With an endless option of South African bookmarkers, you can be choosy based on your specific preferences. There are those with the best free bets, easiest sign-up process, and the most competitive odds on the market. We’ll help you save time by listing all the top ones licensed in SA and outside. We reviewed them based on reputation, betting options, and other bettor-focused criteria.
Full List of South Africa Betting Sites
The list of betting companies in South Africa is long, meaning that you may find it difficult to find the best one. You want to be on the lookout for an online operator that offers you plenty of betting options and great odds and is entirely safe to use. Some of the most trustworthy operators available are offshore bookies like Betway and Sportingbet.
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4.6
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4.9
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4.2
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Rakeboost bonus
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4.1
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160% Sports Free Play bonus up to $800
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4.1
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100% up to $500 on 1st deposit and 50% up to $250 on 2nd deposit
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4.1
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3+1 in Free Bets
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4.4
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100% up to $500
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50% up to $1000
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4.0
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Welcome offers
However, the country has excellent online sportsbooks, including Sunbet, Easybet and Hollywoodbets. These online operators can be found to be entirely trustworthy and legitimate while also providing their customers with a top-quality betting experience.
BetWinner
betwinner.com
BetWinner is good if you want to bet on national teams in South Africa. When I wrote this review, I was able to choose between several championships, like the Diski Challenge, Supa 8 Cup, Boland League T10, and the Currie Cup. You’re not limited to local matches, though, as you can easily bet on international tournaments.
To the right of the site, you’ll see a profile box. You can use this to register an account or to view your account. Below that, there’s a box that shows your current bets. Here, you can add more matches to your slip and do a quick checkout to place your wagers. There are lots of different sports to choose from. Some examples include football, soccer, cricket, and bowling.
If you’re someone who likes modern betting options, then you should visit the Esports section. You’ll find several online games to wager on, such as Counter-Strike and DOTA 2.
There are bonuses to activate, with a 100% match on your first deposit. Support for local ZAR currency makes it easy for South Africans to manage their funds. The bonus is limited to 1,972 ZAR.
1win
Something that quickly caught my eye with 1win is the interface. On the sports page, you’ll immediately see pre-matches. Take note of when these matches go live, and set your bets before you miss out. There is a live section if you rather want to wager on matches being played in real time.
The betting options you see on the sports page are the hottest ones right now. If you’re new here, this can be a good starting place. Use it as an opportunity to see what others are staking their money on.
On the left side of the website, there’s a long list of sports to pick from. Some of these include futsal, soccer, tennis, ice hockey, and golf. League of Legends and Valorant are popular Esports you can wager on with 1win.
If you’re someone who prefers to plan out your bets, then use the results and statistics pages that the bookie gives you access to. For support, you can look for a chat button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
The bookmaker has permanent bonuses, including a 500% match on your first deposit. Regularly check back on the promotions page, as they also host events.
Megapari
megapari.com
Megapari offers full support for South Africa, including local cell phone numbers for quick and easy registration. The sportsbook section has three columns. The center area is where you can find matches and place your bets. To the left, you have all the sports that you can filter through. If you want to find your betslip or view the bets you’ve already placed, look at the right-side column.
There’s an option to only show events with live streams. This is a good choice if you want to see as matches are played out. You’ll need to click on an event and then look toward the right of the screen. A small window shows you the stream. You can use this to keep track of how the match progresses and the chances you have to land a win.
Sports that you can pick from consist of table tennis, horse racing, cricket, ice hockey, and more. There are major leagues and championships.
Megapari matches the first deposit you make on the site by 100%. There are several payment options that you can use from South Africa, including popular options like credit and debit cards.
Paripesa
paripesa.com
Paripesa will automatically load the South African version of the site when you browse through the bookie. This allows you to see local payment methods and betting options. There are quite a couple of ways to deposit funds at Paripesa from SA. This includes bank transfers, credit cards, and e-wallets.
The minimum deposit amount depends on how you’ll pay, with some going as low as 12 ZAR. When you sign up for an account, you can get a 100% match the first time you deposit money. The max you can get through this bonus is 2,000 ZAR, which is generous.
You can choose to place your wagers on national teams. Diski Challenge, Supa 8 Cup, and the Shanghai Challenger Qualification are some of the tournaments that I could bet on at the time of the review.
Apart from regular sports, the selection of online games makes it a good choice for modern betters. You can pick from the top championships around the world. This includes League of Legends, DOTA 2, and Counter-Strike.
The bookie has an SSL certificate on its site. This adds extra security to your experience on the platform.
