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

Now being able to place wagers on mobile phones there has been an explosion of the popularity of sports betting. The industry has grown impressively with the number of regular users rising (2). Currently, the gambling market in Kenya continues to be dominated by sports betting, with an estimated number of over 7-million citizens actively placing bets on online gambling services. The future of iGaming and betting in Africa is bright, with significant opportunities for growth and expansion. However, the industry also faces significant challenges that must be overcome if it is to reach its full potential. The development of clear and consistent regulatory frameworks, innovative payment solutions, and increased internet access will be key to unlocking the full potential of the iGaming and betting industry in Africa.

How to play sports bet in South Africa?

Reviewers meticulously go over the initial write-up, correcting errors and clarifying. Safe South African sportsbooks should display what South African Deposit and withdrawal methods they accept, like cards or eWallets. While Tic Tac Bets’ odds are competitive, I love that I can see all the boosted odds in one place by clicking the Price Boost tab. 1X2 bets, double chance, handicaps and more are accessible for thousands of events. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about about our products and services. By signing up for newsletters, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

With Betway’s signature green, black, and white colour scheme, the mobile app and mobile version look the same. I noticed the app loads faster than the web version, which adapts well to various screens.

Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum. These results should however be interpreted with caution given the potential sensitive nature of gambling and its outcomes. Super Group’s African expansion continues to drive growth, with the region contributing 38% of total revenue in Q3, making it the company’s largest revenue generator. Strong performances in Europe and Canada offset declines in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, while its iGaming division, Spin, earned €163.5 million, with North America contributing 68% of that figure.

National Gambling Act: Regulations: Gambling advertising and exclusions register: Amendment

Kickboxing and Muay Thai, with their emphasis on striking and aggressive exchanges, tend to produce more exciting and unpredictable fights, offering different betting opportunities. Unlike boxing, which focuses solely on punches, MMA incorporates striking, grappling, and ground fighting, influencing how odds are set and bets are made. The popularity of tennis is also significant and is growing at steady rates of about 20% per year. The inclusion of crypto payments is expected to have a similar effect, although many countries, including South Africa, are still working on incorporating cryptocurrencies into their financial systems. This is according to the iGaming Trends 2025 report by Malta-based iGaming software supplier Softswiss. Now its third year, the report surveyed operators, game developers, technology providers, media professionals and affiliate marketers in North America, Europe, South America, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

Can I get free bets from South African bookmakers?

We can also note that a poor saving culture is among some of the attributes leading to indulgence in sport betting (14). We recommend that more study on sports betting and digital credit to be done so that more evidence of this thesis is uncovered. This ideally can be led by the regulatory authorities from the East African countries and hopefully this will encourage good credit lending practices and better consumer education.

Perhaps one of the most important rules of betting is setting a budget and sticking to it. You first need to decide exactly how much you have to spend, and once you do, ensure that you don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. Overall, responsible sports betting ensures that you enjoy the entire online betting experience without unnecessary stress.

From tradition to technology: The evolution of sports betting in South Africa

Local payment options available on the finest betting sites include popular mobile payments like PayPal and cryptocurrencies as well as bank cards and e-wallets. Particularly if you want to cash out your gains, quick withdrawals and deposits are also absolutely vital. Fast withdrawal sites—especially those using e-wallets and cryptocurrencies—make the betting experience far more fulfilling. They offer fast navigation, smooth gameplay, and instant access to betting markets. Betting markets If you see a range of sports markets offered, then it’s a telltale sign of a competitive online sportsbook.

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. Every SportsBoom sportsbook review follows a thorough, multi-step evaluation process designed to give South African bettors trustworthy, unbiased, and up-to-date information. Ozow handles banking transactions for secure online betting in South Africa, with additional safety and security measures. E-Wallets like Zapper or Samsung Pay offer a digital alternative for people who don’t want to share banking details.

Myth 3: Sports Betting Sites in South Africa Don’t Pay Out

The range of betting options on a betting website is among the most crucial aspects one ought to look for. From the country favorites like rugby and cricket to worldwide sports like football and specialized events, South African bettors have a broad spectrum of sports to choose from. The finest betting sites provide several betting markets, such as match winners, player props, or even live event betting, so as to accommodate these tastes. A reputable sportsbook would have a large selection of markets for both pre-match betting and live betting, thereby allowing bettors lots of options to stake wagers on ongoing events.

Myth 2: Online Betting Sites Are All the Same

Betway’s platform is praised for its intuitive design and a robust mobile application, ensuring a seamless betting experience. None of those advances would have made a difference, however, if people didn’t feel safe participating in sports betting. Government regulation goes a long way to ensuring that people do feel that sense of safety.

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Traditional forms of betting, such as fixed-odds betting on outcomes, have been complemented by innovative offerings such as betting in-play betting and exotic bets. In-play betting, in particular, allows bettors to wager on outcomes during a live sporting event, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement. The advent of the internet revolutionised the sports betting industry worldwide, and South Africa was no exception. Predominant online betting platforms such as the Betway app emerged as a convenient and accessible alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. This shift allowed bettors to place wagers from the comfort of home using computers or mobile devices. The proliferation of smartphones further accelerated this trend, enabling bettors to engage in sports betting adaptively.

