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Online Betting in South Africa

This page is dedicated to online betting, and why you should start right now. Online betting opens up a world of opportunities that land-based betting shops simply can't keep up with. From features and games, to welcome bonuses and promotion, online betting is the way forward!

Online Betting Sites

Betway

Best in SA
  • Leading Betting Brand
  • Great user experience
  • Great range of features
  • Limited Cash Out Offers
Welcome Offer
100% up to R1000
as a Free Bet
ClaimGo to website
Website: www.betway.co.zaFounded: 2006
Owner: BetwayHeadquarters: Century City, Cape Town
Betway Homepage
Betway Live Games
Betway Esports

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Entering in South Africa in 2018, Betway has become many punter’s go-to bookmaker. Boasting a beautiful site full of incredible features and heaps of markets, Betway is South Africa’s most complete betting site.

Betway comes Highly Recommended ⭐

Visit Betway

Read full review

Fafabet

  • Good welcome offer
  • Lots of promotions available
  • Wide range of sports to bet on
  • Desktop site can feel overwhelming for new users
  • Live betting could be improved
Welcome Offer
150% up to R5000
ClaimGo to website
Website: Founded:
Owner:Headquarters:
Fafabet homepage
Fafabet live betting
Fafabet slots

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Fafabet’s one of South Africa’s newest betting sites, and appeals to sports bettors with a taste for a juicy bonus. Fafabet also offers generous promos for existing players available. The operator also offers plenty of sports to bet on. Fafabet could improve the website’s overall design, as it feels very unorganized. The site could also offer a much better live betting platform. Overall, Fafabet is worth a try, especially considering the way they’ll reward you for joining them.

Read full review

Hollywoodbets

SA's Favourite Sportsbook
  • Best horse racing betting site in SA
  • Wide range of payment methods
  • Good mobile betting site
  • Fast withdrawals
  • Poor desktop interface
  • Odds aren’t the best
Welcome Offer
R25 in Free Bets
+ 50 Free Spins
ClaimGo to website
Website: www.hollywoodbets.netFounded: 2000
Owner: HollywoodbetsHeadquarters: Umhlanga, KZN
Hollywoodbets Mobile
Hollywoodbets Betting Games
Hollywoodbets Betting

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Sportingbet

  • Best odds in SA
  • Comprehensive sportsbook
  • Fanatastic user experience: great for beginners
  • Few deposit methods
Welcome Offer
Up to R3000 Deposit Match
+ 300 Free Spins
ClaimGo to website
Website: https://sports.sportingbet.co.za/Founded: 1997
Owner: GVC HoldingsHeadquarters: London, UK
Sportingbet Homepage
Sportingbet live betting
Sportingbet Live Games

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Sportingbet’s business was brought over to South Africa in 2008, and has been a hit since day one. It’s brilliantly laid out design, variety of markets, and standout features makes this operator a joy to bet with.

Read full review

Betfred

  • Wide range of soccer betting markets
  • Impressive rugby coverage
  • Lots of bonuses and promos
  • No same game multi bets
  • Live betting isn’t well laid out
Welcome Offer
First Deposit Match up to R5000
ClaimGo to website
Website: Founded:
Owner:Headquarters:

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Gbets

  • Plenty of Bonuses and Promotions
  • Sophisticated Website Layout
  • Unparalleled Sportsbook
  • Text on the Site is Quite Small
Welcome Offer
100% up to R1000
+ R25 Free Sports Bet
ClaimGo to website
Website: www.gbets.co.zaFounded: 2005
Owner: Dhrupal AminHeadquarters: Roodepoort, South Africa
Gbets Homepage
Gbets Live Betting
Gbets Sportsbook screenshot

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

For decades, Gbets have been entertaining eager punters with their fantastic sports betting offering. Founded in 2005 by the Gold Rush Group, Gbets have been significant players in South Africa’s online betting industry, and have emerged as crowd favourites for their generous bonuses, amazing platform, and immense betting and gaming suites. If a premier, and reliable bookmaker is what you’re in the market for, Gbets may be the one for you.

Gbets comes highly recommended 🌟

Visit Gbets

Read full review

Supabets

Best Welcome Bonus
  • Fantastic Welcome Bonus
  • Wide range of Features
  • Supabets accept several deposit methods
  • Crowded website design
Welcome Offer
Deposit Bonuses up to R5000
+ R50 Free Bet & 100 Free Spins
ClaimGo to website
Website: https://new.supabets.co.za/Founded: 2008
Owner: Phumelela Gaming and LeisureHeadquarters: Melrose North, Johannesburg
Supabets Homepage
Supabets Live Betting
Supabets Live Games

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

One of the more popular betting establishments in South Africa, Supabets have been bringing their users the opportunity to win for a little over a decade. Spending some time on Supabets’ busy platform can quickly explain their popularity. With a welcome bonus that is rivalled by none, and a host of features that will keep you entertained for hours, Supabets ensures a complete betting experience, and one that will keep you coming back for more.

