5 Trends that will shape South Africas online betting landscape in 2024 u

As well as individual reviews, we also compare the best South African bookmakers and offer alternatives. 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. With a reputation for excellence and a dedication to social responsibility, Afrirent Holdings aims to create value, foster economic development, and empower local communities in West Africa. Now, the company is leveraging its expertise in gaming and entertainment to introduce new and exciting offerings to consumers in West Africa, catering to the evolving needs and preferences of the market.

III. BetShezi

US sports such as the National Basketball Association (NBA)  and National Football League (NFL) have also attracted a new betting audience in South Africa. Although sports betting is legal in most provinces, other forms of online gambling, like remote casinos, are not. One of the aims of the Remote Gambling Bill, which is backed by the Democratic Alliance, is to regulate various types of online gambling by introducing uniform norms and standards pertaining to “interactive gambling”. South African bettors often seek alternatives due to limitations or their personal preferences. Below are some alternatives that have something the original bookmaker lacks, whether it’s bonuses, live betting quality, ease of use or South African betting markets. With so many bettors preferring to gamble online, South Africa’s online sports betting market has expanded remarkably in recent years.

While having a big focus on the sports part of the market, MultiChoice has offerings beyond this. The local market is dominated by Betway, Hollywoodbets, PlayaBets and Easybet. Each site has its strengths, like betting live during the betting sport fight or options to cash out. They could improve, though, like by adding more live fight streams or simplifying things for beginners.

• In spite of different religion, language, age, social status, race, culture or political views, people all over South Africa have 1 mutual thing – they are wild sport fans.
• Yep, totally legal — as long as you’re betting with licensed sportsbooks in south africa regulated by the Gambling Board.
• We’ve done the legwork for you, and these are our choices for placing the best sports betting in SA.
• Having a variety of sports markets ensures that you can explore mainstream events and specialized competitions.
• Borrowers tend to be young urban males with 54% in Kenya and 64% in Tanzania.
• From the very beginning, the country has put rushing limitations on gambling (including sports betting) since 1673.

How old is the betting industry in South Africa?

This means there’s no need to leave your home, and you can bet from the comfort of it. In other words, you need to look beyond the title of the bonus and consider factors such as wagering requirements and restrictions on eligible bets. Another key point is ensuring that the terms surrounding the bonus are fair and reasonable. Explore statistics, trends, and expert predictions ahead of laying your bets.

• It is no surprise then that Nigerians spend over $2-billion every year on sports betting.
• We have put online betting sites in South Africa to the test and picked only the best offers for you, so you can place your bets online in a fun and safe way.
• In Tanzania, online gambling has experienced rapid growth during the past couple of years, thanks to the mobile infrastructure continuously expanding.
• “The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation offers free and confidential counselling services,” he added.
• The primary responsibility of such organizations is to ensure safety in the industry.
• 1994 saw a new democratic government taking powered and all forms of gambling were legalized.
• South African players can now put money on their favorite teams and events thanks to 1Win sports betting, a feature that brings them closer to the action than ever before.
• The National Gambling Board oversees, enforces, and ensures that sports betting in South Africa operates fairly and transparently.

The Ministry of International Relations under Lamola — diplomacy of concessions or betrayal of national interests?

Below, you’ll find a comparison table of the best options, along with a detailed look at what each bookmaker does well. 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.

Ultimately, the success of the industry will depend on the ability of operators to understand the unique needs and challenges of the African market and to tailor their products and services accordingly. Every month, we update our sportsbook reviews based on member feedback and operator updates. We may write a new review when bookmakers update their sites or platforms or when new South African sports betting sites surface. Esports betting is gaining popularity, with more bookmakers offering exciting options.

Best South African Betting Sites FAQs

We’re about to help you gain a better understanding of the history of sports betting and also clear up any confusion about a number of the rules currently in place. From the very beginning, the country has put rushing limitations on gambling (including sports betting) since 1673. In 1965, the Gambling Act prohibited diverse types of sports betting except for horse racing.

