in the wager
Bet on multiple games (total minimum betslip : 2.50 ; 2 items minimum ; one item must be at minimum 1.50 odds). Wager 10x on the bonus amount. If the wager is not reached after 14 days, or if the bonus is cancelled, the bonus winnings and the associated bonus are deleted. The minimum bet is 1 to be counted in the wager (regardless of currency). It is necessary to make a first deposit in order to receive the bonus. The bonus will be cancelled once the balance drops below 1 (regardless of your currency, dollar, euro, etc.). So under 1€, 1$ etc. If you have any open bet, this rule doesn’t apply. However, by activating the bonus via deposit, the balance is attached to the bonus, until the bonus has been expired, wagered or cancelled
R50 Sign Up Bonus
22/04/22R50 Sign Up Bonus
- Large number of ongoing promotions
- Daily virtual sports markets
- Excellent live betting opportunities
9.4NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11R50 Bonus to be rolled over 3 times at 11/10 or better before it can be withdrawn. Please note that stake will not be returned to your bonus wallet.R50 Bonus to be rolled over 3 times at 11/10 or better before it can be withdrawn. Please note that stake will not be returned to your bonus wallet. All bonus withdrawals will be subject to a minimum deposit of R50. Only single bets can be placed with bonus money. No split bets are allowed for qualification of the bnous or rolling of the received bonus amount. Supabets has the right to cancel or withdraw the Free Bet Bonus or change any of its terms at any time and without cause or notice.
Best Runner Boosted Odds Twice A Week
22/04/22Best Runner Boosted Odds Twice A Week
- Cash out on selected markets
- Fully licensed and regulated
- Excellent in-play coverage
9.3NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11Opt-in is not required for this promotion. This promotion is available for selected runners each Wednesday and Saturday (Wed 16.30 - 19:00 & Sat 12:00 - 16:00 (GMT+2) Single bets only. Max stake per customer: €10.Winnings have no wagering requirements and can be withdrawn immediately.Opt-in is not required for this promotion. This promotion is available for selected runners each Wednesday and Saturday (Wed 16.30 – 19:00 & Sat 12:00 – 16:00 (GMT+2) Single bets only. Max stake per customer: €10.Winnings have no wagering requirements and can be withdrawn immediately.
The Top Sports Betting Sites South Africa Reviewed
if you want to learn a little more about the best betting sites South Africa, then here are more details about the top five SA betting sites on our list where you can bet on sports.
1. Hollywood Bets – R25 Sign Up Offer
We have to ‘fess up immediately when it comes to number one on our list, Hollywood Bets. The site looks like it was created in 1997 … and in terms of looks it has not been improved since. However, if you can overlook the limited aesthetic appeal of this site, you’re up for a very decent sports betting experience indeed. No need to worry about legality as well, as Hollywood Bets is properly licensed in South Africa by all the appropriate legislative bodies.
Horse racing is easily number one at Hollywood Bets, and indeed if horse racing is your number one sports betting passion then we are very happy to recommend Hollywood Bets to you. Football betting is also pretty comprehensive here, as well as all major sports plus eSports too which, when it comes to South Africa, is of real benefit. The welcome bonus is not the biggest at R25, but that should not put you off patronising this exceptionally fine sports betting site for South Africa.
What we like:
- Very good for horse racing betting
- Looks good on mobile at least!
- Soccer is very well covered too
- Promotions have some quirky prizes, occassionally
What we don’t:
- Not the best looking site you’ll ever see
2. Sportaza – First Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $100
Sportaza has been a leading sports betting site in South Africa for some time and it is easy to see why, especially when you compare the way it looks to Hollywood Bets. We have to place Sportaza second on our list though as Hollywood Bets outshines it on the number of markets and options offered. Sportaza does come in for some criticism, though. For example, some people will not be too impressed that there is so much emphasis on football. Soccer lovers will adore it, though.
One thing to look out for here is the site’s popular bets section. If you are on the site and you can keep an eye on this widget you will see the latest betting trends. You can then decide whether you want to jump on the bandwagon or go against the grain! Although Sportaza is a bit soccer-mad you should still find plenty here that makes you smile.
What we like:
- Fast-emerging South African market
- Good odds and extensive options
- Follow all the latest betting trends
- Live betting section is very good
What we don’t:
- Too much emphasis on soccer?