Read full review

Playabets

  • Lots of valuable promos
  • Wide range of betting markets
  • Sizeable sportsbook
  • Bonus offer isn’t easy to claim
  • Website isn’t the best
Welcome Offer
R50 Sign Up Bonus
+ 50 Free Spins
ClaimGo to website
Website: www.playabets.co.zaFounded: 1990
Owner: Playa BetsHeadquarters: Durban
Playabets Sports
Playabets Live Betting
Playabets Homepage

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Founded back in 1990, and having entered the online fray in 2012, Playabets is a great option for punters looking for valuable promos, lots of betting markets, and a sizeable sportsbook. While this bookmaker doesn’t offer the easiest welcome bonus to claim, or the best-looking website, all around, Playa Bets is worth signing up with.

Visit Playa Bets

Read full review

Bet.co.za

  • Brilliant on Mobile
  • Bet Vegas Live Games
  • Fantastic Features
  • Site can feel overwhelming
  • Customer Support isn’t 24/7
Welcome Offer
100% up to R5000
ClaimGo to website
Website: https://www.bet.co.za/sports/Founded: 2010
Owner: Betcoza Online (RF) (Pty) LtdHeadquarters: Cape Town
Bet coza Home
Bet coza Live Betting
Bet Vegas

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Beginning their journey into the South African betting market after the World Cup in 2010, Bet coza have had one thing in mind - to offer a platform that puts the punter first. With over a decade in the game, Bet coza offer users a site with a distinct and elegant style, top notch features, and promotions for days.

We recommend Bet.co.za! ⭐️

Read full review

Lulabet

  • Fun spin & bet feature
  • Daily bet boosts
  • Bet builders available
  • Fewer sports available
  • Lacks soccer markets
Welcome Offer
Bet R250 Get R250
or Bet R50 Get R50
ClaimGo to website
Website: Founded:
Owner:Headquarters:

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

World Sports Betting

  • Best Odds and Markets
  • Horse Racing Live Streaming
  • Substantial sportsbook
  • Website could look nicer
Welcome Offer
100% up to R15 000
+ R50 Free Bet
ClaimGo to website
Website: www.worldsportsbetting.co.zaFounded: 2002
Owner: World Sports Betting PTY (Ltd)Headquarters: North Riding, Johannesburg
WSB Homepage
WSB Racing
WSB Soccer

Summary

Author: Alex Goldstein Alex Goldstein

Founded in 2002, World Sports Betting has provided sports betting services in South Africa for just over two decades. In that time, the online bookmaker has tailored its site for local punters. Today, WSB is on par with the leading sportsbooks in South Africa.

WSB comes Highly Recommended ⭐

Visit World Sports Betting

Read full review

Online Betting in South Africa

Looking to start online betting, South Africa? We don’t blame you. There is so much available on online betting sites these days, that frequenting the classic brick and mortar betting establishments feels a little bit outdated.

But making the jump from something trusty and comfortable to something new and daunting can be intimidating… we know! That’s why we’re here.

Owlie teach betting za

We have made it our mission to make your transition into the world of online betting and online bookmakers an absolute breeze.

So whether you’re a punter new to online betting, or an absolute novice looking for a new hobby, click on the learn more button found below, or skim through our table of contents to find what you’re looking for!

List of Online Bookmakers

Rank Bonus Turnover Min odds 
1

100% up to R1000
as a Free Bet

Turnover: 1x bonus amount

Lowest odds: n/a

ClaimGo to website
2

100% up to R1000
+ R25 Free Sports Bet

Turnover: 6x bonus amount

Lowest odds: 0.7

ClaimGo to website
3

R25 in Free Bets
+ 50 Free Spins

Turnover: 1x bonus amount

Lowest odds: 0.5

ClaimGo to website
4

100% up to R5000

Turnover: 6x bonus amount

Lowest odds: 1.70

ClaimGo to website
5

100% up to R15 000
+ R50 Free Bet

Turnover: 5x bonus amount

Lowest odds: 1.5

ClaimGo to website
6

Up to R3000 Deposit Match
+ 300 Free Spins

Turnover: 10x bonus amount

Lowest odds: 1.7

ClaimGo to website
7

Deposit Bonuses up to R5000
+ R50 Free Bet & 100 Free Spins

Turnover: 4x bonus amount

Lowest odds: 1.4

ClaimGo to website
8

R50 Sign Up Bonus
+ 25 Free Spins

Turnover: 3x bonus amount

Lowest odds: 3.0

ClaimGo to website

FAQs surrounding Online Betting in South Africa

Commonly asked questions about Online Betting in South Africa

🤔 What is online betting?

