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Top Legal Sports Betting Sites In South Africa 2023

The key to getting the most from this activity is finding the best legal SA sportsbooks to bet on in 2023. This not only keeps you safe from scam sites but also ensures you have the best time. If you need a hand with this, our guide below brings together the top ten legit betting platforms in South Africa to register with.

Top Legal Sports Betting Sites In South Africa
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South Africa is a country which is crazy about sports, and also has a real passion for sports betting. Whether it is football, cricket, rugby, or golf, people all around South Africa love to bet on the latest matches.?

The key to getting the most from this activity is finding the best legal SA sportsbooks to bet on in 2023. This not only keeps you safe from scam sites but also ensures you have the best time. If you need a hand with this, our guide below brings together the top ten legit betting platforms in South Africa to register with.

Top Ten Betting Sites For South Africa

Betting Site

Bonus Offer

Play Here

10bet

50 Free Spins Welcome Bonus

Fafabet

100% matched deposit offer up to R5,000

Playabets

Matched deposit offer of 100% up to R2,000

Bet.co.za

Get 500x bonus payout on lightning roulette

Supabets

R5000 in deposit bonuses

Sportsbet.io

Play 4-3-Free and get a $10 Free Bet, up to $50

Tusk Casino

100% up to R5000

GGBet

Welcome bonus up to 350%

Zodiac Bet

100% matched deposit offer up to R1,800

Marathon Bet

100% bonus up to €1000

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How we rank the best betting sites in South Africa

To find the very best legal SA operators to register with in 2023, it was important for our team to use set criteria to rank each platform we reviewed. By doing this, we were able to settle on those which stood out the most in certain vital aspects.
But what factors did we look at in particular when making our selection?

  • Speed of payout
  • Licensing and legitimacy
  • User experience
  • Mobile compatibility
  • Payment methods
  • Bonuses and promos
  • Variety of markets/sports
  • Value for money odds
  • Customer support?

Top sports betting sites sign up offers?

Sportsbook bonuses are key when deciding which legal sports betting site in South Africa to register with in 2023. But what types should you know about??

Deposit bonus

Deposit bonuses see new players receiving bonus cash from sportsbooks when they create an account and make a deposit. This can typically be something like a 100% deposit bonus up to R2,000.?

Benefits of this bonus include it being simple to understand and widely available at most legal betting sites in South Africa. It also gives you free cash to bet with! This deal usually comes with certain wagering requirements to fulfil before you can withdraw any winnings though. It is also only open to brand new players normally.?

Free bet

This is a 100% free bet that a sportsbook may give you to use. When they are given to new customers, they can also be known as a no deposit bonus (as you do not have to put any money into your account first to get it).?

The main benefit of this bonus is that it's totally free and you do not have to use any of your own cash to bag it. It is also something that existing customers can access, as well as new ones.?

Free bets can sometimes be restrictive in terms of what sports/markets you can bet on and also the minimum odds they can be used with. ?These kinds of freebies can also usually only see your bonus winnings returned - but not your stake.?

No-Risk bet

No-risk bets see your initial stake refunded to your account if the bet you make loses. If your wager comes off, then you simply get back your winnings as usual.?
This kind of betting promotion is popular with users because it means you get your money back if your initial wager doesn't win. It is not the easiest to find though and you only get the benefit from it should your initial wager not come off.?

The top sports betting sites South Africa reviewed

A new player will want to take note of the short review for each operator below. Depending on your specific needs, you may find that going elsewhere actually results in a better overall experience! Each sportsbook website tends to have the basics covered, but will specialise in certain things!

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There are a number of top legal sportsbooks in South Africa now and 10bet is one of the most trusted places to gamble online. But what makes it so special? The streamlined sign up process certainly stands out, as does the knowledgeable customer support and good choice of sports to bet on.?

This betting site also has some of the most trusted payment providers for depositing/withdrawing money and great value odds. Their welcome offer is one of the best around and contains not only a free 50% bet up to R500 but also free spins/bonus cash to use on the 10bet casino page/games! It's one of few sportsbook-focused sites offering casinos and casino games alongside sports, with slots , poker and other services available at the click of a button.

Pros

  • Excellent sports betting/casino welcome bonus offer?
  • Top-class customer support?
  • Good range of sporting events, teams and competitive odds?

Cons

  • No live streaming for bettors?
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Operating since 2004 and licenced by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing board, Fafabet is one of the safest websites to gamble at in South Africa. It is also an enjoyable place to bet on top sports like football or cricket, thanks to its user-friendly design and great menu of traditional sports.
One of the most well-known sportsbook operators in the country, Fafabet is also perfect for gambling on the move and has excellent mobile functionality. They also have a very nice welcome offer, which sees a 100% matched deposit available up to R5,000 on your first deposit.?

