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Discover the Best Online Betting Sites and Bookmakers in South Africa
Are you on the hunt for top betting odds and the best online betting sites in South Africa? We teamed up with online betting experts to create this comprehensive guide to sports bets and the best ways to place bets with bookies in th Rainbow Nation. We concluded that the best betting site in South Africa is Betway.
| Betting Site | Rating | Highlight | Bonus | Safe Link | Terms & Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betway | 5.0/5.0 | Best in customer service | Get R25 Sign Up Bet | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. Eligibility restrictions apply. GambleAware. |
| Matchbook | 4.9/5.0 | Among the highest odds | $20Money Back In First Bet Loses | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. Eligibility restrictions apply. GambleAware. |
| Betsson | 4.6/5.0 | Live betting and online casino | Up to $100 + $10 Free Bet | Visit Site! | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. Eligibility restrictions apply. GambleAware. |
Our team of experts curated this list of the best sportsbooks in South Africa, as well as their respective sports betting apps, ensuring they met our rigid assessment criteria. Once you are done reading through this online sportsbook guide, you will have a strong understanding of how to find the best online bookies. Remember to revisit this guide every time you come across a new bookie and feel tempted to sign up.
| 🎁 Best Betting Offers | Betsson |
| 📱 Top Betting App | Betway |
| 💳 Top for Visa Betting | Matchbook |
| 🎮 Best for eSports Betting | Betway |
| ⚽ Best for Football Betting | Betway |
| 🏇 Top Horse Racing Betting Site | Matchbook |
| 🏉 Best Rugby Betting Site | Betsson |
| 🆕 Top New Betting Site | Matchbook |
Since the online betting market is constantly evolving and growing, please bear in mind that the betting platforms on this list of top sports betting sites are subject to change as new operators enter the market. You can use this guide to find competitive odds and the best bookies in South Africa and learn how to identify safe ways to gamble online on major sports.
The Best Betting Sites in South Africa: Our Test Winner for 2024
Hands down, the best bookie online sports betting site combo that emerged from our set of rigorous tests and assessments is Betway. Betway is our best online betting site, and it is quite simply the ideal platform to place bets for a South African player. Every other betting site mentioned in this guide has also convinced us by meeting our criteria. As you read on, you will learn more about what makes a good bookie and the best sites great.
| 🥇 Best Betting Site | Betway |
| 🎁 Welcome Bonus Offer | See Details |
| ⚽ Sports to Bet on | 36+ |
| 💻 Daily Live Betting | 260+ |
| 📈 Payout Rate | 95.15% |
| 💳 Top Payment Method | Visa |
The best betting sites online comprise a complex set of features and attributes. To get a better understanding of all the different qualities that a reliable, trustworthy and appealing bookmaker should possess, we invite you to read this guide to the very end. Below, we have outlined some of the top qualities that a bookie needs to possess to stand out from the crowd and be worthy of your attention.
How You Can Choose the Best Online Bookies
The best gambling websites in South Africa have all gone to great lengths to offer great bets and provide an unforgettable betting experience. We place great emphasis on player satisfactin as the biggest factor to consider when choosing between different bookies. Take a look below at the 12 factors that contribute to it.
12 Criteria for Finding the Best South African Online Betting Sites
- Reliability The best online sportsbooks protect their users from scams and potentially risky situations. You know that you can rely on the best to keep you safe.
- Betting Variety The best online betting sites ensure they include a wide variety of betting markets. You’ll find several different bet types and a plethora of live betting options.
- Odds Odds are a method of calculating the likelihood of a certain outcome of an event. The best bookies will provide great odds.
- Bonus Almost all major bookies in the market today will offer attractive welcome bonuses, boosted odds, seasonal promotions, risk free bet deals, and other offers. remember to check wagering terms!
- In-Play Betting & Streaming Live betting, also known as in-play betting, allows players to bet on events as they are taking place live. As a bonus of live bets, players can also enjoy live streams of their favourite sports.
- Mobile App Every top sports betting platform today is sure to offer a mobile app as a part of their experience. A well-designed and easy-to-use mobile app can enable players to bet anytime they want from wherever they are.
- Platform Site design and usability are two major factors that our experts considered when assessing the best gambling sites. A poorly designed site can have a detrimental effect on the overall experience of betting online.
- Payment Methods The best bookies set themselves apart from the rest by prioritising intuitive site design and data security.
