Best South African Online Betting Sites 2021
Your guide to the best South African bookmakers that offer the best odds, promotions, betting markets, specials and more. Find everything you need to make sure you choose the perfect bookmaker for you.
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Top 10 South African Betting Sites
Explore SafeBettingSites
Why Trust SafeBettingSites?
Let’s get straight to the point – you are here because you like to place wagers on sporting events. Safe Betting Sites is a new initiative launched in 2020 that’s designed to help you find the best South African licensed betting sites, and to make sure your online betting experience is 100 percent secure. It’s our job to keep you protected, and to inform you of the best betting offers, provide with unbiased bookmaker reviews and online betting guides.
- Cash out available on all single and combination bets
- Excellent bookies for live streaming
- Large number of available sports markets
Comparison
Comparison
How We Rank The Best South African Betting Sites
There's plenty of things that come into your mind when looking around for your next bookmaker. Especially in South Africa, where there is such an extensive choice of sites to choose from. We've picked out the best in the table above, but there are plenty more around. These selections weren’t simply made at random. Like everything else we do at Safe Betting Sites, they were the result of extensive research and fair, balanced analysis. To give you a little more insight, here’s a look at the most important factors we based our rankings on.
Ease of Use Finding a bookmaker that is easy to navigate is one of the most underrated aspects of sports betting. Working your way throughout the website should come naturally. You should easily be able to find whatever market you are looking for, easily find your account details and be able to make a deposit without any issue. Reliability also comes into it. If your favourite bookie keeps crashing on you, it may be time to look elsewhere. We can definitely recommend Sporting Bets.
Customer Safety When betting online, it’s important that you feel safe depositing your money. You need to find a bookie you can trust, as well as one that can help you out if you may need it. That support can come in the form of deposit limits, or by having a customer service team that can recommend actions to keep you safe. It’s also important to make sure your money is safe when depositing. Company funds should always be kept separate from customer funds. We think Sun Bets is the safest choice.
Bonuses and Promotions A sportsbook could have all the features in the world, but without regular and exciting promotions, it's tough to really recommend. Bonuses are what can separate a good bookmaker from a great one, so it's always important to look out for the best ones. It all starts with a competitive welcome bonus, but it's also important to have promotions all year round. Whether you're looking for price boosts, deposit matches or free bets, Playa Bets is always a good bookmaker for bonuses.
Odds The most obvious thing that all bettors look out for is the best available betting odds. If a bookie regularly offers odds that are less competitive than their competitors then there is no reason not to move on. We are always monitoring the markets to ensure that we find the best value betting odds in South Africa. As it stands, we think PlayaBets always offers competitive betting odds.
South Africa and sport go hand in hand. The Rainbow Nation also has a long history with gambling, with betting sites in South Africa growing at a rapid rate. Whether you are looking to bet on the Springboks rugby team or the Kaiser Chiefs in the South African Premier League, the online betting sites on this page have all bases covered. South African betting sites include domestic betting companies and international betting sites in South Africa. This page will outline the best betting sites South Africa has to offer and you should look out for, along with popular sports markets and payment methods for punters to consider.
Best Betting Sites – A Closer Look at the South African Top 5
We hope that we’ve whetted your appetite a little for all the best sports betting sites that South Africa has to offer, with the list above of what we think are the leading bookies you should consider. If you want to learn a little more about the best, then we are more than happy to provide details.
If you keep on reading below you find out a little bit more about the five sites that we consider to be ‘the best’ when it comes to the leading online bookies available to sports bettors in South Africa.
The excellent 1xBet may be relatively new to the South African market, but it is, by no means, a new site. The company behind 1xBet have been around since 2011, and globally are one of the fastest-growing sites – in terms of its customer base – on the planet. 1xBet’s site may not be the easiest to use for new sports bettors, but once a newbie gets used to all the numbers floating around the site, they’ll understand what an excellent sports betting site this is.