II. Tic Tac Bets

• Monthly active customers grew 17% to 4.7 million, prompting the company to raise its FY2024 ex-US adjusted EBITDA forecast to over €345 million.
• Keep your goal in sight and never lose track of it throughout your betting journey.
• Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about about our products and services.
• Make sure there are no betting restrictions like no South African rugby betting.
• These licenced companies also offer various products that look like online gambling, however, the betting is structured in a way that it falls under sports/fixed odds betting regulations and licensing.
• Traditionally, gambling operators offered large bonuses with low betting requirements which caused bonus/ promo abuse to be a great target for abuse.
• “In 2025, protecting player data and ensuring regulatory compliance are non-negotiable.

This Act legalized other forms of gambling in the Province and provided for the establishment of the Gauteng Gambling Board. Plus, live betting provides real excitement as players can place their bets in real-time while a game is being played. Besides, with competitive odds and detailed statistics, 1Win equips players with the tools needed to make informed decisions, enhancing their chances of success. BUSINESS NEWS – South Africa’s passion for sports extends beyond cheering on the sidelines. The country boasts a thriving sports betting industry, allowing fans to add a layer of excitement (and potentially some winnings) to their favourite games.

How to Make the Most of Online Casino Bonuses in 2025

Betting GGR rose by 14.3% in 2016, raising its share of total GGR to 19% from 17% in 2015. “Given its focus on online betting, which has stronger economics than its agency business, BetKing Nigeria has moved to number two in the online betting market. A focus on the quality of its agency network over quantity has also resulted in improved profitability through higher average wagers and revenues per agent,” said the group. In July 2024, the group launched the Aviator casino game in SA through its KingMakers unit.

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.

South African government statistics reveal that more than 50 percent of South African adults place sports bets on an ongoing basis. In spite of different religion, language, age, social status, race, culture or political views, people all over South Africa have 1 mutual thing – they are wild sport fans. If we mix it with 1.3 billion inhabitants of which around 40 percent is under the age of 15, and a median age of only 19.7 years, we will receive a greatly seductive and profitable market for sports SA bookmakers.

• More than two-thirds of African people have access to high-speed mobile Internet today.
• In 1965, the Gambling Act prohibited diverse types of sports betting except for horse racing.
• It’s a user-friendly platform, abundant bonuses, and diverse betting options, it’s a hub of endless opportunities.
• Our reviews will also support you to decide where and on what you want to bet.
• TechFinancials delivers in-depth analysis of tech, digital revolution, fintech, e-commerce, digital banking and breaking tech news.
• 10 betting experts independently test the sportsbook during weeks three and four and give the site a five-star rating.
• This can be a barrier to adoption for iGaming and betting operators, who may struggle to overcome negative perceptions and build trust with local communities.
• Many African countries are currently revising their regulatory frameworks for iGaming and betting, with the aim of creating a more conducive environment for the industry.
• Other Types of Bets AvailableBeyond traditional sports, many sportsbooks offer alternative betting markets that attract different audiences.
• Boxing, for instance, often involves more strategic and tactical exchanges, leading to fewer knockouts and more decisions compared to MMA.

Consistency in your approach builds discipline, which often separates winners from amateurs. 1Win is designed like a well-oiled machine that works to provide the best entertainment to the guests. This is particularly useful to South African players, as it means all options are localized, and every click is rewarding and intuitive. TechFinancials delivers in-depth analysis of tech, digital revolution, fintech, e-commerce, digital banking and breaking tech news.

• Examining this journey illuminates the intersection of tradition and innovation in one of Africa’s burgeoning gambling markets.
• As well as to uphold and maintain the image of the South African gambling industry on a global level.
• From my experience, keeping an eye on a few simple factors makes all the difference.
• You need a trusted banking method that makes deposits fast and withdrawals hassle-free.
• Goldrush Holdings achieved strong growth in its online gaming division, with gross gaming revenue rising 102% from R57 million to R115 million in six months.

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.

• While Betway provides competitive odds, especially on major UFC events, one area for improvement could be the expansion of their live streaming services.
• Football is by far the most popular sport to bet on for South Africans, although there has been little growth in popularity in recent years.
• If at first, the African betting market had certain drawbacks due to the specifics of the continent and legislation, today the betting system is as close as possible to the European one in terms of transparency.
• The popularity of tennis is also significant and is growing at steady rates of about 20% per year.
• This sport has grown by 75% since 2022 and is popular amongst people who are willing and able to risk larger amounts per bet, around R700 per bet.
• Betting interest spikes during major events like the Rugby World Cup or English Premier League.

