From tradition to technology: The evolution of sports betting in South Africa The Mail & Guardian

betting in africa

You can grab a free bet by keeping tabs on the promotions section of Bets.co.za. Increased smartphone penetration – now at over 70% of South Africa’s population – and strong adoption of digital platforms is driving a surge in online gambling in South Africa. The Media Online is the definitive online point of reference for South Africa’s media industry offering relevant, focused and topical news on the media sector. Sun International’s income rose by 5% to R6 billion, driven by gaming, which accounts for 77.4% of total income and grew by 3.4%.

NATIONAL GAMBLING BOARD WARNS AGAINST GAMBLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET IN ‘JANUWORRY’

  • Nevertheless, the winnings are not always available due to a coincidence of circumstances – you need to understand the nuances of the bookmaker’s office, understand the bets, and have a winning strategy.
  • Secondly, it is constantly amazing to watch the game of your favourite team or a player, but when it brings you money, it is much better.
  • Furthermore, integration with digital payment systems has facilitated secure and convenient transactions for bettors.
  • This is particularly useful to South African players, as it means all options are localized, and every click is rewarding and intuitive.
  • Esports betting is gaining popularity, with more bookmakers offering exciting options.
  • After all, we can make a prediction that it has come from the times of gladiator games or even earlier.
  • And about half of them actively use bookmakers to turn their hobby into a way to earn extra money.

Responsible gambling refers to betting within your limits, setting budgets, and knowing when to stop. Many sportsbooks offer tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion options to help you do exactly this. Other Types of Bets AvailableBeyond traditional sports, many sportsbooks offer alternative betting markets that attract different audiences.

Top Bonuses at the Best SA Online Betting Sites

For those who feel their gambling habits might be affecting their financial well-being, Manyike advises seeking support. “The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation offers free and confidential counselling services,” he added. Additionally, professional counsellors who specialise in gambling addiction can provide guidance. The UEFA Champions League 2025 season has been packed with drama, big goals, and surprise results.

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  • Three African countries make up the largest chunk of legal gambling activity in Africa.
  • While Betway provides competitive odds, especially on major UFC events, one area for improvement could be the expansion of their live streaming services.
  • 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 popularity of tennis is also significant and is growing at steady rates of about 20% per 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.
  • This sport has grown by 75% since 2022 and is popular amongst people who are willing and able to risk larger amounts per bet, around R700 per bet.

As the competition heads toward the final, football fans across South Africa are following every twist and turn. Whether you support one of Europe’s giants or are hoping for an underdog story, this year’s UEFA Champions League games have kept everyone guessing. If you’re wondering when is the Champions League final, the big date is just around the corner — and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable match. Expect to find multiple bonuses and promos here, including deposit match bonuses, a refer-a-friend program, odds boosts, and more. Therefore , following the tips in this article will get you closer to maximizing your experience. Keep in mind that betting is all about fun and strategy, so bring the two together and access your full potential.

Leading South African Betting Sites for Sports Coverage

As well as individual reviews, we also compare the best South African bookmakers and offer alternatives. You have often also access to titles by Ezugi, Authentic Gaming or Pragmatic Play. Play roulette, blackjack or baccarat against live dealers and enjoy a thrilling betting experience. With a reputation for excellence and a dedication to social responsibility, Afrirent Holdings aims to create value, foster economic development, and empower local communities in West Africa. Now, the company is leveraging its expertise in gaming and entertainment to introduce new and exciting offerings to consumers in West Africa, catering to the evolving needs and preferences of the market.

Bookmaker Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

Casinos face growing competition as foreign digital gambling companies exploit regulatory gaps in African markets, particularly in countries like South Africa, Sudan, and Somalia. These companies operate from jurisdictions such as Gibraltar and Curacao, bypassing local regulations. Their activities resemble past predatory lending trends, creating significant challenges for regulators who struggle to monitor operators circumventing restrictions. In South Africa, the crackdown on illegal gambling has intensified following the country’s greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force due to financial crime deficiencies. Cryptoleo’s dedicated eSports section is one of the most features I’ve come across on any SA gambling site.

Illegal Gambling Eradication Stats

The truth is that the house edge ensures that bookmakers maintain a profit over time. For instance, when odds are at -110 on both sides of a bet, a bettor must risk R110 to win R100, meaning even skilled bettors face a statistical disadvantage in the long run. This allows you to settle your bet early and lock in some form of winnings, even if you’ve experienced losses.

Latest South African Betting News

This guarantees that the site runs under tight policies, therefore offering bettors a safe and secure environment. In South Africa, the legal gambling age is eighteen, hence all licensed operators have to confirm the age of their clients in order to stop young gaming. The rise of mobile apps and the ability to bet from smartphones have revolutionized the industry. Whether on the go or from the comfort of their home, many South African gamblers nowadays would rather use their cell phones to make bets. Optimizing betting sites for mobile usage can help to guarantee a seamless betting experience by means of simple navigation. Furthermore improving accessibility and convenience for users is having a specific mobile app for iOS and Android smartphones.

MultiChoice bets its future on Showmax and video streaming

This presents an opportunity for iGaming and betting operators to enter new markets and expand their operations in the region. 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.

