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

This activity is legal if it is practiced through betting companies who are appropriately licensed in South Africa for online betting. These licenced companies also offer various products that look like online gambling, however, the betting is structured in a way that it falls under sports/fixed odds betting regulations and licensing. The constitutional government won office in 1994 and regularized various kinds of gambling. The National Gambling Act rolled out standard procedures for monitoring betting activities in 1996. The National Gambling Act of 2004 made the switch to the 1996 Act and limited interactive gambling activities involved with poker, casino, and bingo. However, online horse racing and sports betting are 100 % legal in South Africa in the case that the website or bookmaker holds a license to run such activities.

What’s On: Local Events

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.

The Reasons of Popularity

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.

By focusing on these areas, Betway has not only captured a significant market share but also set a benchmark for excellence in the competitive world of online betting. 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. Right up until 1996, any punters wanting to gamble on horse racing had to do it at the track. After 1996, it became possible for players to gamble online and horse betting is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa.

Cricket

Picking the right bookmaker for UFC in South Africa isn’t just about finding a betting site that has the best odds and markets! While that’s undeniably important, it’s also about getting the most value for your money! If a bookmaker can’t take care of new members, how are they going to take care of punters in the long run? Make sure you sign up with a betting site that offers the best welcome bonuses! A good welcome bonus can give you extra funds to bet with, reducing your risk and boosting your chances of winning without spending more of your money. Some sportsbooks also offer free bets which allow you to test the platform before fully committing, so you can see whether they’re a right fit for you.

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In 1965, the Gambling Act prohibited diverse types of sports betting except for horse racing. Horse racing was considered more like a sporting activity than a betting one. The country has come through a couple of steps in betting legalization in the country. As a regulatory authority, we play a pivotal role in fostering responsible gambling practices, protecting vulnerable individuals, and promoting a fair and transparent gaming environment. In Mark Tipping’s experience, most online betting frauds can only be realised once payment is made to the fraudster.

Live Games

Many of the same technologies that have helped spread awareness around sports betting have also made it more accessible and convenient to participate in. Online sports betting has advanced considerably in the last three decades since it first began to gain traction. There has been rapid growth of women punters regularly betting in recent years, growing from 20% of new acquisitions in 2021 to 40% in 2023. Football is by far the most popular sport to bet on for South Africans, although there has been little growth in popularity in recent years. The sport has shown to bring unity in a diverse country, draw out deep emotion for the supporters and players and the national side has won the Webb Ellis Cup a record four times! The game was played in South Africa as early as 1860 and has since been woven into the countries fabric.

Mobile accessibility

The main goal of the game is to create a hand nearer to 21 than the dealer’s hand. Until 2004, all gambling activities were strictly banned on Nigerian territory. The future of the online casino industry is still unclear, but it will certainly be conditioned by future legal decisions that can either tempt or discourage investors to take a chance on the Kenyan market. Hence, the evolution of the online gambling market has been indefintely stalled for the moment, with only a few companies willing to still take a chance on the Kenyan market. It started off as entertainment, for months it was fun until I slowly started sinking in debt’s.

Soccer Betting Sites​

Nonetheless, the future of sports betting in South Africa seems promising, especially with technological advancements and an increasing number of participants. By using our website, content and services you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. BetandWin aims to provide you with the information you need to choose a sports betting or lotto offering that suits your preferences. The information shared does not constitute legal or professional advice or forecast and should not be treated as such. In addition you can play Live Dealer games by award-winning game supplier Evolution Gaming on most online betting sites.

• The rise of mobile apps and the ability to bet from smartphones have revolutionized the industry.
• In June 2021, the group paid $281.5m to increase its stake in BetKing, a digital and sports entertainment platform that focuses on Africa, to 49%.
• The lack of clear and consistent regulatory frameworks for iGaming and betting in many African countries presents a significant challenge for the industry.
• The best bookmakers have fair terms with reasonable playthrough requirements, so you can withdraw your winnings instead of getting caught in frustrating endless rollovers.
• This report covers casino gambling, limited payout machines (LPMs), betting (horse racing, sports and fixed odds), bingo and the National Lottery.
• What makes it so prevalent for thousands of people is a sharp ambition to watch the show between 2 equal opponents.
• A 2011 report found that online gambling should be made legal, but this has still not happened.
• By focusing on these areas, Betway has not only captured a significant market share but also set a benchmark for excellence in the competitive world of online betting.

Prior to 1996, all gambling in South Africa was illegal except for betting on horse races. The Constitution then established that gambling and wagering were legally competent, and so it became necessary to coordinate matters on a provincial and national level. The Legal LandscapeThe legality of sports betting in South Africa is a relatively recent development. While horse racing betting has been a constant for decades, the National Gambling Act of 2004 opened the doors for a wider range of sports to be included. In Uganda, the regulatory online gambling act was promulgated as the Lotteries and Gaming Act was released in 2016. And although there are no actual stipulations that actually refer to online gambling, the legalisation of sportsbooks has been formally licensed by the Ugandan National Gaming Board.

Live Casino Games

If you’re wondering whether sports betting and online gambling is legal in South Africa, you’ve come to the right place. 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.

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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.

