Navigating the game: A guide to sports betting in South Africa

Sports betting has become popular in Africa relatively recently, but it is gaining momentum every year. If at first, the African betting market had certain drawbacks due to the specifics of the continent and legislation, today the betting system is as close as possible to the European one in terms of transparency. Take your opportunity to participate in the African sports betting world. Blackjack uses the international 52-card deck without jokers, with several variations of the original game being present in several online casinos which are active in Africa. Being quite possibly the most popular casino game from all over the world, Live Blackjack is the favourite table game of several gambling enthusiasts who are looking for a thrilling gaming experience.

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If online gambling ever gets the green light to operate in South Africa, online operators would be wise to implement strong controls to prevent and detect fraud. Africa is considered a technology-limited continent, which means it is cut off from the rest of the online world. However, the situation has changed dramatically in recent years thanks to the rapid development of Internet connectivity in Africa. More than two-thirds of African people have access to high-speed mobile Internet today. All this greatly expands the possibilities of participating in international online sports betting, as well as allows you to place bets on your favourite African teams.

South Africa

I would go to the casino with borrowed money, hoping that it would be my lucky day. I became an aggressive gambler, didn’t even care when I would lose my salary. One morning I sat at a machine with the hope of winning but instead lost R5 000 in 2 hours.

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The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) provides Free and Confidential Treatment and Counselling to those affected by Problem Gambling and their immediate family members. We also betting educate South Africans about the potential harmful effect of problem gambling and responsible gambling. “The online betting space has changed dramatically over the years, but its evolution is far from over,” says Chelin. “American sports have seen a steady rise in interest in South Africa with events like the Basketball African League and the NFL Experience bringing fans closer to these sports.

• We currently have over 15 digital platforms in South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana And Nigeria and we reach millions of monthly unique youth visitors every month.
• Unlike boxing, which focuses solely on punches, MMA incorporates striking, grappling, and ground fighting, influencing how odds are set and bets are made.
• Multiple fake accounts join the same poker table to cheat the system by deliberately aiding/favouring one player.
• However, not every well-known bookmaker offers its services on the continent.
• Gamification, or the incorporation of game-like elements, such as competition, points, rewards, and interactive features, into non-game contexts, can help reverse that.

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• In July 2024, the group launched the Aviator casino game in SA through its KingMakers unit.
• Betway’s story is a testament to the impact of thoughtful strategy and unwavering dedication in achieving business excellence.
• Betting on the go, whenever and wherever we are, is getting increasingly popular.
• The National Gambling Act of 2004 made the switch to the 1996 Act and limited interactive gambling activities involved with poker, casino, and bingo.
• Whether it’s table tennis, darts, mixed martial arts, or the rise of celebrity boxing bouts, all have attracted growing interest from punters.

By signing up for newsletters, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Currently, Africa is considered to be one of the most promising lucrative markets in the world where the iGaming companies could expand to. When compulsive gambling brought me to my knees, the NRGP was there to assist with treatment expenses, which I otherwise would not have been able to afford. Their continued support, since, has included unlimited counsel by way of psychiatric and psychology care, both of which have included professional, yet nurturing guidance. I experience peace-of-mind knowing that the NRGP commits itself to making available these critical resources precisely because they avail themselves to an investment into my well-being.

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In the realm of cricket, Betway became the title sponsor of the SA20 cricket competition in January 2023. This strategic partnership aims to elevate cricket as South Africa’s premier sport and entertainment brand, reflecting Betway’s commitment to fostering the growth of cricket in the country. Additionally, Betway serves as the Official Betting Partner of the Springboks, South Africa’s national rugby team.

South African government statistics reveal that more than 50 percent of South African adults place sports bets on an ongoing basis. 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. If we mix it with 1.3 billion inhabitants of which around 40 percent is under the age of 15, and a median age of only 19.7 years, we will receive a greatly seductive and profitable market for sports SA bookmakers. 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”).