Online betting is the practice of wagering money on the outcomes of certain events over the internet through online betting sites.

🇿🇦 How do I start online betting in South Africa?

To start online betting in South Africa you need to choose an online betting site and sign up with them.

The next step depends on the betting site you have chosen, as some require you to make a deposit before you start betting, while others welcome you with free bets.

Either way, once your betting account has been credited, you will be able to start placing bets.

🏆 Which online betting site is the best?

The answer is that it's very much down to personal preference.

I love Betway for their easy to use website, competitive odds, and wide range of betting markets, but my friend uses Sunbet because their odds are a bit better.

⚖️ Is online betting in South Africa legal?

Online betting in South Africa is legal provided that the betting site that you are using is licensed.

Each of the online betting sites advertised on My Betting Sites SA are licensed and regulated by one of the nine national gambling boards.

Legal Betting Sites advertise who they are licensed with on the bottom of their homepages.

🎲 What are online betting games?

Online Betting Games are also known as Bet Games and Live Games.

They are virtual interactive casino games that involve the wagering of money of certain events occuring.

Popular online betting games include Baccarat, Wheel Spins and Lucky 7. Online betting games are a great way to diversify your betting experience, and can be found on all of the online betting sites in South Africa, some of which are listed on this website.

📱 Which online betting app is the best?

This is another question without a clear cut answer, because again, it's up to personal preference.

Not all online betting sites in South Africa have online betting apps.

The ones that don’t offer apps do however have mobile friendly versions of their websites, some even offer a data free version. If we were to choose, we feel that the top online betting apps belong to Betway, Sunbet, Sportingbet and Gbets.

🔒 Is online betting safe?

Yes, online betting in South Africa is safe. There would not be an online betting industry if online bookmakers weren’t trustworthy and handled your money responsibly.

Safety is closely linked to legality, so a good rule of thumb is to check whether a bookmaker is licensed. If they are, they pass the safety test. All the online betting sites listed throughout this site are safe to use.

💳 How do I deposit on online betting sites?

To deposit on online betting sites in South Africa, you need to have a registered account with one.

Once you do, make sure you’re logged into your account and click on the button labelled deposit. This is generally found in the top right hand corner of a betting site’s homepage. Once you’ve done that, a list of deposit methods will appear.

Select your preferred deposit method, and enter the amount you would like to credit your betting account with. Depending on the deposit method, you may have to enter a few details.

Once this has all been done, you will need to approve the payment, either through an online banking profile or banking app.

Betway: SA's Best Online Sportsbook
Alex Goldstein

Alex Goldstein

Betway South Africa gets our vote for the best betting site in South Africa to start online betting with.

Betway make online betting absolutely seamless, and ensures that the even the least tech savvy user is able to confidently and comfortably interact with their brilliant service.

Each process with Betway is made absolutely simple, from signing up, depositing money, and of course, placing bets.

Betway are the only big name international betting brand that has set up shop in South Africa. They are trustworthy, safe, and are an absolute joy to bet with.

Betway comes Highly Recommended 🌟

Join Betway

Sign Up Today

Our rating:
  • Great for Beginners
  • Easy to use platform
  • Great Mobile App
Sport bonus:

100% up to R1000
as a Free Bet

Turnover: 1x bonus amount Lowest odds: n/a Bonus code: No Code

Online Betting Pros

✓Convenience - bet without having to travel anywhere

✓Simplicity - place bets with the click of a few buttons

✓Safety - your information and money is protected

✓Speed - betting online takes seconds

✓Online Betting Features and Games - unavailable in betting shops

✓You’re able to bet everywhere you go - with betting apps and mobile betting

Online Betting Cons

✘ FICA takes longer - With Betting Shops you can FICA instantly

✘ Lack of Community if you bet online, you may not be able to see your mates down at the betting shop

South africa pros outweigh cons dooder

Online Betting South Africa

There are few nations in the world that have richer betting cultures than the one present in South Africa. South Africa is known for its sporting prowess on the world stage, which is backed by thousands, if not millions of passionate fans.

SA is the online sports betting capital of Africa!

Like with smoke and fire, where there’s sports, there betting. The South African online betting market is dominated by local online bookmakers, all offering something unique to every kind of punter.