From cricket and rugby to soccer and basketball, the platform provides extensive coverage of global and local sports. Before 1965, all forms of betting and gambling were illegal in South Africa, with the government viewing the activities as a threat to public morality. Despite this, illegal betting and gambling continued to thrive, with many people finding ways to wager on horse racing and other sports. However, this changed in 1965 when the government legalised horse racing, making it the first form of legal gambling in the country. While traditional sports such as soccer, rugby and cricket will likely be mainstays of the sports betting sector for some time to come in South Africa, a growing number of niche sports are attracting bettors too. Whether it’s table tennis, darts, mixed martial arts, or the rise of celebrity boxing bouts, all have attracted growing interest from punters.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), especially through UFC events, offers a distinct betting landscape compared to boxing. MMA fights can end in multiple ways such as knockout, submission, or decision. Their platform is designed for ease of use, with a straightforward interface and a mobile app that ensures you can bet on the go. What makes Betway particularly attractive is the competitive welcome bonus of up to R1,000 for new sign-ups, enhancing the initial betting experience. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and its premier league, the UFC, have captured the imagination of sports fans around the world, including in South Africa. “For economically constrained consumers however, gambling presents a particularly risky pastime fraught with potential pitfalls.

• My insightIf you’re looking for a social sportsbook, there’s a few aspects you’ll need to keep an eye on to ensure that the sportsbook balances fun, competition, and rewards.
• Ensure that you make use of these tools, as they can give you an edge when placing your bets.
• However, this changed in 1965 when the government legalised horse racing, making it the first form of legal gambling in the country.
• If you’re a South African bettor looking for a rush and big winnings, 1Win is the place to be.
• There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to choosing the right online betting site.
• Hence, nowadays, African citizens represent over 11.5% of the overall internet users in the world.
• This is according to the iGaming Trends 2025 report by Malta-based iGaming software supplier Softswiss.

What’s more, 10bet promises to give you the best odds on your favorites, like Premier League games. That said, there are a few key things you need to keep an eye out for to make sure that the sportsbook is trustworthy and reliable. We’ve done the legwork for you, and these are our choices for placing the best sports betting in SA. If you’re wondering whether sports betting and online gambling is legal in South Africa, you’ve come to the right place.

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Includes betting on sports events and horse racing where punters are essentially betting on the outcome of the particular event. For this, punters can analyse various factors that could increase the odds of their bet being successful. This activity is legal if it is practiced through betting companies who are appropriately licensed in South Africa for online betting. These licenced companies also offer various products that look like online gambling, however, the betting is structured in a way that it falls under sports/fixed odds betting regulations and licensing.

So, while mobile apps have made sports betting more convenient and accessible for users around the world, their impact has been even greater in South Africa. Over the years, the user experience on those apps has also improved dramatically, further enhancing their appeal among sports betting customers. The major online bookmakers in South Africa offer sign up bonuses for new customers and provide you with free bets to use when you start betting online. The full list of free bets and welcome bonus offers are listed on this page above.

In instances where non – South African punters are prohibited by Bookmakers from betting, these processes make it more difficult for these players to withdraw money from the platform without being detected. The several fake accounts thereby benefit from new signup bonuses, coupons and other attractive offers by cashing out their promotional offers without actually playing. Traditionally, gambling operators offered large bonuses with low betting requirements which caused bonus/ promo abuse to be a great target for abuse. Gambling operators addressed this by lowering bonuses and implementing stricter requirements for withdrawing the bonus.

NATIONAL GAMBLING BOARD WARNS AGAINST GAMBLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET IN ‘JANUWORRY’

Keep your goal in sight and never lose track of it throughout your betting journey. Setting a bankroll for each particular betting action ensures your pockets remain safe while providing ample room for calculated risks. Blackjack uses the international 52-card deck without jokers, with several variations of the original game being present in several online casinos which are active in Africa. Being quite possibly the most popular casino game from all over the world, Live Blackjack is the favourite table game of several gambling enthusiasts who are looking for a thrilling gaming experience.

While each of these options sounds rewarding, and they definitely are, it’s important to understand how they work and what to look for so you can get the most out of each one. Let’s be honest, since childhood we wanted to participate in some kinds of lotteries at the fair and our parents don’t mind it, they even praised us for that. Then, when we became more mature and grown-up, this desire for risk just continued increasing.

145 million active accounts versus 298 million globally, USD 1.7 billion in transactions volume versus 2.4 billion globally and 26.8 billion in transaction value versus 40.8 billion globally (4). This act established various provincial gambling boards responsible for licensing and regulating betting operators. Many African countries still have low levels of financial inclusion, with a significant proportion of the population lacking access to traditional banking services. This presents a challenge for iGaming and betting operators who rely on traditional payment methods.

Ultimately, the success of the industry will depend on the ability of operators to understand the unique needs and challenges of the African market and to tailor their products and services accordingly. Every month, we update our sportsbook reviews based on member feedback and operator updates. We may write a new review when bookmakers update their sites or platforms or when new South African sports betting sites surface. Esports betting is gaining popularity, with more bookmakers offering exciting options.