How do I register for a betting account?

Visit the bookmaker’s website, fill in your personal details, and provide ID to comply with FICA regulations.

How long do withdrawals take?

Withdrawals usually take from 2 to 5 business days to process into your bank account.

Can I cancel a bet after placing it?

No, once a bet is confirmed, it cannot be cancelled.

Why do bookmakers ask for my ID?

South African law requires bookmakers to verify your identity under FICA to prevent fraud.

What payment methods can I use for deposits?

Common options include EFT, credit/debit cards, and mobile money services. Some sites may not accept credit cards.

Best Betting Sites in South Africa in 2025

By Victoria Michael | Last update at 1 July, 2025⏲️ Reading time: 32 minutes

Fact checked by Martins Lasmanis

Fact checked by

Martins Lasmanis

With more than 10 years of experience in online marketing, and special focus on the gambling affiliation sector over 5 years, Martin Lasmanis is a true expert in his niche. Today, Martin's vision is to build the largest lead generator company in the world. Fortunately, we have the perfect team to make his dream come true!

Best Sports Betting Sites in South Africa in 2025

Rank	Bookmaker	Rating	Bonus	Get bonus
1	888Starz	4.3/5	100% Bonus on First Deposit up to 1,736 ZAR	Play Read review
2	MegaPari	5/5	Welcome bonus for two deposits of up to 3900 ZAR	Play Read review
3	Paripesa	4.5/5	100% welcome bonus up to 1715 ZAR	Play Read review
4	BetBeast	4.5/5	Welcome Bonus up to 18000 ZAR	Play Read review
5	22Bet	4.5/5	100% WELCOME BONUS UP TO 122 EUR	Play Read review

Best Betting Sites in South Africa by Category

South Africa is one of the best areas in the world for online gambling, with a regulated market and good connectivity across the country's main cities. There are plenty of options as there are a wealth of online bookmakers and casinos available for you to pick and choose from. Realistically, it is going to depend on what you are looking for from a bookmaker (or casino) as to which site you will sign up for. We have picked the websites below as the best for a few categories;

1xBet: 💰 Best Bookmaker for Odds - This is an online platform that was created in 2011 and is fully operational in the South African region. It offers a large array of sports betting, a vibrant casino offering, a user-friendly mobile and desktop site, and a generous welcome offer for Malawians. They have regular promotions too, but we want to highlight the fantastic and regular high odds they can provide across their platform, from football to basketball.
22Bet: 💻 Best Interface - A 2017 startup bookmaker that offers a generous sports welcome bonus to new South African players. They have worked hard to make their website and mobile app as accessible as possible. With the heavy focus they have put into this, it makes it the perfect site for both beginners and experienced bettors who like an easy-to-use site. Here you can get your bets placed quickly and easily.
Megapari: ⚽️ Best for Sports - Operating since their launch in 2019, Megapari is a recognised worldwide operator and fully licensed in Costa Rica. It leads the way in South Africa due to the vast array of different sports it can offer for players to gamble on after they have registered. In addition to their detailed and easy-to-use sportsbook, they also include a full casino offering.
1Bet: 🎁 Best Most Bonuses - If it is safety that you are looking for, then 1Bet will be the one for you. It was launched in 2011 and is a well-established operator in the industry. 1bet takes safety as a major priority and focuses on making your personal and financial details fully encrypted and secure. This means we are happy to put them forward as the best site for Ugandans concerned with online security.
888Startz: 💯 Overall Bookmaker - 888Starz is a relatively new betting site that started in 2020. It offers a mix of a full sportsbook and casino and has become increasingly popular across the world in the last few years. It is accessible in South Africa and has a huge range of casino games, from slots, video games, live casino, and traditional casino games. You will find everything you need to get gaming online, and also a wealth of bonuses and promotions. There is also live betting, plenty of markets, and sports that you can access, making this our best pick for overall operator in the region.

Is Sports Betting Legal in South Africa?

