Best betting sites in South Africa

Sports betting in South Africa keeps growing, with punters in this region having diverse bookmakers catering to their betting needs. It's a norm for sportsbooks to claim to offer the best for users, but only some of the numerous options are suitable for South Africans. Coupled with their large number, choosing the best brand to patronize is challenging for bettors.

While some don't have the time to review the top South African betting sites, others need to know what to check for. Luckily, this page will discuss the best Mzansi betting sites and what makes them unique. Our experts will also explain how to pick suitable brands, the legal framework, and the banking options in this region, amongst other essential attributes.

To streamline the selection process for punters, we examined the available bookies in the nation and evaluated the top 10 betting sites in South Africa. We review these platforms, showing their attributes to help further locals make the right choices. Check them out below:

Established in 2007, 1xBet has grown to be one of the best sports betting sites in South Africa. This platform offers access to over 45 sports with vast markets and incredible odds. Whether you're betting on top sports like soccer, rugby, Esports, or cricket or minor ones like darts, chess, etc., premium live and pre-game betting is guaranteed.

1xBet welcomes you with up to 3000 ZAR as it matches your initial deposit by 200%, and there are many other promotions. As locals enjoy the platform's user-friendliness, diverse, safe, and swift funding, and payout options are available, including cryptocurrencies.

Further, 1xBet is safe and licensed by Curaçao, and the platform is encrypted. If the detailed FAQ doesn't solve your complaints, there are live chat, phone, and email support systems. Choosing this brand guarantees a memorable wagering experience for SA bettors.

10Bet has existed since 2003 and has offered top wagering services to punters globally. It has also become a go-to site for ultimate betting sessions in the country. To usher you into the world of vast markets and top odds across 35 sports, this platform welcomes you with up to 3000 ZAR in its 100% deposit match. It also has a loyalty club where users can climb the ladder for big rewards.

With the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator license and SSL encryption, you're in safe hands at 10Bet. It also has one of the best user interfaces amongst SA online betting sites, and this simplifies all activities on the site. EFT, OZOW, and other top banking options are available for punters even as you enjoy in-play, cashout, and other premium features. Live chat, phone, and email channels are available for customer support.

Pinnacle is next on our list of online betting sites in South Africa and after existing in the top light since 1998, it deserves a spot. South Africans enjoy quality odds while exploring 20+ sports on this platform. It also offers arbitrage betting which has helped it build a solid reputation over the years.

Aside from regulars like basketball and soccer, you can venture into wide Esports betting on Pinnacle as it boasts vast tournament coverage. Navigation, deposit, wagering, and other activities are simplified on the user-friendly interface with a simple design.

They accept cryptocurrencies as well as fiat money, with many options like MuchBetter, Paysafecard, cards, etc., for completing your transactions. Users can also explore the comprehensive FAQs or chat with the support team for inquiries and complaints.

You can also have premium wagering experience on MegaPari which has existed since 2019. It has grown to be one of the best sports betting sites South Africa with 35+ sports, vast betting markets, and competitive odds. The platform is easy to use, fast, and is safe whether you play using installed mobile apps or a PC.

You'll find football, basketball, tennis, horse racing, and others with live-streaming and cashout features. MegaPari has one of the best welcome offers, and you can claim a 100% first deposit bonus up to 2000 ZAR.

SA punters can fund and withdraw using cards, e-wallets, and vouchers with South African Rands accepted. We also found live chat, phone, and email support channels for customer care.

South Africans can enjoy the wagering journey with over 30 sports offerings on 1Win. This site has become one of the go-to betting sites in SA for top-tier live and pre-match betting experiences. The navigation and wagering process here is easy regardless of the device you're accessing the platform with.

We found a 500% first deposit match which offers up to 9200 ZAR to new players. Locals can use this on the vast market coverage with great odds on soccer, rugby, esports, cricket, and others. Live streaming, cashout, statistics, and other unique features make betting a lot more fun on 1Win.

While there are common payment modes like cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers, SA punters can also opt for cryptocurrencies. The bookmaker also offers its users iOS and Android mobile applications. Also, the platform has email and live chat support channels.