1xBet takes its mission to provide the best for its clients very seriously, and even has FC Barcelona as one of its partners. It is also an official betting partner of La Liga in Spain and Serie A in Italy. There are no such partnerships in South Africa, but surely its only a matter of time, and indeed 1XBet has shown its commitment to sport in the continent of Africa by sponsoring the 2021 African Cup of Nations (to be held in 2022). The only thing we don’t like about 1xBet is the fact that its licensing comes from Curaçao.
What we like:
- Global brand with massive customer base
- Some live streaming available
- Fast withdrawals available
- Over fifty sports covered
- Very good apps for iOS/Android
What we don’t:
- Curaçao licence
- Site can be complex for newbs
You may take one look at Hollywood Bets and think that your internet browser has turned into a time machine. The best thing we can say about the visual appeal of Hollywood Bets is that its looks are a little … dated. However, the look of the site is the worst thing about it, which makes it a great site to use, right? Hollywood Bets is especially appealling to sports bettors in South Africa who like horse racing. Horse racing is definitely the most well-covered aspect of the site which is superb news for horse racing fans in South Africa, as some site do not bother with horse racing at all.
As well as being an excellent choice for horse racing, you and Hollywood Bets will become firm buddies if you enjoy promotions, as this site genuinely has plenty of them, and not just for newbs. These even include ‘quirky’ promotions where cars and other non-cash items are offered as rewards. The site also offers in-play betting and even a live casino … we just wish it would update its look at little as something about it just doesn’t … look … right …
What we like:
- Ideal site for horse racing fans
- Works brilliantly on mobile
- Fantastic coverage of soccer too
- Ongoing promos with quirky prizes
- Has a curry menu?!?
What we don’t:
- Not the best-looking site you’ll ever see
- Yells about promos a little too much
Sports books do have a hard time finding a middle ground between betting for newbs and betting for those who know what they are doing. Some sites choose to pitch to one brand of sports bettor as opposed to the other, and 22bet are one of those. This is a sports betting site for South Africa where betting can be done quickly and easily, which makes it ideal for experienced sports bettors. Newbs are not completely left in the dark, though – the learning curve is steep but it’s not as intense as scaling the most difficult face of Mafadi.
Despite being quite happy to pitch to both South African customers and potential customers in other African nations such as Kenya and Nigeria, the roots of 22bet can be traced back to Eastern Europe. The company – which came into being in 2017 – has since moved to Cyprus but despite now being close to Malta, the company has chosen to stick with its Curaçao licensing, which is a bit disappointing. That’s about the only bad thing that can be said about this cracking site though, which has proven popular within every jurisdiction that it has so far launched.
What we like:
- Lots of sporting markets – over 40!
- Some live streaming options
- Quick bet and Edit my Bet features
- Scores of payment methods
- Fantastic levels of support
What we don’t:
- Curaçao licence
- Asian handicap odds are not the best
BoyleSports is one of the most popular sports betting sites in Ireland, rivalling other top online sports books there such as PaddyPower and QuinnBet. The company goes even further back in time than the internet, starting up as a chain of betting shops started by John Boyle in 1982. By 2018 Boyle Sports betting shops had popped up all over Ireland, with over 250 available all across the emerald isle. The site increased its customer base in the mid-2010, launching an online version of all its gambling opportunities.
Sadly, you will find zero BoyleSports betting shops in South Africa, but your gloom should be tempered when you find that the online version of Boyle Sports is readily available in the country. It champions horse racing, greyhounds and soccer, and is particularly noteworthy for some interesting horse racing deals, including your stake back as a bonus bet if your backed horse finishes in second place behind the race favourite. Just in case you are wondering, Boyle Sports is allowed to operate in South Africa thanks to its licence from the Government of Gibraltar.
What we like:
- Cash-out available on most events
- Excellent support always available
- Easy-to-use bets calculator
- Respected licensee
- Decent number of live betting options
What we don’t:
- No live streaming
- No Asian Handicaps
The spacious feel to the Sportaza sportsbook ensures you aren’t overwhelmed by betting odds and informative when you want to take a punt. Key upcoming events are listed across the top of the sports homepage. As new betting sites in South Africa go, they are right up there with the best of them. Top Leagues sit in the left-hand menu with the betslip filling its traditional spot on the other side of the sportsbook.
