Best South African Online Betting Sites 2021
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 operators. This page will outline the best betting sites to look out for, along with popular sports markets and payment methods for punters to consider.
Top Betting Sites In South Africa
How We Rank the Best South African Online Betting Sites
There are an increasing number of SA betting sites 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Bonuses – Whether it be for new players or existing South African punters, the best betting sites generally offer 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
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 1×2, 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 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 | Min 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 |
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 |
| 888Sport | Bet $10 Get $30 in Free Bets | Visit 888Sport |
| Betway | Free Bet Worth Up to R25 | Visit Betway |
| Hollywood Bets | R25 Sign Up Offer | Visit Hollywood Bets |
Mobile Betting in South Africa
Any bookmaker hoping to make an impact in South Africa must ensure that they deliver when it comes to mobile betting. A large number of bets are now placed using mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. All of our recommended best betting sites work well on mobile browsers, while some bookies have taken the step of developing betting apps. Generally, the same markets and features are available to mobile customers, meaning that it comes as no surprise that this is the preferred method of gambling for many today. The convenience of mobile betting is hugely appealing, with bets being placed in seconds, thanks to features such as Touch ID login.
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.
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 betting companies are looking to compete with internationally recognised brands. 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 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 betting sites to choose from. The list includes both new bookmakers and well-known international brands. 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 betting sites. 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 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?
Most likely, yes. The majority of South African betting sites offer some form of welcome offer. Whether it be a matched deposit bonus or free bet, be sure to weigh up whether the rewards are worth the investment and time.
About James Fuller
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SafeBettingSites is a new UK initiative launched in 2020 to protect customers against fraudulent sites.
Our goal is to protect customers against unlicensed operations with user reviews and an online complaints system.