Best Bookmakers and Casinos in South Africa 2024
Here is a rank list of the top bookmakers and casinos to join! Silentbet has reviewed and tested each of these best betting sites in South Africa for 2024. They are perfect for legit online gambling from this African country.
Betway.co.za | Best for huge payouts |
Hollywoodbets | Best for many betting options |
Sportingbet | Top lucrative bonuses |
Gbets.co.za | Top for its reliability |
Betfred | Top for many gaming options |
10bet | Great casino for South Africa |
Supabets | Known for many payment methods |
Bet.co.za | Popular for affordable deposits |
PlayaBet | Known for a great welcome bonus |
Tic Tac Bets | Best tic tac betting with horses and dogs |
LulaBet | Known for high-quality games |
We have reasons for our choices of the top gambling sites in South Africa. The below section checks these reasons by focusing on each of the above bookmakers. Certainly, they are all licensed, offer bonuses and bring you variety.
#1 Betway.co.za
BetWay started operations in South Africa in 2017. Since then, it has been offering both a sportsbook and a casino.
Betway South Africa gives you several bonuses, including the R1,000 welcome bonus. You can claim these in South African Rand.
BetWay ZA is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB). This license was issued in 2016 for the first time. Therefore, playing at a bookmaker in South Africa is legal.
BetWay offers its players numerous games and sports. The RTP for the slots ranges from 95.99% to 99.91%, depending on the game. Additionally, the casino has over 15 payment options, and the payout time ranges from 2 hours to 3 business days. The bookmaker has a mobile app for both Android and iOS players for a better betting world.
- Pros
- Great bonuses
- Wonderful customer support
- Many betting features
- Data free betting
- Cons
- Problems logging in
#2 Hollywoodbets
Hollywoodbets is a South African bookmaker founded in 2000. It operates in Mozambique, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
There are several bonuses at this bookmaker, such as the new customer offer of R25 + 50 FS. Players can claim the offers available in South African Rand.
Hollywoodbets is a legal gaming site in South Africa. It operates under a license from Gauteng Gambling Board, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator and Eastern Cape Gambling Board. Besides, it is licensed by KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board.
Hollywoodbets ZA offers you 21 sports and over 500 slot games. The RTP range for the slot games is between 96.05% and 98.02%. Over 7 payment methods are available, and the average payout time is 24 hours. However, there are standalone apps and datafree app, plus the mobile website lite version as all the betting sites here.
- Pros
- Cash out available
- Great website design
- Lots of useful features
- Cons
- Datafree app is hard to locate
#3 Sportingbet.co.za
Originally, SportingBet is from the UK. It entered the South African market in 2008. Currently, it has more than 100,000 active punters in S.A.
The promotions section of SportingBet has a wide range of bonuses. Players can use the South African Rand to claim these offers. New players can expect a R3,000 + 300 FS signup offer.
Sportingbet operates 100% legally in South Africa. It is licensed and regulated by the Western Cape Gaming and Racing Board.
Sportingbet ZA offers you a total of 34 different sports. You will enjoy 6 depositing and 3 withdrawal methods when you play here. Besides, you will love the 2-day payout timeline. For convenience, SportingBet has a mobile app for both Android and iOS players.
- Pros
- Wide range of sports
- Wonderful web design
- Mobile apps available
- Many bonuses
- Cons
- Average customer support
- Does not have a casino
#4 Gbets.co.za
Gbets South Africa started operating in 2005. The bookmaker is a product of the Gold Rush Group.
By the time of writing this review, Gbets had 13 different bonuses, including a welcome bonus of R1,000. All these are available in the local currency – The South African Rand.
Gbets is owned by Dymanex (PTY) Ltd. The parent company is licensed by Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. Additionally, the bookmaker is regulated by several players. For example, the National Gaming Board. Therefore, the bookmaker operates legally in South Africa.