List of Online Bookmakers

  1. Betway ➝ Our Favourite Online Betting Site
  2. Gbets ➝ Best Online Betting Sportsbook
  3. Hollywoodbets ➝ SA’s favourite Online Betting Site
  4. Bet.co.za ➝ Best Interface for Online Betting
  5. World Sports Betting ➝ Best Online Betting Markets
  6. Sportingbet Best Live Online Betting Site
  7. Supabets ➝ Best Welcome Bonus Betting Site
  8. Easybet ➝ Best Online Betting Odds

List of Online Bookmakers in SA

  1. Our Favourite Online Betting Site

  2. Best Online Betting Sportsbook

  3. SA’s favourite Online Betting Site

  4. Best Online Betting Interface

  5. Best Online Betting Markets

  6. Best Live Online Betting Site

  7. Best Welcome Bonus Betting Site

  8. Best Online Betting Odds

Bafana Bafana Fans

How to Choose Sites for Online Betting

These days, there is plenty that goes into the best online betting sites. These platforms are no longer simply sportsbooks that can be found over the internet, but have rather been transformed into entertainment hubs guaranteed to fill you with enjoyment.

Not only is there plenty that goes into the best online betting sites, but each one prioritises something a little different.
Each betting site attracts

That’s what makes the task of choosing between them so difficult, but that’s where we come in.

Here we’ve outlined the important features to look out for when deciding between the best online gambling sites in South Africa.

Online Betting Criteria

💰 Welcome Bonus

Arguably one of the most important features of any online betting site is their welcome bonus. In South Africa, two types of welcome bonus reign supreme - first deposit matches, and free bets

A first deposit match is generally a type of bonus whereby your initial deposit is matched with anywhere between 100% - 200%. There’s no doubting the appeal with these kinds of bonuses, but they do require a deposit to be activated.

The other form of welcome bonus that is popular in SA are free bets. Free bets are betting credits that are gifted by betting sites, and come in the form of free money to bet with. Sounds too good to be true right?

The truth with these bonuses however, is that they are far more limited in value compared to first deposit bonuses. But then again, they are free.

💳 Deposit Methods

To us, the number of deposit methods offered by online bookmakers is important. The more deposit methods a betting site offers, the more payment preferences they are able to cater to.

The truth however, is that if an online betting site offers the deposit method that works for you, you will more than likely not be too fussed by all the other options they are offering.

That aside, it’s always nice to have a variety, and it’s always great to have cardless alternatives just in case.

👨‍💻️ Betting Experience

Betting experience, which is often also quoted as user experience, is the level of enjoyment, and furthermore the ease with which you are able to place a bet on an online betting platform.

It’s everything from a website’s layout, the colour palette they have chosen to use, the size of the text, the navigability, and a few other important factors.

Think to yourself, am I enjoying myself while I place bets with this online bookmaker?

🎰 Betting Features

To us, betting features carry huge weight when it comes to how they impact the quality of the best online gambling sites. Betting features, by our definition, are all of the things aside from sports betting that enhance your online sports betting experience.

By our estimations, these are some of the most important online betting features available:

  1. Odds boosts
  2. Sportsbook
  3. Live Betting
  4. Live Streaming
  5. Cashout

💯 Betting Odds

It's impossible to separate the importance of odds from online betting. Odds come in the form of numbers that represent the likelihood of certain outcomes occurring in the events offered by online betting sites.

High odds are given to events that are less likely to occur, while low odds are given to events that are more likely to occur. You have the option to either view your odds as decimal or as fractional. We recommend decimal, because it’s simply easier to calculate your potential winnings.

When using decimal odds, all you need to do to determine your potential winnings, is to multiply your stake (the amount you are betting with) by the decimal odds.

E.g. - if your stake is R100 on an event with odds of 2.00, your potential winnings would be R200.

📈 Betting Markets

Another crucial criteria that has the power to make or break the best online gambling sites is betting markets. In the world of online betting, markets refer to the different outcomes you have available to choose from when making your bets.

The customary market associated with betting is the match result, where you need to choose whether either the home or away teams will win, or whether the event will end in a draw.

There are, however, hundreds of other outcomes you have the opportunity to bet on.

From corners and goals to outrights and handicaps, there is little that betting sites leave out when it comes to providing options for you to bet on.

🏟️ Live Betting

Live betting is one of the most exciting advancements in modern betting, and one that can only really be done while making bets online.

With live betting, you have the opportunity to place bets on events after they have already begun, giving you the chance to adjust your betting strategy based on information coming straight from the match up itself.