Thanks to their Popular Bets widget below the betslip, you can see all the major gambles as they happen and then decide whether to take a punt yourself. Also offering a good in play betting service, Sportaza caters for both the pre-match wager and exhilarating experience of live gambling. Watch out! Sportaza looks set to grow in the South African market in future.
What we like:
- Newbies to South Africa betting
- Great range of odds and markets
- Popular Bets show you trends
- Wager on top international sports
- Good in play betting available
What we don’t:
- No sports betting app available
- South African sports not always top/list]
Key Features of the Best Online Betting Sites South Africa
If you've taken a peek at our mini reviews then you will understand about the key aspects that betting sites offer sports betting fans in South Africa. Not every site has every key aspect such as live streaming or eSports betting though. Below we have picked out what we feel are three of the most important criteria that sports betting sites in South Africa should have, and which of the sites in our top ten list have them.
| Sportsbook | In-Play Betting | Live Streaming | eSports Betting | Minimum Deposit |
| 1xBet | 
|
|
| R10 |
| Hollywood Bets |
|
|
| R10 |
| 22Bet |
|
|
| R10 |
| BoyleSports |
|
|
| R10 |
| Sportaza |
|
|
| R10 |
| PlayaBets |
|
|
| R10 |
| Bet.co.za |
|
|
| R10 |
| SportingBet |
|
|
| R50 |
| ComeOn! |
|
|
| R10 |
| NordicBet |
|
|
| R10 |
Best Betting Sites South Africa Has by Category
We like sports betting sites in South Africa that, as well as being genuinely legitimate, offer as much to their customers as possible. However, in many areas one site simply stands head and shoulders above all others. Here are ten important categories for which we have picked the number one brand for each.
| Category | Sportsbook | Category | Sportsbook |
| Best Overall Betting Site in South Africa | 1xBet | Best Special Offers | 22Bet |
| Best New Sportsbook in South Africa | NordicBet | Top Special Features | Bet.co.za |
| Top for In-Play Betting | BoyleSports | Best Range of Payment Methods | Playa Bets |
| Best Mobile Features | Hollywood Bets | Best Betting Odds | 1xBet |
| Strongest Security | SportingBet | Top Option for eSports Betting | Betway |
All the South Africa Betting Sites Available
Whether you're looking for new betting sites or an established sportsbook, the rainbow nation has both operating in it. The list below contains from top to bottom all of the betting sites South Africa has to offer people gambling in the country right now.
How Betting Odds Work
Betting odds tell you how much you'll win if your bet is successful. The greater the odds, the more you win of course. There are three main ways of expressing odds - fractional, decimal and American (or moneyline) and below you'll find a brief but useful explanation of how betting odds work for each.
Fractional
Fractional odds are the traditional (or old-fashioned) way of expressing odds and are based on probability. The probability of a coin toss landing heads is one outcome out of two possibilites, so 1/2. To convert that to odds we add one, which means it becomes 2/2, or 1/1 or evens. If you bet R10 on a coin toss landing heads and you win, your winnings would be 1/1 x R10 = R10. You'd also get your stake back so your total return would be R20.
The longer the odds (i.e. the larger the first number compared to the second), the less chance of the event happening and the more money you win if your wager is a winner. The shorter the odds (i.e the larger the second number compared to the first) the more chance of the event happening and the less money you win if your wager is a winner.
Decimal
Decimals odds are just fractional odds converted to decimals. Decimal odds are becoming increasingly popular, particular with younger sports bettors. To convert from fractional to decimal you just convert the fraction to a decimal and add one. In the example above, 1/1 add 1 = 2.00. The important difference between fractional odds and decimal odds is that decimal odds give your return, not your winnings, so you do not need to add your stake. In the coin toss example R10 x 2.00 gives R20, which is the complete return from your wager. Decimals odds are perhaps the best way of understanding how betting odds work.
