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

In the last year alone, the continent’s fan base, who regularly follow sports broadcasts, has reached 300 million. And about half of them actively use bookmakers to turn their hobby into a way to earn extra money. Betting and gambling have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with evidence of wagering found in ancient civilisations from China to Greece. In South Africa, the story of betting and gambling is a relatively recent one, with the horse racing industry only becoming legal in 1965. At its core, Baccarat is a game of guessing, where players place bets on which hand out of the two being dealt shall win.

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• With that shift has come a whole slew of innovations that have completely changed the online betting sector; and that growth is rapidly accelerating.
• Relates to various typesof gambling conducted online including poker, slot games, bingo and others.
• Every month, we update our sportsbook reviews based on member feedback and operator updates.
• There was huge growth in the popularity of rugby in 2023, growing by almost 100% compared to the two preceding years.
• These aggregated rankings help us paint a more complete and honest picture, whether it’s a smooth withdrawal, frustrating support, or a standout feature.
• Additionally, professional counsellors who specialise in gambling addiction can provide guidance.
• Mobile betting is the top choice for most punters, so I tested several sites to find the best mobile experience.
• Investors can benefit from the expansion of online gambling in key markets like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, with companies like Super Group and Goldrush Holdings leading the charge.

By doing so, they can create an environment that fosters sustainable growth, maximizes economic benefits, and safeguards the well-being of consumers in the evolving world of online betting. The evolution of sports betting in South Africa from tradition to technology underscores the dynamic nature of the industry and its adaptation to changing times. From humble beginnings rooted in horse racing wagering to the digital age of online betting platforms and mobile apps, the journey reflects the convergence of tradition and innovation.

These apps give a better experience with faster loading times and easy navigation. Additionally, the sportsbook should be mobile-compatible, so you can place wagers on the go. If the sportsbook offers a dedicated or downloadable mobile app, then that’s even better.

Live betting and streaming features

• 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.
• Over four weeks, we place multiple bets on different sports, markets, and features to get a data-driven user-focused overview.
• You can use credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrencies on some sites.
• However, stakeholders must navigate regulatory complexities and uphold ethical standards to facilitate sustainable growth within the industry.
• And since increasingly more Africans are being facilitated access to a stable internet connection, the number of 3G and 4G networks available on the continent have doubled over the last five years.
• Both BetGames and Evolution Live Dealer Games are fully licensed in South Africa and hence playing these games is safe and legal.
• If you’re always on the hunt for bonuses, then choose a site offering multiple bonuses and promotions, including tournaments and loyalty rewards.
• Even if you have missed your bet before kick-off, you can jump into the action later on.

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.

Top Sportsbooks in South Africa

Go through our list of Best Betting Sites, compare and then pick the one that feels right. Some punters might be very familiar with the do’s and don’ts of betting online. To get you started we offer a variety of articles in our betting strategy and tips section. Our reviews will also support you to decide where and on what you want to bet. The Saturday Star is a popular weekend read which offers a comprehensive and engaging read for its diverse audience. As the weekend edition of The Star, it provides a relaxed yet in-depth exploration of news, lifestyle, and leisure, distinguishing itself with a broader array of features and analysis.

How SportsBoom Reviews and Rates South African Sportsbooks

Regulatory compliance, including addressing illegal and unlicensed operators, remains a significant concern for stakeholders. Moreover, technological disruptions, such as the emergence of blockchain and cryptocurrency-based betting platforms, present both challenges and opportunities for traditional operators. In recent years, the betting industry in South Africa has evolved greatly, with the introduction of online betting and gaming. This has allowed people to place bets and play casino style games from the comfort of their own homes, without the need to visit a physical racetrack or casino.