• The growth of this sector has been beneficial, although it is essential to balance economic benefits with responsible gambling practices.
• With a focus on innovation, customer experience, and social responsibility, Afrirent Holdings is well-positioned to shape the future of gaming and entertainment in West Africa, bringing value and economic development to the region.
• It not only generates revenue through taxes but also creates employment opportunities.
• It goes without saying, perhaps, that there are very strict controls concerning gambling activities.
• Although the gambling industry overall continued to grow from a revenue perspective in 2016, the growth rate was significantly lower than increases experienced during the past couple of years.
• Borrowers tend to be young urban males with 54% in Kenya and 64% in Tanzania.
• 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.

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In the past, you would have had to go to a physical bookmaker in order to place a bet. 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. You can also watch a recording of the webinar held to discuss this paper. This act established various provincial gambling boards responsible for licensing and regulating betting operators. The rise of the online gambling industry is closely tied to this wave of constant developments, which translated through a decrease in the overall price for internet connectivity in several African countries.

The main reason behind this game’s outstanding popularity lies in the small house edge value it has, which is actually the lowest one of all the available card games in online casinos. At its core, Baccarat is a game of guessing, where players place bets on which hand out of the two being dealt shall win. The winner is decided according to the highest number out of the two cards.

National lottery

Despite the challenges posed by the growth of online betting and gaming, the industry remains a key contributor to the South African economy, providing employment and tax revenue, as well as entertainment for millions of people. We South Africans love being out and about but don’t want to miss out on watching a certain rugby or soccer match. Additionally, live betting makes placing bets possible after a game has started.

Rugby Betting Sites​

By contrast, just 27% of South Africans have access to a desktop in the house. Small wonder then that 60.5% of households access the internet primarily through cellphones. The popularity of tennis is also significant and is growing at steady rates of about 20% per year. Once you have submitted your correct username, you will receive a password expired instruction to your registered email address. Once you have submitted your correct username, you will receive a password change instruction via email to your registered email address. Your EFT should reflect within 1 working day and will automatically be allocated to your SunBet account when it reflects in our bank.

Betslip

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. Sports betting in South Africa has deep historical roots, dating back to the early 19th century, when informal wagering on horse racing was prevalent. The South African online betting industry is a heavily regulated industry and this, together with the various measures to prevent and detect fraud discussed above, has significantly reduced the risk of fraud being perpetrated by punters. As technological advances continue to be made, online betting companies will consider new ways to prevent fraud and abuse but are inherently limited by the cost versus benefit considerations of this technology.

• Stay tuned for the latest odds, betting tips, previews, and reviews of all the major sporting events taking place.
• More and more sportsbook operators now offer betting apps to really cater for their customers.
• While they offer competitive odds, especially for popular UFC events, they don’t focus heavily on virtual UFC betting or enhanced odds promotions.
• The constitutional government won office in 1994 and regularized various kinds of gambling.
• Our reviews will also support you to decide where and on what you want to bet.
• While Betway provides competitive odds, especially on major UFC events, one area for improvement could be the expansion of their live streaming services.

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. 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.

A 2011 report found that online gambling should be made legal, but this has still not happened. 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. The Gambling Act of 1965 officially banned all forms of gambling except betting on horse racing. Towards the end of the 1970s casinos started operating in the independent areas called homelands. Only native South Africans lived in these areas and most weren’t able to access such establishments. Figures from 1995 such there were as many as 2000 illegal casinos operating in the country.

By simply clicking a few buttons most people with a mobile money account are able to request for a micro loan which is credited to their mobile money accounts from the various service providers. 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.

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Similar to the rest of African countries, the sports betting sector makes for the vast majority of the GGR. And, according to yearly statistics, over 30% of the entire population places bets on sports every single day. It is no surprise then that Nigerians spend over $2-billion every year on sports betting.

