Damon Jackson
Last updated on: 02.05.2024
South Africa
Thanks to the betting-friendly legislation, sports lovers in South Africa can access a broad portfolio of betting apps and sites. For quite a long time, online sports betting has been legal, and thus, several online sportsbooks have been established to offer wagering options to South Africans.
🇿🇦 Legal sports betting apps in South Africa:
 Bonus: - Promo Code: - The brightest star with a familiar green interface. Unibet is a massive producer that has satisfied thousands of players for decades. | - |
 Bonus: €35 Promo Code: - If you look excellent and easy gaming, you have arrived at the right place. Betsafe has experience for over 20 years, and it knows how to provide fun times responsibly. | T&Cs apply. |
 Bonus: R25 Promo Code: - Betway has gained a massive fanbase over the years. An excellent option for wagering in sports or e-sports. Fast withdrawals and professional customer support come with a package. | T&Cs apply. |
  Bonus: R5,050 Promo Code: - Supabet has entered the South African market. This excellent platform offers a wide range of betting options and provides extensive tools for customizing the experience. | 18+ | T&C Apply | Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: R5000 Promo Code: - Bet.co.za is a product tailor-made for the South African market, generously offering new players a R5000 bonus with their first deposit. | 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: R3,000 Promo Code: - 10Bet offers a generous R3,000 bonus, doubling your first deposit. It provides top-quality betting across a wide range of sports, with nearly limitless options. | T&Cs apply. |
 Bonus: €110 Promo Code: - Betsson is one of the most popular sites that's been delivering great experiences for its customers for many years. It's famous for daily promotions and easy-to-use layout. | 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
  Bonus: €25 Promo Code: - Comeon is a fascinating platform for its habit of always bringing out exceptional ideas. Great place for traditional and experimental gaming. | - |
 Bonus: R3000 Promo Code: - While 1xBet may not hold the same level of recognition as the top names in sports betting, it boasts over a decade and a half of expertise. Beyond its vast array of betting opportunities, it also offers enticing promotions for its users! | T&Cs apply. |
 Bonus: R5000 Promo Code: - With over 50 years of experience, Betfred now welcomes South African customers with an R5000 bonus to enjoy on their trusted platform. | 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: R1,600 Promo Code: - Sportaza might have one of the most generic looks, but its content is solid. You can have fun with almost every sport and take advantage of great odds. | - |
 Bonus: - Promo Code: - Betzest has been made in collaboration with only first-class professionals. Join the movement of taking over the industry with high-quality platform and products. | 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: R2,000 Promo Code: - It can't get any simpler than this. Sportingbet gives a chance to take advantage of the most straightforward layout and bet on any sports out there. | - |
 Bonus: R2,000 Promo Code: - Launched in 2017, 22Bet is a European-based online sportsbook and casino that caters to various countries across the globe, including many in Africa. New users can now take advantage of a R2,000 bonus when they sign up. | T&Cs apply. |
 Bonus: $1,000 Promo Code: SPORTS100FP Listen up. Mega-trending BUSR is also available in South Africa and customers from this southern country can enjoy the massive $1,000 bonus. | 18+ | T&C Apply | Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: - Promo Code: - Hear the call of the cold north. Nordicbet has gained wide popularity in nordic countries, and it's now also available in the warm south. Check out this respected and wanted platform. | 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: $500 Promo Code: BN50 Betnow welcomes players from South Africa to be a part of the bigger movement in African countries. Try out the selection with $50 bonus. | 18+ | T&C Apply | Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: $1,000 Promo Code: MYB50 Join MyBookie in South Africa. This operator has been enormous success story in the States. Please note that selection may vary between different locations. | T&Cs apply. |
  Bonus: $150 Promo Code: - Get into the game with EvoBet, founded in 2018, where new customers from South Africa can enjoy a substantial welcome bonus. | T&Cs apply. |
 Bonus: $150 Promo Code: - Everygame.eu accepts customers also from SA! As the name suggests, the site is truly a one-stop-shop with sports betting, casino games, and online poker! | T&Cs apply. |
 Bonus: R1,600 Promo Code: - Punters from South Africa can now get their hands on Fezbet. This friendly fellow is known in many locations across the world and it's reputation is based on excellent promotions. | 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
 Bonus: $100 Promo Code: - Betinia is not the biggest challenger on the markets but it still brings out great value to its customer. Benefit from starting bonus and boost your chances with weekly offers. | 18+. New customers only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
Online sports betting in South Africa - Legal & booming
Gambling and sports betting have gone through multiple levels of legalization in South Africa. At first, all gambling was illegal until 1965, when the government legalized horse racing betting. During the late 1970s, retail casinos were introduced in the country but were insufficient to cater to all players, leading to the establishment of over 2000 illegal casinos.