American (or Moneyline)
American sports bettors use American or 'moneyline' odds as opposed to fractional or decimal odds. The favourite in any contest is given negative odds, and the underdog is given positive odds. With negative odds, the number is the amount of money you need to put on in order to win $100. With positive odds the number is the amount of money you'd win if you put on $100. Odds of -100 or +100 are evens - you put on $100 to win $100 or you win $100 if you put on $100. American odds calculate your winnings only, not your return to remember to factor in your stake.
How to read betting odds
This handy table should help you to learn how to reading betting odds. Each odds given is the equivalent price or odds via each method there is of representing them.
| Fractional | Decimal | American | Probability |
| 2/5 | 1.40 | -250 | 71.43% |
| 1/2 | 1.50 | -200 | 66.67% |
| Evens | 2.00 | +100 or -100 | 50% |
| 2/1 | 3.00 | +200 | 33.33% |
| 5/2 | 3.50 | +250 | 28.57% |
Online bookmakers in South Africa with the best odds
1xBet - 200% Bonus up to $130
PlayaBets - 100% up to R10,000 Bonus
22Bet - 100% Bonus up to R2,500
How We Rank the Best South African Online Betting Sites
There are an increasing number of betting sites South Africa has available to punters. As such, deciding which bookmaker to sign up with is not easy. Of course, there is nothing stopping bettors registering on more than one sportsbook. However, it is recommended to only select the very best platforms. Because of this, our experts are constantly reviewing and testing online betting sites in South Africa. When ranking bookmakers, we take into account the following factors:
Safety, Markets, Odds & Bonuses
- Safety – As is always the case, safety is paramount when it comes to our recommended SA betting sites. Bookies must be licensed and regulated by a respected authority, making it legal for punters in South Africa to sign up and place bets. Features such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption and firewalls also help to keep fraudsters at bay. HollywoodBets is a very safe site for sports bettors in South Africa.
- Markets – South Africa is known for its diversity, with this being demonstrated by the number of sports bet upon. As a result, South African betting sites must cover a large number of sporting events. Pre-match, in-play and outright markets are found throughout, with sports including rugby, soccer, tennis and cricket featuring heavily. 1kBet is an excellent site, having a huge range of markets.
- Odds – Offering a large number of markets is all well and good. However, it will only be useful to punters if they are accompanied by the best odds. Odds at the top betting sites determine just how much bettors will make from successful wagers. Some bookies will choose to specialise in a particular area, so be sure that the sport you are looking to bet on comes with good value. The odds at 22bet are among the best in the business.
- Bonuses – Whether it be for new players or existing South African punters, the best online betting sites South Africa generally has to offer provides a variety of promotions. Bonus offers for new customers include matched deposit and free bets. Meanwhile, ongoing promotions surrounding accumulators and football markets are often found too. Before signing up, be sure that the wagering requirements and other terms and conditions are fair and realistic. Conditions include the first deposit method used to claim a welcome bonus, before placing a bet online. Check out Playa for a good array of bonuses.
Support, Mobile, Payments & Features
- Support – No matter where you are based, customer support will ideally be available day and night. Telephone, email and live chat are the most common on South African betting sites, with response times also have to be good. Bookmakers can quickly gain a reputation when it comes to customer support, with some going the extra mile to help, while others falter. The support at ComeOn is always very good.
- Mobile – The same markets and features as found on desktop sportsbooks should also be found on mobile betting platforms. Some achieve this through an efficient mobile site, while others choose to develop betting apps. Either way, punters must be able to place bets on their phone or tablet with ease. HollywoodBets is a decent example of a site that always looks good on mobile devices.
- Payments – Many South African betting sites now accept payments in Rand. Meanwhile, a host of payment options are also made available too. Including credit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers, depositing and withdrawing funds should be quick, simple and without charge. We’ve found BoyleSports to always be good when processing payments.
- Features – Additional features offered by bookmakers can undoubtedly enhance the betting experience. Live streaming, live chat, cash out and bet builders are among the most in-demand features today. Check out Bet.co.za for its features.