- Security Security finds itself at the forefront of any interaction in the online world that involves money changing hands. The best sportsbooks in South Africa ensure that their players are in safe hands.
- Reputation While you can rely on industry experts to give you the latest information on reputable online betting platforms, another great source of information is real world reviews from players.
- Betting Exchange & Cash Out The option to cash out and exit a bet before the conclusion of an event is a novel feature that allows players to safely keep their winnings. Betting exchange sites allow players to essentially act as bookies.
- Customer Support It’s important to remain aware that accidents can happen when betting online. The presence of customer service teams can help players reach a speedy resolution.
As you can see from the detailed table above, online gambling sites need to meet several conditions to qualify as the best online sportsbooks in South Africa today. Let us take a closer look at each of our detailed assessment criteria for deciding on the best sports betting sites in SA.
A Trustworthy Bookmaker Protects Players from Fraud
The best online sports betting websites in South Africa have good reputations among players. The best websites have a clean record of never allowing scams, fraudulent activity or general malicious behaviour. When registering, always be sure to check for an association between the sports betting markets platform and a regulatory body.
To create a safe betting environment at online websites for yourself, just sign up with a reputable platform that is affiliated with regulatory bodies and player protection agencies. All the South Africa betting sites listed on this page are backed by strong industry reputations as some of the most trustworthy and reliable bookies in the market today.
Betting Variety: The Best Betting Sites Offer You Unlimited Options
The best online betting sites in SA provide their users with a wide range of betting markets and mobile site access. Previously, choices were limited to a handful of select sports occurring throughout the year. Today, there is always something to bet on at any time of the year. The top operators give you the opportunity to bet on all major leagues and sports.
While it’s guaranteed that you will be able to bet on fan favourite sports such as cricket, football, boxing and rugby, many of the best bookies in South Africa will also allow you to place bets on more niche markets from around the betting world, such as greyhounds and horse racing. The best bookies are constantly diversifying their offerings to include more novelty.
Odds: The Determining Factor Behind Big Wins
Every bookie in South Africa is known to arrive at their own odds for each event on which you can place a bet online. For a player, the best approach is to look into the odds displayed by different bookies and to place a bet with the bookie that provides the best odds for the specific event or game.
| Betting Site | Average Odds % | Football Odds % | Horse Racing % | Rugby Odds % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betway | 95.15% | 94.75% | 96.60% | 96.40% |
| Matchbook | 94.65% | 93.80% | 97.15% | 97.15% |
| Betsson | 94.85% | 94.05% | 94.50% | 96.55% |
Betting sites will always tend to claim to have the best odds on the market. However, we strongly advise you to take this claim with a pinch of salt. In our experience, depending on the sport in question different bookies have the best odds at different times.
Welcome Bonuses: An Enticing Offer to Sign Up and Start Playing
| Bonus Award | Betting Site |
|---|---|
| Best Betting Bonus | Betsson |
| Top New Offer | Betway |
| Best 100% Deposit Match | Betsson |
| Enhanced Odds | Matchbook |
Time to talk about betting sites offers: almost all the best online betting sites in South Africa offer new users a welcome bonus. Welcome bonuses are offered during the signup process to get new players on board. You can also use the table below to look up the best betting site offers. Some of the best bookmaker offers are also unlocked during seasonal promotions or in the lead-up to the start of a major tournament.
Since punters are keen to find the best sports betting bonuses, our team of experts made sure to take welcome bonuses and seasonal promotions into consideration when trying to identify the best betting sites in SA. Check the table above and click on any of the links to claim your first welcome bonus.
Another important note about bookmakers offers: remember to pay attention to the terms and conditions when signing up with a new betting platform and claiming a lucrative-looking welcome bonus. Bookies will often require punters to meet various terms and conditions before they can claim their bonuses in entirety.
What Are in Play Features and How Are They Important?
In the earlier days of betting options were limited to a handful of bets offered by only the best online gambling sites. It is unimaginable to think that bettors had to travel across town to place bets at the local bookies. The betting ecosystem has become so technologically advanced that in-play betting bookmakersare now allowing users to place new bets while a game is still being played out.
The best sports betting sites in South Africa will offer many live betting options that players take advantage of to enhance their betting experience. In-play features are further supported by live streams of sports and the statistics pages that are updated in real-time to help players keep up with all the action.