Betandyou
betandyou.com
Betandyou is a bookmaker that caters to everyone, including those who want to place bets from their smartphone. There are iOS and Android apps that you can access on the platform. Apart from the apps, you can also access the main website from a mobile phone.
There are many betting options that you can explore at Betandyou. I’d suggest you start by considering what you want to wager on. These could be national teams or maybe rather big championships. There are many South African tournaments available.
You can pick from different sports on the left area of the screen. Football, table tennis, and volleyball are some examples. You can pick from Esports, too. Some of these include Rainbow Six, Call of Duty, StarCraft, and Dota 2.
When you deposit from South Africa, you can use local bank transfers. MasterCard payments are also accepted. Other than this, you can pay with AstroPay, Jeton Cash, Skrill, and Neteller. Betandyou supports Binance, which means it’s possible to use crypto as well. You’ll need cryptocurrency in your Binance account before you can use this payment method.
888Starz
888starz.bet
888Starz makes registration easy. I tested this out myself and my favorite option is definitely the One-Click signup. You can pick what currency you want to use. If you’re in South Africa, I suggest you use ZAR, as this is local. It will make it easier to transact.
When you open the signup window, look to the left. You’ll notice there are three bonus options. You can opt for none of them (the bottom choice). For the bookie section, look at the top bonus. This matches your first deposit, limited to 1,736 ZAR.
In South Africa, you can deposit with a VISA credit or debit card. The sportsbook also accepts Snapscan, MiFinity, and MyBux. The sports section gives you access to two options. The regular one shows upcoming matches. Use this if you like to plan things out ahead of time. You can add matches and see them pile up on your bet slip (right side of the screen).
To watch matches unfold, click the “LIVE” menu item. This shows you the championships that are being played right now. Pick one and you can see the livestream on the screen. You’ll also be able to wager on these matches.
BetBeast
betbeast.com
You’ll notice that BetBeast doesn’t actually show ZAR as a supported currency. However, this doesn’t mean the sportsbook doesn’t support South Africa. On the homepage, there’s a banner that shows you the current promotion. It will go away when you’ve registered and made a deposit. You get up to $6,000 worth of bonuses.
This is a welcome bonus, so you don’t get everything at once. Instead, they divide it into the first couple of deposits you make. There’s a sidebar on the left of the screen. To access the bookie area, click on the “SPORTS” menu item. This opens up a dropdown. For live sports, use the “In-Play” link. If you want an overview of what’s to come, then the regular “Sports” menu item is where you want to go. There are also shortcut links in this menu. They allow you to quickly navigate to popular sports like rugby, basketball, and football.
After you register, you can use the Favorites feature. This is a function that allows you to favorite specific sports and easily come back to them when you want to place new bets.
Bankonbet
bankonbet.com
Bankonbet isn’t as localized to South Africa as some of the other sportsbooks on this list. However, you still get plenty of betting options and can take advantage of the bonuses that the bookie offers. There are different promotions for various sections of the site.
Since you’re here to learn about the bookmaker, you’ll have to pay attention to the sports bonus. It’s a 100% deposit match promotion that gives you up to €100 in your account. There are terms behind the bonus, so read through the requirements you’ll have to meet before you can withdraw your winnings.
The homepage gives you a view of the current matches that are live. This is great if you want in-play options. There are also multiple categories available, like table tennis, volleyball, and tennis. The site also has a section dedicated to virtual games and Esports. If you prefer horse racing, you’ll notice that this also has a separate page on Bankonbet’s site.
If you want to deposit in South Africa, you can pick between Skrill, Neteller, and FunID payment options. Alternatively, you also have the option to pay using crypto, including Tether, BitcoinCash, and more.
Solisbet
solisbet.com
SolisBet is a platform that focuses on diversity. However, if you land on the homepage, you’ll notice a big focus on casino slots. Just scroll down a bit, and you’ll see a link to the sportsbook section.
There are several sports available, with the likes of football, golf, and soccer. You’ll even notice a couple of icons that represent each sport, which made it easy for me to find the ones I wanted to bet on.
You can switch between different parts of the site with the bar that shows up at the bottom. At the center, you’ll notice the BETSLIP link. This shows your current slip that you can check out if you’re happy with how you’re wagering on matches.
A live chat option on the platform gives you the ability to connect with the support team. I found that they have a fast response time, which is something you should focus on with a bookie. Other support options are also available, including an email address. There are responsible gambling resources you can access on the site. Just scroll down to the bottom of the homepage to see these.
Betroller
betroller.com
Betroller is a bookie that caters to high rollers. At the same time, there are low betting options available, which makes it a good choice if you’re on a tight budget. There are classic sports betting opportunities, as well as a live section.