Throughout its history, gambling in South Africa has gone through many stages of legality. Any form of gambling, including wagering on sporting events, was made illegal in the nation at the time of its inception in 1673. When horse racing betting was decriminalised in South Africa in 1965, these restrictions were still in effect. After that, in the late 1970s, casinos were introduced. Because of their inconvenient locations, many South Africans were unable to use them, and by the mid-1990s, approximately 2,000 illicit casinos were operating throughout the country.

Gambling in all its manifestations was legalised in South Africa following the 1994 election of a fully democratic administration; however, there were some restrictions. While casinos sprung up all throughout South Africa, the country’s leaders never really supported legal sports betting.

Assuming you go through the right channels, betting on sports in South Africa is completely legal. Whether you are a resident or just passing through, you will find all the information you need about the rules and regulations of sports betting in South Africa on this website.

5 Best Bookmakers in South Africa

Our research into South African bookmakers has led us to a shortlist of five platforms that stand out. To kickstart your gaming experience, here are our top picks:

888Starz

When it comes to betting in South Africa, 888Starz is a household name. Whatever kind of bettor you are, 888Starz offers it all, from live wagering to casino games. You may gamble anywhere using the mobile app, and the bonus offers are competitive.

MegaPari

Bettors in South Africa have access to MegaPari’s vast sportsbook, where they can find a variety of betting markets and competitive odds. This platform caters to all types of sports fans, whether they prefer football, tennis, or more niche sports. Live betting choices and a solid mobile app experience are also well-known features of MegaPari.

PariPesa

To meet the needs of local punters in South Africa, PariPesa has established itself as a trustworthy sportsbook that primarily covers football and rugby. For individuals seeking to optimise their betting experience, it is a good contender thanks to its 100% deposit bonus of up to 2,000 ZAR.

BetBeast

BetBeast is a relative newcomer to the South African market, but its user-friendly layout and generous promos have helped it swiftly become a fan favourite. For mobile bettors looking for a wide variety of sports markets, BetBeast is the way to go.

22Bet

Bettors can get a 100% welcome bonus of up to 122 EUR (2,500 ZAR) at 22Bet, a leading international bookmaker in South Africa. The site’s large sportsbook, live betting possibilities, and easy payment mechanisms (which include cryptocurrency) have made it famous.

Comparison of the Best Online Bookmakers in South Africa

In this section, we will give you a head-to-head comparison of the five best bookies in South Africa:

No. of Sports	Welcome Bonus	Live Betting	App	Minimum Deposit	Min. Withdrawal
50+	100% bonus on the first deposit up to 122 EUR (2,500 ZAR)	Yes	Yes	50 ZAR	100 ZAR
50+	100% up to 2,000 ZAR	Yes	Yes	50 ZAR	100 ZAR
50+	200% bonus on the first deposit up to 3,850 ZAR	Yes	Yes	20 ZAR	40 ZAR
50+	$1,000 (17,500 ZAR) welcome offer	Yes	Yes	25 ZAR	45 ZAR
50+	100% bonus on the first deposit up to 1,730 ZAR	Yes	Yes	20 ZAR	35 ZAR

How We Review Betting Sites in South Africa

Our experts assess bookmakers using various criteria to guarantee they are up to par. Want to do it yourself? You’re in luck! The main criteria we use to evaluate betting sites are outlined below.