Live betting sites are those that prioritise this form of betting, and are those that provide plenty of extra features to enhance the practice of live betting. Some of these include:

  1. Live Betting odds - fluctuating as the game goes on
  2. In Game Stats - to keep you informed on what's going on
  3. Virtual live feeds - to give you a representation of the action
  4. Live Streaming - giving you the option to watch the game itself
  5. Cashout - allowing you to close bets looking likely to go sideways

📱 Mobile Betting

Last on the list of important things to consider when online betting is mobile betting. The truth is mobile betting shouldn’t even be referred to as mobile betting. It should just be referred to as betting, as so many punters in South Africa engage in this type of wager-making.

Mobile bettors outnumber desktop bettors considerably, making the demand for quality mobile betting sites that much higher.

Luckily, South African mobile betting sites have heeded the call. Each offers something a little different, from mobile-optimised versions of their sites, to apps, and even data free offerings.

It’s important to choose a betting site that offers what you’re looking for in terms of mobile experience.

Owlie choosing a betting site

Top 3 Online Betting Sites

Now that you have a better idea of what goes into choosing the best online betting sites, we thought it’d be a good time to get you acquainted with our favourite online betting platforms.

We have chosen these three online bookmakers based on a set of criteria that we believe to be the most important out of the few that have been mentioned above.

While choosing betting sites may be tricky, some are simply better than others!
Quality bookmakers

Take a look at the below criteria that we have selected to choose our top 3 online betting sites in South Africa:

  1. Betting Features - what kind of features are available?
  2. Betting Markets - how many markets are being offered?
  3. Betting Odds - can I find higher odds elsewhere?
  4. Betting Experience - Do I have access to an unforgettable betting experience?

Based on the criteria above, these are our top picks for the best 3 online betting destinations in South Africa:

3 Best Online Betting Sites

Betway Online

🏆 Best Site for Online Betting

It may be no surprise that Betway claims our top spot for the best online betting site in South Africa. Simply enough, the reason for this is that they meet all the important outlined criteria to a tee.

Here’s how they match up to our criteria:

Betting FeaturesAmazing features such as cash out and live streaming

Betting MarketsBetway offer tons of exciting and interesting markets

Betting OddsMarket leading odds across their sportsbook

Betting ExperienceAmazing online platform, perfect beginners and more advanced punters

As you can see, Betway tick all of our boxes, making them our clear favourites.


Gbets Online

📖 Best Online Betting Sportsbook

Gbets comes in at second place on our list for the best online betting sites in South Africa.

The reason for thisis aside from an unbeatable sportsbook, they have amazing features, an incredible welcome bonus and so much more.

This is how Gbets Online measured up to our criteria:

Betting FeaturesSome of the best features out there: cashout, data free app, edit-bet and more!

Betting MarketsPart of their unreal sportsbook is the fact that they offer plenty of markets

Betting OddsOdd are decent , but not their biggest strength

Betting ExperienceTheir site has recently been remastered, making it one of the best on the market


Hollywoodbets Online

🇿🇦 SA's Favourite Site for Online Betting

Coming in at number 2 on our list is South Africa’s very own betting dynasty. Hollywoodbets’ parent company was established in 1986, and gave rise to Hollywoodbets in 2000, making them South Africa’s oldest bookmaker.

After years in the game, Hollywoodbets probably have the best idea of what South African punters are looking for. Here's how they measured up against our criteria:

Betting FeaturesDecent features, cashout on mobile, and plenty of betting games

Betting MarketsHollywoodbets offer plenty of markets.

Betting OddsOdds aren’t as good as Betway, but still really good.

Betting ExperienceOffer an amazing betting experience across two desktop websites and one brilliantly laid out mobile platform.


Join one of the best

  1. 🏆 The Best in the West

  2. 🥈 Runner Up

  3. 🥉 Third Place

How to Start Online Betting

There are a couple of things that you’ll need to have in place before you’re able to make the jump to online betting. Don’t fret however.

If you’re found yourself on this site, you’ll more than likely have all of the necessary requirements to get into online betting.

Like with anything, you’ll need a couple things to get started with online betting.
Things needed to start online betting
Alex Goldstein

Alex Goldstein

  1. You need to be over the age of 18 - SA gambling law prohibits gambling or betting for anyone under the age of 18
  2. You need to have some knowledge - if you’re looking to start online sports betting, you will need to have some knowledge of the sports you’re looking to place wagers on
  3. You need to have a device - a smartphone, laptop or tablet will suffice
  4. You need to have wifi/data - You’ll need access to internet to make bets online

If you can confidently say that all of these things are in place, you’ll be ready to start on the beautiful adventure into online betting.

