Sports Betting Markets In South Africa

With the ease and accessibility of online gambling, the South African sports betting market has experienced a huge surge, as well as the establishment of many popular online betting sites. With a country as committed to sports as South Africa, it's no wonder that the sports betting market has flourished, offering a huge range of possibilities for those eager to partake!

In South Africa, gambling has always been a lucrative (if not legal) pastime. The 1965 passing of South Africa’s Gambling Act effectively banned all forms of gambling, except for betting on horse racing which was a time-honored tradition. 

The arrival of democracy brought with it many changes, including the legalities surrounding gambling. In 1996, the National Gambling Act set up a system of legal casinos alongside the national lottery – with horse racing declared a ‘gambling activity'. This Act was adopted in 2008 and the National Gambling Amendment Act was implemented into law.

The National Gambling Act had originally banned the provision of interactive gambling services and the playing of interactive gambling games back in 2004. However, this was limited to bingo, poker and casino – allowing for online sports betting, provided the licenses were in place. The publication of the National Gambling Amendment Act legalised all interactive gaming gambling.

The wonders of modern sports betting are that you can place a bet on almost any type of sport as well as the many different competitions within the sports themselves. The main sports being bet on are:

• Rugby 
• Soccer (football) 
• Cricket
• Horse racing 
• Tennis
• Golf
• Cycling
• Boxing

However, there are so many other options for placing wagers, locally and abroad. Other popular sports’ betting options include:

• American basketball
• American baseball
• Combat sports
• Rugby league
• Rugby union
• Volleyball
• Darts and many more!

Online betting: Easily the most popular sports betting option on the South African market is online betting which actually accommodates horse race betting as well. Online betting was already on the rise, but with the arrival of Covid-19 and the prevalence of mobile technology, it has surged in popularity over the past few years. While the traditional sports in South Africa continue to attract betting interest, the country is opening up to international competitions and tournaments as well.

If you’re new to online sports betting, then you’re in the right place! Sports betting is really straightforward, with bets placed using your computer or any mobile device, anytime, anywhere!

• Step 1: Choose a site

There are a number of great online sports betting sites from which to choose, but it’s important to ensure they’re reputable and licensed. Check reviews, chat with other bettors and get a feel for which one works for you. Certain betting sites will also provide you with great sign-up discounts and exciting promotions!

• Step 2: Create your account

Having done your research, you can now download the sports betting site app and create an account. Setting this up differs from site to site, but you will be required to give your name, address, phone and email number, birth date (only over 18s!) and then set up a password. During this you will be asked for some documentation as well.

• Step 3: Learn the rules

Have a look over the sports betting site and read up on the rules, familiarizing yourself with what’s required of you and how you will place your first wager. Most sites have very user-friendly rules and advice on how to place your bet and what to expect. 

• Step 4: Make the deposit

You will pay a deposit, with some sites giving you a bonus that actually equals the deposit amount – so no loss! Some of the deposit options will include credit and debit cards, Play+, PayPal, bank or wire transfers, PayNearMe and more. Remember that you must set a budget ahead of placing your first bet. 

• Step 5: Place your bet

Once you’ve decided on what appeals to you, it’s now time to place the bet. You will need to decide what sport you’d like to bet on, what bet within the sport (outcome, best player, most runs, and so on!), the type of bet you want to place and how much. Make your choice, enter your amount and hit a button to confirm the bet. You will receive a notification about the payout if you win!

If you’re looking for a really great online betting site with incredible odds, a user-friendly interface and superior discounts, then Sportingbet is the one!