In 1994, a change of government led to the legalization of all betting forms, though some specific restrictions remained in place. With this change, the market saw an influx of physical casinos established nationwide, where gamblers had easy access.
As the Internet started to penetrate the gambling industry, among other things, South Africa had to update its legislation yet again. The National Gambling Act, passed in 2004, prohibited online gambling in South Africa with the exemption of online sports betting activities, and this same act still applies in SA today. In a nutshell, it means that sports betting is the only online gambling type available in the country as, for example, online casinos and other forms of iGaming are all still forbidden by law.
However, the 2004 act allows sports betting in SA only via online operators licensed by one of the nine SA provinces and their gambling boards. So, if a sportsbook acquires a license from one of the provinces, it can legally offer online and mobile sports betting services in all parts of South Africa. The downside of this licensing system is that SA betting enthusiasts cannot legally access any offshore sportsbook, drastically reducing the selection of betting apps and sites.
In 2008, the regulatory body published an amendment to the act, finally seeking to legalize other types of online gambling services. However, this act has not yet been enacted, citing internal objections from, for example, the country's retail casino industry.
Sports betting legislation in South Africa
Is online sports betting legal in South Africa? | Yes |
Is in-person sports betting legal in South Africa? | Yes |
Is daily fantasy sports legal in South Africa? | Yes |
Is horse racing betting legal in South Africa? | Yes |
Is political betting legal in South Africa? | Yes |
Is eSports betting legal in South Africa? | Yes |
How many legal sports betting apps are there in South Africa? | +30 |
Legal age for sports betting in South Africa | 18+ |
South Africa’s tax rate for betting/gambling winnings | 0% |
Who regulates gambling in South Africa? | The National Gambling Board |
Just as long as South Africans wager on properly licensed betting apps within the country, each individual can access online betting markets basically without any restrictions or categorial exclusions. Therefore, SA betting enthusiasts can wager on pretty much every sports league, tournament, and event nationally and internationally. All this includes horse race betting, which has enjoyed massive popularity in South Africa ever since the 1960s.
In addition to the vast number of online sports betting apps and platforms available, the retail wagering business is booming in SA, as there are hundreds of local betting shops around the country. For example, Betway alone operates over 80 shops in SA, and the same amount sits at 50ish for another UK-based sports betting brand, Betfred.
While the actual DFS is still a much smaller market in the country, multiple fantasy sports sites offer the same type of entertainment for South African sports fans.
Recent updates from the SA sports betting scene
February 5, 2024: SuperSport Bet, launched in January, partners with FSB to gain access to FSB's sportsbook, casino, and platform products. The collaboration strengthens SuperSport Bet's offerings as it enters the market under the ownership of the KingMakers Group, an African conglomerate specializing in betting and digital entertainment.
December 18, 2023: South African company Sun International acquires Peermont. The deal, valued at ZAR7.3bn ($396.6m), gives Sun International ownership of Peermont's 11 properties in South Africa and Botswana, along with the PalaceBet online sports betting platform.
July 5, 2023: 10bet, an online sportsbook and gambling operator, forges a four-year partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA). As per the agreement, 10bet will act as the official betting partner for the senior men's national team.