Pros

  • 100% matched deposit offer up to R5,000 ?
  • Slick, professional user interface
  • Well-known brand operating since 2004?

Cons

  • No eSports betting?
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Playabets is another trusted brand for South African sports bettors and launched back in 2012. Since then, it has built up an enviable reputation for treating customers fairly and providing excellent support that deals with accounts on a case by case basis.

Licenced by the KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board, it uses the latest security measures to keep hackers at bay. Playabets is also known for offering fast payouts and a range of well-known payment options (such as Skrill and VISA). The welcome bonus of a 100% matched deposit up to R2,000 on your first deposit is also a real draw, so if you like your boosts and bonus bets, this could be yours.

Pros

  • 100% matched deposit offer up to R2,000 ?
  • Sports betting website with fast payouts?
  • Focus on online security for bettors?

Cons

  • Website could do with a style revamp?
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With value-for-money odds, lots of markets to wager on and all the top sports, this provider is a superb option in 2023. As it accepts players from South Africa and enables you to gamble in Rands, it is also well suited to bettors from the country.?

Well laid-out and with a range of safe methods for depositing/withdrawing money, Bet.co.za has rightfully built up a glowing brand image in SA sports betting among competitors. Their welcome bonus of a 100% matched deposit up to R2,000 is also something which helps it stand out from the crowd.?

Pros

  • Matched deposit offer of 100% up to R2,000 ?
  • Intuitive site design
  • Accepts gamblers from South Africa ?

Cons

  • Customer support response times can be slow ?
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If you are looking for a sports betting site in South Africa which has a simple sign-up process, lots of markets and quick withdrawals, Supabets is a top choice. ?This is also a good site for mobile betting and delivers an enjoyable gambling experience on both Apple and Android devices and a great rating from users.
In light of the excellent reputation Supabets has and its status as a legitimate sportsbook online, its appeal is no surprise. They also have arguably THE best welcome offer for gamblers in the country - this includes a R50 sign-up promo plus a matched deposit deal worth up to R5,000 across your first 3 deposits.?

Pros

  • R50 sign-up bonus and deposit match offer up to R5,000 on first 3 deposits
  • Fast withdrawal times part of the appeal
  • Good choice for mobile bettors ??

Cons

  • No live stream feature?
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Fully regulated to operate and always in line with relevant legislation, Sportsbet.io is one of the biggest names in the sector. This makes it a legitimate betting site to trust in June 2023. Although there may be no specific sports betting bonus for new customers, the range of ongoing promos once registered (such as Cash Out and

Acca Boost) makes up for this. It also carries some more niche sports, like darts.
Available to enjoy on mobile, Sportsbet.io has a good range of safe payment options to choose from and a focus on using the latest cybersecurity measures to protect gamblers. Customer support is also very good here, as is the range of info you can find on-site to help with common queries.

Pros

  • Good range of ongoing promo opportunities for bettors?
  • Decent choice of secure banking options?
  • Regulated, legitimate site to place sports bets ?

Cons

  • No dedicated welcome offer for new sports bettors ??

7. Tusk

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Tusk is a relatively new entrant to the sports betting scene in the country but still maintains the highest standards within South African sports gambling. This means it comes with a fresh feel, modern design, and new ideas on how to offer more to gamblers in the country. With this in mind, it is definitely worth giving a chance.
It is fully mobile optimised so you can bet anywhere you like and has cool VIP loyalty programs which rewards loyal customers. The variety of sports you can bet on is vast and this even includes eSports. The 100% matched deposit bonus for new players sees it compare well with other betting sites and makes it one of the best places to gamble online in South Africa for 2023.?

Pros

  • VIP program and ongoing promos
  • Regulated by the Curacao Gaming Authority?
  • Ideal site for sports gambling beginners ?

Cons

  • Not the most well-known of gambling sites in South Africa ??
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GGBet really does have it all when comparing safe, legal South African sportsbooks in 2023. The range of payment options here is one highlight, as are the fast withdrawal speeds. Available to bettors in South Africa, the mobile app is a strong feature and responsive to use.

This top sports betting platform also has a lot of sports to bet on - from local tournaments in South Africa to foreign competitions such as the EPL, UFC, NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, and more. Its betting lines are also competitive and mean you should always find good value odds here. In terms of a welcome bonus code, you can claim a risk-free bet once registered with this operator.

Pros

  • Risk-free bet available after registration?
  • Lots of top sports to bet on?
  • Quick payout times?

Cons

  • No support for crypto/bitcoin betting
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Zodiac Bet is one of the best South African gambling brands in terms of its innovative, unique feel. It not only lets you play in standard currencies like ZAR but also enables you to bet with top crypto coins similarly to crypto casinos that offer playing the JetX game. The 24/7 live chat functionality is also a feature which helps it stand out and provide awesome customer service.?

