2025-03-11

Local: Choosing a local South African bookie offers the advantage of understanding local preferences, cultural nuances, and providing customer support tailored to the South African market. They often offer payment methods that are convenient for local users.

International: On the other hand, international bookies provide a wider range of betting options, global market access, and often have more advanced technology and security measures, ensuring a comprehensive and secure betting experience.

Both local and international sites on this list are licensed and regulated in South Africa, adhering to FICA regulations for safety.

Consider the benefits and drawbacks of each:

International Pros ✅
A wider selection of betting opportunities
Access to global markets

Local Pros ✅
Primarily include payment options that most South Africans use
Focus on popular betting options among South African players

International Cons ❌
May include fewer popular payment solutions
Sometimes don’t have coverage for national leagues

Local Cons ❌
Potentially fewer betting options
May not have coverage for the same number of sports events as international platforms

How to Get Started with Online Betting in South Africa

  • If you are new to the online betting world in South Africa and want to find out how to get started, we have included a simple guide below for you to follow and you’ll be ready to go in no time!
  • The first step in starting your betting journey is to choose a betting site. Explore top sports betting sites with welcome bonus offers and compare. Also, look at the odds, user interfaces, and range of markets.
  • Once you have found the right site for you, sign up and create your account. Don’t forget to claim your sign-up offer!
  • Check for any verification requirements and upload the relevant documentation.
  • Once you have completed the above steps, it is time to add funds to your account so you can start betting! Do so using your preferred payment method.
  • Now, head to the match or event that you wish to bet on and check out the available odds.
  • Choose your odds carefully. When you are happy with your selections, add them to your bet slip, confirm, and place your bets.
  • Always remember to gamble responsibly and check out all of the great responsible gambling features that can be applied to your account should you feel you could benefit from them. Real winners know when to stop.

How to Claim Betting Welcome Bonuses

Signing up to betting sites with sign up bonus offers is really simple, just follow the steps below to get started and claim yours.

  • Head to the sign-up page of your selected sports betting South Africa site.
  • Register your details including your full name, address, date of birth, ID number, your income source and some other details requested by the site.
  • If you are using a mobile, you must sign up for an account using your browser before downloading the app in order to claim your bonus.
  • Once complete, verify your account and depending on the type of bonus you are claiming, add funds to your account (deposit bonus), or enter a promo code if required when prompted (free bets).
  • Go ahead and start placing your bets and using your welcome bonus!

Free Bets

A free bet bonus is when betting sites essentially give customers an amount of money, for free, in the form of bet credits to use to bet without requiring any money to be spent from them first. Free bets are one of the most popular bonuses available at South African betting sites and attract users. Simply sign up and claim the offer to use as you please, and place bets, win or lose, for no financial cost or risk to you.

Deposit Bonuses

Another popular welcome betting bonus available to new customers is deposit bonuses. In most cases, betting sites offer a first deposit match bonus in which new sign-ups can receive a percentage of their first deposit back in the form of bet credits. These can then be used to place more bets at a site for no extra charge than the initial deposit made. Enjoy more bets for less with deposit welcome bonuses.

Guide to Betting Payment Methods

So, is there any type of payment method you should use or look out for at betting sites? Most of the best betting sites will accept a variety of brands that are recognised around the world, as well as some accepted methods that are exclusive to South African betting sites’ customers. We recommend opting for a method that you know, trust and have used before or regularly. Check the accepted payment methods before signing up to make sure there is one you want to use. We have included some of the most popular payment methods for South African players below:

  • Debit/credit cards (Visa/Mastercard)
  • EFT
  • eWallets (OZOW, Zapper)
  • Vouchers (OTT Voucher, 1Voucher, Blu Voucher)
  • Mobile Payments (SnapScan)
  • Apple Pay