1
Betting Markets and Odds
We examine the many different sports and events available, as well as the different sorts of odds. A bookmaker’s score increases when it offers a variety of competitive betting markets and odds.
2
Security and Trustworthiness
Why bother playing somewhere you can’t completely trust? We only recommend bookmakers that use SSL encryption, which has been confirmed by a broad base of satisfied players. This ensures that all transactions are safe and that the service is dependable.
3
Bonuses and Promotions
Our ranking is heavily impacted by plentiful bonuses, particularly those offered to new players. We consider the size of the welcome offer and the fairness of the terms and conditions tied to these promotions.
4
Mobile & Sports Betting Apps
An important factor to consider is the website’s accessibility on mobile devices and the availability of specialised applications. According to our ratings, a bookmaker with a fluid mobile experience receives higher marks.
5
Payment Methods
A reputable bookmaker should offer several different payment methods, including electronic wallets, credit cards, and bank transfers, to accommodate the requirements of a wide variety of players.
6
Customer Support
Having customer assistance that is both responsive and easily available is essential. We consider the availability of the bookmaker’s support services (24/7 or limited hours) and the number of different ways that players can get assistance, such as live chat, phone, or email.

Best New Betting Sites in South Africa in July 2025

In South Africa, new betting sites are popping up all the time! We took a long look at everything available right now and made a list of the newest sites out there:

1Bet: With its enticing sign-up incentives and modern mobile betting choices, 1Bet has become a sensation in South Africa’s betting market.
888 Starz: The bookmaker offers bonuses for various sports, including football, hockey, eSports, and tennis. It also boasts plenty of betting options and amazing features.
MegaPari: If you’re looking for exciting online gambling and betting, MegaPari is the place to go. It provides a fully licensed and regulated betting experience for gamers of all skill levels with various sports betting choices and appealing incentives.
PariPesa: The online betting platform offers wagering on various sports, including football, basketball, and tennis. With its broad markets, user-friendly design, and competitive odds, PariPesa has been a popular platform since its launch.

So, if you’re looking for the freshest bookmakers, choose from the above!

Safe Betting Experience in South Africa

South Africa, you will be pleased to know, has a fully regulated and licensed industry that is governed by the National Gambling Board South Africa (NGB). This is their national gambling commission. This means you can gamble online safely and securely with the knowledge that operators are controlled in the region. However, even though websites might be safe to use and play, it is also important to remember that gambling should be fun and ideally just a part-time hobby. Bookmakers nowadays fully recognise these dangers and have protocols in place to protect those who feel their online gambling is becoming an issue. There are some basic factors to remember in the table below. Aim to stick to these guidelines whenever gambling online;

✅ Safe Gambling Practices	⚠️ Risk Factors
Use reality checks and deposit limits as tools to help stay in control of your gambling	Do not bet on sites with bad reviews online or unresponsive customer support
Ensure you gamble only at licensed sites	Alcohol and gambling do not mix
You should not bet more than you can afford to lose	Do not punt with the goal of making money; gamble only for fun
Plan your bets carefully and do not falter from the plan	When angry or having just lost, do not gamble

Bonuses You May Get at South Africa Betting Sites

The most popular forms of sports betting bonuses are as follows:

1
Welcome Bonus:
The welcome bonus is the most well-known and extensively used promotion at online bookies. New players who sign up and make their initial deposit are usually the only ones who can get this kind of offer. The bookmaker typically matches the initial deposit up to a particular limit, typically 100%. For example, a sportsbook may provide a 100% bonus up to 2,000 ZAR. By taking advantage of the welcome package, you can increase your starting capital and try out the betting site with more dollars.
2
Free Bets:
Bonuses come in many forms, but one of the most alluring is the free bet, which lets you place a wager without risking your own money. While some bookmakers include free bets in their welcome packages, others give them out as promotions to current customers for particular sports or events.
3
No Deposit Bonus:
Bonuses that do not need a player to make a deposit are less common but very desirable, particularly for new players. You can get this bonus without making a deposit, as the name suggests. Just for joining up, bookmakers typically give a little bonus money, ranging from R50 to R200. This incentive is great for testing the waters of the platform without putting any serious cash down.
4
Reload Bonus:
Players who make deposits beyond the initial one are rewarded with these benefits. Reload bonuses are a great method to reward loyal clients for sticking with the same bookmaker, even if they aren’t as generous as the initial offer. The goal is to get people to participate again, and these tend to be scheduled around major athletic events.
5
Cashback:
In the event of a loss, the bonus will help mitigate the impact. Cash or bonus funds can be used to reimburse bettors for a portion of their losses. Consider a sportsbook that, for a certain week, offers a 10% payback on all losses. Regular gamblers might benefit greatly from this sort of incentive because it acts as a buffer against their losses.

