Sports betting has become a popular pastime in many countries around the world, and South Africa is no exception. With a diverse range of sports and a passionate fan base, South Africa has a thriving sports betting industry that caters to a wide range of customers. In this article, we will take a closer look at eight of the top bookmakers in South Africa and what sets each one apart. Each of these eight bookmakers has something unique to offer sports bettors in South Africa, from established global brands to locally owned and operated bookmakers. So whether you’re a seasoned sports bettor or just getting started, read on to find out which bookmaker might best fit you.
First Look
- Betsafe.com: Best for Range of Sports and Markets
- Bet.co.za: Best for Live Betting
- Hollywoodbets: Best for Horse Racing
- William Hill: Best for International Sports
- YesPlay: Best for Lottery Betting
- 22Bet: Best for Esports
- Paripesa: Best for Virtual Sports
- Betwinner: Best for User Experience
Ranking Methodology – How We Chose the Top Online Bookmakers in South Africa
Fairness and Licensing – One of the key factors we considered when selecting the top online bookmakers in South Africa was licensing. We made sure that every bookmaker we included was fully licensed and authorized to operate in South Africa. We also verified that each bookmaker was committed to fairness and transparency.
Sports and Markets – Whether you’re a fan of rugby, cricket, soccer, or any other sport, each bookmaker on our list offers a variety of sports and markets to bet on. While some bookmakers specialize in specific sports, all of them have something for everyone.
Bonuses & Promos – We understand the importance of a good bonus or promotion when it comes to choosing a bookmaker. From welcome bonuses to daily specials, our selected bookmakers stand out when it comes to their promotions and loyalty programs.
Payment Methods – All of the online bookmakers we chose accept South African Rand (ZAR) and offer a variety of payment methods. This means that you have a great chance of finding a bookmaker that suits your preferences when it comes to sports, payment options, and promotions.
Best Online Bookmakers in South Africa Reviewed
Betsafe.com: Best for Range of Sports and Markets
Betsafe.com is a well-known and respected online bookmaker offering a wide range of sports and markets for customers to bet. Established in 2006, Betsafe.com has a strong presence in South Africa and is widely regarded as one of the top bookmakers in the country.
One of the main strengths of Betsafe.com is its range of sports and markets. Whether you’re a fan of soccer, rugby, cricket, basketball, or any other sport, Betsafe.com has something for everyone. In addition to popular sports, Betsafe.com also offers a variety of niche sports and markets, giving customers even more options to choose from.
Betsafe.com is also known for its competitive odds, which ensure that customers get the most value for their bets. The bookmaker is committed to offering fair and transparent odds, and customers can trust that they are getting a fair deal when they place a bet with Betsafe.com.
Another advantage of Betsafe.com is its user-friendly platform. The website is easy to navigate, and customers can quickly find the sports and markets they are interested in. The mobile app is also well-designed, making it easy to bet on the go.
In addition to its impressive range of sports and markets, Betsafe.com also offers a variety of promotions and bonuses to customers. From welcome bonuses to free bets, there are plenty of opportunities to boost your winnings with Betsafe.com.
Bet.co.za: Best for Live Betting
Bet.co.za is a leading South African bookmaker that specializes in live betting. The bookmaker has gained a reputation for its extensive range of in-play markets, making it a popular choice for sports bettors who enjoy live betting.
One of the main advantages of Bet.co.za is its live betting platform. The website and mobile app are designed to provide customers with a seamless live betting experience, allowing them to place bets quickly and easily while the game progresses. The live betting markets cover a wide range of sports, including soccer, rugby, cricket, and basketball.
Bet.co.za also offers competitive odds on its live betting markets, ensuring that customers get the best value for their bets. The bookmaker is committed to offering fair and transparent odds, and customers can trust that they are getting a fair deal when they place a live bet with Bet.co.za.
In addition to its live betting platform, Bet.co.za also offers a variety of pre-match betting options. Customers can choose from a wide range of sports and markets, including both popular and niche sports.
Bet.co.za is also known for its user-friendly platform. The website and mobile app are both well-designed, making it easy for customers to navigate and find the sports and markets they are interested in.