Betwinner sportsbook was launched online in 2016. With 45+ sports coverage, bettors can enjoy ultimate live bets and in-play across soccer, tennis, esports, rugby, and others. The platform also has impressive betting options and great odds with live broadcasts, cashouts, and other top features.

This is one of the top South African sports betting sites with a generous welcome promo of 2000 ZAR for new punters amongst other incentives. There are over 30 standard and cryptocurrency payment options for users of this site and they are safe, hassle-free, and reliable. Overall wagering here is easy and fast and SA bettors can also enjoy top casino titles.

With the mobile application available for iOS and Android users, punting becomes better here. Users can also contact the support team via live chat, email, and phone support channels.

Melbet is another global brand that is available for South African bettors. It started operating in 2012 and has grown to be one of the most trusted betting sites globally for sports and casino betting. With a simple and user-friendly interface, betting, navigation, and other activities are hassle-free on this platform.

You can explore vast punting options for in-play and pre-match events as features like cashout, live streaming, statistics, etc., enhancing wagering. Locals can deposit ZAR and cryptocurrencies as there are multiple options for executing these. Interestingly, your first deposit can give you access to a 1770 ZAR welcome offer and several other promos.

Melbet has dedicated apps for Android and iOS devices and this improves the gaming experience. The support system is also rich with live chat and email modes available.

Sportingbet is one of the legit betting sites in South Africa with a local license. With the Western Cape Gambling & Racing Board license, it has become a reliable source of pre-match and live betting services. Punters in this region can access hundreds of markets with competitive odds across soccer, rugby, esports, tennis, and over 35 more.

Navigation, account creation, payment, and other activities are simplified with the user-friendliness of the platform. MasterCard, Visa, EFT, OZOW, OTT Voucher, and other options are available for your transactions. At Sportingbet, You're welcomed with up to 3000 ZAR and 300 free spins as a new user.
Betting is also amplified with betbuilder, cashout, live streaming, and several promotions. The mobile apps encourage betting on the go and improve the experience. Aside from the rich FAQ section, there are live chat, email, and other support services.

Betway is another household name in the South African sports betting sector. This brand was founded in 2006 but it broke into the South African scene in 2017. You can access optimum markets and competitive odds on pre-match and live events with maximum safety guaranteed.

Betway is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and it welcomes new South Africans with up to 1000 ZAR in 100% first deposit matches. Punters can bet on over 30 sports including soccer, horse racing, rugby, esports, and many more. The user-friendliness of the platform coupled with cashout, betting onsite, streaming, and others makes betting better.

The mobile apps available for Android, iOS, and Huawei Store are another vital feature. MasterCard, Visa, iPay, SiD, OTT Voucher, and other payment methods make financial transactions here easy, quick, and safe for South Africans. The live chat, phone, and email support is also on standby to help with complaints and issues.

Despite being in the betting market from 2021, Fafabet has gained recognition amongst bettors in South Africa. It provides both sportsbook and casino services to punters with vast markets and impressive odds. Gaming here is not only simple but also safe as it holds the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board license.

Punters can claim a 2000 ZAR welcome bonus on this platform and there are other referrer promotions. Local banking methods like BluVoucher, SnapScan, Visa, Mastercard, OZOW, 1Voucher, etc are available and they are safe, swift, and seamless. Fafabet is safeguarded with SSL encryption technology and users can reach customer support via live chat and email in case of any difficulty.

Licenses are one of the best ways to ensure safety while wagering online, and the gambling scene in South Africa is regulated. Online betting is regulated by the National Gambling Board (NGB), but there are provincial regulators for bookies throughout the country. The aim is to maintain a safe and standard gaming world for South Africans, which prompts the regulators to impose ID and FICA verification.

Even so, bettors can bet on betting sites without FICA verification if the platform has a foreign license from MGA, Curaçao, UKGC, and others. Betting sites that don't require ID verification are rare, regardless of the license they hold. Betway, Sportingbet, Fafabet, and 10Bet all hold indigenous licenses, while others have foreign ones. The following tables show details concerning the South African regulators.

Before we display a bookmaker on our site, we make sure to review it thoroughly. We have high standards and know that South Africans do too, and that’s why we consider several factors before making a decision. Want to know how we do it? Here’s a walkthrough of our review process for all betting sites in South Africa.