3. Bet.co.za – 100% First Deposit Bonus Up To R1,000
As you will probably be able to gauge from the name of this site, Bet.co.za is very much a South African concern. This site was due to launch in time for the 2010 South African World Cup finals, but they just missed it! They have recovered from this setback though and now offer South African punters everything they could hope to find at any top class sports betting site. The site is fully legal in South Africa too, licensed by the Western Cape Gambling & Racing Board.
The main betting options at this site are cricket, soccer, rugby, horse racing, tennis and basketball. As well as plenty of betting opportunities, the site runs its own sports news section at BetCentral. One thing that should also be of interest, Bet.co.za was created by a team of successful sports bettors! When it comes to sports betting, there’s probably no better background than that!
What we like:
- Welcome offer available in rands
- All sports covered, locally and internationally
- Very good live betting section
- Looks good on mobile
What we don’t:
- Site can run a little slow at times
4. 1xBet – 200% Bonus up to $130
After three South African sites on our list, in fourth place is an international site. Note that although 1xBet does accept customers from South Africa, it does not hold a South African licence. The site’s licence has been issued by the government of Curaçao.
1xBet is a truly exceptional, international site. It has very competitive odds and access to all the sporting events as you might expect. The main markets are for football, cricket, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, table tennis and eSports. As you might have guessed by that list, the emphasis at 1xBet is on sports that are popular in Europe. The site does have horse racing, but betting on the horses is not given the priority here that you’d expect at a sports book in South Africa.
Being an international site, 1xBet does have some advantages – for example as well as the sports betting section there are sections for casino games (including slots) and live casino games. There are also some betting options that you probably have not considered before, including keirin, which is high-speed bicycle racing!
What we like:
- True global brand
- Speedy withdrawals available
- Very long list of available betting markets
- Apps available for iOS and Android
What we don’t:
- Not licensed in South Africa
5. Bet365 – Up to £100 in Bet Credits
Fifth our list is another international gambling brand and – according to many – it is the biggest and the best gambling brand available in the world. Bet365 is available in South Africa, but the site is not really designed with South African sports punters in mind.
Bet365 is definitely a sports betting brand like no other. The interface has a very minimalistic design with its basic colours of green, grey and yellow. Bet365 has not changed its design for at least a decade and they definitely adhere to the formula ‘if it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it!’. This design may put some people off, though.
In terms of markets, there is no other site with more available markets than Bet365, that much is guaranteed. If there is a sporting bet opportunity taking place anywhere in the world, then you can bet that you can place a wager on it at Bet365.
What we like:
- Number one global brand?
- Minimalisitic design
- More markets than any other site
- Will offer you free bets in South Africa from time to time
What we don’t:
- Not really geared for South African punters
How We Rank The Top Online Bookmakers in South Africa
There are a great number of online bookmakers available to punters in South Africa, so it was reasonably difficult for us to come up with a list of the top ten online sports books. We acheived it though, as you can see from the list we have presented above!
Just in case you are wondering, below we have outlined the criteria we have used in order to establish our top ten. This will help you to understand our way of thinking, and to perhaps give you an idea of what betting tips to look for if you’re making your own choices.
- Safety and Security
Although sports betting in all of the provinces of South Africa is regulated, it is not ‘as’ regulated as other, stricter jurisdictions and some provinces are a little slacker than others. We check independently to see the kind of reputation a site has, and if there is even the merest hint of ‘dodginess’ the site does not make our list, or come anywhere close to it. - Payment Methods
While punters do not have the same kind of problems in South Africa with payment methods as many other jurisdictions, it is still important that a sports betting site in South Africa offers a wide range of payment methods. Aside from credit and debit cards, a number of eWallets is always crucial, as is the acceptence of cryptocurrencies. - Promotions
All sites offer promotions of some description, but the promos at one site may be unfair when you dig down into the terms and conditions, especially when compared to others. We always take the time to review the terms and conditions of any offer we find to work out its true value. We also promote sites that offer a good range of promos aside from the obligatory welcome bonus. - Features
This one is a complete no brainer. The more features a site has, the better it is – that’s not open to question! We like sites that can offer options such as live betting (with cash out if possible), live streaming, acca, bet builders, decent graphics and other options, as well as perhaps slots and casino options too. You should not need to go to different sites to fully realise your sports betting needs. - Usability
Newbs may struggle at some sports betting sites. Most of them are simply full of numbers and can be confusing to use. Even seasoned sports bettors may struggle to use some sites, particularly if they have to wade through countless menus in order to find the bet they want to place. The best sites make sports betting easy, and convenient across multiple devices.