Featured bookmakers

• The range of betting options on a betting website is among the most crucial aspects one ought to look for.
• The industry has grown impressively with the number of regular users rising (2).
• While in the past spinning the reels of fun and exciting slots was only possible in unregulated online casinos this has changed in 2021.
• At its core, Baccarat is a game of guessing, where players place bets on which hand out of the two being dealt shall win.
• Safe South African sportsbooks should display what South African Deposit and withdrawal methods they accept, like cards or eWallets.
• While it’s true that advertising and sponsorships can only take you so far, they do make a significant difference.
• Of the total, betting generated 60.5% of industry GGR at R35.9bn, with casinos leading the charge, at R17.4bn, about 29% of the pie.

With the rise of MMA’s popularity, betting on these events has become a significant source of entertainment for many. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to the betting scene, knowing which platforms offer the best experience for UFC betting is crucial. It’s also worth remembering that we live in an increasingly globalised world and that there are millions of South Africans living abroad. Those South Africans will have shared their sports betting experiences with family and friends back home, further nudging them towards it as a worthwhile activity. Sportingbet accepts more than one million unique bets per day, and on some days even more than two million.

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The game, created by Spribe, now has more than 5-million monthly active players worldwide and is growing in popularity locally. Betting on UFC fights in South Africa is exciting and offers plenty of options. Betway, Hollywoodbets, and 1xbet are top choices because they provide user-friendly experiences, good bonuses, and many ways to bet on fights. Leading to a wider range of betting markets like the method of victory, round betting, and whether or not the fight will go the distance. While they offer competitive odds, especially for popular UFC events, they don’t focus heavily on virtual UFC betting or enhanced odds promotions. Hollywoodbets stands out as a reliable choice for UFC betting in South Africa, offering a range of betting options from the standard bout winner to more nuanced bets like over/under total rounds.

Recommended South African Sportsbook for Esports

The lack of clear and consistent regulatory frameworks for iGaming and betting in many African countries presents a significant challenge for the industry. This has resulted in a fragmented market with varying levels of legal and regulatory oversight. Gross gambling revenues for casinos, limited payout machines, bingo and betting totalled R27 billion in 2016, a 3.9% increase on the prior year. While Betway provides competitive odds, especially on major UFC events, one area for improvement could be the expansion of their live streaming services.

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Sports betting is the most frequent type of betting with an average incidence of 12 times per month. Playing casino tables and slot machines have the lowest incidence of 7 and 5 times per month respectively. You must rely solely upon your own judgment in all aspects of your investment and/or trading decisions and all investments and/or trades are made at your own risk. The content contained within is subject to change at any time without notice. Sun International’s proposed acquisition of Peermont Holdings faces opposition from the Competition Commission, citing reduced competition in South Africa’s casino market.

The licensing of online betting sites

Relates to various typesof gambling conducted online including poker, slot games, bingo and others. These gamesare influenced more so by probabilities with significantly less ability to analyse the game. Online gambling is prohibited if practiced through a South African based platform. It is uncertain whether this type of gambling will ever become legal in South Africa.

Well, first of all, as we said above, people are always glad to feel the risk and desire of victory. 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. Thus, sports betting is really wide-spread because this is a perfect way to satisfy people’s wishes. What makes it so prevalent betting for thousands of people is a sharp ambition to watch the show between 2 equal opponents. When fans have strong persuasion in their team’s perfection, appetite to brag of their invincibility increases geometrically and placing bets on the events is impending. Sports is not just a way of relaxing anymore, it is a profitable form of earning money.

This has further been aided by the greater prominence of casino products in recent times, especially slot games. Basketball is also popular with South African punters and is appealing to bettors who have the appetite to risk more per bet. Check out the table on this page and follow the links to the bookmaker you wish to join. Complete the registration process and once you’ve fulfilled the requirements you’ll have free bets in your account. “In 2025, protecting player data and ensuring regulatory compliance are non-negotiable. Advanced security measures, including anti-DDoS (distributed denial of service) protection and account safeguards, are critical for maintaining trust,” said the Softswiss report.

