Gambling in South Africa – 2024 Overview

Online gambling is becoming ever more accessible for ZA players. In 2024, there are dozens of different options available for South Africans, and it’s time we shed some light on online gambling in South Africa. Read on and discover the nuances of the ZA gambling world.

Jessica Whitehouse, Editor at online-gambling.com

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Jessica Whitehouse is among the professional online-gambling.com editors in charge of ensuring that our readers get the best and most reliable news and details from the online gambling world. Her focus is on blackjack and roulette reviews, lottery, and more.

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Types of Online Gambling in South Africa

There are several types of gambling in South Africa that you can do over the Internet. ZA players can enjoy all the benefits of the modern iGaming scene, all from the comfort of their own homes. If you want to become familiar with the online gambling world of South Africa, it’s important to know what’s out there and how you can access it.

Below, we will touch on the five major varieties of Internet gambling in South Africa – casino gaming, sports betting, daily fantasy, online poker, and lotteries. This will give you just enough info to know what to look for and where to get started.

Online Casino Gaming in South Africa

Casino gaming is a major part of the South African online gambling world. It gives players the opportunity to play a variety of different games, including slots, table games – blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and live dealer titles. It’s an exceptionally interactive form of gaming, making it accessible and exciting for everyone involved.

Online slots gambling is the most popular type of casino gaming in ZA. There are thousands of virtual slots ready to go, each with its own twist on the genre. Of course, you won’t lack for other games either. An online casino’s gaming library is chock-full of options, and new titles are added on a regular basis.

Sports Betting

If you prefer to stake your money on real-world sports events, then sports betting will be perfect for you. South African online gambling sites give you plenty of options in that regard. Bettors have the opportunity to place their wagers on both domestic and international events across a wide range of sports.

Online sports betting in ZA can be as intricate or as simple as you like. Sports gambling sites in South Africa support many different bet types, which allows both experienced and new bettors to participate. Naturally, you will get access to some excellent features, such as live betting, bonuses, and more.

Daily Fantasy

Daily fantasy is a relatively new invention brought about by the Internet. It’s a form of online fantasy sports where users can create their own virtual teams of real-world players. These hypothetical teams compete against others, and the ones with the best statistical performance win.

Daily fantasy makes the leagues much shorter in scope. While traditional fantasy sports last for an entire season, daily fantasy allows you to create a new team every day. This kind of South African gambling online covers many popular sports, including football, basketball, hockey, American football, and more.

Online Poker

Everyone knows what poker is. We’ve all seen it, whether it be in real-world poker rooms, films, or literature. Now, online gambling sites in South Africa give you the opportunity to try it out at home. ZA poker sites give you access to the most popular variations out there, and you don’t even need to go outside.

With South Africa’s online gambling poker sites, you can put your poker knowledge to the test against players of similar skills. You can take it as seriously as you like. There are rooms suitable for casual players where the minimum wagers are dirt-cheap, but you can also enter high-stakes games. Let’s also not forget the regular tournaments taking place every week or month.

Lottery

The lottery is known and loved by all. Who doesn’t want to take their shot at winning one of the major jackpots? Now, with the help of South African online gambling operators, you can purchase tickets from your smartphone or desktop.

Online lotto sites give you access to numerous lottery draws, both domestic and international. You can easily purchase tickets and watch the draws take place live. ZA users can also benefit from certain promos to further boost their opportunities.

Guide to Gambling Online in South Africa

If you are inexperienced in South African online gambling, it helps to know what you’re in for. The online gaming scene can be deceptively simple, and new users are known to have difficulties getting started. Fortunately, it’s not that hard, provided you know what to look out for.

Below, we will take a closer look at the various features that will impact your gambling experience. Specifically, we will go into detail about safety, gambling products, bonuses, payout values, and more. Each of these factors will be present at all of the best online gambling sites in South Africa, and it’s imperative that you’re familiar with as many as possible.

South African Online Gambling Licence and Safety

The online gambling industry in South Africa has long been an unregulated market, where players have few guarantees. But this is no longer the case, and you freely engage in legal online gambling in South Africa. Of course, not every operator out there will be suited for the task. Here are the hallmark certificates of safe online gambling sites in South Africa:

How to Spot a Great Product: Games and Bets

When it comes to gambling products, we have already outlined the most popular options. Specifically, these include casino gaming, sports betting, daily fantasy, poker, and the lotto. Naturally, there are differences between them, and players will have their own preferences.