If you look at the links at the bottom of the site (or the top right corner), you can view results and statistics. These are pages that allow you to see the history of matches. If you’re someone who likes to analyze things, then you can use the data to plan things out.
There are several payment options that Betroller supports in South Africa. However, you shouldn’t expect the classic methods like using a credit or debit card. Instead, Betroller focuses on crypto payments. You can pay with Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and several other coins.
Deposits are instant, and there are no extra charges you’ll have to cover. The welcome bonus for South Africans offers a promotion that adds up to 1,972 ZAR in extra funds to your account. This is a 100% match bonus, so you’ll have to deposit this amount if you want to take full advantage.
Top South African Bookmakers by Categories
| Popular Bookmakers | Categories |
|---|---|
| ⭐ Vave | Generous welcome offer |
| ⭐ Looselines | Great range of betting markets |
| ⭐ Picklebet | Convenient live streaming options |
| ⭐ WagerWeb | High payouts |
| ⭐ Kineko | Wide choice of bonuses and offers |
| ⭐BetNow | Many Esports betting offers available |
| ⭐ Stake | Perfect design, structure and usability |
| ⭐ Intertops | Solid reputation and history |
| ⭐ BetWinner | Unique crypto betting options |
| ⭐ 21Bets | Decent extra features |
Popular Promotions for South African Bettors
As is the case in the rest of the world, South African bettors can enjoy a wide range of promotional offers. A local bettor should continuously lookout for a promotion that suits their particular betting style. As most online operators give out promotional bonuses frequently, you should regularly check back with an operator to ensure that you take full advantage of their offers.
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4.6
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4.9
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4.2
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Rakeboost bonus
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Rakeback is a withdrawable bonus that is accrued for each bet and depends on your current Rank. Please bet responsibly, begambleaware.org. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. | |
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4.1
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160% Sports Free Play bonus up to $800
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4.1
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100% up to $500 on 1st deposit and 50% up to $250 on 2nd deposit
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Kick off your new GTbets.ag account with our top-rated CASH sign up bonus. Make your first deposit to receive a 100% cash bonus up to $500, and then 50% up to $250 on your second deposit. Full T&Cs apply. | |
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4.1
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3+1 in Free Bets
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Place 3 consecutive bets and get the 4th bet as a free bet! Full T&Cs apply |
Some popular betting bonuses include free bets, no deposit bonuses, and matched deposit bonuses. Betting offers can often be found under the “Promotions” tab on many online bookmaker sites.
South Africa Sports Betting Market Overview
| 📅 Sports Betting Legal Since: | 1994 |
| 🏢 Regulatory Body: | The National Gambling Board |
| ⚖️ Legal Acts: | The National Gambling Amendment Act |
| 🧾 Taxation: | Winnings are not taxable |
| ⚽ Favorite Sports to Bet on: | Cricket, football, and rugby |
| 🏅 Widespread Tournaments\Competitions to Bet on: | The Athletics Championship, the Badminton Championship, and the local SA Premier Division |
| 🎰 Other Popular Gambling Markets: | Lotteries and online casinos |
| ⭐ Most Popular Sportsbooks: | Rabona, Wazamba, SpinBetter |
Bet of the Day for South Africa
The sports betting SA market is fairly broad. Many of the best South African bookmakers will let you bet on various local sports and events. For example, many sites allow you to bet on popular sports and teams. Similarly, many sites let you bet on individual players. The best bookies will ensure you have plenty of home betting options, with some giving you additional betting opportunities like the national lottery or casino-based games.
WHAT IS THE BEST BET FOR TODAY?
Bet on Sports
While legal sports betting can revolve around practically any sport in the world, the betting public has been seen to focus their betting practices on three sports in particular. Cricket, football, and rugby are the most popular sports betting options for punters.
Fortunately, operators tend to have excellent odds and plenty of betting options for these three sports. The majority of good South African bookies will still give you plenty of sports gambling options on top of these three, though, such as golf options, tennis, motorsports, MMA, and even fantasy sports.
Bet on Competitions
The country has its fair share of national sports competitions. It seems as though with every month that passes, a new sports competition is starting. Because of this, sports contests are a popular option on many betting sites.
The Athletics Championship, the Badminton Championship, and the Premier Division are all given time to shine in the local betting market. These sports competitions, and many others, can usually be found in the “Featured” section of many online bookies' sports betting areas.
Bet on South African Teams
The sports betting market is a wide one. Many online sportsbooks allow you to bet on your favourite sports and wager on your favourite teams.