• Well, first of all, as we said above, people are always glad to feel the risk and desire of victory.
• Additionally, Betway serves as the Official Betting Partner of the Springboks, South Africa’s national rugby team.
• 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.
• Noticing a prospect of economic growth, the government of Tanzania swiftly decided to regulate the online gambling industry through the Internet Gaming Regulations Act promulgated in 2012.
• You have often also access to titles by Ezugi, Authentic Gaming or Pragmatic Play.
• Towards the end of the 1970s casinos started operating in the independent areas called homelands.
• This ideally can be led by the regulatory authorities from the East African countries and hopefully this will encourage good credit lending practices and better consumer education.

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Once they are addicted then all rational thought goes and it’s a case of good money chasing after bad (12). Digital credit makes this activity possible or significantly reduces the friction in the process. We can also note that a poor saving culture is among some of the attributes leading to indulgence in sport betting (14). We recommend that more study on sports betting and digital credit to be done so that more evidence of this thesis is uncovered.

We’ll be with you on every step of your betting journey, rooting for you and keeping you updated through our informative and entertaining blog posts. Stay tuned for the latest odds, betting tips, previews, and reviews of all the major sporting events taking place. 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. For persons suffering with gambling addiction, these steps might involve self-exclusion options, expenses restrictions, or support service access. As we said, a lot of information concerning first SA bookies is unrevealed.

Future prospects

The legalization of sports betting in the 1990s marked a significant turn, leading to the establishment of licensed betting shops and later, online betting services. The range of betting options on a betting website is among the most crucial aspects one ought to look for. From the country favorites like rugby and cricket to worldwide sports like football and specialized events, South African bettors have a broad spectrum of sports to choose from. The finest betting sites provide several betting markets, such as match winners, player props, or even live event betting, so as to accommodate these tastes. A reputable sportsbook would have a large selection of markets for both pre-match betting and live betting, thereby allowing bettors lots of options to stake wagers on ongoing events. The exceptions to this rule are province licensed horse racing and online sports betting.

• Statistics show that 49.4% of South Africans bet on sports from October 2021 to October 2022; around a quarter of these bettors also engage in online betting a few times a week.
• The industry has grown impressively with the number of regular users rising (2).
• Now being able to place wagers on mobile phones there has been an explosion of the popularity of sports betting.
• US legislators are now mulling how to regulate the sector at a national/federal level given the increased uptake in what is now estimated to be a $10bn industry.
• The convenience of placing bets from a smartphone or computer has transformed the betting landscape, making it more accessible than ever.
• Gambling operators addressed this by lowering bonuses and implementing stricter requirements for withdrawing the bonus.

We offer a Self Check Quiz that will allow you to determine whether you have a gambling problem. Many African countries still have low levels of financial inclusion, with a significant proportion of the population lacking access to traditional banking services. This presents a challenge for iGaming and betting operators who rely on traditional payment methods. The lack of clear and consistent regulatory frameworks for iGaming and betting in many African countries presents a significant challenge for the industry.

Play roulette, blackjack or baccarat against live dealers and enjoy a thrilling betting experience. Some punters might be very familiar with the do’s and don’ts of betting online. To get you started we offer a variety of articles in our betting strategy and tips section.

• Particularly if you want to cash out your gains, quick withdrawals and deposits are also absolutely vital.
• In Kenya 54% of active mobile money users have an outstanding mobile money loan while the figure is 60% in Tanzania.
• By doing so, they can create an environment that fosters sustainable growth, maximizes economic benefits, and safeguards the well-being of consumers in the evolving world of online betting.
• 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”).
• There are currently nine boards in South Africa who are able to license online betting sites.
• Betting on sport is now legal in 38 states, with Missouri set to become the 39th state in 2025, as well as the District of Columbia.
• This OTP is usually sent to the account holder’s mobile number, thus making it difficult for fraudsters to transact with stolen credit cards.
• I got the numbers for the SA gambling programme at the exit of the casino.

Sub Saharan Africa lead in the number of mobile money deployments at 132 compared to global of 252. Out of the 866 million registered accounts, 395 million are in Sub Saharan Africa. 145 million active accounts versus 298 million globally, USD 1.7 billion in transactions volume versus 2.4 billion globally and 26.8 billion in transaction value versus 40.8 billion globally (4).

Furthermore improving accessibility and convenience for users is having a specific mobile app for iOS and Android smartphones. Anyone looking for somewhere to place their sports bets should look for a licensed online betting site. There are currently nine boards in South Africa who are able to license online betting sites.

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There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to choosing the right online betting site. Each site has its pros and cons and it all comes back to your individual preferences. Our team has put together extensive reviews to support your research so betting apps that you can make the right choice. Go through our list of Best Betting Sites, compare and then pick the one that feels right.

Betting on fighters like Kamaru Usman, Valentina Shevchenko, and Israel Adesanya, each with unique styles, can make your bets more thrilling. Their platform is designed for ease of use, with a straightforward interface and a mobile app that ensures you can bet on the go. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and its premier league, the UFC, have captured the imagination of sports fans around the world, including in South Africa. Net gaming revenues declined by 48% to $48.3m (about R900m) for the period due to the weaker naira vs the US dollar but were up 10% on an organic basis, which excludes foreign exchange movements.