The Best Betting Sites South Africa Compared
It’s awards time! In order to help you decide which sports book you should choose when it comes to sports betting in South Africa, we have come up with ten top categories for sports book overall, and selected a winner from our top ten list. Has your favourite managed to walk off with a gong? Find out below.
🏆 Best Overall Betting Agency Hollywood Bets 📊 Best New Sportsbook Bet.co.za 💰 Best Special Offers Bet365 📺 Top for In-Play Sportaza ⭐ Strongest Security Bet365 📱 Best Betting App 1xBet 🧩 Top Special Features Hollywood Bets 💰 Range of Payment Methods YoniBet 🔁 Best Value Odds Bet365 ⚽ Top Option for eSports Betting Sportaza Top Sports Betting Sites Sign Up Offers
There is a lot of competition when providing sports betting opportunities for the good people of South Africa, meaning that welcome bonuses are plentifui, especially at new betting sites for South Africa. Here are three sports bonuses that you really need to take advantage of – they are all provided by excellent sports books (but you already knew that, as they are on our top ten list!).
Types Of Welcome Offers Betting Sites Online South Africa
Welcome offers at sports book in South Africa fall into three categories. The most common two are the deposit bonus and the free bet deal. Less common is the risk-free bet, which is like a free bet but you have to bet first in order to obtain it. Here are details about all three, with examples of may you where get them.
Deposit Bonus
Deposit bonuses are a reward for making your first deposit at a site that is new to you. Most betting sites with welcome bonus deals will match the scale of that first deposit, but others may double or even triple it (or, on rare occasion, halve it). A ‘100% bonus up to R2,000’ deposit bonus deal will match your first deposit with the same amount of bonus money, up to that R2,000 limit.
Betting sites with welcome bonus in South Africa:
Betting Site Welcome Offer Visit Site R25 Sign Up Offer Visit site First Deposit Bonus 100% Up To $100 Visit site 100% Bonus Up To R1,000 Visit site Free Bet
A free bet is another reward for making a deposit at a new online sports betting site in South Africa. You will probably need to make a qualifying bet with minimum odds in order to get your free bet, but those terms will be very reasonable. Once you have made your qualifying bet then your free bet is awarded to you. Note that when you use your free bet, if it wins then your free bet stake is not returned, just your winnings.
No Risk Bet
A no risk bet is like a free bet in reverse. You do not have to make a bet of your own to receive your no risk bet – because a no risk bet is a bet of your own! The key is that should your no risk bet not be a winner, you receive a free bet up to a pre-set limit of the value of the no risk bet you made. Free bets acquired via a no-risk bet have the same rules as ‘normal’ free bets in South Africa.
Betting Sites with Free Registration Bonus in South Africa
it would be dream for betting sites with free registration bonus in South Africa to be plentiful, however, the exact opposite is the case. You’re unlikely to uncover any betting sites with free registration bonus in South Africa, as such bonuses are not typically offered.
Tips To Make The Most Of South Africa Bonuses
You may be overwhelmed by the size of a bonus offered by an online sports book, but many is the time you’ll grab a bonus only to be ‘surprised’ by the unfriendly terms and conditions. Below you’ll find some betting tips about how to make sure you make the most of sports betting bonus offers in South Africa.
Read the T&Cs
The most important thing, before you visit betting sites with sign up bonus deals and make a deposit to grab a bonus, is to read the terms and conditions. Most bonuses are fair, but some have T&Cs that are so fiendish there’s barely any chance of you making money out of them. You must read the T&Cs anyhow, so you know what’s expected of you before you get your bonus cash, or what you need to do before you can cash out any winnings you might make with your bonus money.Shop aroundThere are plenty of bonuses available to the sports betting folk of South Africa. Don’t just stick doggedly with one site in the hope that they will keep pumping bonuses into your account. If you find a decent bonus at one site, then the chances are there are more bonuses to be had at betting sites with sign up bonus deals, including new betting sites. Look out when big events are happening too, such as the World Cup, UCL or a major tennis or gold open. Chances are there are special deals available for the game at some sports books at least.Look for sites with ongoing bonusesMany sites just offer new users a welcome bonus and then forget about them. We are not too fond of sites with this attitude! Instead, we like sites that offer ongoing bonuses to their regular clients. Reload bonuses are always good to see, but (again) make sure that you check the T&Cs. Some reload bonuses have poor terms and conditions, especially when compared to welcome bonuses or free bets in South Africa.