  • You can follow the steps below to successfully start placing bets online:

Start Online Betting

🤔 Choose an Online Betting Site

We’ve already spoken at length about the different factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing online betting sites. If you’re in need of a refresher, take a look at the list below:

  1. Welcome Bonus - is it to my liking
  2. Deposit Methods - can I deposit with my favourite deposit method?
  3. Betting Features - do they have good features to enhance my betting?
  4. Betting Markets - are there a wide range of markets for me to bet on?
  5. Betting Odds - can I find higher odds elsewhere?
  6. Betting Experience - is the platform easy to use?
  7. Live Betting - does the site offer all of the live betting features?
  8. Mobile Betting - does the site of a mobile optimised site?

Based on these criteria, you will be able to choose a betting site that best suits your needs.

🖊️ Sign up with your Online Betting Site

The sign up process is probably the easiest step you’ll take in your online betting journey. All it requires is clicking a few buttons, and providing online betting portals with some information. Some of the information required by betting sites includes:

  1. Name & Surname
  2. Phone Number
  3. Email Address
  4. Date of Birth
  5. ID Number
  6. Income source

... Among a few others.

To sign up with a betting site, simply click on one of the buttons you see across this site to get to the respective online betting platform.

💵 Deposit with your Online Betting Site

Once you’ve signed up, the next natural step in the progression is to credit your online betting account with some money. Generally, South African betting sites offer numerous ways in which you’re able to deposit.

Chief among these are:

  • Visa/Mastercard
  • EFT
  • Ozow
  • SiD
  • Vouchers

Among many, many others. It’s wise to ensure that the online betting platform you have chosen to do business with offers the deposit method that suits you.

💰 Receive an Online Betting Welcome Bonus

Generally either following on from the sign up or depositing step, you will receive an online betting welcome bonus. In most cases, welcome bonuses are exclusive to online betting platforms, as brick and mortar betting establishments tend to not offer these bonuses.

You generally have access to two kinds of welcome bonuses in SA; match first deposits and free bets. The best betting sites with welcome bonus are the ones that offer both of these offers.

🎲 Place Bets with your Online Betting Site

If you’ve managed to see out all of the preceding steps, you will be ready to place your first bet online.

Don’t fret, the process of placing a bet is simple, and will be covered on this page, but placing the right bets is up to you.

We are not a betting tips service, nor are we at liberty to tell you which bets to make. We’re simply here to help you in the process of placing your first bet online.

Online Betting Features

Now that you have some idea of the process that is required for you to get started with online betting, it’s the perfect time to get you familiar with some important online betting features so that you have a better idea of what the activity entails.

Think of online betting as a kind of wagering self service. And our role in this is to get you introduced with the interfaces with which to place bets.

Understanding some of the features of online betting will be crucial in your development of placing online bets independently.
Teach you betting features
  • Take a look at each of the important features below that will help you in your online betting quest

    Online Betting Welcome Bonus

    Often the first thing on the minds of new users approaching an online betting platform for the first time is what kind of welcome bonus they are offering. A welcome bonus is often, among other things, the gift that attracts new users to a betting site.

    A welcome bonus is comparable to a cover of a book - it's the first thing you see when looking at online betting sites

    In South Africa, the online betting market is dominated by two kinds of welcome bonuses:

    • First deposit match Bonuses - get a 100% - 200% of your first deposit in bet credits
    • No Deposit Free Bets - get a free money voucher in the form of bet credits
    Owlie free bets and matched bets za

    Some online betting operators even go as far as to offer new users both kinds of bonus. Those who do so can be thought of as the front-running betting sites with welcome bonus.

    Here they are, listed below:

    1. Supabets → R50 Free Bet and 200% up to R1000
    2. WSB → R50 Free Bet and 100% up to R10 000
    3. Gbets → R25 Free Sports Bet and 100% up to R1000

    Best Welcome Bonus Betting Sites

    1. R50 Free Bet and 200% up to R1000

    2. R50 Free Bet and 100% up to R10000

    3. R25 Free Bet and 100% up to R1000

    Online Betting Deposit Methods

    One of the most important steps in the new online bettor’s journey is to deposit money into their newly created online betting account.

    If you’re unfamiliar with making payments online, don’t fret, the process is simple considering you have a bank account and some money to spare.

    Depositing on Betting Sites can be done in a number of fast and convenient ways!
    Preferred Deposit Methods

    Online betting sites do a great job of guiding you through deposits, making the process a walk in the park to complete.

    All the steps, prompts and buttons are clearly laid out and well located to aid you as you go.

