Gauteng Gambling Board Gambling Industry Regulators

Traditional forms of betting, such as fixed-odds betting on outcomes, have been complemented by innovative offerings such as in-play betting and exotic bets. In-play betting, in particular, allows bettors to wager on outcomes during a live sporting event, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement. The advent of the internet revolutionised the sports betting industry worldwide, and South Africa was no exception. Predominant online betting platforms such as the Betway app emerged as a convenient and accessible alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. This shift allowed bettors to place wagers from the comfort of home using computers or mobile devices. The proliferation of smartphones further accelerated this trend, enabling bettors to engage in sports betting adaptively.

• Casino income from the group’s four largest urban casinos increased by 2.2%, while smaller regional casinos faced challenges.
• With the market projected to reach $11.42 billion by 2032, investors have a unique opportunity to tap into a dynamic sector poised for substantial returns.
• Further laws were passed in 2010 that made online gambling on servers located outside of the country illegal.
• Strong performances in Europe and Canada offset declines in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, while its iGaming division, Spin, earned €163.5 million, with North America contributing 68% of that figure.
• The proliferation of smartphones further accelerated this trend, enabling bettors to engage in sports betting adaptively.
• Many sportsbooks offer bets on football, basketball, tennis, and horse racing, along with esports and entertainment events.
• Online sportsbooks use encryption technologies, such as two-factor authentication and SSL encryption, to ensure secure transactions and a safe online betting experience.
• After testing the bonuses across a few key factors, I’ve narrowed it down to 10bet, Betfred, and BetShezi as the top South African gambling sites offering the best deals and promotions.
• Their platform is designed for ease of use, with a straightforward interface and a mobile app that ensures you can bet on the go.
• With statistics indicating that the average gambler participates in three types of gambling activities multiple times a month, it’s evident that gambling holds a significant place in the lives of many South Africans.

Read: Crypto should be regulated as gambling, UK politicians say

Kickboxing and Muay Thai, with their emphasis on striking and aggressive exchanges, tend to produce more exciting and unpredictable fights, offering different betting opportunities. Unlike boxing, which focuses solely on punches, MMA incorporates striking, grappling, and ground fighting, influencing how odds are set and bets are made. The popularity of tennis is also significant and is growing at steady rates of about 20% per year. The inclusion of crypto payments is expected to have a similar effect, although many countries, including South Africa, are still working on incorporating cryptocurrencies into their financial systems. This is according to the iGaming Trends 2025 report by Malta-based iGaming software supplier Softswiss. Now its third year, the report surveyed operators, game developers, technology providers, media professionals and affiliate marketers in North America, Europe, South America, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

The Future of iGaming and Betting in Africa: Opportunities & Challenges

As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders must embrace technological advancements while prioritising responsible gambling practices to guarantee a safe and enjoyable betting experience for all. Africa’s gambling industry is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by technological advancements, a young tech-savvy population, and increasing internet and smartphone penetration. With the market projected to reach $11.42 billion by 2032, investors have a unique opportunity to tap into a dynamic sector poised for substantial returns. From online sports betting to virtual casinos, Africa offers a wealth of investment opportunities, driven by government incentives, international partnerships, and a growing demand for digital gaming experiences. Technological innovations have been instrumental in shaping the evolution of sports betting in South Africa.

OECD revises global economic growth down to 2.9%

• There was sizeable growth in the average bet size during 2023, a sign that South Africans had no doubts about the prospects of the Springboks.
• Although sports betting is legal in most provinces, other forms of online gambling, like remote casinos, are not.
• Only available to South African bank account holders with internet banking access.
• “While South Africa has always been a sporty nation, its international sporting profile has probably never been higher and this is especially true for women’s sports,” says Chelin.
• Denise Mathey is a seasoned content writer with a strong focus on online casinos, gambling guides, and sweepstakes gaming strategies.
• While having a big focus on the sports part of the market, MultiChoice has offerings beyond this.
• This helps punters make better informed decisions based on their betting and improves the whole sports betting experience.

We don’t just rate sportsbooks – we test them thoroughly, listen to community members, and highlight the ones that provide South Africans with true value. Every SportsBoom sportsbook review follows a thorough, multi-step evaluation process designed to give South African bettors trustworthy, unbiased, and up-to-date information. Ozow handles banking transactions for secure online betting in South Africa, with additional safety and security measures. E-Wallets like Zapper or Samsung Pay offer a digital alternative for people who don’t want to share banking details.

Latest South African Betting News

Consistency in your approach builds discipline, which often separates winners from amateurs. 1Win is designed like a well-oiled machine that works to provide the best entertainment to the guests. This is particularly useful to South African players, as it means all options are localized, and every click is rewarding and intuitive. TechFinancials delivers in-depth analysis of tech, digital revolution, fintech, e-commerce, digital banking and breaking tech news.

Top SA Online Betting Sites​ For Each Sport

Yes, most top-rated sportsbooks have mobile-friendly sites or even dedicated apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to bet on the go. Responsible gaming simply means enjoying your betting sessions, while staying in control of your budget. It’s all about understanding your limits and making sure that you never bet more than you’re willing to lose. Overall, it means not allowing your sports betting activities to affect your finances.

Main reasons for gambling

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. Hence, nowadays, African citizens represent over 11.5% of the overall internet users in the world. Many African countries are currently revising their regulatory frameworks for iGaming and betting, with the aim of creating a more conducive environment for the industry.

