In South Africa, gambling is heavily regulated by the National Gambling Act, No. 7 of 2004 and the National Gambling Board, as well as provincial gambling regulations. Gambling and betting companies therefore hold operating licences with provincial gambling boards. By using our website, content and services you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. BetandWin aims to provide you with the information you need to choose a sports betting or lotto offering that suits your preferences. The information shared does not constitute legal or professional advice or forecast and should not be treated as such.

Top 10 Rugby Betting Sites in South Africa

It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum. These results should however be interpreted with caution given the potential sensitive nature of gambling and its outcomes. The Association is governed by a board of up to 9 elected directors who meet at least once every two months to formulate and approve policy for implementation. Implementation and day to day operations are managed by the Chief Executive Officer, ably assisted by support staff. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. If you bet often, using a mobile app is the best choice for speed and convenience.

• If you’re looking to bet on your favorite South African sports, like rugby, soccer, and cricket; you’ve come to the right place.
• New users can benefit from a welcome bonus that works similarly to a casino deposit match, providing a good start with a small wagering requirement before playthrough.
• Some 92% of South Africans own a cellphone with around a third (26.3 million) owning a smartphone.
• BetGames are live lucky draw games that combine traditional fixed odds betting with lottery and live dealers.
• For simpler transactions, the betting site should preferably handle ZAR (South African Rand) or another preferred currency in South Africa.
• Sports betting is the most frequent type of betting with an average incidence of 12 times per month.
• Right up until 1996, any punters wanting to gamble on horse racing had to do it at the track.

Responsible Gambling

Out of the 866 million registered accounts, 395 million are in Sub Saharan Africa. 145 million active accounts versus 298 million globally, USD 1.7 billion in transactions volume versus 2.4 billion globally and 26.8 billion in transaction value versus 40.8 billion globally (4). The most appealing aspect of this live game comes from its fast-paced nature.

This presents a significant opportunity for iGaming and betting operators to develop mobile-first platforms that cater to the unique needs of African players. “The rise of AI in sports betting is particularly focused on gambling controls; limiting customer exposure to risk at an individual level. It switches our player protection approach from reactive to proactive, and allows players to receive the intervention they need in real time, not after the fact. AI features in sports betting have real-time interaction triggers, generated when the system’s AI identifies increased risk factors in a player’s behaviour.

Football is by far the most popular sport to bet on in South Africa, and the UEFA Champions League is always a major highlight for local punters. From pre-match odds to in-play betting, South African sportsbooks offer a wide range of markets for both seasoned bettors and newcomers. Whether you’re predicting match winners, first goal scorers, or total goals, the Champions League provides endless opportunities to test your football knowledge and enjoy the thrill of the game. These days the best online betting sites do not only offer you sports and lotteries to bet on. Most online bookmakers have expanded their games portfolio into BetGames, Slots, Scratchcards and Live Games for an even more exciting experience.

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In Kenya 54% of active mobile money users have an outstanding mobile money loan while the figure is 60% in Tanzania. Borrowers tend to be young urban males with 54% in Kenya and 64% in Tanzania. The most common reasons for the digital credit borrowing given by the participants is household needs and business purposes put at 35% and 37% respectively in Kenya and 37% and 31% respectively in Tanzania. Three African countries make up the largest chunk of legal gambling activity in Africa. Sub Saharan Africa lead in the number of mobile money deployments at 132 compared to global of 252.

Participation in types of gambling activities

You have often also access to titles by Ezugi, Authentic Gaming or Pragmatic Play. Play roulette, blackjack or baccarat against live dealers and enjoy a thrilling betting experience. In a bold move to expand its influence and footprint in Africa, Afrirent Holdings, a renowned investment company led by Senzo Tsabedze, is venturing into the vibrant gaming, lottery, and betting market of West Africa. With a history of success and a strong presence in South Africa, Afrirent Holdings is now setting its sights on the exciting opportunities offered by the dynamic entertainment sector in the West African region. You must be at least 18 years old to legally place bets on licensed betting sports sites. When betting online in SA, secure and reliable payments are key to a pleasant and positive experience.

1994 saw a new democratic government taking powered and all forms of gambling were legalized. The National Gambling Act 1996 introduced a system of licensed casinos as well as a single national lottery. The Act made provisions for the regulation of activities relating to gambling and uniform standards were introduced. The National Gambling Board was also established and became responsible for the supervision and regulation of the gambling industry.

How We Choose the Best MMA Betting Sites in South Africa

• The full research paper by Robinson Mbae and Edmond Machengete explores the relationship of sports betting with digital credit, looking at how these have prevailed, the common consumer and amounts bet and borrowed.
• 145 million active accounts versus 298 million globally, USD 1.7 billion in transactions volume versus 2.4 billion globally and 26.8 billion in transaction value versus 40.8 billion globally (4).
• The growth of this sector has been beneficial, although it is essential to balance economic benefits with responsible gambling practices.
• If you’ve already submitted your documents you can email to check the status of your account.
• US sports such as the National Basketball Association (NBA)  and National Football League (NFL) have also attracted a new betting audience in South Africa.
• More betting establishments are continuing to appear on the horizon, meaning the industry will keep broadening, according to its high demand.
• The National Gambling Act of 1996 and subsequent amendments play a crucial role in this regard.