Towards the end of the 1970s casinos started operating in the independent areas called homelands. Only native South Africans lived in these areas and most weren’t able to access such establishments. Figures from 1995 such there were as many as 2000 illegal casinos operating in the country. As a regulatory authority, we play a pivotal role in fostering responsible gambling practices, protecting vulnerable individuals, and promoting a fair and transparent gaming environment. 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.

If you want a real edge, go for the best sports betting sites that offer live odds, fast payouts, and solid mobile apps — they make all the difference. The sports betting platform covers more than 60 sports with thousands of markets, including live bets. Anyone looking for somewhere to place their sports bets should look for a licensed online betting site. There are currently nine boards in South Africa who are able to license online betting sites. The main provider is the WCGRB, Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, but there are actually a licensing board located in each province. So far, there are 32 licensed online websites at which South Africans can gamble legally.

This not only provided a safe and controlled environment for people to bet on horse racing, but it also generated significant tax revenue for the government. The exceptions to this rule are province licensed horse racing and online sports betting. Individuals, internet service providers, casino sites and banks processing payments for online gambling are risking a R 10 million fine or 10 years of imprisonment. Even media and TV channels advertising online gambling services can be held liable. The constitutional government won office in 1994 and regularized various kinds of gambling. The National Gambling Act rolled out standard procedures for monitoring betting activities in 1996.

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I have ranked them based on features like odds, features, security, betting apps in South Africa and more. Both BetGames and Evolution Live Dealer Games are fully licensed in South Africa and hence playing these games is safe and legal. Please ensure you play at a betting site with a South African gaming license and not in one of the many online casinos. While the latter might offer you more games content including online slots gameplay on those is currently not legal. Another great advantage is live broadcasting of sporting events, particularly for well-liked sports like rugby, football, and cricket.

National Headline Statistics at your fingertips

Although this abuse is not always regarded as fraudulent activity, bookmakers hope to identify and block bonus abusers as soon as possible. In South Africa, gambling is heavily regulated by the National Gambling Act, No. 7 of 2004 and the National Gambling Board, as well as provincial gambling regulations. Gambling and betting companies therefore hold operating licences with provincial gambling boards. However, the rapid growth of online betting and gaming has also raised concerns about the potential for problem gambling and the need for effective regulation. The government has taken steps to address these concerns, by introducing measures to prevent underage gambling and to ensure that online betting and gaming operators are operating in a fair and responsible manner.

SunBet uses the latest online security protocols to ensure that your information is safeguarded against any threat, and we comply with stringent South African Financial Intelligence Centre legislation. Your EFT should reflect within 1 working day and will automatically be allocated to your SunBet account when it reflects in our bank. You can use more than 40 cryptocurrencies with Cloudbet, including BTC, ETH, USDT, DOGE, ADA, and more.

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.

Legit South African betting sites use stats and live market data to price bets fairly, and auditors make sure they are following betting regulations. During a losing streak, I discovered the importance of responsible gambling tools. South African online sportsbooks are required to refer to the National Responsible Gambling Programme and should include tools for you to set restrictions and exclusions. Unlike investing, gambling is based purely on luck, yet many believe they can develop a winning approach.

Casino gross gambling revenues declined for the first time since 1997 reflecting the tough economic conditions and the impact of illegal gambling. This report covers casino gambling, limited payout machines (LPMs), betting (horse racing, sports and fixed odds), bingo and the National Lottery. It provides a diverse selection of betting markets including moneyline bets, over/under rounds, and method of victory. This encourages more South Africans to bet safely, securely and ultimately responsibly. Of particular importance for South Africa has been the rise of mobile sports betting apps.

AmaZulu vs Orlando Pirates Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

There needs to be a consideration for the local audience, what they want to bet on and how they will make use of our platform” concludes Chelin. “The online betting space has changed dramatically over the years, but its evolution is far from over,” says Chelin. “American sports have seen a steady rise in interest in South Africa with events like the Basketball African League and the NFL Experience bringing fans closer to these sports.