Don’t be afraid to ask
If you are a high roller then you might consider the bonuses offered by sites to be too small to bother with. Don’t worry as that does not mean that it’s a case of no bonuses for you. If you want a high roller bonus, just contact the site you are using via their support function. It is likely that they will offer you a bonus with favourable terms that is more likely to be to your liking.
Combine bonuses so you do not lose out
One of the best ways to use a bonus is to match it against another bonus. Simply find an even contest such as a tennis or snooker match – any contest where there has to be an outright winner (so not soccer, as a tie is possible). Use one bonus to bet on one competitor and the other bonus to bet on the other competitor. No matter the outcome of the contest, one of your bets is bound to come in!
Sports Betting Markets Available In South Africa
South Africa has a long sporting tradition, mainly down to its former roots as part of the British Empire. Both cricket and rugby (both codes) are extremely popular in South Africa, but football is king (South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup Finals) with horse racing a close second, in betting terms that is. Below you will find details of the most popular sports betting markets usually available in South Africa at top betting sites.
Football Betting in South Africa
Football (or soccer as it is most commonly known in South Africa) is the number one sport in South Africa. The country has had various football leagues throughout history until the creation fof the Premier Soccer League (PSL) consolidated it all in 1996. Mamelodi Sundowns are the most succesful soccer team in South African history, with 11 top flight titles. Several soccer players have gone on to be hugely successful outside of their native land, including Benni McCarthy (Ajax, Porto), John Moshoeu (Fenerbache), Lucas Radebe (Leeds United) and Mark Fish (Lazio).
Soccer betting is immensely popular in South Africa, but most soccer punters in the country tend to shy away from the PSL, betting instead on the top European Leagues such as the EPL, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue One. The top betting sites in South Africa are soccer betting sites first and foremost, such as Hollywood Bets.
South Africa Horse Racing Betting
South Africa has a huge horse racing community, and most of the major cities in the country have a racetrack. There are three major racetracks in South Africa: Greyville (Durban), Milnerton (Western Cape) and Turffontein (Gauteng). Famous South African jockeys include Weichong Marwing, Felix Coetzee and Anthony Delpech, and trainers David Ferraris and Terrance Millard. Eagle Mountain is probably the most famous South African racehorse of all time, winning the Hong Kong Cup in 2009 and finishing second in the Epsom Derby in 2008.
Punters in South Africa have a hectic horse racing calendar in the country to follow, but thanks to the miracle of internet betting they can now place bets on any horse race occurring anywhere on the planet. Sportaza is a great site for horse racing.
Cricket Betting in South Africa
Cricket has a rich history in South Africa, blighted solely by the ban on the South African cricket team between 1970 and 1991 due to the country’s apartheid policy. This was a rich time for South African cricketers and ‘forced’ their top talents – such as Allan Lamb, Robin Smith and Kepler Wessels – to emigrate and play for other countries. Since the ending of apartheid South Africa has re-established itself as one of the leading cricketing nations in the world, reaching the semi finals of the World Cup on four occasions.
Domestic cricket in South Africa consists of a two-tier league of fifteen sides, although this system was only adopted in 2021 replacing a ‘franchise’ based system which had run since 2004. Cricket fans in South Africa are free to bet on the domestic cricket league as well as other established cricket league across the globe plus the top international competitions. Bet.co.za is a good site for cricket betting.
Esports Betting in South Africa
Esports are huge in South Africa, and South Africa is, without doubt, number one among African nations when it comes to competitive video games. The leading eSports side in South Africa is Bravado Gaming, who compete in Counter-Strike and have been ranked as high as 30 in the world, finishing second in five tournaments. Bravado Gaming also have a Dota 2 team, while other successful eSports teams in the country include Aperture Gaming (Counter-Strike) and White Rabbit Gaming (Dota 2).