Additionally, live betting makes placing bets possible after a game has started. Even if you have missed your bet before kick-off, you can jump into the action later on. Not all online sports book sites offer this feature yet and we highlight relevant bookmakers. The South African sports betting and lottery industry is legal and regulated under the National Gambling Act of 2004. Introduction of gambling legislation into the law, saw the creation of several regulatory and control organizations in the country. The primary responsibility of such organizations is to ensure safety in the industry.

• Explore statistics, trends, and expert predictions ahead of laying your bets.
• With a detailed guide to 1Win, you can enhance your understanding and strategy, and with a little luck, revolutionize your gaming experience and level up your betting game.
• This act established various provincial gambling boards responsible for licensing and regulating betting operators.
• Nevertheless, the winnings are not always available due to a coincidence of circumstances – you need to understand the nuances of the bookmaker’s office, understand the bets, and have a winning strategy.
• The Saturday Star is a popular weekend read which offers a comprehensive and engaging read for its diverse audience.

The full research paper by Robinson Mbae and Edmond Machengete explores the relationship of sports betting with digital credit, looking at how these have prevailed, the common consumer and amounts bet and borrowed. It also explores the role of regulation and education, and why its impact on financial inclusion and exclusion. The Legal LandscapeThe legality of sports betting in South Africa is a relatively recent development.

The Online Betting Industry in Africa is Experiencing a Significant Upsurge

While in the past spinning the reels of fun and exciting slots was only possible in unregulated online casinos this has changed in 2021. Hollywood Bets started with its Spina Zonke games, Supabets followed by adding Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil slots and moreover quite recently NetEnt and Red Tiger. More and more sites followed and now you can enjoy slots also on PalaceBet, YesPlay as well as brand-new LulaBet. Therefore, SA punters can now enjoy slots betting fun on licensed betting sites. Both BetGames and Evolution Live Dealer Games are fully licensed in South Africa and hence playing these games is safe and legal. Please ensure you play at a betting site with a South African gaming license and not in one of the many online casinos.

• This has further been aided by the greater prominence of casino products in recent times, especially slot games.
• In the upcoming years, the African online betting industry is projected to experience rapid revenue development.
• There are some very strict rules in place regarding online betting in South Africa.
• The higher the odds, the bigger the payout, but the lower the chances of winning.
• The development of sophisticated betting platforms and mobile betting apps in league with the Betway app has revolutionised how bettors engage with sports events.

This presents a challenge for iGaming and betting operators who rely on traditional payment methods. Something that was once the preserve of physical bookies moved first into the web and onto apps. With that shift has come a whole slew of innovations that have completely changed the online betting sector; and that growth is rapidly accelerating.

What Is Responsible Gaming?

You need a trusted banking method that makes deposits fast and withdrawals hassle-free. Compatibility With DevicesMost sportsbooks have dedicated apps for iOS and Android. These apps give a better experience with faster loading times and easy navigation. Right up until 1996, any punters wanting to gamble on horse racing had to do it at the track. After 1996, it became possible for players to gamble online and horse betting is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa.

Which is the best bookmaker in South Africa?

MultiChoice continues its push to dominate Africa’s betting market for sport and other activities, having grown its business by a tenth in Nigeria while launching one of the world’s top gambling games in SA. Betting on UFC fights in South Africa is exciting and offers plenty of options. Betway, Hollywoodbets, and 1xbet are top choices because they provide user-friendly experiences, good bonuses, and many ways to bet on fights.

Best Online Betting Sites in South Africa 2025

It’s critical, therefore, that operators in the sector keep up with these trends and advancements. “While South Africa has always been a sporty nation, its international sporting profile has probably never been higher and this is especially true for women’s sports,” says Chelin. US legislators are now mulling how to regulate the sector at a national/federal level given the increased uptake in what is now estimated to be a $10bn industry. The local market is dominated by Betway, Hollywoodbets, PlayaBets and Easybet. Kickboxing and Muay Thai, with their emphasis on striking and aggressive exchanges, tend to produce more exciting and unpredictable fights, offering different betting opportunities.

Multiple fake accounts join the same poker table to cheat the system by deliberately aiding/favouring one player. Fraudsters can control multiple players in order to defraud unsuspecting legitimate users. While the COVID 19 Pandemic continues to cause devastating effects and severe social disruptions worldwide, one industry has seen a significant increase in growth. We offer flexible, cost effective group memberships for your business, school, or government organisation.