June 12, 2023: Former England international footballer Michael Owen joins SunBet, the South Africa-focused online betting brand of Sun International, as a brand ambassador. In this exclusive partnership, Owen will collaborate with SunBet on various promotional activities to enhance the brand's presence in SA.
February 7, 2023: Kambi Group extends its partnership with Sun International to provide sports betting technology and services for both online and retail channels. The collaboration began in November 2017 and will continue under a new multi-year agreement.
All legal gambling options in South Africa - iGaming still forbidden
Are online casinos legal in South Africa? | No |
Are retail casinos legal in South Africa? | Yes |
Are sweepstakes/social casinos legal in South Africa? | Yes |
Is online poker legal in South Africa? | No |
Is the lottery legal in South Africa? | Yes |
In addition to sports betting, South Africans can access other legal wagering activities. Interestingly, the national lottery, run by The South African National Lottery and established in 2000, is the most popular type of gambling in the country based on the numbers alone. Bingo is also quite popular among South Africans, and Galaxy Bingo alone operates 23 retail bingo sites spread across six provinces in the country.
Further, casinos are prevalent in the country and can legally offer their services. However, SA gamblers must note that they can only participate in land-based retail casinos in their provinces, as online casinos are still illegal in the country. The same prohibition applies to online poker.
Other gambling-related news & stories from SA
February 29, 2024: Kiron Interactive expands its footprint in South Africa through a partnership with SuperSportBet, an emerging player in the betting market, enhancing its virtual sports and numbers games offering.
January 19, 2024: Softswiss, an iGaming technology company, is expanding into the African market by acquiring a majority stake in Turfsport, a South African software provider. Turfsport specializes in sports betting, horse racing, and lotto software solutions, serving over 40 operators in South Africa.
December 14, 2023: Light & Wonder announces a partnership with South African betting company Hollywoodbets. They will provide their exclusive content for integration into Hollywoodbets' platform.
September 28, 2023: Pariplay, a major content provider and aggregator, expands globally through a new partnership with Bet Network. This collaboration marks Pariplay's entry into the regulated gambling market in South Africa.
August 9, 2023: Spinomenal, an emerging iGaming content provider, strikes a deal with Hollywoodbets, a Durban-based iGaming and online sports betting company. Spinomenal will supply Hollywoodbets with its innovative game titles, enhancing the gaming experience for South African players.
South Africa - Some commonly asked questions (FAQ):
Is sports betting legal in South Africa?
Yes. Provided the National Gambling Board licenses the betting site in the country, it is legal to bet in South Africa. Licensed websites are regulated by the relevant government authorities, ensuring that all the platforms betting practices are safe and lawful to participate in.
What are the most popular betting sites that accept players from South Africa?
Overall, South Africa boasts hundreds of sports betting sites that have their markets open to its residents. However, if you are looking for a SA online sportsbook app, it's essential to make sure that the bookmaker holds a proper license acquired by The National Gambling Board.
Are other types of online gambling games legal in South Africa?
No, there are no other legal online gambling games in South Africa. Sports betting has been and remains to be the only legally controlled online gambling activity in the country. However, that does not mean bettors cannot participate in other in-person gambling activities.
What sports can I bet on in South Africa?
This country is home to various sports activities on which players can place bets. First, soccer is the most common sporting activity in the country and ranks as the top sport in terms of online betting. Other popular sports to bet on in South Africa are rugby and cricket.
What types of betting options are available at South Africa online sportsbooks?
Like other countries, sportsbooks in South Africa offer various betting options for players. First, players can place wagers on moneyline bets to choose the team they believe will win the game. Players can also bet on totals, props, and everything in between.
Do South Africa betting sites also offer apps for players?
Mobile betting has been the trend globally of late, and betting sites in South Africa have not been left behind. For this reason, nearly all reputable and licensed sportsbooks have invested in providing mobile apps, both IOs and Andoird, for their customers.