Counter-Strike is by far the most popular eSport in South Africa, with Overwatch in second place and Dota 2 in third. The only other real eSport played in the nation is Starcraft II. Some of the leading brands in South Africa have eSports betting markets for all the leading competitive video game markets, both locally and globally. 1xBet is a good choice for eSports betting.
Payment Methods Available In South Africa
South Africa is one of the most developed nations in Africa, and so payment options at South African betting sites are rich and plentiful. As you would expect, credit and debit cards reign supreme, followed by eWallets. South Africa has its own bank transfer system too, called EasyEFT. Below you will find details of all the most popular payment options available at South Africa sports betting sites.
Payment method Fees Min deposit* Min Withdrawal* Credit/Debit Card 0% R10 R1M eWallets 0%-7.5% R100 R1M iPay 0% R10 R1M EasyEFT 0% R25 R1M SiD 0% R10 R1M OZOW 0% R50 R1M Cryptocurrencies 0% mBTC0.1 Varies *varies, depending upon operator
Mobile Sports Betting South Africa Apps
Mobile sports betting apps are not as prevalent in South Africa as they are in other nations. The Apple App Store and Google Play are both less developed in South Africa as they are in the leading North American, European and Asia markets, and sites tend not to offer their own apps that you can download and install to your device (which can only be done for Android-based devices anyhow).
If you cannot get a mobile betting app from your favourite sports book in South Africa then there is no real need for you to worry. All the biggest sports betting brands in South Africa have created responsive sites that work well on mobile devices. Just head to your site of choice to using any mobile browser on your device.
It is usually best to have a decent-sized screen when accessing a sport betting site on your mobile. Tablets are ideal for this, but modern mobiles with large screens are fine too.
How To Find The Best South Africa Sports Betting Odds
Odds in South Africa are usually presented in the way they are in the UK, as fractional. Therefore, odds will be usually seen as 2/5 or 5/1. To calculate your winnings, multiply your stake by the fraction. This means that a stake of R100 on odds of 2/5 will win R40 if successful. Don’t forget to add on your stake for your full return.
Decimal odds are becoming more popular, though. The decimal equivalent of 2/5 is 1.40, and of 5/1 is 6.00. To convert from decimal to fractional subtract one and express the resulting decimal as a fraction. The other way around, convert from fraction to decimal and add one.
Naturally, to get the most money back from your successful tips you need the best odds. Getting the best odds is really not something to worry about. Most sites offer very competitive odds, and most sites also acquire their odds from the same central source.
If you want to guarantee the best odds then sign up for a site with ‘best odds guaranteed’. This promise means the site will check their odds once per day (usually early in the morning, GMT) to check that they are at least equivalent to the top odds offered by their competitors.
How To Sign Up To A Sports Betting Site
Signing up for your sports betting account is extremely simple, and is just like creating a membership account at any online site, even one that has nothing to do with gambling. If you still feel that you need help, then we briefly outline the steps involved below.
Step 1: Visit the Website or App
Select your bookie and pay them a visit. The button you are looking for is usually towards the top of the site, marked ‘join’ or ‘register’. Click that to start off the process.
Step 2: Registration
We hope you like filling in online forms as there are usually a lot to fill in when you sign up. At the minimum you will have to divulge your email address. Other common pieces of info asked for includes name, address, phone numbers and date of birth. Fill it all in to complete your registration.
Step 3: Deposit Money
To get betting you need money. Register a payment method and transfer cash to your account. If this is your first time using a sports betting account then it’s best to start small. Once you become more confident, then you can transfer larger amounts of cash, as you see fit.
Step 4: Start Betting
To place a bet, find the event you are interested in and hit the odds of the outcome you’re going to wager on. This will transfer the bet to your betting slip. Select the size of your stake and then hit ‘place bet’ which will finalise your wager (once your bet is placed there is no going back). Again, if you are new to sports betting it is perhaps best to start small.
Step 5: Account Verification Before Withdrawing
You may need to verify your account before you can withdraw any winnings that you make at a sports betting site in South Africa. This is to prevent fraud – you don’t want your winnings to end up in someone else’s account, after all!
The verification process though is not cumbersome or difficult, and can usually be acheived in a matter of minutes. You will need to send an image of some form of ID (usually government-issued) and something to prove that you are resident at the address that you registered at when you claimed your account.