Moreover, some operators perform better than others. If you are to have an enjoyable time gambling online in South Africa, it’s crucial to recognise the good from the bad. There are certain benchmarks that we can look to for help. Here are the various forms of South African gambling and the minimum requirements for each respective product:

Certain kinds of South African online gambling have more variety than others. For example, casino gaming includes many different games, each with its own internal logic and gameplay style. Online gambling on slots is not the same as playing blackjack or roulette. Moreover, each casino platform features a variety of games, and the overlap between the titles of different operators can be quite narrow.

On the other hand, online poker and sports betting can be quite similar between different platforms. Ultimately, the product doesn’t change much, and you’re still engaging in the same activity. This is where the details become much more important, namely the bonuses, payout values, and software. Below, we will focus on these aspects and more.

Online Gambling Bonuses in South Africa

Bonuses are a major feature at South African gambling sites. They provide significant value and let you play more. Naturally, if you know what you’re doing, a bonus can take you very far. Each operator has its own specific bonuses, which will vary in value and rules.

Yes, online gambling promotions have rules that you have to follow in order to make full use of the bonus sum. Alongside any bonus offer, you will also find a list of terms and conditions where you will see what’s expected of you. Here are some of the most common terms:

These are only some of the most common bonus rules, but there will be other included in any given offer. It’s important to read through the T&Cs to learn all you can about an individual promotion. Knowing what lies in store gives you the best odds of clearing the wagering requirement and withdrawing your bonus.

Payouts at South African Online Gambling Sites

All online gambling games in South Africa involve some degree of statistics. Specifically, we are talking about the payout levels of operators. This is usually the best indicator of how fair a gambling site’s offerings are.

The closer the payout values are to 100%, the more advantageous the products are. Of course, you won’t find any operator paying out the full 100% or any value above that. After all, gambling platforms love their profit margins. However, we can still shop around for the best deals.

The payout levels are calculated based on the available odds compared to the true odds. It’s in your best interest to find a South African gambling site with the highest payouts possible. The payout levels are verified by the government regulatory institution. However, many online gambling sites in South Africa also undergo third-party testing as further proof of legitimacy.

Best Payment Methods for Online Gambling in South Africa

If you wish to place your bets at any online gambling site in South Africa, first, you need to make a deposit to top up your bankroll. There are many different services that you can use for this purpose. Gambling websites in South Africa typically support credit and debit cards, e-wallets, online banking, prepaid services, and more.

Choosing the right payment method for you is a matter of preference, and you will have access to some top-tier options. Below, we have listed the most popular online banking methods that you can use at South Africa gambling sites:

1. e-Wallets:
   1. EasyEFT
   2. Skrill
   3. Neteller
   4. ecoPayz
   5. entropay
2. Credit/Debit Cards:
   1. Maestro
   2. Visa
   3. MasterCard
3. Bank Transfers:
   1. Instant Banking
4. Other:
   1. Bitcoin
   2. Paysafecard

It’s important to note that these methods are not the same, and some will be more suitable than others. Specifically, you need to consider the deposit and withdrawal speeds. Most services support instant deposits, but withdrawal times will vary. E-wallets are the most efficient in this regard, followed by credit cards.

We also recommend looking at any fees charged by the payment processor. These will no doubt leave an impact on your bottom line. If you don’t want to this extra expense, don’t worry. There are plenty of free options in the list above.

Gambling Apps in South Africa

If you wish to play on the go, that is now an option, thanks to the numerous online gambling apps in South Africa. The mobile gaming scene has erupted in recent years, and most players now use their smartphones to play their favourite gambling games. Nowadays, all major gambling products can be loaded from mobile devices, making the industry more accessible than ever.

Mobile support is extended to all manner of smartphones and tablets. The only real requirement is a stable Internet connection. Since mobile devices are as advanced as they are, there are no real discrepancies between desktop and mobile gambling products in South Africa. You will find no practical difference between the two. The best gambling apps in South Africa place the most popular products of the industry right at your fingertips.

ZA Online Gambling Software

As you can imagine, all of the best gambling sites in South Africa are powered by special software. It comes to us courtesy of multiple development studios specialising in specific forms of gambling. While researching the different development studios doesn’t like the most exciting thing in the world, it’s quite important for certain varieties of gaming, especially when it comes to gambling on slots online.