    Below you can find the most popular deposits methods in South Africa:

    1. Visa/Mastercard - recommended
    2. EFTs - most popular payment method in SA
    3. Ozow - great cardless deposit method
    4. SiD - another great cardless solution
    5. Vouchers - easiest way to deposit money
    Betway New Deposit Methods Mock Up

    Online Betting Odds

    It is impossible to separate explaining online betting from explaining odds. Odds are central to betting.

    As has already been mentioned on this page, odds are the numerical symbols attached to certain outcomes of events unfolding.

    The higher the odds, the better your profits, it's as simple as that!
    Dooder higher odds more to win

    Higher odds are given to events that are less likely to occur, while lower odds are given to events that are more likely to happen.

    Odds can further come in fractional or decimal form, as well as American and Hong Kong among a few others.

    • Take a look at the example below to view how odds work:
    How Online Betting Odds Work
    Alex Goldstein

    Alex Goldstein

    If we take a hypothetical example of a fictional football match between a league leading Manchester City, and say a struggling West Ham, you may see that Man City may be given odds of 1.1, while West Ham may be given odds of say 15.0.

    Keep in mind that these odds are fictional, and are being used for the purpose of an example.

    Now here, it is clear that the bookmakers have marked Man City as clear favourites to win the match up. It can almost be viewed as a sure thing. If you were to bet R100 on Man City to win, and they did, you’d only be making R10.

    If however you decided to back West Ham, and place R100 on them to win, your potential winnings would be a whopping R1500.

    But the likelihood of you seeing those winnings is quite low, because this fictional West Ham team isn’t doing so well, and is facing a hypothetical Man City that is on fire. So in the end, you may not want to risk losing your R100.

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    Online Betting Markets

    Another feature of online betting that you should get familiar with is online betting markets. Markets is the name given to all of the outcomes you have the opportunity to bet on across different events.

    The more markets an online betting operator offers, the better!

    More markets essentially just gives you more betting options. To access more markets on online gambling sites , there will generally be a more markets/more bets button, that when clicked will open up all the available markets for the event you are looking to bet on.

    Some popular markets include:

    1. Match result - bet on the winner of the event after full time
    2. Over/Unders - bet on more or less than a certain number of points being scored
    3. Next Goal/Try/Wicket - bet on which team will achieve next outcome
    4. Handicaps - place a bet on a team to score above a certain number of points, and if they do, you win your bet.
    5. Outrights - bet on a team to be an outright winner of a full competition

    Live Online Betting

    Live online betting is one of the best advancement in modern iGaming (betting and gambling over the internet).

    With live betting you’re able to place bets on events as they happen in real time, after the event has begun.

    Live betting has changed the betting landscape in some serious ways!

    Online gambling sites have come to adapt to the new live betting revolution, each optimising their sites to include features that enhance this form of wagering.

    Some features are only offered by few, while others are more standard, but you are guaranteed to find a memorably live betting site wherever you decide to choose to do your online betting in South Africa.

    Owlie live betting SA
    Live Online Betting Features
    Alex Goldstein

    Alex Goldstein

    📺 Live streaming: the premier live betting feature. Allows you to watch events as they happen.

    💯 Live Betting Odds: fluctuating as the game progresses, changing as the game does.

    📈 In Game Statistics: Facts from the game to keep you in the loop

    🏟️Virtual Feeds: giving you a representation of what’s going down on the pitch

    🤑Cashout: giving you the option to close bets if they’re looking likely to go sideways.

    Online Betting Bet Slips

    Another feature of online betting that is important for you to get to know is the concept of the bet slip. When online betting, once you have made a selection, it’ll automatically be loaded onto your bet slip.

    Your bet slip is essentially your online betting receipt, and is where you are able to enter your stake and confirm your bet.

    Take a look at the screenshot series below to get better idea of how to use a betslip

    As you can most likely see from the screenshot series above, your online betting bet slip serves four main functions:

    1. Confirms your selection
    2. Allows you to enter your stake
    3. Allows you to see if you qualify for any price boosts or promotions
    4. Allows you to confirm your bet
    Bet Slips

    How to Bet Online

    Now that you’ve been introduced to all of the steps that need to be taken to start online betting, as well as all the features that are associated with online betting, you may be wondering about the last piece in the puzzle: how to bet online.

    The process of placing bets isn’t too complicated, and with our brief 6 step guide, you’ll be up and running in no time!

    If you follow these few simple steps, you’ll have no problems with placing your first bet online.

    Take note!

    ATTENTION

    We are not here to tell you which bets to place, we’re simply here to show the process, start to finish, of how to place a bet online. That’s it. If you’re looking for a service that tells you which bets to place we recommend seeking out a betting tips site.