Best Betting Sites for Sign Up Offers in South Africa
Matched deposit, no deposit, free bet and risk free bet offers are available to new customers signing up at South African betting sites. A welcome offer should not be the only reason as to why you decide to register with a bookie however. Some bonuses are more appealing than others. Terms and conditions, including qualifying and wagering requirements, generally determine just how appealing a promotion is. With that being said, the following are our favourite sign up bonuses currently awaiting South African bettors:
Top 3 South African Online Betting Site Sign Up Offers
How to Place a Bet at a Betting Site in South Africa
Open you have completed your sign up at one of our recommended sports betting sites for players in South Africa, it's time to place your first bet. Fortunately, placing a bet at a betting site in South Africa is incredibly easy, but just to wipe all doubts from your mind, we are going to walk you through the entire process.
Step One - Deposit Your Funds and Find Your Market
Of course you need to go through the deposit process to be able to bet with your own cash, so do that first. Next, hunt down the event you are interested in. As an example, we are going to bet on the Springboks to beat the Lions in a forthcoming rugby union match. We hunt through the menus until we find the event (which as it is a major event should be very easy to do).
Step Two - Select Your Outcome
Here we are going to make a simple bet - the Springboks to win. Once we have found the details of the event we click on the odds of the Springboks winning. This will transfer the bet to our betting slip.
Step Three - Select Your Stake
Once the bet is on our betting slip (which usually is to the right of the screen) we need to select the amount of rands we want to risk (ten). We go to the bet on the slip and enter '10' in the 'stake' box.
Step Four - Place Your Bet
The final step is to click the 'place bet' button. This is the point of no return - once the button is clicked there's no going back! Click the button, and your bet is placed. Now all you need to do is enjoy the scrumming action as the Springboks (of course) win!
Betting Markets Available at SA Betting Sites
We have already alluded to just how diverse South Africa is when it comes to sport. Athletes and teams from SA compete at the highest level in many events. This is certainly reflected in the betting markets found at online sportsbooks. The following are among the most popular South African sports for punters to look out for:
Rugby
Whether it be Union or League, rugby is a game enjoyed by millions across South Africa. Having been crowned World champions in 2019, matches involving the Springboks are regularly bet upon. A host of leagues and tournaments are covered by bookies, including the Six Nations and Rugby Championship. Popular rugby betting markets include total points, half time/full time and handicaps.
Football
Football, or soccer, is another hugely popular sport in South Africa. Matches from the South African Premier League, English Premier League, La Liga,UEFA Champions League and World Cup receive great interest from punters. Football markets found at South African betting sites include 1x2, over/under goals, first goalscorer, double chance and draw no bet.
Cricket
Cricket is considered as the national sport of South Africa by many. Test, One Day and T20 matches involving the South African men’s and women’s teams are available to bet on, along with international and domestic encounters from around the world. The Ashes, World Cup and Indian Premier League receive particular interest from punters. When it comes to cricket, available markets include total runs, leading wicket taker, to win the toss and match result.
Golf
Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen are South African players to have won golf majors in the past. The sport is growing quickly as a result. Tournaments from the European and PGA Tours are regularly bet upon. However, it is the four majors throughout the season that attract the greatest interest from bookies and punters alike. Here, bets can be placed on the tournament winner, top 10 finishes and even the region of the winner.
Esports
Another emerging market in South Africa is Esports. Professional gaming events surrounding Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends and Dota 2, among others, are now followed by many, especially the younger generation. Many gambling sites now cover Esports events. Here, bets can be placed on match winners, individual maps, first blood and total kills. We will outline the best CS:GO betting sites available to punters in South Africa later on.
How to Choose the Best South African Betting Site
As you will have discovered from reading this page until this point, South African betting sites today are both diverse and detailed. While this is a good thing, it does make selecting the right betting platform all the more difficult. However, as always at safebettingsites, we are here to help. When making a decision regarding which betting site to sign up with, the following steps will be useful to undertake:
- Read Reviews – Those with knowledge of the betting industry will know just how useful bookmaker reviews are. Our experts have taken time in order to take an in-depth look at online betting sites. Based on strict testing, we rank them on a number of factors. Markets, odds, features, support and payments help to separate the best betting sites in South Africa from the rest.