Live Streaming: An Additional Perk Offered by the Best Bookies
One of the latest additions to the elaborate suite of features offered by the best bookies in South Africa is the option to live stream your favourite sporting events. The biggest bookies offer live streams as an optional extra, almost exclusively to customers who have placed a bet at least 24 hours before the event takes place.
Mobile Apps: All the Betting Action Anytime, Anywhere
Mobile apps used to be an additional luxury that was offered by a few select bookies to help create a more engaging betting experience for their players. However, times have changed and mobile apps are now a staple offered by almost all the top bookies in South Africa. There are several benefits to mobile betting that we will get into.
The Best Mobile Betting Site for 2024
The benefits offered by mobile apps revolve around the versatility and the ability to let you gamble from wherever you are, at any time you want. Testing the apps offered by top bookies was one of the key tasks of our research team. The best mobile betting apps were added to this list based on their performance across a range of parameters such as usability and how many clicks it takes to place a bet.
Platform Quality: A Crucial Factor in Making Smooth Bets
Another important factor when considering the best bookmakers in South Africa was the platform quality. Our team of experts paid close attention to certain evaluation parameters such as ease of navigation, site layout and functionality, it was also important for us to see the presence of quick links, among others.
The Betsson Platform
- The Bookmaker with the Best Platform
- User-friendly interface
- Several betting markets available
In the table above, you can see the sports betting site that outperformed all others in our assessment of their platform usability. Quick links, site layout and ease of navigation are just some of the factors that our team has assessed to bring you the most up-to-date information on the best betting platforms in South Africa.
What Are Some of the Best Payment Methods Available in South Africa?
As we conducted our research and gathered information from punters from around the world, it emerged that the availability of a wide selection of payment options is a key deciding factor when it comes to choosing the best operator. Some popular payment methods available in South Africa, along with bank transfers and eWallets, are credit and debit cards.
Having access to a variety of payment methods is also an important security factor helping to protect players. For example, players who are concerned about privacy and anonymity may use a prepaid card to protect their identities. We invite you to check out the table below to look into some of the payment methods offered by betting sites in South Africa.
| Payment Method | Min/Max Deposit | Deposit time | Min/Max Withdrawal | Withdrawal time | Fees | More Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | R25 – R1,000,000 | Instant | R25 – R1,000,000 | 1-5 Banking Days | Free | Visa Betting Sites |
| Mastercard | R25 – R1,000,000 | Instant | R25 – R1,000,000 | 1-5 Banking Days | Free | Mastercard Betting Sites |
| Bank Transfer | R50 – R1,000,000 | 1-3 Banking Days | N/A | N/A | Free | Bank Transfer Betting Sites |
| Skrill | $10 – $6,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A | Free | Skrill Betting Sites |
| Neteller | $10 – $6,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A | Free | Neteller Betting Sites |
Whether you are about to sign up with online bookmakers in South Africa or if you have already signed up and are about to make your first payment, we urge you to take two important factors into consideration. The transaction limits and withdrawal times, as both things can impact the experience you have.
How Secure Are the Sports Gambling Websites?
The National Gambling Board is responsible for the regulation and oversight of online sports betting and other gambling activities in South Africa. In order to operate in South Africa, bookies must be licensed by one of the provinces and these are the only bookies that players can use. This helps ensure that players have a safe gambling experience.
| Betting Site | South Africa Licence Number | Data Encryption | Website | Player Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betway | 10181496-008 | Cloudflare Inc | www.cloudflare.com | Western Cape Government |
| Matchbook | Alderney Gambling Control Commission | Go Daddy | www.godaddy.com | IBAS |
| Betsson | MGA/CRP/108/2004 | Amazon | aws.amazon.com | eCOGRA |
Apart from working with local regulatory authorities, the best betting sites in SA also partner with data and cybersecurity management firms, technical testers, and player protection agencies. The best bookies understand the value of their players and so make sure to keep their data safe. In our opinion, the best online betting sites worldwide can’t call themselves such if they don’t protect their paying customers.
Industry Reputation
While there are several ways to assess the legitimacy of a bookie, few ways hold more merit than real-world reviews left by players on forums. We frequented several forums to collect feedback and opinions from players. We explored the promotions offered by bookies, the handling of disputed bets and any teething problems faced by newer sports betting platforms.
This is a greater indicator of a platform’s legitimacy. The players who have contributed to and built the massive online sports betting universe that exists today know it best. They remain our number one go-to source for information on the latest developments in the world of online sports betting.