If you like to play via mobile, this operator enables you to do so direct from your web browser and with no requirement to download an app. All this adds up to a betting site which offers an enjoyable user experience and somewhere fun to place bets. Their welcome offer of a 100% matched deposit up to R1,800 on your first deposit is also a reason to gamble here.?

Pros

  • Play on mobile direct from browser ?
  • 24/7 live chat?
  • 100% matched deposit offer up to R1,800?

Cons

  • Not always the best odds on certain sports/markets
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Marathon Bet is a world-renowned sports betting brand in many countries and has been operating in accordance with relevant gambling laws since 2013. Fully regulated and with the latest security features on all their software, like SSL encryption tech, to protect gamblers, it is a good choice for South Africans in 2023.
Reviews show that it not only has a vast choice of sports to bet on (like horse racing, rugby, and football for example) but also lots of interesting markets (like props bets) to get involved with.?

The site design makes it easy to find the games you want to wager on, whilst the simple sign-up process is also appealing. The lack of a dedicated sports betting welcome bonus is strange, but the variety of regular promotions for gamblers (such as free bets) more than makes up for this.?

Pros

  • Lots of sports and markets to bet on?
  • Easy site to use with good navigation
  • Secure and regulated place to gamble on sports?

Cons

  • No dedicated sports betting welcome offer?

How to bet online in South Africa?

Whether you like to gamble on rugby, football, athletics, tennis or basketball, knowing the best betting sites to use is only half the battle. It is also key to know how to bet at these sites once registered. Know your stuff already? Feel free to skip this section!

The steps below show how to go about this with total ease:

  1. Complete sign-up form on sportsbook homepage to open sportsbook account
  2. Deposit money into your account
  3. Claim any bonuses you are eligible for?
  4. Find the sport/game/race/sporting event you want to gamble on
  5. Find the market you want to gamble on
  6. Enter your stake
  7. Click to confirm the bet

Tips to make the most of South Africa bonuses?

The excitement of finding the best promotions is palpable for anyone who uses a top South African bookmaker in 2023. With such a range of sites and options in terms of specific promo deals, bettors should have no issues with this.?

Once you have found the top bonus bet deals the industry has to offer, you must find a way to make the most of them. But how can you do this??

Shop around for top deals
Many pro gamblers recognise the advantage in shopping around South Africa's top bookies for the best promotions. This is because all betting sites will run their own unique offers for new and existing customers. By taking the time to look around at different platforms, you will have more success in finding the most appealing to bag with your promo code. Underdogs will carry better odds!

Deposit maximum amount possible for matched bonuses?
If you sign up with a sports betting platform which has a matched deposit deal, try to deposit the maximum offer amount if possible. This means you get more free cash to bet with and squeeze the most you can from the bonus.?

Check out terms and conditions?

One of the best tips for making the most of top South Africa betting offers lies in the small print. You must read up on the terms and conditions of any offer first, so you know exactly how it works. Each situation is different but in order to maximise your gain, know exactly what your wagering requirements will be!
This will tell you for example any wagering requirements a bonus comes with or which sports you can use it on. By finding out these kinds of details, you are able to stay within the rules of any promo deal you register for.

Try out new betting tactics or wager on different sports?
Perhaps the last major thing making the most of betting bonuses revolves around is how you use any free cash, free bet, or no-risk promo. Deals like this are a great opportunity to try betting on different sports you have always fancied getting involved with but don't want to risk your own money on - try moneyline bets (to pick an outright winner) and see what the result is!

In addition, bonuses are a risk-free way to test out any new betting strategies. The variety is staggering - in addition to the points above, there are player props, odds boosts and spread bets. Using bonuses in this way can help you find exciting new ways to gamble on sports in South Africa and see you develop as a bettor.
In the US, college sports are famously big draws, so perhaps even try out a new marketplace altogether and look at these super-American options, like NASCAR or the WNBA. The outcome of the next Miami Heat game may make you feel like a true red-blooded American.

Football betting in South Africa

Football is arguably the biggest sport in South Africa and one that has a large following around the country. From South Africa's own Premier Division to games in top foreign leagues like the English Premier League, placing bets on football is a popular activity.?

But why is this particular sport such a big hit with gamblers in 2023? To begin with, it is something which all major bookmakers carry and which is easily accessible. Football is also a sport which has lots of exciting markets to bet on and this helps to make it an interesting option.?

From straight up win markets to parlays, proposition bets, futures markets and more, the range of wagers you can make during a football season is impressive. Live betting is also something which is suited to football wagering and brings even more thrills to gambling on the sport. When you take everything into account, you can see why betting on this sport is so huge in SA - there are hundreds of reasons fans might enjoy it!