Betting Markets & Odds

Overall, the main role of the National Gambling Board is to protect bettors from unfair practices. It is also responsible for promoting responsible gaming and keeping a close eye on underage betting. Experience (mobile and computer)A reliable sports betting platform will have an easy-to-use desktop interface, allowing you to find what you’re looking for in a reasonable amount of time. Types of Bonuses and PromotionsThese are the most popular bonuses you’ll find when signing up and playing at top sports betting destinations in SA. In terms of sports betting, South Africa has witnessed a remarkable evolution from traditional methods to the integration of cutting-edge technology that merits closer examination. This transformation reflects the shifting preferences of consumers, concurrently showcasing the remarkable adaptive capacity of the industry in modern technological advancements.

Casino gross gambling revenues declined for the first time since 1997 reflecting the tough economic conditions and the impact of illegal gambling. This report covers casino gambling, limited payout machines (LPMs), betting (horse racing, sports and fixed odds), bingo and the National Lottery. It provides a diverse selection of betting markets including moneyline bets, over/under rounds, and method of victory. This encourages more South Africans to bet safely, securely and ultimately responsibly. Of particular importance for South Africa has been the rise of mobile sports betting apps.

Frequency of gambling

Yes, sports betting is legal in South Africa as long as you use a licensed and regulated sportsbook. Features of Mobile Betting AppsMobile apps send push notifications for promotions and bonuses. The National Gambling Board oversees, enforces, and ensures that sports betting in South Africa operates fairly and transparently.

From casinos to smartphones – the big shift in South Africa’s gambling market

To understand more about the dynamics of gambling, infoQuest, a South African online research company recently conducted a survey amongst 300 gamblers. Meanwhile, Goldrush’s land-based operations, including Bingo, Limited Payout Machines, and Retail Sports Betting, faced challenges during the same period. However, the overall operating environment showed some improvement, aided by reduced load-shedding compared to previous years. We don’t tolerate half-measures at SunBet, so you can rest assured that your personal information and funds are completely secure.

Bookmaker Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

• Given the rapid expansion of the Internet across the continent and its good availability, the football fan base and audience in other sports continues to grow.
• There have been repeated promises from the South African government and Trade and Industry Ministers that online gambling in the form of casino games such as poker will be made legal.
• Usually providing a range of bonuses and promotions, betting sites in South Africa draw in new players and keep devoted users.
• A sports betting site is safe if it is licensed by a reputable gambling authority, and regulated in its relevant jurisdiction.
• Just for signing up at this new South African sports betting site, I got a R50 free bet.
• This allows you to settle your bet early and lock in some form of winnings, even if you’ve experienced losses.
• Those South Africans will have shared their sports betting experiences with family and friends back home, further nudging them towards it as a worthwhile activity.

You can grab a free bet by keeping tabs on the promotions section of Bets.co.za. Increased smartphone penetration – now at over 70% of South Africa’s population – and strong adoption of digital platforms is driving a surge in online gambling in South Africa. The Media Online is the definitive online point of reference for South Africa’s media industry offering relevant, focused and topical news on the media sector. Sun International’s income rose by 5% to R6 billion, driven by gaming, which accounts for 77.4% of total income and grew by 3.4%.

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

Kickboxing and Muay Thai, with their emphasis on striking and aggressive exchanges, tend to produce more exciting and unpredictable fights, offering different betting opportunities. Unlike boxing, which focuses solely on punches, MMA incorporates striking, grappling, and ground fighting, influencing how odds are set and bets are made. The popularity of tennis is also significant and is growing at steady rates of about 20% per year. The inclusion of crypto payments is expected to have a similar effect, although many countries, including South Africa, are still working on incorporating cryptocurrencies into their financial systems. This is according to the iGaming Trends 2025 report by Malta-based iGaming software supplier Softswiss. Now its third year, the report surveyed operators, game developers, technology providers, media professionals and affiliate marketers in North America, Europe, South America, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

National lottery

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), especially through UFC events, offers a distinct betting landscape compared to boxing. MMA fights can end in multiple ways such as knockout, submission, or decision. Their platform is designed for ease of use, with a straightforward interface and a mobile app that ensures you can bet on the go. What makes Betway particularly attractive is the competitive welcome bonus of up to R1,000 for new sign-ups, enhancing the initial betting experience. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and its premier league, the UFC, have captured the imagination of sports fans around the world, including in South Africa. “For economically constrained consumers however, gambling presents a particularly risky pastime fraught with potential pitfalls.