License and Reputation

We begin our review by evaluating the reputation and trustworthiness of the bookmaker. Our team of experts only reviews legit betting sites in South Africa. We don’t want players placing bets at platforms they don’t feel safe at, so we make sure to check for valid licenses, and updated security features.

User Interface and Mobile Compatibility

After confirming that the sportsbook is safe, we take a few moments to browse its platform. We recommend sites with user-friendly interfaces that allow bettors to easily locate and place wagers on their preferred markets. The platform should feature clear menus, a simple theme, and fast-loading pages for a generally seamless and enjoyable experience. Most of our recommended bookmakers offer modern iOS and Android mobile apps, and for those without apps, you can surely enjoy your betting on a well-designed mobile site.

Odds and Markets

When all is said and done, the main aim of your coming to a sportsbook is to wager on odds and get returns. South Africans have a passion for various sports, so it's important that a bookmaker offers all-round competitive odds. In addition to the quality of odds across different sports and competitions, the betting markets should be diverse enough to allow punters to properly express themselves.

The standard moneyline, total goals, handicap, and double chance bets are nice, but the bookmaker should offer an opportunity for players to enjoy outright markets before the start of events, special player and team props like bookings, time of first try, and last team to score. Punters should also be allowed to place wagers on live events with features like early payout, enhanced odds, and cashout to help them.

Promotional Offers

Some don’t consider bonuses and promotions a crucial factor when recommending betting sites, but we do because you can never tell when you’ll need an offer that’ll replenish your budget and get you back on track. The first promo we check is the welcome bonus, which you’re sure to find in almost all betting sites in South Africa.

But that’s just for the new players, we also browse through the Promotions Page in search of offers for regular bettors. Popular betting sites mostly offer rewards like weekly cashbacks, free bets, and loyalty programs.

Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

Being able to complete quick payments and withdrawals is an essential aspect of online sports betting and one we don’t take lightly. Fortunately, South Africa has many online payment options, which you’ll also find at top betting sites in the country, including the platforms listed here.

From standard EFT deposit methods to debit cards, vouchers, and e-wallets, you’re sure to find something suitable and easy for you.

If you don't fully rely on our list and methodology, you might want to find the most suitable betting site for yourself. Picking a betting site for your online sports betting is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, given that you’ll most likely be spending your time and money there. You need to make sure that everything is in place, and in order to achieve that, there are some factors you must consider.

We’ve created a table highlighting the key elements you should focus on when choosing the best sports betting sites South Africa.

Bettors in South Africa are allowed to bet on worldwide betting sites as these brands often provide better services compared with the local ones. For instance, the sports, markets, and promotions on these platforms often beat those on regional sites.

All punters need to be aware of is the licensing information of the overseas betting sites to avoid unnecessary risks while wagering on them. Below are some popular international betting sites that South African bettors often use:

• 1xBet
• 1Win
• Pinnacle
• MegaPari
• Betwinner
• Melbet
• Betway

Since the legal framework is friendly, more bookies keep flocking into the country. We couldn't help but notice some new betting sites in South Africa and their premium punting services. A few of these are:

• MegaPari
• Betway
• Fafabet
• Sportingbet
• Yesplay

Promotions are a vital aspect of betting online, and it's easy to find betting sites with free bets. A welcome package is a bonus that betting sites give new players and almost all bookies give this. Our team picked SA betting sites with free bonus offers and explored them all to find the best betting sites with free spins as joining offers. In the table below, we list these free bonus betting sites in South Africa and their welcome packages:

Welcome Bonus for Sports Bettors

Welcome Bonus for Casino Players

SA punters who love casino games can get additional free spin welcome bonuses on the betting sites shown below:

Soccer is one of the most popular sports followed by South Africans and this is reflected in their wagering activities. Aside from the top European teams and world soccer competitions, you will find punters betting on the national soccer teams and the South African Premier Division.