Gbets.co.za does not have a casino. However, it has a rich sports lobby with 48 different sports. To better the player experience, it accepts 10 deposits and 5 withdrawal methods. The payout time is between 24 hours and 7 days.
Although the standalone mobile app exists, players can use the mobile portal. This is quite the norm in most South African betting sites.
- Pros
- Many sports options.
- Live streaming through Betgames TV
- Great customer support agents
- Cons
- Casino need work on
#5 Betfred
This is not a new betting site, but it is rather new for South Africans. Since 2014, Betfred has been offering its South African players a range of gaming sections. These include a sportsbook, a Vegas games section, horse racing and a rich casino lobby.
The promo section of Betfred has bonuses for each available gaming section. All bonuses are available in Rands. This includes the R5000 + 500 FS welcome promotion.
Betfred is licensed by the National Gambling Board and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator to operate in South Africa. So, playing here is legally accepted.
Betfred Sportsbook brings you a range of 29 different sports to bet on, while the casino has over 600 games to play. The odds and RTP are above the industry average, and the payment methods are plenty. You have 8 deposit methods and 4 withdrawal options at the bookmaker.
The platform has a mobile app for both Android and iOS players. Besides, it is accessible directly through the mobile browser.
- Pros
- Great welcome bonus
- Great live-streaming service
- Many bonuses for existing customers
- Offer standalone apps
- Cons
- Outdated design for the in-play section
#6 10bet.co.za
10Bet started working in South Africa in 2022. Currently, it offers players more than 2,000 betting markets and 25,000 live events every month. Besides, it has one of the best online casinos to try out.
Like many other bookmakers, 10Bet knows how to reward its players. At the time of writing this review, there were 9 active bonuses. All these are available in Rands.
10Bet.co.za is licensed by the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator. The license reference number is 9-2-109661. Consequently, 10Bet is legally allowed to offer gaming services in South Africa as per the National Gambling Act.
In total, there are 21 sports at 10Bet. Besides, the casino section has 651 games. The average RTP for casino games ranges from 92-97%.
10Bet casino gives you 10 deposits and 4 withdrawal methods. Although some methods offer you an instant withdrawal, some require you to wait up to 2 days. 10Bet has a dedicated mobile app for Android but not for IOS.
- Pros
- Simple registration process
- Many sports and casino games
- Standalone app for Android
- South Africa sports betting
- Cons
- No iOS standalone app
- No live streaming for live matches
#7 SupaBets
SupaBets is a South African bookmaker that started its operations in 2008. It has expanded to Zambia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana.
SupaBets is a generous bookmaker with a R5000 signup bonus. If you check its promotions section, you will bump into tens of generous offers you can take. All the offers are available in S. African Rand.
SupaBets is a legally licensed bookmaker in South Africa. It operates on a license from Mpumalanga Gambling Board. The license number is 9-2-1-00055.
SupaBets has a casino section that offers 855 games and slots. On the other hand, the sportsbook has a total of 27 sports with long betting odds. If you play at the casino, you will enjoy an average RTP of 96.5%.
The available payment methods for deposits are 15, while there are 4 for withdrawals. Although SupaBets has betting apps for Android devices, it does not have any for iOS players.
- Pros
- Wide range of games
- Many bonuses and offers
- Low wagering limits for online sports betting
- Cons
- No mobile app for iOS players
- Not in the top 3 best online betting sites
#8 Bet.co.za
Bet.co.za is a bookmaker founded in 2010 in S. Africa. The platform offers sports betting services and a section with Bet games.
When you register a new account at the bookie, you can claim a R1000 welcome bonus. Besides, you will get some other offers for existing customers. The local currency for the bonuses is the Rand.
Bet.co.za is a licensed bookmaker in ZA. It operates under a license granted by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board for South African punters.
In total, there are around 21 games to play here. Additionally, there are tens of bet games like lotto, dice, and poker to try out.