    The steps required to place a bet online includes:

    1. Find your sport - click on the sports tab
    2. Find your league - countries and leagues will be viewable once you click on the sport
    3. Find your event - scroll between the different events that are being covered
    4. Make your selection - Click on the odds attached to the outcome you think will occur
    5. Enter your stake - enter the amount you want to wager
    6. Confirm your Bet - click on the confirmation button to make sure
    How to Place a bet online
    Alex Goldstein

    Alex Goldstein

    The steps that have been mentioned above will be expanded upon here so that you are able to get a better understanding of what each part of the process entails:

    Find your sport: This is generally an easy task. All you need to do is look through the betting site to find the sports they offer. You can find all the sports they cover under the “sports" tab

    Find your league - Once you have selected the sport that interests you from the list of offered sports, a bunch of countries will show up. Select the country that plays host to the league that you’re interested in betting on.

    Find your event - This can be completed by scrolling through the different events that are on offer.

    Make your Selection - Once you’ve found your event, take a look at the odds associated with the potential outcomes, and click on the odds representing the outcome you think will happen.

    Enter your stake - Enter the amount you wish to wager on the event


    Confirm Your Bet - Click on the confirmation button found at the bottom of the bet slip

    Mobile Online Betting

    Betting has undergone many transformations over the years. From betting on gladiators and animal fights, to the rise of betting shops, and lastly the move to online betting. The newest, and fast becoming the most significant step in wagering is that of mobile betting.

    Mobile betting is taking over betting in Africa, with South Africa at the forefront of this revolution!

    This is why a betting site’s mobile compatibility has become so important. More and more people have access to smartphones compared to other devices, and with every advancement and new installment of smartphones comes a model capable of doing more.

    Mobile betting sites are quite simply having a greater and greater stake in the online betting market, with the most sophisticated mobile experiences topping the popularity charts.

    • Click on the dropdown below to see what you should be looking out for in mobile betting sites:
    Mobile Betting Key Features
    Alex Goldstein

    Alex Goldstein

    Is the site optimised for mobile use - Check this by going to our mobile betting sites page, and clicking on the buttons attached to each betting site

    Does the site have a betting app - can also be checked on our mobile betting sites page

    Does the site have a data free option - available with Betway, World Sports Betting and Gbets

    Betting Experience - can you get the same betting experience out of the mobile site as you can desktop?

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    Betway app mock up mock up guy ZA

    Online Betting Apps

    In South Africa, online betting apps are less popular than in some other nations. The reason for this is that each of South Africa’s top betting sites offer mobile versions that make up for the absence of these apps.

    These mobile versions further work in the exact same way as online betting apps would.

    If you are interested in looking into betting with betting apps, these are the online betting sites offering the best apps:

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    Online Betting Safety and Legality

    To close out the content covered on this page, we’ll have a brief talk about the safety and legality associated with online betting. Rest assured, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to embarking on this new and exciting journey you are going to be going on.

    The online betting sites we cover are both legal and safe to use in South Africa!
    • Let's take a closer look into both legality and safety of online betting:

    Online Betting Legality

    The following are the national licensing boards that have the authority to issue licenses to online gambling sites in South Africa.

    You can check whether the bookmaker you are interested in betting with is licensed with one of these regulatory boards by checking for their names on the bottom of the betting site’s homepage.

    National Gambling Authorities of South Africa
    Alex Goldstein

    Alex Goldstein

    The following are the national licensing boards that have the authority to issue licenses to online gambling sites in South Africa.

    You can check whether the bookmaker you are interested in betting with is licensed with one of these regulatory boards by checking for their names on the bottom of the betting site’s homepage.

    • Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board
    • Guateng Gambling Board
    • Mpumulanga Gambling Board
    • Eastern Cape Gambling Board
    • KwaZulu Natal Gambling Board
    • North West Gambling Board
    • Limpopo Gambling Board
    • Free State Gambling Board
    • Northern Cape Gambling Board
    Owlie legal south africa

    Online Betting Safety

    The next issue of concern is that of online betting safety, and this has a number of different factors associated with it.

    All you need to know however, is that betting with online gambling sites, and all of the associated steps (depositing money, providing information) is safe.

    Safety is closely linked to legality, so if a betting site has a license, it generally means that is has been marked with a stamp of safety approval.

    Betting authorities do not issue licenses to bookmakers that are not safe and trustworthy.

    You can be certain that your money, as well as your information are safe when engaging with licensed online gambling sites.

    Safe Betting Sites

    And that's a wrap!

    Now that you know all there is to know about online betting, the last thing you need to go ahead and do is sign up with one (or all) of the best online betting sites in South Africa! You can start the process by clicking on one of the buttons found below! 👇

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