- Do Your Own Research – In order to get a sense of how suitable a betting site is for you, visit the sportsbook for yourself. Browse markets, promotions and other features, before deciding whether to sign up. This step will also enable punters to see how easy it is to use the betting site, on desktop and mobile
- Check Out Feedback – The feedback of existing or former customers is also worth recognising. Betting customers are likely to be brutally honest, whether it be positive or negative. Feedback is easy to find online today, so do not miss out on this useful tool.
Payment Methods Available to Punters in South Africa
When it comes to depositing and withdrawing funds at South African betting sites, there is a good number of payment options available. Credit and debit cards are on offer, along with bank transfers, which are significantly quicker in South Africa when compared to other regions. Elsewhere, having been founded in 2007, SiD Instant EFT has long been the most popular online payment system in South Africa. OZOW is an alternative, offering both quick and secure payments. The majority of our recommended South African betting sites accept payments in Rand (ZAR). However, for those that do not, alternative currencies will be offered. The table below provides a clear breakdown of the payment methods awaiting South African players, including deposit and payout limits.
| Payment method | Fees | Min deposit | Max Withdrawal |
| Credit/Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard) | 0% | R10 | R1,000,000 |
| PayPal | 0.4% to 7.4% | R100 | R1,000,000 |
| Neteller | 0% | R150 | R1,000,000 |
| Skrill | 2% - 7.5% | R100 | R1,000,000 |
| iPay | 0% | R10 | R1,000,000 |
| Bank Transfer | 0% | R50 | R1,000,000 |
| SiD | 0% | R10 | R1,000,000 |
| Easy EFT | 0% | R25 | R1,000,000 |
| OZOW | 0% | R50 | R1,000,000 |
SiD
'Funds Transfer' has become the most common way for people in South Africa to move money, and by adding 'E' (for electronic) such moves can now be made over the internet ('EFT'). SiD is one of the most popular EFTs in the country and is used by countless merchants, from grocery stores to retailers, as well as South African sports betting sites, of course. Bet.co.za is one of the best sites for SiD.
EasyEFT
EasyEFT is just about as popular in South Africa as SiD, and actually is probably offered at slightly more online gambling sites, including online sports betting sites, as its rival. This payments provider is a way of directly connecting a merchant and client in order for the client to arrange a payment, and works with five important South African banks: Standard, Nedbank, ABSA, First National and Capitec. You can use EasyEFT at 22bet.
OZOW
OZOW is one of the newest EFT service providers in South Africa, and is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people. The payment provider is actually set up to work better on mobile devices than desktop ones, which probably explains its popularity among younger shoppers. Despite this relative newness, OZOW has won plaudits for its high levels of security. SportingBet is a great site that accepts OZOW payments.
Best Soccer Betting Sites in South Africa
Soccer is the truly global sport, although in South Africa is has to vie with cricket and rugby. Soccer betting is becoming increasingly popular, and all the sites in our recommended list are exceptional choices for soccer betting. Here though are what we feel to be the best three sites at which you can back your net-busting faves.
| Bookmaker | Offer description | Visit site |
| 100% up to $100 | Visit Sportaza |
| 200% Bonus up to $130 | Visit 1xBet |
| 100% Bonus up to R2,500 | Visit 22Bet |
Best CSGO Betting Sites in South Africa
Esports is popular in regions across the globe today. South Africa is one country that has taken the scene to heart. While gamers follow a number of Esports titles, it is undoubtedly CS:GO that is the favourite. Punters can bet on the winner of matches, pistol rounds, handicaps, correct score and map winners in most cases. A number of South African betting sites offer CS:GO markets, however it is the following that are our recommended CSGO betting sites:
| Bookmaker | Offer description | Visit site |
| Bet $10 Get $30 in Free Bets | Visit 888Sport |
|
| Free Bet Worth Up to R25 | Visit Betway |
| R25 Sign Up Offer | Visit Hollywood Bets |
The Best Betting Apps for South Africa 2021
We've already mentioned phones and mobile devices during our round up of the best betting sites South Africa has to offer, and it's true that mobile betting in the country is becoming increasingly popular. Mobile reception coverage has always been exceptional in South Africa, with 99.8 percent of the country able to connect to mobile networks. In addition, at least 92.8 percent of the population now owns a phone or other mobile device.