South African Betting Sites v International Betting Sites
Even though sports betting is legal in South Africa, some people still prefer to use international sites that are not properly registered with a South African licence. Such sites are usually legitimate as long as they have some form of recognisable gambling licence, and as they operate beyond South Africa’s jurisdiction there is nothing South African authorities can do to stop them accepting players from South Africa.
When it comes to choosing between South African betting sites and International betting sites the choice, really, is yours. As long as you steer clear of ‘dodgy’ international betting sites that have a poor licences (look out for good licence providers, such as those in the UK, Malta, Gibraltar, Alderney or – at a push – Curaçao) then you should face no problems. If you want to be 100 percent legit though, South African licensed betting sites are your only option.
Is Betting Online Legal in South Africa?
The simple answer is yes – as long as it is sports betting. All other forms of gambling, from slots to poker, remains illegal online in South Africa. Sports betting at sites is perfectly legal in South Africa as long as the local province has granted any site wanting to offer sports betting a licence. The following are all legal South Africa licence providers:
- Eastern Cape Gambling Board
- Free State Gambling, Liquour and Tourism Authority
- Gauteng Gambling Board
- KwaZulu-Natal Gambling and Betting Board
- Limpopo Gambling Board
- Mpumalanga Gambling Board
- North West Gambling Board
- Northern Cape Gambling Board
- Western Cape Gambling & Racing Board
Bottom Line
Sports betting punters in South Africa certainly have a lot of choice. There are plenty of legally licensed sports SA betting sites available in the country, plus international sites too if you want to bend the rules a little. No matter the event that you want to bet on, you’ll be able to find it at South African betting sites. Don’t forget to snap up all those tasty bonuses too!
Remember, if you are new to sports betting in South Africa, then it is best to start small. Even if you become successful, never wager with money that you cannot afford to lose. We hope you’ve found the information presented on this page useful, and we wish you all the luck in the world, even if your betting knowledge means that you do not need it!
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9.8NO CODE REQUIREDLearn MoreClose Learn More11Once you activate your Hollywoodbets account and you will receive a R25 Sign-up Bonus! For more information, contact our helpline on 087 353 7634. Terms and conditions apply.To qualify for the sign-up Bonus, the customer must sign up for an online/mobile betting account. In order to participate, the individual must be over the age of 18. A limit of one account per customer applies. ID numbers entered on registration will be verified by Hollywoodbets nominated verification tool at the time. If the verification tool fails to recognise a customer’s registration, Hollywoodbets has the right to request documents before processing the registration. R25 Sign-up bonus must be used within 24 hours of account activation or it will be forfeited. Persons who have signed up successfully but have not yet submitted FICA documentation can also participate. The account holder will not be entitled to withdraw the R25 out of their account until the funds have first been bet and turned over in full.
FAQ
What is the best online sportsbook in South Africa?
It’s our opinion that Hollywood Bets is number one. This site has gone from strength to strength over recent years and now has a true global presence.
Are online betting sites in South Africa legal?
Yes. Online betting (but only sports betting) is legal at sites that have the properly licensing from one of South Africa’s nine legal licensing boards.
What markets can I find on South Africa online betting sites?
Football (or soccer) and horse racing are the two most popular sports betting markets in the country. Cricket is also popular, as is rugby and all the leading American sports. Esports betting is growing, and at some sites eSports betting is available.
Can I make payments in South Africa Rand?
All legally licensed sports books in the country accept South African Rand. Many international sports books do too.
What welcome offers can I use at bonus betting sites?
The majority of South African sports books and bonus betting sites will offer you are welcome bonus at the minimum, or a free bet. Check the brands mentioned on this page for the best deals available anywhere.
Peter Addison
Peter is an experienced iGaming wordsmith who has been working in the industry since 2013. He has written more words on all aspects of iGaming than he cares to remember, and has provided content for many big industry names. When not writing Peter can be found out running or gaming on his Xbox. Peter’s articles have been featured in numerous high-profile online publications such as Right Casino and Which BingoPeter is an experienced iGaming wordsmith who has been working in the industry since 2013. He has written more words on all aspects of iGaming than he cares to remember, and has provided content for many big industry names. When not writing Peter can be found out running or gaming on his Xbox. Peter’s articles have been featured in numerous high-profile online publications such as Right Casino and Which BingoView All Posts By Peter Addison