Generally, the odds and RTP at Bet.co.za is above the industry average. Moreover, there are 9 deposit methods, while you have a single method to withdraw. The average payout time is 2-3 days.
Since the platform offers no mobile apps, you can only use the mobile website to play here.
- Pros
- Range of sports to bet in
- Great website
- Many bonuses
- Cons
- Limited withdrawal methods
- No dedicated mobile app
#9 PlayaBets
Since 1990, PlayaBets has been offering gaming services in South Africa. It has both an online presence and retail shops in the country.
There are many bonuses to enjoy at Playa Bets. These offers are available to all players in South African Rand. Sign up and get R2000 with your new betting account.
Playa is legal in South Africa. It holds three licenses. These include Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator and KZN Gambling.
You will find a total of 28 different sports to bet on here. Additionally, you will have hundreds of bet games to try out while enjoying a significant RTP on some of these games.
Playing here allows you to deposit and withdraw through 10 payment methods and get your payouts within 24 hours. You will find an Android and iOS mobile app at Playabets for convenience.
- Pros
- Many bonuses and promotions
- Huge sportsbook
- Competitive with all other South Africa betting sites
- Cons
- The website is not easy to navigate
#10 TictacBets
Tic Tac Bets is a widely popular name in Africa, as it targets only its citizens. It is a newer brand for South Africa.
The platform offers many betting sections, and that’s what will impress you right from first sight. Along with the standard options, such as sports pre-match and live betting, slots, live casino and virtual games, you will find additional products like BetGames, Dog and Horse racing, and even Lucky Numbers.
New customers can claim generous welcome offer (R5,000) and can choose between more than 10 payment methods to make their initial deposits (these include vouchers).
- Pros
- 100% legit
- Quick payouts
- Bonuses for birthdrays and referrals
- Cons
- No iOS app
#11 LulaBet
Lulabets is a South African gaming platform based in Cape Town. It is known for its huge casino and lively sportsbook.
There are many bonuses to enjoy at Lulabets, all available in Rands. Claim the R250 bonus if you are a new South African player.
Lulabets is licensed and regulated by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. Therefore, it operates legally in South Africa.
Lulabets offers its players 18 sports and hundreds of casino games. The average RTP is 96%, and the odds are generous for you. Playing here gives you 3 withdrawal methods and 5 depositing methods.
You have up to 48 hours to receive your payouts.
- Pros
- Huge welcome offer
- Has a rich casino lobby
- Friendly design
- Cons
- No live streaming
- No standalone app
Honourable Mentions – More South African Bookmakers
In addition to the above betting platforms, you can also consider playing on any of the below bookmakers:
- Yesplay
- Palacebet
- World Sports Betting
How We Choose the Best Betting Sites in South Africa
Selecting the best sports betting sites in South Africa is not easy. We take all the time to evaluate, compare, contrast, and settle for the best. Usually, we choose the best among the many available through a process.
Our selection process for the best South African online casinos involves checking the following essential factors.
- Payment Methods
When gaming online, you need reliable payment methods. Therefore, we check what each betting company has. We also check the payout time and the process of withdrawing. It must always be simple for you. - Security
When checking a betting site, we ensure it has good security measures. This Makes it easy to protect your data from third parties that may misuse your information. - Reputation
Before choosing a betting site, we read player reviews to see what others say about a platform. Thus, we can bring you highly respected betting sites with no record of scamming players. - Credibility
We check the license held to know a credible betting site in South Africa. Credible gaming sites should be licensed by well-known regulators. For example, the Mpumalanga Gaming Board or the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. - Game Variety
When choosing the best betting sites in South Africa, we check the number of games available; We only recommend sites that offer variety and quality. You need to play on a gaming platform with different types of games and sportsbook markets. - Jackpots and Tournaments
Finally, we care about the amount you win. Thus, we check the jackpots available on betting sites. Besides, we consider the tournaments available. We want to choose betting sites with huge prizes and well-prized tournaments for you.