Android dominates the market, with around 70 percent of smartphones operating in South Africa running on Google's OS. Apple users account for a mere 10 percent. Most South African sports betting sites run perfectly well on Android, iOS or other operating systems, and some even have dedicated mobile apps users are able to download.
We feel the following betting Apps in South Africa are the leading three sites mobile sports bettors should use in particular.
Top 3 Betting Apps in South Africa 2021
New Betting Sites in South Africa
There are not as many existing and new betting sites available to people in South Africa as there are in other jurisdictions. Major brands tend to concentrate on European and Asian markets, despite the growing popularity of sports betting in South Africa and other African countries such as Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria.
That has not stopped a few new betting sites and brands opening up to South African markets over the past year or two. It is good for competition. Using new betting sites South Africa has to offer comes with plenty of benefits - new ways of doing things, innovative features and decent bonuses. Below you will find three of the best recent additions to your betting options in South Africa.
Top 3 New Betting Sites In South Africa
How to Get the Most From Your Sports Betting - Betting Tips
Did you know that best betting tips are those that explain to you how to get the most out of your sports betting, and not direct tips about which team will win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, or how South Africa will fare in the next rugby union or league global competition?
The best sports bettors maximise their potential income in a number of different ways, and here we are sharing our best betting tips with you that hopefully may enable you to do the same.
Grab as many bonuses and promotions as you can
There is only one thing better than winning money using your cash and your sports betting expertise, and that's winning money by using money that's not even your own! True, you are hardly likely to become the next sports betting millionaire by only using bonus money and other promotions, but at least you may add a little extra cash to your betting account that you can then use to make other bets.
So, every time you see a new sports betting site pop up on our pages, our betting tip is to at least register for an account there so you can take advantage of any welcome bonus or sign-up offer that's available. You may find a new favourite site too of course, plus many sites have an ongoing range of promos that you can add to the list of benefits. Look out in particular for betting sites with free registration bonus offers.
Betting sites with FICA bonus offers are a great way to earn yourself a potentially profitable bonus, too.
Try matched betting if you want to guarantee profits
One way to guarantee a return from a bonus is to use matched betting. This is where you use a free bet or bonus cash to bet on both sides of a sporting contest. Naturally, you will need to use a market that does not have ties, such as any US sport, or tennis, snooker or darts.
Say you get a R100 bonus from PlayaBets, and a R100 bonus from Bet.co.za. It's Superbowl time, and it's the Chiefs v the Buccaneers. You place one R10 free bet on the Chiefs at PlayaBets, and one R10 bet on the Buccs at Bet.co.za. No matter the outcome one of those bets just has to win.
Again, you're not likely to be buying luxury yachts on the proceeds of matched betting, but you will be gaining 'free' money to use for your other betting endeavours.
Manage your bankroll properly
One of the main reasons sports bettors become unstuck is because they fail to manage their bankroll properly. If you are just throwing money at your betting without keeping records or using a bankroll then you are probably losing more money than you think. Human brains tend to remember wins far more than they do losses.
Work out how much you can comfortably afford to lose each month, without it affecting any other areas of your life (particularly mortgage payments, rent, utility payments and groceries). If you divide that number by 10, then that's your DAILY bankroll. If you then divide that new figure by 10, then that's your base bet size.
For any bet, you cannot bet more than your base bet size. If, during the day you deplete your daily bankroll, then you stop betting until tomorrow. If, during the month your deplete your monthly bankroll, then you stop betting until next month. Stick to these rules, and your betting will not cause issues with the rest of your finances.
Another good rule is that if you double your daily bankroll during the day or double your monthly bankroll during the monrh you stop betting until your next bankroll is available too.