Finally, Bet.co.za offers customers a range of promotions and bonuses, including a generous welcome bonus for new customers. The bookmaker also has a loyalty program that rewards customers for their continued loyalty.
Hollywoodbets: Best for Horse Racing
Hollywoodbets is a well-known South African bookmaker that specializes in horse racing. With a strong focus on this sport, Hollywoodbets offers customers an extensive range of markets and betting options for horse racing events.
One of the main strengths of Hollywoodbets is its commitment to horse racing. The bookmaker offers betting on all major South African and international horse racing events, including the Durban July, the Sun Met, and the Kentucky Derby. Hollywoodbets also offers a variety of betting options for horse racing, from simple win bets to more complex exotic bets like trifectas and superfectas.
In addition to its focus on horse racing, Hollywoodbets also offers a variety of other sports and markets. Customers can bet on popular sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket, as well as niche sports like darts and snooker.
Hollywoodbets is also committed to social responsibility and supports various charitable initiatives. The bookmaker has a strong reputation for its community involvement, and customers can feel good about betting with a company that gives back to the community.
Another advantage of Hollywoodbets is its user-friendly platform. The website and mobile app are both designed to be easy to use and navigate, making it simple for customers to find the sports and markets they are interested in.
Finally, Hollywoodbets offers a variety of promotions and bonuses to customers. From welcome bonuses to daily specials, there are plenty of opportunities to boost your winnings with Hollywoodbets.
William Hill: Best for International Sports
William Hill is a well-known UK-based bookmaker that has a strong presence in South Africa. One of the main advantages of William Hill is its focus on international sports, offering customers a variety of markets and betting options for sports events around the world.
One of the main strengths of William Hill is its extensive range of sports and markets. Whether you’re a fan of American football, basketball, tennis, or any other international sport, William Hill has something for everyone. The bookmaker also offers a variety of markets and betting options for each sport, including live betting and exotic bets.
In addition to its focus on international sports, William Hill also offers to bet on South African sports like cricket, rugby, and soccer. This makes it an excellent choice for customers interested in international and local sports.
William Hill is also known for its generous promotions and bonuses. From welcome bonuses to daily specials, the bookmaker offers plenty of opportunities for customers to boost their winnings.
Another advantage of William Hill is its user-friendly platform. The website and mobile app are both well-designed, making it easy for customers to navigate and find the sports and markets they are interested in.
Finally, William Hill is committed to responsible gambling and offers a variety of tools and resources to help customers gamble safely and responsibly.
YesPlay: Best for Lottery Betting
YesPlay is a unique bookmaker that specializes in lottery betting. This innovative bookmaker allows customers to bet on the outcome of various international lotteries, making it a popular choice for lottery enthusiasts in South Africa.
One of the main strengths of YesPlay is its range of lotteries. The bookmaker offers betting on a variety of international lotteries, including the US Powerball, EuroMillions, and Mega Millions, among others. Customers can choose from a variety of betting options, including predicting the winning numbers, the bonus ball, and more.
YesPlay is fully licensed and regulated in South Africa, ensuring that customers can trust that their bets are safe and secure. The bookmaker is also committed to responsible gambling and offers a variety of tools and resources to help customers gamble safely and responsibly.
In addition to its focus on lottery betting, YesPlay also offers a variety of other sports and markets. Customers can bet on popular sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket, as well as niche sports like table tennis and eSports.
YesPlay is also known for its user-friendly platform. The website and mobile app are both well-designed and easy to use, making it simple for customers to find the lotteries and sports they are interested in.
Finally, YesPlay offers a variety of promotions and bonuses to customers. From welcome bonuses to free bets, there are plenty of opportunities to boost your winnings with YesPlay.
22Bet: Best for Esports
22Bet is a popular online bookmaker that has gained a reputation for its focus on esports. The bookmaker offers a wide range of esports betting options, making it a popular choice for gamers and esports enthusiasts in South Africa.
One of the main strengths of 22Bet is its extensive range of esports markets. The bookmaker covers all major esports events, including League of Legends, Dota 2, CS:GO, and Overwatch. Customers can choose from a variety of betting options, including match winner, map winner, and more.