Lastly, we spend a lot of time comparing all our choices. We also highlight their differences so that you settle for a perfect choice.
What Games are Popular with ZA Players?
Players in S.A. are always on the lookout for the best games allowing the highest payouts. It is no surprise that favourite titles include games like Aviator, Hot Hot Fruits & more. As a player, myself, I appreciate the variety of Bet Games on most best betting sites in South Africa that operate legally.
Players in South Africa have different tastes when it comes to gaming online. However, some games are widespread among those who love gaming. These games include:
Spina Zonke
The Spina Zonke are 500+ slot games you play at the Hollywoodbets casino site. These games feature exciting themes, RTP of 96% and varying volatility. The games offer you interesting features like the bonus buy.
Examples of the most popular Spina Zonke slots include Hot Hot Fruit, 5 Lucky Lions, and Gold Rush.
Lucky Numbers
Lucky Numbers refer to the lottery that is done online, unlike the one that needs you to visit a physical betting shop. In these games, you buy tickets, and the official draw is done online. The most popular Lucky Numbers games in South Africa include Lucky 5, Lucky 7, and Lucky 6.
Aviator
The aviator is a fascinating, fast-paced game where players bet as an aircraft takes off on a runway. As the aircraft climbs, the multiplier value increases. Here, you have the chance of cashing out at any time.
Aviator itself is a typical game in South Africa.
Betgames
Bet games are live dealer games that you bet on. These games have fixed odds, and you can find them at the best South African online casinos.
A few examples of Betgames in South Africa include Speedy 7, 6+ Poker, Wheel of Fortune, and Dice Duel.
Live Show Games
Live game shows give you a chance to meet the dealer virtually. They offer you flashy graphics and a lively experience. Here, the traditional tables payout rules are slightly changed to give you better wins.
Common examples in the S. African market include Crazy Time, Monopoly Live and Funky Time.
What Sports Are Popular for Betting in South Africa?
Although South African punters bet on almost all the sports available at bookmakers, some sports are more popular than others. Let us discuss some of these sports.
Football
Football is the most common sport to bet on in South Africa. You will love the available markets, bet types and bonuses that follow betting here. The most common football betting markets include Asian handicaps and correct scores.
Cricket
Betting on cricket in S. Africa allows you access to both domestic and international markets. Here, the top result and the total wickets taken are the most common markets. Examples of cricket leagues include the Momentum One Day Cup and T20 Challenge.
Rugby
Rugby is as common as football in the S. African betting arena. The common rugby leagues to bet on in South Africa include Currie Cup, Six Nations, and Super Rugby. Certainly, the most common markets include match results, handicap betting, and first try scorer.
eSports
eSports are simply video games. You play simulations of your best sports on the computer or mobile phone. The most common eSports in South Africa include Call of Duty, League of Legends and Dota 2.
Fantasy League Betting
Fantasy League betting allows players to engage in virtual sports, paying loyalty to teams that they support but virtually. Examples of fantasy league betting happen in football. Mostly, punters bet on the virtual Premier League and La Liga.
Zoom Soccer
Zoom soccer gives you a chance to bet on virtual football. Here, there is a soccer match simulation, and you support a team of your choice. It is also called virtual soccer. Like in real soccer, the common markets include correct score, total goals, and double chance.
Jika Sports
Jika Sports is known to animate real games fully. The animated sport takes place every 6 minutes in the case of soccer, and you can place your bet. The markets differ from one sport to another.
Mobile Betting in SA
Mobile betting in South Africa is highly advanced. There are standalone apps that players can download and use real money to play through them. For casinos that do not have such, they offer mobile betting sites for their players.
Data-free betting is placing bets without using internet connectivity. This is common in South Africa. Play on DataFree Apps for both Hollywoodbets & betway, for example. A good example is Hollywoodbets, which offers a free betting mode.
Due to convenience, mobile betting is very popular in South Africa.