Clashes in these competitions offer vast betting options to SA punters, and these include match winners, totals, handicap, BTTS, and anytime goalscorer, among many others. Interestingly, you'll find soccer on all betting sites in South Africa, with vast betting options for in-play and pre-match events. The following bookies offer excellent soccer betting services:

• 1xbet
• 10bet
• Pinnacle
• Megapari
• Betwinner

Electronic sports have become popular in the entertainment world, and with many games available, betting adds to the thrills gamers enjoy. Punters will find diverse competition in League of Legends, DOTA 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, FIFA, and others.

This provides vast market options for gamers, some of which include Fist Kills, Total Maps, Total Kills, Match Winner, etc. Interestingly, top betting sites in South Africa integrate Esports on their platforms. The top sportsbooks for electronic sports include:

• 1xBet
• 10Bet
• Pinnacle
• Betway
• BetWinner
• Melbet

Odds are vital in calculating bet winnings, and the higher the odds, the better your potential winnings. Meanwhile, the quality of betting odds on sports events varies by bookmakers, and this is caused by the betting margins. The lower the margin, the better the odds and we carefully examine the bookies to know the ones with the best odds. The following is the list of betting sites in South Africa with the best odds:

The aim of wagering online is to make a profit, and punters usually have to wait till a bet slip is completely settled to know their fate. The introduction of the cash-out feature has increased the chances of making a profit. SA bettors don't have to wait till the end of a match before taking their profit when they use the cash-out option.

Players can use the feature on a losing bet or a winning one. For a losing bet, the cashout amount will be less than your original stake, but you can minimize your losses this way. The feature isn’t available for concluded bets that didn’t end in your favour.

Players can claim either partial or full cash out on the best online betting sites with cash out. It is not limited to traditional sporting events but also extends to Esports betting sites. The following are top bookies with cash out feature:

• 1xBet
• 10bet
• MegaPari
• BetWinner
• Melbet
• Betway

Horse racing is one of the top sports in South Africa and there are many popular leagues followed by citizens. Some of the top leagues include Durban July, the Cape Derby, and the SA Classic but South Africans can access top international horse races as well. Dubai World Cup, Melbourne Cup, and others are available on top sites in South Africa.

Aside from the exciting markets available, bettors can access live broadcasts of these events. After thorough analysis, we believe the following platforms offer the best Horse racing experience.

• Sportingbet
• Betway
• 1Win
• Melbet
• Fafabet

Deposits and withdrawals are vital while gaming online, and top betting sites offer multiple options. Aside from the safety and limits, bettors prefer fast withdrawal betting sites that process payouts within 24 hours. The following are popular payment modes for South Africans:

EFT

Electronic Funds Transfer is the most popular on the South African betting scene and it involves quick transfer from your bank to the betting account. This method is not only seamless and safe but also completes transactions within minutes. OZOW, SiD, EasyEFT, and Instant EFT are some notable examples.

Debit/Credit Card

This is the top global payment option on bookmakers and this has been tested and trusted. Bank cards are easier to use and safe with your card number, CVV, PIN, and other details required. Common examples include Mastercard, Visa, and American Express.

E-wallets

Electronic wallets are a common means of deposit and withdrawal, and bettors prefer betting sites that accept PayPal in South Africa and others because of the extra security they provide. You don't need to link your personal bank account to the bookies, and this method is fast. Skrill, PayPal, Perfect Money, and Neteller betting sites are common in this region.

Mobile Money

This involves funding your casino account through your mobile device. South Africans love betting sites that accept EcoCash and other types of mobile money because they are safe and easy. Your transactions are completed instantly.

Prepaid Vouchers

Prepaid Voucher is another mode of payment that doesn't require linking your banks. Punters only need to obtain 1Voucher, OTT Voucher, or any other type and insert the PIN to fund their account. The payment is instant but it's usually for deposit alone.

Cryptocurrency

Crypto betting sites are rampant in the global and South African betting scene as they bring Blockchain's privacy, security, and speed to betting sites. You only need to send digital assets from your private wallet to the provided wallet address to fund your account.

Payment Option Comparison Table

The bookmaker you patronize will have a great impact on your overall betting experience. Choosing the best sites is equally not an easy task. To simplify the entire process, we have listed the best South African betting sites after reviewing the available bookmakers in the country. We also discussed the legal framework and showed how to pick the best bookie.