As you can see, there is a lot to look forward to!

Bonus Offer	Advantages	Find Out More
100% bonus on the first deposit up to 1,730 ZAR	Large selection of sports and casino games, good customer support	Find out more
200% bonus on the first deposit up to 3,850 ZAR	Variety of betting markets, live streaming available	Find out more
100% bonus on first deposit up to 2,000 ZAR	Offers multiple betting options, live betting features	Find out more
$1,000 (17,500 ZAR) welcome offer	User-friendly interface, competitive odds	Find out more
100% bonus on the first deposit up to 122 EUR (2,500 ZAR)	Extensive range of sports, live betting options, and low minimum deposits	Find out more

Best Payment Methods for South African Betting Sites

Bettors in South Africa have a plethora of convenient options when it comes to funding their betting accounts. Some excellent choices are as follows:

Type	Deposit Limits	Deposit/Withdrawal	Processing Fee
Crypto	350 / 175,000 ZAR	✅/✅	None
eWallet	170 ZAR / 100,000 ZAR	✅/✅	1% – 10%
Virtual credit card	170 ZAR / 100,000 ZAR	✅/✅	None
eWallet	200 ZAR / 20,000 ZAR	✅/✅	1% – 10%
Bank transfer	Depends on the bank	✅/✅	% – 5%
Bank Transfer	Depends on the bank	✅/✅	None

These operators provide bettors in South Africa with the freedom and safety they need to enjoy betting on local sports.

How to Sign Up to an Online Betting Site

The following steps will guide you through creating an account with 888Starz:

1
Click on the “Register” button.
2
You can sign up by providing your phone number and inputting the confirmation code.
3
You can also choose to sign in with your email address. Select your city and provide your name, phone number, and password.
4
One-click registration is the easiest method. Just click Register, and you’re done!
5
Finally, you can choose to sign in using your social media accounts.

Regardless of the method you choose, you will be done with this process in less than five minutes!

Step 1
Open the website.
Step 2
You can access your account by entering your username and password. Pay attention: you can view the available bets without signing in, but you won’t be able to choose or place any.
Step 3
Check out the sports betting section. It is located in the Sports section of the main menu at the top of your screen, and the program is on the left side of the window.
Step 4
In order to choose the right bet, you need to choose a sport, then a country, and last, the league where your event will be played.
Step 5
The various wagers are displayed when you select a specific event.
Step 6
Confirm this, and you’ll see the results on your bet slip.
Step 7
Your bet will be visible on your bet slip once you confirm it.

Betting Site Features

Betting sites are made up of features. Take a look for yourself:

Live Streaming	Cashout	Live Score	Fast Bet	Virtual Sports
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

How Popular Is Mobile Betting in South Africa?

Thanks to the popularity of easy-to-use mobile apps, mobile betting—particularly on smartphones—has exploded in popularity in recent years. According to statistics, less than 30% of all sports bets are placed on desktop computers, while more than 70% are placed on mobile devices. Smartphones are preferred over personal computers in South Africa.

Nearly three-quarters to four out of five mobile bets are placed on Android devices, making it the most popular operating system in the country, and iOS accounts for the remaining 20-25%.

The Benefits of Mobile Betting:

Convenience
Real-time notifications
Faster loading times
Specialised bonuses

It might not be a lot, but these benefits add up to make for a really smooth and easy experience.

Best Betting Apps

Mobile betting apps provide users with unparalleled ease, enabling them to place bets anytime, from any location. Apps enable live betting, quick transactions, and real-time notifications, which enhance the accessibility and dynamic nature of betting. Designed with mobile users in mind, they also feature an intuitive interface and simple navigation.