Promotions for South Africans
We consider bonuses and promotions when choosing the best sports betting sites for you. We need you to enjoy freebies that will improve your betting experience.
When betting at South African bookmakers, you will enjoy different bonuses. A few examples of these include:
- Sign Up bonus
- Free bet vouchers S.A.
- FICA bonus
- No deposit free spins
- Birthday Bonuses
- Refer a friend bonuses
- Jackpot pool prizes
- Deposit-based bonuses
Due to the competitive nature of the South African online betting landscape, many new bonuses are coming up. A good example is a mobile bonus for those using mobile devices to place wagers on some gaming platforms.
What Payment Methods are Popular in ZA?
Betting on real money is a common thing at South African bookmakers. Consequently, you need to know what payment methods are available for you. This way, you can choose the most convenient deposit and withdrawal methods.
You can make payments through top-up vouchers or bank transfers when betting in South Africa. Good examples are EasyEFT, Blu Voucher, Ozow, 1VOUCHER, OTT Voucher, Kazang and others. Moreover, you can transfer from one betting account to another.
Are Winning Taxed?
This is a complex question! And the answer is yes and no. If you play for fun and win, you will not pay any tax on your winnings, no matter how huge the win is. This is the same case for lotto. However, all professional gamblers in South Africa are expected to pay taxes.
Moreover, all the online and land-based bookmakers in SA pay taxes based on their annual revenue.
Interesting Facts – Gambling & South Africa
Did you know that:
- South Africa’s gaming sector is the most vibrant in Africa.
- The most popular kind of gambling in South Africa is Lotto.
- Offshore bookmakers are illegal in South Africa but are the most popular.
- Professional gamblers are supposed to pay taxes?
- The largest gambling city in South Africa is Cape Town.
Gambling Law for Online Casinos & Bookmakers in South Africa
The best online casino in South Africa and bookmakers should obtain proper licenses from the respective authorities in the country, i.e. WCGRB (Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board) for example.
It is illegal for any online betting platform to operate in the country without a license. Offshore bookmakers are illegal in South Africa as they are not licensed in South Africa.
The Bottom Line: Betting in SA 2024
The gambling scene in South Africa is changing. New laws mean only the best betting sites get to accept SA players legally. I am sure more imminent changes will shape the iGamming future of our country for the better.
South Africa has the most robust gambling landscape in Africa. Consequently, it has many online betting sites in operation. This makes it hard for you as a player to choose the best online casino in South Africa easily. However, we have given you a comprehensive guide that helps you choose a good bookmaker and some of our hand-picked options.
As things are, the betting arena of South Africa continues to grow, and we continue to do more research to help you choose a bookmaker of your choice among the many available.
FAQ
Is betting online legal in South Africa?
Yes, betting online in South Africa is legal. However, the betting platform must be licensed by one of the regulatory bodies in the country.
Which is the best bookmaker in SA for 2024?
The best betting site in South Africa in 2024 differs from player to player. Based on the above review, you can choose and play at the bookie that meets your ideal betting platform. Silentbet ranked Betway as the number 1 bookie in ZA for this year.
Are offshore betting sites legit?
At the moment, offshore bookmakers serving South African players are not regulated, hence illegal. Bookmakers are considered legal when they are licensed in South Africa.
Is 1xbet legal in South Africa?
No, it is not. However, you can play at 10Bet or Hollywoodbets.
Is bet365 legal in SA?
Currently, the bookmaker needs a license to work in South Africa. Therefore, try other alternatives like PlayaBet or LulaBet.
Is FICA necessary when betting on South African sites?
Yes, FICA documents are necessary when betting on South African sites. You need them to verify your betting account. Plus, this may land you a FICA bonus if the bookie is offering one for verification.
Where can I find the best welcome bonuses and first deposit bonus promo codes?
Find all bonus codes and promotions to do with South African sports betting and online casino games here, on Silentbet!