Additional Features: Betting Exchange and Cash Out
Two unique features offered by some of the best online sports betting sites in South Africa are betting exchange and cash out. Before we get into the details, you should know that not all bookies are known to offer these features. Remember to keep an eye out for these additional perks, since they can take your betting experience to the next level.
The Betting Exchange Feature
Usually, players are limited to placing bets just against the bookie as they venture into placing bets online. Not at betting exchange sites. When participating in a betting exchange, players essentially switch places with the bookie and are allowed to create discrete events which then allow other players to place bets against each other, against a predefined set of outcomes.
In our view, betting exchanges are a huge plus for users as it gives them complete control over the sort of bets that they want to participate in. For bookies, betting exchanges are a great way to gain valuable insight into the sort of bets that players want to place. The best South African bookmakers offer a betting exchange as a valuable feature that is available to players.
The Cash Out Option
The best bookmakers in South Africa have introduced cash out as a feature that players can activate to exit bets early. The cash-out feature can be used before the end of a match and a player will be able to exit with a percentage of their maximum winnings, depending on the time at which they have exited the bet.
The most significant highlight of the cash-out feature is that it allows players the opportunity to exit a bet if it looks like a certain match is going to end differently than they hoped. Knowing when to cash out is a skill that takes time to develop, as you will take home less than what you were initially going to, had your original bet come true.
Customer Service: The Importance of Professional Support
It’s a given that the most popular sites are all equipped with highly professional customer service teams. You can rest assured that we have done our part to ensure that every bookie mentioned in this guide ranks highly in the aspect of providing stellar customer service.
It should be possible to reach customer service through different channels such as phone calls, email or live chat. In our experience, live chat is the quickest way to reach resolutions and arrive at favourable outcomes when dealing with customer service. Most bookies will offer this feature.
Extra Features: Other Ways to Win with Bookmakers
In a bid to set themselves apart from the crowd, the top platforms in South Africa are known to provide additional gaming options, aside from all the features that we have highlighted in the above paragraphs. Alongside traditional sports, players can gamble on novel markets such as politics, finance, entertainment, world events, and even weather conditions! And then there are classic online casino games.
In addition to niche betting markets, the best online bookmakers offer several other gaming options such as casino games. If your favourite betting markets are shut, or if you’re looking for another way to play besides sports, these South Africa casino options are sure to help you meet all your betting needs. Indeed, it’s more likely you will receive a deposit bonus upon creating a casino account rather than a betting account.
The Most Popular Sport: Top Football Betting Sites in South Africa
Generally speaking in the online gambling market, the betting experience offered by the top sportsbook in South Africa sometimes depends on the sport that you are the most interested in. However, apart from being the most popular sport in the world, football betting sites and football also find themselves at the top of the list of the most popular betting sports in South Africa and sports respectively.
| Football Betting Site | Rating | Bonus | Secure Link | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betway | 5.0/5.0 To The Review | Get R25 Sign Up Bet | Visit Site | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. Eligibility restrictions apply. GambleAware. |
| Matchbook | 4.5/5.0 To The Review | $20 Money Back In First Bet Loses | Visit Site | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. Eligibility restrictions apply. GambleAware. |
| Betsson | 4.0/5.0 To The Review | Up to $100 + $10 Free Bet | Visit Site | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. Eligibility restrictions apply. GambleAware. |
The best online sportsbooks in South Africa will allow you to bet on the most popular football league matches taking place around the world, in addition to the option to bet on local league matches too. Some of the leagues you can expect to place bets on are the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A.
The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
After football, horse racing is an extremely popular sport in the Rainbow Nation that punters love to gamble on. The most famous horse race in the world is the Kentucky Derby. As well as the Kentucky Derby, players can also place bets at several other local derbies that take place around the world. The best sports betting apps cover these markets, so South African punters can place a bet right up until the gates open.
The best horse racing betting sites in South Africa are sure to give you several options in terms of having markets to gamble on, with some even offering odds boosts from time to time. Along similar lines, the outstanding operators also allow you to gamble on greyhound racing, which is another fan favourite on the average SA bet slip.
The Top Rugby Betting Sites
Since becoming a professional sport in 1995, Rugby has undergone tremendous growth by attracting top athletes. Rugby is now the third most popular betting market in South Africa at all the leading legal betting sites. Use this comprehensive guide to online betting to find the best rugby betting sites available in South Africa today.