The National Cricket Team, the National Rugby Union team and the National Football Team, are all popular betting choices for international betting. On the local front, the Cape Town Spurs, Orlando Pirates, and the Moroka Swallows are famous football teams that are incredibly popular betting options.
Bet on South African Players
The best sportsbooks will widen the already vast sports gambling market by allowing you to bet on individual sports personalities and players. Some of the most popular players to bet on are cricket players.
Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Quinton De Kock, and Kagiso Rabada commonly bet on cricket players due to their popularity. Of course, football players are also heavily bet on, with names like Peter Shalulile, Frank Mhango, and Lebogang Manyama frequently featured in South African bookies.
How to Choose the Best Bookmakers in South Africa
There are plenty of online bookmakers to choose from. There might be too many. Choosing from the extensive list of betting sites can be a somewhat daunting or intimidating task for those new to the online betting scene who don't know exactly what they should be looking for. If this is the case for you, then follow our brief step-by-step guide below to get some useful pointers on what to look out for from an online sportsbook operator:
- If you are unsure about an operator's legitimacy or safety, seek out some sportsbook reviews. A sportsbook review will often tell you exactly what the site has to offer and will give you an indication as to how trustworthy they are.
- Use the top 10 lists to narrow your options immediately. Choosing from ten is easier than choosing from hundreds.
- Choose a site that has great odds on many betting options, including additional features such as live betting.
Who Has the Best Odds?
When looking for an online bookmaker that is best suited to you, you need to find a betting site that offers good odds. Ideally, it would help if you searched for a website that provides the best odds on a specific sport or event that you are likely to bet on. For example, if you know that you will bet on horse racing and soccer a lot, you should search for an operator with excellent horse racing odds and soccer odds.
In general, the betting odds in SA are relatively decent, but there is one standout operator. Betway is one operator consistently found to have excellent odds that are continuously updated and well-researched.
Popular Deposit Methods
The best South African betting sites will give you plenty of payment options when depositing on their website. Some of the most popular deposit methods most SA bookies provide are PayPal, bank transfer options, and credit card and debit card options from popular providers like VISA and MasterCard.
The best method for depositing cash is essentially up to the individual and their financial circumstances and preferences. Any of these options will see the money be deposited into your account within a few hours at most.
Popular Withdrawal Methods
Withdrawing your funds should be fast and straightforward. Thankfully, many local bookmakers completely understand this and give their customers plenty of withdrawal methods to choose from should they require various options. Popular withdrawal methods include PayPal, VISA and MasterCard payments, and bank transfer options.
The best withdrawal method is probably either PayPal or card payment options, as the withdrawal time with these methods tends to be significantly lower than if you used bank transfer payment options.
Mobile Betting Sites and Apps
The world of online betting is continually changing and evolving. In recent years, online betting has shifted focus to a new platform: the mobile market. Mobile betting is often used now as many bettors' primary form of betting. It is because using a mobile device to bet with is incredibly easy, convenient, and comfortable.
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4.9
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100% up to u₿50000
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100% up to $600
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4.8
Up to $30 in Free Bets
T&Cs Apply
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The best mobile betting apps in South Africa tend to come from leading operators like Betway and Sportingbet. A betting app will let you continue your regular betting practices on the go, allowing for a much more convenient and less time-consuming experience.
Live Betting and Live Streaming
The best betting sites will offer additional betting features. These features can come in many forms, such as lotteries, virtual sports, or casino-based events. Still, the best other betting feature the bookmakers here use is live betting and live streaming services.
Live betting in South Africa is what many people would consider the pinnacle of the modern betting experience. Nothing matches the thrill of placing a bet on a live, in-play game or race and watching the event unfold through a live stream.
The Legality of Sports Betting in South Africa
The legality of sports betting, particularly online forms of sports gambling, has had a fairly tumultuous time. Since 1673, gambling has been heavily restricted. In 1965 the government allowed its citizens to bet on horse races but no other sports. By 1994, all gambling forms became legal, with institutionalized casino establishments popping up around the country.
Regarding the online betting landscape, it is generally considered legal across the board. However, each province within the country has a gambling agency that dictates whether a sportsbook can operate within its region. Once betting companies become fully licensed by the respective gambling authorities, they can accept local bettors. Unfortunately, even some of the leading betting sites around the world, like Bet365, are still not legally allowed to operate within here.
Local South African Bookmakers vs. Online Betting
Generally speaking, online betting is much more popular than visiting a local bookmaker brick-and-mortar store. Perhaps the biggest reason for this is convenience. Using an online betting site or app on your phone is much more comfortable than going out to your local store and waiting in line. Similarly, online betting is simply more accessible to the general public. An online bookie's informal and friendly setting is much more appealing to new bettors than a dingy old betting shop.