Mobile penetration in Africa is among the highest in the world, and mobile devices are the primary means of accessing the internet. This presents a significant opportunity for iGaming and betting operators to develop mobile-first platforms that cater to the unique needs of African players. With a population of over 1.2 billion people, Africa has a vast untapped market for iGaming and betting. The region’s growing middle class and increased access to mobile devices and the internet are expected to further fuel growth. By incorporating elements such as rewards, badges, and leaderboards, sports betting apps can keep users engaged and interested. “Given its focus on online betting, which has stronger economics than its agency business, BetKing Nigeria has moved to number two in the online betting market.

• Furthermore fair should be the minimal deposit and withdrawal quantities, so enabling bettors to engage irrespective of their means.
• 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.
• 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.
• In the past, you would have had to go to a physical bookmaker in order to place a bet.
• Whether you’re just cutting your teeth in sports betting, or consider yourself the grandmaster of online betting, as a SunBet patron, you’re never alone.
• “American sports have seen a steady rise in interest in South Africa with events like the Basketball African League and the NFL Experience bringing fans closer to these sports.
• Another great advantage is live broadcasting of sporting events, particularly for well-liked sports like rugby, football, and cricket.

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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.

Over time, strategists from all over the world have developed numerous tactics meant to maximise the winning chances of bettors. The regulation of the online branch of this industry has been beneficial for both the government, which welcomes an increase in tax revenue, and the population, which welcomes the addition of new and exciting leisure activities. For some people gambling can change from being an entertaining and pleasurable activity and become a problem. When that happens, gambling  becomes too important in a person’s life and hurt their social and financial well-being, excluding him/herself from their family and their friends to focus on gambling.

In Tanzania, online gambling has experienced rapid growth during the past couple of years, thanks to the mobile infrastructure continuously expanding. 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. Betting consists of fixed-odds bookmaking on sporting events, pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and taking bets on the outcome of lotteries.

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In South Africa in particular, fans with access to the internet can choose from a wide variety of video streaming services for sports-related content. Major streaming service providers are changing the game a little bit and the newer revenue is available the better for all involved.In terms of channels, DStv is still dominant in South Africa. SuperSport offers the most comprehensive line-up of sports and major sporting events of any service available in South Africa – and possibly the world. To get access you are required to pay a monthly fee whereby you can stream DStv or opt to install a decoder and watch via satellite. Challenges such as ensuring responsible gambling, combating illegal betting, and maintaining the integrity of sports remain.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Online gambling is prohibited if practiced through a South African based platform. It is uncertain whether this type of gambling will ever become legal in South Africa. The more you know about the sport, the better your chances of making a successful bet. For beginners who are just starting to devote their time to betting, betting tips are available on the Internet. Parimatch also contributes to the development of betting in Africa – on the bookmaker’s website you can easily find information on how to bet and win every day.

This collaboration further embeds Betway within the nation’s sports culture, associating the brand with excellence and national pride. For simpler transactions, the betting site should preferably handle ZAR (South African Rand) or another preferred currency in South Africa. Furthermore fair should be the minimal deposit and withdrawal quantities, so enabling bettors to engage irrespective of their means. The governments of several African countries have already passed regulatory acts which offer further hope for future developments and reforms taking place on the continent. So, in a world of endless possibilities for future prosperity and continuous technological growth, we should note that it was only a matter of time before Africa became a tempting prospect for iGaming companies looking to expand. Each site has its strengths, like betting live during the fight or options to cash out.

A focus on the quality of its agency network over quantity has also resulted in improved profitability through higher average wagers and revenues per agent,” said the group. 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. This encourages more South Africans to bet safely, securely and ultimately responsibly. Betway is considered the biggest bookmaker in South Africa and along with Sportingbet and Hollywoodbets. Our team of betting experts assess every aspect of each bookmaker from the free bets to markets and odds and even their customer service. Keen to know how best to pull off a betting slam dunk in the NBA playoffs?