In addition to its focus on esports, 22Bet also offers a variety of other sports and markets. Customers can bet on popular sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket, as well as niche sports like handball and futsal.
22Bet is also known for its competitive odds, ensuring customers get the best bet value. The bookmaker is committed to offering fair and transparent odds, and customers can trust that they are getting a fair deal when they place a bet with 22Bet.
Another advantage of 22Bet is its user-friendly platform. The website and mobile app are both well-designed, making it easy for customers to navigate and find the sports and markets they are interested in.
Finally, 22Bet offers a variety of promotions and bonuses to customers. From welcome bonuses to free bets, there are plenty of opportunities to boost your winnings with 22Bet.
Paripesa: Best for Virtual Sports
Paripesa is a popular online bookmaker that specializes in virtual sports betting. With a focus on virtual sports, Paripesa offers customers a variety of markets and betting options for simulated sports events.
One of the main strengths of Paripesa is its range of virtual sports markets. The bookmaker covers all major virtual sports events, including football, basketball, horse racing, and dog racing, among others. Customers can choose from a variety of betting options, including match winner, total goals, and more.
In addition to its focus on virtual sports, Paripesa also offers a variety of other sports and markets. Customers can bet on popular sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket, as well as niche sports like beach volleyball and handball.
Paripesa is also known for its competitive odds, ensuring that customers get the best value for their bets. The bookmaker is committed to offering fair and transparent odds, and customers can trust that they are getting a fair deal when they place a bet with Paripesa.
Another advantage of Paripesa is its user-friendly platform. The website and mobile app are both well-designed, making it easy for customers to navigate and find the sports and markets they are interested in.
Finally, Paripesa offers a variety of promotions and bonuses to customers. From welcome bonuses to free bets, there are plenty of opportunities to boost your winnings with Paripesa.
Betwinner: Best for User Experience
Betwinner is a popular online bookmaker that offers a great user experience to its customers. The bookmaker is known for its easy-to-use platform, wide range of sports and markets, and competitive odds, making it a top choice for sports bettors in South Africa.
One of the main strengths of Betwinner is its user-friendly platform. The website and mobile app are both well-designed and easy to navigate, making it simple for customers to find the sports and markets they are interested in. The platform is also available in multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans, which makes it accessible to a wider range of customers.
Another advantage of Betwinner is its extensive range of sports and markets. Whether you’re a fan of soccer, rugby, cricket, basketball, or any other sport, Betwinner has something for everyone. The bookmaker also offers a variety of niche sports and markets, giving customers even more options to choose from.
Betwinner is also committed to offering competitive odds, ensuring that customers get the best value for their bets. The bookmaker is known for its fair and transparent odds, and customers can trust that they are getting a fair deal when they place a bet with Betwinner.
In addition to its great user experience, Betwinner offers customers various promotions and bonuses. From welcome bonuses to daily specials, there are plenty of opportunities to boost your winnings with Betwinner.
Finally, Betwinner is committed to responsible gambling and offers a variety of tools and resources to help customers gamble safely and responsibly.
Best Indian Online Online Bookmakers in South Africa: FAQ
Is sports betting legal in South Africa?
Yes, sports betting is legal in South Africa as long as it is done through a licensed bookmaker.
How do I choose a bookmaker?
When choosing a bookmaker, it’s important to consider factors such as the range of sports and markets offered, competitive odds, user experience, promotions and bonuses, and commitment to responsible gambling.
How do I deposit and withdraw money from my account?
Most bookmakers in South Africa offer a variety of payment options, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets. Withdrawals are usually processed within a few days.
What types of bets can I place?
You can place various bets on sports events, including match winner, over/under, handicap, and more. Some bookmakers also offer exotic bets, such as accumulators and system bets.
How do I know if I’m gambling responsibly?
It’s important to set a budget for your gambling activities and stick to it. You can also use tools and resources provided by bookmakers, such as self-exclusion and deposit limits, to help you gamble responsibly. If you feel like your gambling is becoming a problem, seek help from a professional.