Responsible Gambling Organisations in South Africa
Here are a few global corporations and organizations that may offer aid and support if you are facing challenges with gambling in South Africa.
- GambleAware
- GamCare
- Gambling Therapy
- Gamblers Anonymous
- GamStop
- Net Nanny
- CYBERsitter
- GamBlock
- Qustodio
- Gamban
- Betfilter
How to Win at Betting in South Africa
While the South African betting market may be very accessible to newcomers, it is not necessarily easy. It will take a lot of practice for new bettors to learn how each online bookmaker works and how to make consistently successful bets. There are, however, a few strategies that can help out new players. The first of which is to know your sport inside out. Ideally, you should stick to one sports gambling option if you want to succeed truly.
You will need to know all about the sport's general trends, who usually wins, what teams are the best, what competitions will earn you the most, etc. You should also use the odds effectively and learn exactly when to place your bet and when you shouldn't.
Using Betting Tips and Predictions
Betting tips can be beneficial, especially for those not entirely knowledgeable about the subject they are betting on. In basic terms, a betting tip is when a third-party source predicts a particular event. This prediction is likely accurate as they know more about the subject than the betting site you are using.
For instance, if you were betting on football matches and News24 makes an informed prediction about a game. Still, your betting operator had that prediction at a lower chance; you could place a profitable bet by using the odds to your advantage.
Matched Betting
Matched betting in SA is a popular form of low-risk betting. Essentially, a bettor needs to use a site's promotional offers, mainly free bet offers, to ensure a winning bet. Bettors must place both a back and lay bet on the fixture, using a free bet for one of them. It ensures that one of the wagers is successful and guarantees a profit, as half of the stake has not cost the bettor any real money, only a free bet.
Betting Sites in Other Countries
Namibia 
Botswana 
South Sudan An Overview of Betting in South Africa
The section below acts as a summary of the betting landscape in South Africa. Many of the main talking points in this article have also been condensed into the list below:
- The country has 3 capital cities: Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein. Two of the largest cities are Johannesburg and Durban.
- Some of the most spoken languages include Afrikaans, Venda, English, and Swati.
- The official currency is Rand, but the £1 minimum deposit betting and US Dollars are also accepted.
- Some popular payment methods for online betting include PayPal, VISA cards, MasterCard, and bank transfer options
- Some of the most famous betting sites include Betway, Sportingbet, Betshezi, and Sunbet.
- Some of the most popular sports include cricket, football, and rugby.
- Significant sports competitions include the South African Athletics Championship, the Badminton Championship, and the Premier Division.
- Popular sports teams include the National Cricket Team, the National Rugby Union Team, the National Football Team, and the Cape Town Spurs.
- Some of the most well-known sports personalities include Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Quinton De Kock, and Kagiso Rabada.
Bottom Line
The South African betting market shows no sign of stopping anytime soon, with many sportsbook sites available to the betting public. If you are currently living here and looking for your next online betting experience, head to one of the sites recommended by our BetZillion bet hub today to get started.
Need a trusted bookie in South Africa?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is sports betting legal in South Africa?Generally speaking, sports betting is legal. Online forms of sports gambling require some additional legal documentation before they are allowed to operate here. If an online sportsbook wishes to work across the country, it must receive a gambling license from the province's gaming authorities. Once an operator has all of the necessary licenses, it can continue to operate throughout the country.
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Which betting site is the best in South Africa?There are plenty of betting sites to choose from for a bettor. The best local sites are Sunbet and Hollywoodbets. These operators come directly, giving bettors plenty of opportunities to bet on local and national sports events and teams. However, offshore betting sites are also popular, with Sportingbet and Betway being some of the best due to their great odds and additional betting features.
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How do sports betting work in South Africa?A bettor can access the whole world of online sports gambling. All they need to do is head to an online sportsbook of their choice, create an account with the operator, place a deposit and click on the “Sports Betting” tab on the website or app. From here, a range of sports betting odds and fixtures can be bet on. Successful wagers will award players with real cash for subsequent betting or cash out.
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Is Bet365 legal in South Africa?Currently, Bet365 is not legally accessible. The only way for a local bettor to access the site is via a VPN, which would be considered illegal.
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Is Hollywoodbets legal in South Africa?Currently, Hollywoodbets is completely legal for bettors. It can be expected as Hollywoodbets is an online sportsbook operator with its headquarters situated in the country itself.
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