While going through different South African betting sites that offer Rugby, please remember that different platforms offer different benefits. While some betting sites are known to offer you match outcome bets, others will allow you to take your chances with futures. Use this guide to know which is the right site for you to place your rugby bet.
Other Popular Sports You Can Bet On
There are several other top sports from around the world that you can place bets on, using this guide to the best betting sites in South Africa. The most beautiful thing about sports online is its ability to bring people together from different backgrounds. Not to forget the best betting odds! The top operators are aware of this and accordingly, provide something for everyone.
By playing at the top operators on the market, you can participate in all the action taking place in international sports at any time of the year. While you should be careful when trying out new or unfamiliar sports, you should take the time to explore new sports and betting markets as you get more proficient at gambling online.
Best New Betting Sites: The Top Market Newcomers
Punters today find themselves in a position of privilege. Never before has there been so much choice and variety in the world of online betting. As new bookies constantly come and go, they bring a slew of innovations with them that have a tendency to change the online sports betting website landscape for the better.
The top new betting sites will allow you to get in on all the action taking place in global sport at any given time. From football in South Africa to cricket in Australia, you can be sure that there is an exciting betting that caters to everyone’s wants and needs.
License and Regulation
While the country has held a traditionally conservative view towards gambling, the government and other regulatory authorities have, over the last couple of decades, been working towards the liberalization of the laws surrounding gambling. According to the National Gaming Board of South Africa, the only legal gambling activity is sports betting at the time of writing.
The regulations imposed by the National Gaming Board of South Africa and the laws implemented by the provinces of the country ensure that players’ best interests are protected while playing on betting sites in South Africa. The legality of sports betting and the presence of several betting platforms who are registered oversees help players in the region indulge in a pleasant and hassle-free online gaming experience. All in all, measure are in place to keep all players safe at betting websites in South Africa.
Online Bookmakers vs. Betting Shops
There are several popular betting shops in South Africa, making it possible to gamble in stores. However, the experience offered by betting shops is slow and cumbersome when compared to the ease, convenience and speed of betting with online bookmakers. Take a look at the table below to understand the pros and cons of each.
| Online Bookmakers | Betting Shops |
| + Available 24/7 | + Large range of betting options |
| + Huge range of betting options | – Limited opening hours |
| + In-play betting for desktop and mobile | – Very limited in-play possibilities |
| + A lot of bonuses and promotions | – No bonuses and promotions |
The biggest highlight of online sports betting is the luxury of having easy access to different bookies and the odds they offer. Compare this to visiting a betting shop, a customer would have to travel across town to inquire about odds. Fortunately, the best betting sites in South Africa have made betting easier than ever before.
The Final Take on the Best Betting Sites in South Africa
The National Gaming Board of South Africa protects players from unregulated platforms and contributes to the creation of a safe and secure betting environment. The presence of a regulatory authority, along with all the amazing sports betting sites across the nation mean that punters always have something to look forward to while playing online.
Our final tip is to open accounts with more than one bookmaker to make the most of the online sports betting experience. Doing so will allow you to bet in a wide range of international betting markets while also allowing you to cash in on the lucrative welcome bonuses that are offered to you.
FAQ
We hope you found this guide to online sports betting sites in South Africa beneficial as a go-to guide. In case you have any more doubts, please visit the FAQ section below. If you need any additional information about online sports betting, first deposit bonus offers, risk free first bet deals, bet boost promos, or absolutely anything else, please feel free to check out the rest of our website.
🥇 What is the best site for sports betting in South Africa?
Betway leads the way on the list of top 3 betting sites in South Africa by offering players a safe, secure and diverse betting experience through a feature-rich platform. You can rest assured that all the other betting sites mentioned on this list have been thoroughly vetted by our team of professionals.
🥇 What is the best bookmaker for football in South Africa?
The best football websites that you can bet on are the ones that offer you a vast selection of betting markets. We encourage you to go through the list of bookies to decide what features are most important for you.
🤔 Are there betting sites with free bets?
Plenty of sports betting sites offer free bets in South Africa. Free bets are often offered as part of a welcome bonus to new players. The best bookies also offer free bets as a part of seasonal promotions before the start of a major event. Use our guide to find out more about bonus types.
🤚 Is online sports betting legal in South Africa?
The regulation and license authority in South Africa exists to look after players. Sports betting is the only legal form of betting in South Africa. Just remember that if you play with reputable and licensed bookies, you are sure to have a joyful experience.