The table above doesn’t go too in-depth, but it reveals some of the top software providers in the industry. Knowing everything you can about the scene will help you pick out the best gambling sites in South Africa that appeal to you personally.

Online Gambling Laws in South Africa

The legality of South African online gambling has been a much-discussed topic over the years. For the longest time, there were no real regulations in place, and much of the online gambling world was in a grey legal zone at the best of times. But now, the question ‘Is gambling legal in South Africa?’ has a definitive answer. Read on to find out more about the legal aspect of gambling online in South Africa.

Is Online Gambling Legal in South Africa?

The gambling regulations of South Africa stipulate that an operator needs to be licensed by the local authorities. Now comes the question, ‘How to get a gambling licence in South Africa?’ As it happens, it’s not that easy. Operators have to pass multiple checks and undergo regular audits.

This is done to prove that everything is above board. Government audits ensure that operators maintain game fairness and pay out as required. Moreover, the involvement of the authorities means that players have legal protection in case of a dispute with the operator.

Land-Based Gambling in South Africa

As we all learned, land-based gambling is quite popular in South Africa. There are more than 20 casinos, most of which are in Cape Town – it’s considered the capital of gambling in the country! You could also take part in horse races and place bets in some of the more popular sports betting parlours. From what we’ve read, there has also been dog racing at the time. However, it has been banned since there were changes in the gambling law applied by the Amendment Bill.

Regional Gambling Laws & Differences Between Regions

South Africa is not specifically split into regions, and there are no major differences in how the South African online gambling law is applied in different parts of the country. As such, you can easily play from any region and city in ZA.

Official Regulatory Bodies

There are a bunch of regulatory bodies that keep track of and control South Africa online gambling. As most of the online operators are not native, on the home page of any of them, you’ll probably see UKGC, MGA, or eCogra certificates, alongside the ZA gambling licence.

The National Gambling Board (NGB) of South Africa is the native regulatory body that takes care of what’s going on in the country gambling-wise. There is also the Gauteng Gambling Board, which regulates online and land-based gambling in Gauteng. We’ve added the most important information about the NGB in the table below for your convenience:

Gambling Taxation: Do I Have to Declare My Winnings & Pay Taxes?

We will try to explain gambling taxation with a simple example. If you are a player who visits the casino or plays at the lottery just for fun, you don’t have to pay taxes. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) won’t come to get your money because, similarly to the taxation in Canada, your winnings are not accepted as ‘profit making’, and you don’t owe anything.

However, if you’re a gambler and this is your full-time job – prepare for a visit from SARS. You should declare that you’re making a profit from gambling and you will be taxed based on your ‘job’. The more you profit from gambling, the more you have to pay. You can find more information on the official SARS website.

Legal Gambling Age

In order to open an account at legal online gambling sites in South Africa, you must be the minimum gambling age. In the country, all forms of gambling are restricted to 18-year-olds and older. Of course, it’s hard to tell how old someone is over the Internet. This is where KYC procedures come into place.

ZA players will be asked to verify their identity when they open an account. This is a common practice of legit online gambling in South Africa and one that you should not shy away from. You will have to provide copies of certain personal documents, such as your ID card, driver’s licence, and more. Don’t worry, this info will be kept safe and sound by the operator’s encryption systems.

Advertising Laws

Let’s share a few words about gambling advertisements in South Africa. Gambling licence holders can advertise their gambling-related promotions. However, they must comply with the requirements regulated by the Online Gambling Act of South Africa. The advertisement must not contain false information and be directed at an audience under the age of 18.

Advertisements must contain a responsible gambling slogan (National Responsible Gambling Programme) and the 18+ symbol. Before the operators can put their advertisements live, they must comply with the provincial legislation and must wait for approval. The National Lottery has an advantage with regard to advertising – it doesn’t have any restraint as to the form and content that it could advertise, and there are no specific regulations in the separate provinces of South Africa.

Penalties for Illegal Gambling

The gambling laws in South Africa are quite clear about illegal activity. Outlawed gambling carries a potential fine of up to ZAR10 million, prison time, or both. However, it’s unlikely that players will be convicted simply for playing at unregulated operators (not that we recommend doing so). It’s impractical to enforce these kinds of laws against the general public. It’s more likely that these laws are drafted for unregulated South African online gambling sites that offer their services without a proper licence.