FLAGSHIP EVENTS

• There is an ongoing legal conflict between the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission and the Lagos State Lotteries Board, as both organisations are trying to impose regulations and collect licensing taxes.
• Something that was once the preserve of physical bookies moved first into the web and onto apps.
• The brand offers a range of over 12,000 sports markets, which include soccer, rugby, horse racing, cricket, tennis, basketball, and more.
• 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 Legal LandscapeThe legality of sports betting in South Africa is a relatively recent development.
• Online sports betting has advanced considerably in the last three decades since it first began to gain traction.
• Sun International’s proposed acquisition of Peermont Holdings faces opposition from the Competition Commission, citing reduced competition in South Africa’s casino market.
• 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.

It also explores the role of regulation and education, and why its impact on financial inclusion and exclusion. Digital online betting credit and specifically mobile money credit has grown leaps and bounds since they were introduced in East Africa. 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.

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While having a big focus on the sports part of the market, MultiChoice has offerings beyond this. The local market is dominated by Betway, Hollywoodbets, PlayaBets and Easybet. Each site has its strengths, like betting live during the fight or options to cash out. They could improve, though, like by adding more live fight streams or simplifying things for beginners.

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There are different types of sports betting promotions, including welcome bonuses, deposit match bonuses, free bets, reload bonuses, and much more. EasybetEasyBet is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and owned by EasyGroup. It launched in October 2024 and offers both casino and sports betting options. The brand offers a range of over 12,000 sports markets, which include soccer, rugby, horse racing, cricket, tennis, basketball, and more. You’ll also find a range of live betting options here, providing real-time updates.

Exploring the surge in SA’s online betting space

Its brands, Gbets.co.za and Goldrush.co.za, are capitalizing on the rapidly expanding South African online gaming market. The business has reached a scale where it benefits from the efficiencies of the online model, allowing for increased marketing investment to strengthen brand presence. Despite fierce competition, the team has focused on running the division profitably rather than solely pursuing market share. In addition to our detailed, individual bookmaker reviews, we publish comprehensive comparison guides so you can compare top South African sportsbooks side-by-side.

The transaction pay screen will appear once the type of e-wallet is selected. Our next step is to examine some of the payment methods for South African betting offered by trusted South African bookmakers. I like 10Bet because they accept major coins like BTC, ETH, LTC, and USDT instantly with low fees, offer fast crypto withdrawals, and have competitive odds on 40+ sports events. 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 that you can make the right choice.

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The National Gambling Act requires that if you win, real money betting sites in South Africa must pay you out. We have all heard stories about South African online sports betting that led us to be sceptical of them. Over four weeks, we place multiple bets on different sports, markets, and features to get a data-driven user-focused overview. With our combined 25 years of experience, our team conducts South African betting site comparisons for each operator against strict performance criteria. It is not enough to take a South African gambling site at face value, some aspects need inspection. Instead of just looking for things like free bets or live sports betting in South Africa when you land on a site, you need to do a little bit of research to avoid any nasty surprises.

• From football and MMA to kabaddi and eSports, BetShezi offers a huge range of sports.
• Plenty of punters are already speculating about who will win the Champions League 2025 — but there’s still all to play for.
• The business has reached a scale where it benefits from the efficiencies of the online model, allowing for increased marketing investment to strengthen brand presence.
• As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders must embrace technological advancements while prioritising responsible gambling practices to guarantee a safe and enjoyable betting experience for all.
• Currently, South Africa is by far the most developed online betting market on the continent, with several financial experts expecting its gross revenue to surpass $2.3-billion by the end of 2022.
• 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.
• Digital credit makes this activity possible or significantly reduces the friction in the process.
• 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.
• In addition you can play Live Dealer games by award-winning game supplier Evolution Gaming on most online betting sites.

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. Prior to August 1996 betting on horse racing and other sporting events was the only form of legal gambling in Gauteng. In August 1996 the Gauteng Gambling Act 1995 (Act No 4 of 1995), was promulgated.

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. South African bookmakers regularly offer no deposit free bets to new customers and existing ones too.

More and more sites followed and now you can enjoy slots also on PalaceBet, YesPlay as well as brand-new LulaBet. Therefore, SA punters can now enjoy slots betting fun on licensed betting sites. In the sports betting scene, live betting has grown to be a common element; many South African gamblers like making bets during events.

The NSPCA reveals shocking evidence of the Eastern Cape Gambling Board allegedly allowing a licensed bookmaker to profit from illegal cockfighting. 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. For persons suffering with gambling addiction, these steps might involve self-exclusion options, expenses restrictions, or support service access.

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.

US sports such as the National Basketball Association (NBA)  and National Football League (NFL) have also attracted a new betting audience in South Africa. Although sports betting is legal in most provinces, other forms of online gambling, like remote casinos, are not. One of the aims of the Remote Gambling Bill, which is backed by the Democratic Alliance, is to regulate various types of online gambling by introducing uniform norms and standards pertaining to “interactive gambling”. South African bettors often seek alternatives due to limitations or their personal preferences. Below are some alternatives that have something the original bookmaker lacks, whether it’s bonuses, live betting quality, ease of use or South African betting markets. With so many bettors preferring to gamble online, South Africa’s online sports betting market has expanded remarkably in recent years.

You can find all the information you need about the most reliable online bookmakers by clicking on the bookie’s logo or ‘Read Review’. For more trusted bookmakers please also see our full bookmaker listing on Best Betting Sites. South Africans place more than  R1 trillion in bets annually, with R700 billion spent on sports betting alone.