ANALYSIS: MultiChoice striving to rule Africa’s sports betting sector

  • The brand offers a range of over 12,000 sports markets, which include soccer, rugby, horse racing, cricket, tennis, basketball, and more.
  • We recommend that more study on sports betting and digital credit to be done so that more evidence of this thesis is uncovered.
  • Among the popular bookmakers in Africa is the famous Parimatch, which allows you to place bets on popular world events, as well as African championships and competitions.
  • The iGaming and betting industry is growing at an unprecedented rate worldwide, and Africa is no exception.
  • Right up until 1996, any punters wanting to gamble on horse racing had to do it at the track.
  • Software developers are developing sports betting features that focus on personalisation where your previous betting performance will be taken into account using recommendation engines.
  • When betting online in SA, secure and reliable payments are key to a pleasant and positive experience.

While each of these options sounds rewarding, and they definitely are, it’s important to understand how they work and what to look for so you can get the most out of each one. Let’s be honest, since childhood we wanted to participate in some kinds of lotteries at the fair and our parents don’t mind it, they even praised us for that. Then, when we became more mature and grown-up, this desire for risk just continued increasing.

Top South African Bookmakers for Mobile Betting

They are available across most of the best betting sites these days and guarantee a betika quick, enjoyable betting entertainment. With more people betting online, security is a major issue for bettors from South Africa. A respectable betting website must have a fresh license from a credible body such as provincial gaming boards or the National gaming Board (NGB).

Keep your goal in sight and never lose track of it throughout your betting journey. Setting a bankroll for each particular betting action ensures your pockets remain safe while providing ample room for calculated risks. 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.

betting in africa

For the first nine months of 2024, profit rose 33.8% to €48.5 million, with adjusted EBITDA at €212.2 million and cash reserves climbing to €296.6 million. Monthly active customers grew 17% to 4.7 million, prompting the company to raise its FY2024 ex-US adjusted EBITDA forecast to over €345 million. Betting dominated with 60.5% of GGR (R35.9 billion), followed by casinos at 29.3% (R17.4 billion), limited-payout machines (7%, R4.1 billion), and bingo (3.2%, R1.9 billion). The Western Cape led regional contributions with 31.7% of GGR, ahead of Gauteng (22.1%) and Mpumalanga (21.9%). The truth is that reputable online sportsbooks are happy to pay out large wins. This is an example of why it is important to check that the site is licensed.

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For example, in South Africa, rugby, soccer, and cricket are among the most popular betting options. Betting interest spikes during major events like the Rugby World Cup or English Premier League. Better Odds and ComparisonsOnline sportsbooks offer higher odds and lower margins. The best thing about betting online is that you can compare odds across multiple sportsbooks before placing your wager, ensuring you get the best possible odds when you need them. This means you should do some research, and learn about the teams, players, stats, and betting markets before placing a bet.

The National Gambling Board

In South Africa, sports betting is legal, but only through licensed operators regulated by provincial gambling boards. Unlike some countries, betting on college sports is permitted, as long as the event is listed on a licensed sportsbook. However, all bettors must be 18 years or older, and sportsbooks must comply with responsible gambling laws to prevent underage betting.

  • Balancing potential returns with responsible practices and regulatory adherence could be key to success in this rapidly growing sector.
  • Marshalls World of Sport gives the opportunities of placing bets on Horse Racing and international sporting events using different ways such as internet, mobile phone and even several cash outlets.
  • The main provider is the WCGRB, Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, but there are actually a licensing board located in each province.
  • You can find all the information you need about the most reliable online bookmakers by clicking on the bookie’s logo or ‘Read Review’.
  • 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.
  • These advancements reflect a shift toward online channels, positioning Africa as a key player in the global gambling industry.
  • Betting on horse racing, rugby and football, for example, was allowed and was very popular because it was the only form of gambling that was allowed.

What’s more, 10bet promises to give you the best odds on your favorites, like Premier League games. That said, there are a few key things you need to keep an eye out for to make sure that the sportsbook is trustworthy and reliable. We’ve done the legwork for you, and these are our choices for placing the best sports betting in SA. If you’re wondering whether sports betting and online gambling is legal in South Africa, you’ve come to the right place.

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  • For punters, live betting is a must have real-time updates, odds adjustments, and thorough match statistics.
  • 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.
  • While all other forms of online gambling are illegal, sports betting has experienced significant growth in popularity over the last few years.
  • While they offer competitive odds, especially for popular UFC events, they don’t focus heavily on virtual UFC betting or enhanced odds promotions.
  • For this, punters can analyse various factors that could increase the odds of their bet being successful.
  • They might look similar at first, but they differ in performance, features, and reputation.

Investing in Africa’s Gambling Market: Projected to Reach $11 Billion by 2032

betting in africa

The most popular sports for bettors include football, soccer, and basketball, as well as some niche markets to cater to different preferences. Having a variety of sports markets ensures that you can explore mainstream events and specialized competitions. My insightIf you’re looking for a social sportsbook, there’s a few aspects you’ll need to keep an eye on to ensure that the sportsbook balances fun, competition, and rewards. Make sure you have access to free-to-play contests, leaderboards, and community engagement activities, as these all make a difference to the overall social sports betting experience. Further laws were passed in 2010 that made online gambling on servers located outside of the country illegal. Unless the gambling website offered other online gambling services as well as sports betting.

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