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. Betting and gambling have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with evidence of wagering found in ancient civilisations from China to Greece. In South Africa, the story of betting and gambling is a relatively recent one, with the horse racing industry only becoming legal in 1965. At its core, Baccarat is a game of guessing, where players place bets on which hand out of the two being dealt shall win.

• Many sportsbooks offer tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion options to help you do exactly this.
• Our next step is to examine some of the payment methods for South African betting offered by trusted South African bookmakers.
• Betting on fighters like Kamaru Usman, Valentina Shevchenko, and Israel Adesanya, each with unique styles, can make your bets more thrilling.
• Interestingly, there has been rapid growth in the popularity of darts, especially in 2023.
• You can find more details on betting law and related topics on our Betting Law page.
• While mobile penetration is high, internet access is still limited in many parts of Africa.

Only available to South African bank account holders with internet banking access. From football and MMA to kabaddi and eSports, BetShezi offers a huge range of sports. You’ll love the live betting, bet builder, system bets, and boosted odds that make every wager more exciting and flexible. By using our website, content and services you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

GRIPP Advisory has a vast amount of collective experience in providing advisory services to the gambling industry of South Africa and other African countries. From the time gambling was introduced in East Africa it was a niche activity enjoyed by a few participants in society mostly foreigners and specific groups. It was not a main stream activity but mainly confined to casinos with expatriates and elites making up the bulk of their customers (1). There were also national lotteries mostly having the general public as users running in the East African countries which people bought tickets and wait for the draws to see if they won.

In South Africa, sports betting is legal, but only through licensed operators regulated by provincial gambling boards. Unlike some countries, betting on college sports is permitted, as long as the event is listed on a licensed sportsbook. However, all bettors must be 18 years or older, and sportsbooks must comply with responsible gambling laws to prevent underage betting.

Fortunately, for players, the government has established laws and regulations to ensure only docile casinos and betting sites can offer their services in South Africa. More betting establishments are continuing to appear on the horizon, meaning the industry will keep broadening, according to its high demand. After all, we can make a prediction that it has come from the times of gladiator games or even earlier.

• So, while mobile apps have made sports betting more convenient and accessible for users around the world, their impact has been even greater in South Africa.
• BetShezi casino also offers a 4-tiered welcome bonus worth up to R10,000 for a 20x turnover.
• There are currently nine boards in South Africa who are able to license online betting sites.
• A 2016 study by the University of Cape Town’s Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health noted a significant association between suicidality and pathological gambling.
• However, not every well-known bookmaker offers its services on the continent.
• Perhaps one of the most important rules of betting is setting a budget and sticking to it.

Its brands, Gbets.co.za and Goldrush.co.za, are capitalizing on the rapidly expanding South African online gaming market. The business has reached a scale where it benefits from the efficiencies of the online model, allowing for increased marketing investment to strengthen brand presence. Despite fierce competition, the team has focused on running the division profitably rather than solely pursuing market share. In addition to our detailed, individual bookmaker reviews, we publish comprehensive comparison guides so you can compare top South African sportsbooks side-by-side.

Providers of mobile money credit in both countries are many with the likes of MShwari, KCB MPesa, Equity Eazzy, Tala, MCoop Cash and Branch being among the popular ones. Within a few seconds the borrowers are credited the money after accepting the terms and conditions of the loan. 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.

Tractor Media Holdings rebrands as the Glynt Group

The development of sophisticated betting platforms and mobile betting apps in league with the Betway app has revolutionised how bettors engage with sports events. These apps offer a seamless betting experience, providing real-time odds, live streaming of events and instant transaction processing. Furthermore, integration with digital payment systems has facilitated secure and convenient transactions for bettors. Improved internet connectivity and smartphone penetration are transforming the gambling landscape, making platforms more accessible across the continent. Leading providers such as Betway are capitalizing on this trend by offering sports betting, casino games, and lotteries through mobile apps. These advancements reflect a shift toward online channels, positioning Africa as a key player in the global gambling industry.

For those who feel their gambling habits might be affecting their financial well-being, Manyike advises seeking support. “The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation offers free and confidential counselling services,” he added. Additionally, professional counsellors who specialise in gambling addiction can provide guidance. The UEFA Champions League 2025 season has been packed with drama, big goals, and surprise results.