Upcoming Regulation Changes

There are constantly new changes added to the gambling law in South Africa. We’ve mentioned which procedures are active when it comes to responsible gambling and other regulations. The South African Government wants to focus mainly on the safety of the native gamblers. Unfortunately, there are a lot of online operators that are neither trustworthy nor regulated. As such, constant monitoring is necessary.

The NGB is responsible for the safety and regulation of offshore and land-based casinos, and it’s going to be renamed National Gambling Regulator (NGR). We must also note that according to our information, South African online gambling is unlikely to be banned completely in the near future. As such, ZA players can rest easy knowing that they have a safe product to enjoy.

Responsible Gambling Online in South Africa

Responsible gambling in South Africa is of major importance for legit operators. Having responsible gaming practices is mandated by law. As a result, ZA gaming sites work with several gambling therapy organisations to provide care for vulnerable players. Here are some of the most accessible:

Additionally, South African gambling apps and sites will feature responsible gambling tools. Players can use these to restrict themselves from gambling products. Specifically, you can limit deposits, playtime, and bet amounts. In extreme cases, users can also demand complete self-exclusion. Legit South African gambling sites are required to comply with these requests and prohibit access.

Online Gambling in South Africa Trivia – Curious Facts

We’ve covered all the basics, but let’s make it a little bit more fun. What do you know about South Africa and gambling, and what do they have in common? We’ve made a list of curious facts that you’d definitely want to share with your friends.

History of Gambling in South Africa

Let’s get back to the basics! Heading back to 1673, when gambling faced some restrictions from the law. A little bit later, in 1965, gambling was banned under the Gambling Act, with the exception of horseracing.

In 1994, everything changed because of the democratic government election, and in 1996 the National Gambling Act licensed casinos and the national lottery in South Africa. In 2004, gambling online in South Africa was banned. However, recently the regulator eased its stance and began licensing gambling operators.

Famous Land-Based Casinos and Gambling Resorts

A few paragraphs ago, we mentioned that there are a lot of amazing land-based casinos in South Africa. There are also some fantastic casino resorts that are worth the visit! We’ve prepared two lists below, where you can read a little bit more about the biggest casinos and famous resorts that the country has to offer. They’re situated across a big part of the country and offer endless entertainment for native and foreign gamblers.

Famous Gamblers and Poker Players from South Africa

There’s not much to mention here – it looks like most of the famous players are hiding somewhere. However, we’d like to talk about one very interesting man who is one of the best poker players in the country. Even in the world!

Introducing Mark Vos – a 35-year-old South African from Cape Town?who quickly earned his reputation as a superb ‘pokerbok’ (poker player). He has had a lot of victories during his experience, one of which is his big win of the 2006 World Series of Poker, Event 6. Nowadays, he spends time between South Africa and Australia and is not playing regularly.

South African Gambling Books and Movies

South Africans may be good gamblers and may love to have fun at the casino, but there are not a lot of movies or books related to gambling. There are a lot of actors from the country, and even some movies were made in South Africa; however, as we said – no gambling related content. Or at least not as much.

The ones we’ve marked below are by Rayda Jacobs – a woman from Cape Town that has been writing since the age of 12. Her biggest achievement is her novel Confessions of a Gambler, which was published in 2003 and has received two prestigious awards. In 2007, Confessions of a Gambler the movie was created with Rayda Jacobs as a scriptwriter, co-director and lead role.

Land-Based vs Online Gambling in South Africa

Both online and land-based casinos are unique for themselves, and each has its pros and cons. It’s just a matter of taste – some players prefer to go to the casino all dressed up, meet up with people and feel like James Bond. Others just want to stay at home, lay on the couch and play without any other people running around them.

The range of games is quite different – nowadays, for instance, it is much easier to find a game of video poker online rather than in a land-based venue. The variety of online slots is also much greater than their land-based counterparts. Whichever you prefer, it’s important that you like it and that you will play responsibly!

More Useful Guides and Interesting Articles

We hope you found our article useful! South Africa is definitely a cool destination to visit if you want to gamble. Just remember – play responsibly and do your research or use our guide! We have also prepared a lot of other guides, the latest news and more articles that you can check out below:

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