Practise sensible betting, no matter what
If you've played poker, then you probably will have experienced the feeling after a few losing hands in a row to go 'all in' no matter the cards you are dealt for your next hand. This is known in poker circles as 'tilting' (from the 'tilting' of pinball machines when the ball refuses to roll in the direction you want it to roll).
Sports bettors suffer from the same. After a run of losing bets, they try and gain back all their losses by increasing their bet size. Even professional gamblers suffer from losing streaks - it's simply an occupational hazard. The way to make money with sports betting is to win more than you lose, but spread over a decent period of time. Losing four bets in a row is as much an indicator that you are a bad sports bettor than Leo Messi going four games without scoring indicating that he's a terrible footballer.
Online Gambling Law in South Africa
A ban on gambling in South Africa was lifted back in 1994. Two years later, the 1996 National Gambling Act was formed. The act, along with the support of the National Gambling Board (NGB) started to regulate the industry properly, as well as giving licensing rights to local provinces. Such steps meant that online betting was legal, as well as gambling in physical casinos.
However, online casinos, including those offering roulette and blackjack, remained banned. Domestic sportsbooks must be licensed by a local province, while an amendment to the South African Gambling Act left those looking to play casino games in a difficult spot. Anyone with a South African IP address is currently unable to gamble online, unless it be with a NGB licensed, controlled and taxed operator. Punters do not pay taxes on winnings made from sports betting, with horse racing being the only exception, where 6% is taken. All online bookmakers have a duty to promote responsible gambling.
South African Sports Betting Sites Identity Checks
Many jurisdictions now have firm checks in place before you are able to complete your sign up, and to deposit money to start betting. For example in UK (and due to laws drawn up by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission) new users have to supply photo ID, proof of Address and proof of source of funding (such as wage slip) before they are able to complete their registration and place their first wager.
In most other jurisdictions, at a minimum punters are required to prove their identity before withdrawing money. This is to prevent unwanted activities such as money-laundering and problem gambling. In South Africa though, it is up to the individual site as to whether they wish to ask customers for proof of identity, address or source of funding. Sites are required to promote responsible gambling, but how they do this is not legally defined.
Most sites that insist on you proving you are who you say you are will ask you to upload FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) documents. Some South Africa betting sites with FICA bonus offers will grant you an extra bonus once you have uploaded your documents.
Bottom Line on South African Betting Sites
South Africa is undoubtedly one of the hubs when it comes to online sports betting. An increasing number of domestic companies and new betting sites are looking to compete with international betting sites South Africa has. As a result, punters have never had so much choice. Options surrounding bookmakers, markets and bet types have never been greater, so now is the time to get involved. Select one of our recommended South African sports betting sites today, before claiming your welcome offer.
Get Started with the Best South Africa Betting Site Today
FAQs
Which are the top betting sites in South Africa today?
Punters in South Africa today have a great number of top betting sites to choose from. The list includes both new bookmakers and well-known international betting sites in South Africa. However, our top ranked SA betting sites include 888Sport, 22Bet and Betway. Such popular bookmakers are joined by domestic platforms including BetZest and Bet.co.za.
Is online betting legal in South Africa?
Online sports betting is 100% legal in South Africa. However, gambling laws in the country mean that punters must operate on licensed South Africa betting sites only. Online casinos remain prohibited in SA.
How can I add money to my betting account in South Africa?
A number of payment methods are available at South African betting sites. Payment options include bank cards, bank transfers and e-wallets. Online payment systems dedicated to South African residents include SiD and OZOW. The majority of options allow for instant deposits.
Is Rand an accepted currency at the top betting sites?
This differs between bookies. Some will accept Rand, meaning that punters do not have to worry about conversion rates. However, some offshore betting sites will offer alternatives, such as US Dollars and Euros.
Can I claim a bonus when signing up at a South African betting site?
No - free registration bonus offers are a thing of the past, sadly. The odd one might pop up, but it's unlikely.
Will I be able to find sports betting sites with free registration bonus offers?