Fraudsters use stolen credit card details to top up their account, which means using illegitimate money to pocket real wins. In South Africa, banking institutions have uniform online payment systems and have implemented 3D security which requires the entering of a one-time password (“OTP”). This OTP is usually sent to the account holder’s mobile number, thus making it difficult for fraudsters to transact with stolen credit cards. Among the wide selection of events for betting, it is sports that are in trend. In the last year alone, the continent’s fan base, who regularly follow sports broadcasts, has reached 300 million. And about half of them actively use bookmakers to turn their hobby into a way to earn extra money.

The government has taken steps to address these concerns, by introducing measures to prevent underage gambling and to ensure that online betting and gaming operators are operating in a fair and responsible manner. Before 1965, all forms of betting and gambling were illegal in South Africa, with the government viewing the activities as a threat to public morality. Despite this, illegal betting and gambling continued to thrive, with many people finding ways to wager on horse racing and other sports. However, this changed in 1965 premier zone bet when the government legalised horse racing, making it the first form of legal gambling in the country.

The constitutional government won office in 1994 and regularized various kinds of gambling. The National Gambling Act rolled out standard procedures for monitoring betting activities in 1996. The National Gambling Act of 2004 made the switch to the 1996 Act and limited interactive gambling activities involved with poker, casino, and bingo. However, online horse racing and sports betting are 100 % legal in South Africa in the case that the website or bookmaker holds a license to run such activities. As of the current date, South Africa has over 30 online sports betting sites that have been licensed and approved by their relevant provinces.

Latest South African Betting News

Now being able to place wagers on mobile phones there has been an explosion of the popularity of sports betting. The industry has grown impressively with the number of regular users rising (2). The evolution of sports betting in South Africa has broader social and cultural implications, reflecting changing attitudes towards gambling. While sports betting has become increasingly normalised, concerns persist regarding its potential negative consequences, such as problem gambling and addiction.

There was huge growth in the popularity of rugby in 2023, growing by almost 100% compared to the two preceding years. There was sizeable growth in the average bet size during 2023, a sign that South Africans had no doubts about the prospects of the Springboks. “For economically constrained consumers however, gambling presents a particularly risky pastime fraught with potential pitfalls. With limited disposable income, individuals may view gambling as a quick-fix solution to their financial woes, often chasing elusive wins in the hope of improving their circumstances,” says Claire Heckrath, MD, infoQuest. The South African gambling landscape is multifaceted with a blend of traditional and more innovative gambling platforms being used by those wanting to take a chance at obtaining a financial windfall.

Additionally, professional counsellors who specialise in gambling addiction can provide guidance. In this regard, the gambling industry is currently much like the retail industry of South Africa, which is also showing promising signs of growth despite the economic slowdown that the whole country is experiencing. At any rate, optimism has returned to the South African economy, as most top executives are confident in the country’s future, and are temping up their plans for investment. These bets are gaining popularity because they appeal to non-sports fans and capitalize on global entertainment trends.

National

The online gambling industry has been regulated in Kenya ever since the Gaming Bill was adopted in 2019. However, many iGaming companies decided to abandon this market once the government threatened to introduce an additional 20% tax on casino stakes, as the prospect of investing in an unstable market was by no means appealing. The lack of traditional banking infrastructure in many African countries presents a challenge for the iGaming and betting industry. However, this has also given rise to innovative payment solutions that cater to the needs of African players, such as mobile money and cryptocurrency. Mobile penetration in Africa is among the highest in the world, and mobile devices are the primary means of accessing the internet.

Payment Gateways

Resolving any problems bettors could run across on the site depends on good customer service. Depending on live chat, email, or phone, reliable help enables quick resolution of any questions or issues. For users who place bets across live events in various time zones, 24-hour customer assistance is very helpful. Traditional Payment OptionsMost betting sites accept bank cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.

From tradition to technology: The evolution of sports betting in South Africa

They could improve, though, like by adding more live fight streams or simplifying things for beginners. Each sport has its uniqueness, affecting how bets are structured and odds are calculated. Boxing, for instance, often involves more strategic and tactical exchanges, leading to fewer knockouts and more decisions compared to MMA. Their platform is designed for ease of use, with a straightforward interface and a mobile app that ensures you can bet on the go. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and its premier league, the UFC, have captured the imagination of sports fans around the world, including in South Africa. Slots and Aviator are growing rapidly, both at over 100% per annum, and stand to become the games of preference to the average person in SouthAfrica.

As well as to uphold and maintain the image of the South African gambling industry on a global level. Sports betting operators require a valid license to operate in the country. Such licenses are issued by the Provincial Licensing Authorities, one per province. You can find more details on betting law and related topics on our Betting Law page. We have also created a few useful and strategic tips to ensure your online betting safety. Many sportsbooks offer bets on football, basketball, tennis, and horse racing, along with esports and entertainment events.