Cricket betting in South Africa

Next to football, you would probably say that cricket is one of South Africa's most well-loved sports to follow. From keeping tabs on how the national side is doing in

Test cricket to tracking the action in the SA20 tournament, people all over the country have a passion for this sport, as it pulls in huge numbers every year.

This also makes it a very popular option for gamblers around South Africa. As with football, cricket is easy to find at all the best legal sportsbooks and a sport everyone in the country understands before gambling on.?

There are also plenty of stats freely available to access about cricket on the internet and this makes researching your bets simple. Cricket is also a year-round sport and this means there is always a match on somewhere to get involved with.?

Payment methods available in South Africa

Anyone who bets on sport knows how important safe payment options are. It is therefore key to wager with online betting websites in South Africa that offer the most secure payment methods to customers. This will help to keep your money safe and also ensure you make any transactions with total confidence.

But what payment methods should any top legal sportsbook in the country carry??

  • Debit card/ credit card (such as VISA or Mastercard)
  • Bank transfer
  • Electronic funds transfer (such as EasyEFT or SID Instant EFT)
  • E-wallets (such as PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and EcoPayz)
  • Pre-paid cards and vouchers?

You should also check the specific deposit methods and withdrawal methods at any sports betting site you register with. This is because some do not offer the same number of choices for withdrawing cash as they do for depositing it.

How does betting in South Africa differ from the United States?

While sportsbetting in South Africa is fully legal and regulated, much like it is in England or the majority of Western Europe, in the US the law varies from state by state, not dissimilar from their northern neighbours in Canada with Ontario legalising. While it may come as a surprise considering the fame of places like Atlantic City or Las Vegas, gambling is still stigmatised in many parts of America, hence these restrictions in the sports betting market. American residents have undergone partial legalization, with a small number of major operators such as PointsBet - with their unique PointsBetting options - BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanduel Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook taking most of the market share by aggressively pushing their apps through iOS and Android, and early expansion.?

Contrasted with other major Western economies like the UK this can come as a surprise, where global bookmakers like William Hill, bet365 and BetFred are renowned for their age and size. The simple fact is that these operators each have a big name, and are great picks for most players to give their business. The region has many of these old experts on the industry, where the US is a fresh new market, and a deeply nationalistic nation! They prefer the company to host themselves in the country - after all, half the reason for legalising is to get that bottom line back into the US economy.

The US has some sporting events which are among the largest on earth in terms of viewership, like the MLS, Kentucky Derby, March Madness, the Stanley Cup or, of course, the Super Bowl. This makes it a valuable market, as globally, soccer would be considered the normal betting market, but competition for American-centric events is minimal. Only a handful of operators function in the US, and foreign books often struggle to get started. As states start to experience increased revenue, legislators have begun to question whether their state should also legalise these changes. The PASPA bill noted residents had the right to bet federally, so when it was struck down, each state could choose.

The list below shows all the states and territories where sports betting is legal in some form, though availability varies so do check your location:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine (awaiting launch)
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Wyoming

Additionally, four states offer legal sportsbetting, but only in-person. These are:

  • Delaware
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • South Dakota

The following states have no notable legislation on the cards to legalise sports betting:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • California (though it took the first step, advocates were heavily outvoted)
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Nebraska
  • North Dakota
  • South Carolina
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best online sportsbook in South Africa??
10bet perhaps stands out from the others in terms of pure quality. With top bonus offers, a quick sign-up process and excellent customer support, it really does score highly. When you also factor in a good variety of sports to bet on, decent odds and a raft of safe payment methods, 10bet is a top choice.?

Are online betting sites in South Africa legal??
Online sports betting in South Africa is 100% legal with regulated and licenced bookies. You should therefore have no problem betting online in the country.?

What markets can I find on South Africa online betting sites??
There is a huge range of choice in terms of markets to wager on at the best South African online bookies in 2023. This includes win markets, over/under, live betting, prop bets, parlay bets and futures bets.

Can I make payments in South Africa Rand??
Sports betting sites in South Africa are geared towards bettors from the country and so would normally accept payments in Rand when betting on a competition, event, or game.

What welcome offers can I use at bonus betting sites??
The most popular welcome bonuses for South African gamblers in 2023 include matched deposit deals, free bets, and no-risk bets.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chase their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • SARGF – responsiblegambling.org.za
  • Recovery Direct – recoverydirect.co.za/gambling-addiction-help

For urgent help with a gambling problem, call the Responsible Gambling Helpline on 0800 006 008 or go to responsiblegambling.org.za/self-exclusion-2 for information on how to contact the provincial gambling boards for self-exclusion.

Disclaimer : The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.
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