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Online Casinos South Africa

Introduction to Online Casinos South Africa

Gambling in South Africa has always been an arguable topic. Since the 17th century, gambling has been prohibited, driving most gamblers to underground, illegal establishments. The government has seen various changes in the legislation, but mainly, online gambling is illegal in South Africa.


The country has a rich sports betting culture, with hundreds of thousands of sports fans following rugby, football and horse racing, among other popular sports. Therefore, sports betting has a special place in this country’s day-to-day life and is not strictly regulated. According to the latest laws, bookmakers can legally operate in South Africa if they adhere to rules and regulations and pay hefty taxes.

Is it legal to play casino games in South Africa?

Sadly, there is no simple answer to this question.

South Africa’s Gambling Act of 1965 officially banned all forms of gambling. Horse racing was an exception, considered a sporting activity at that time. Further legislation improved this Act, and in 1994, land-based casinos were legalized. The Act of 1994 also marked the legalization of the first national lottery and defined horse racing as a gambling activity. Considering that up to that point, approximately 2000 casinos were working illegally, it was a significant improvement that allowed gamblers to enjoy legal gaming in safe and regulated establishments.


Today, there are nine provinces in South Africa. Bookmakers must obtain a license from one of the provinces to legally cater to players. As for the online casino players, the situation is much more difficult. Despite the ongoing discussions on the possible legalization of online casinos in South Africa, for the moment, online casinos are illegal. All individuals, sites, and banks providing payment solutions to casinos can receive massive fines and actual jail time. This rule also applies to mass media channels advertising online casino gaming in this country.


That said, South Africa is the largest gaming market on the African Continent.

Legal Factors


Many factors contribute to the issue of enforcing strict rules in this country. According to the National Gambling Board (NGB), South Africans cannot gamble at international casinos from within the country.
The main challenges of the gambling industry in South Africa lie in a lack of a coordinated system and a deficient regulatory framework. This leads to many online operators catering to the public while licensed elsewhere. Additionally, technological advancements have created grey areas within the existing legal frameworks.


In other words, the laws cannot be adequately enforced nationwide. This means that, for now, gamblers in South Africa can access locally licensed and international online casinos offering a full range of casino games and sports betting opportunities. They can enjoy the same array of options as players from other countries, where gambling is not as strictly prohibited.

Popular Games in Online Casinos South Africa

According to recent studies, 97% of South Africans participate in the national lottery, and almost 30% of the population plays slots regularly. These impressive numbers are followed by fans of scratchcards (22,7%), charity jackpots, horse racing betting and others. In fact, only 8% of the population seems to be indifferent and does not participate in any gambling activity on a regular basis.


While gambling here is risky, the online gaming market in South Africa is booming. With a wide choice of innovative, trustworthy, and absolutely amazing online casino sites, South Africans can afford to be picky when choosing a gaming destination.


Furthermore, the market is constantly expanding, with big names like Play’n’Go, Microgaming and Pragmatic Play entertaining players with a wide range of high-quality games.

Payment Methods at Online Casinos South Africa

Given the strict rules concerning online gambling activities, the most popular payment methods at casino sites are those used internationally. Nevertheless, players can see options like Easy EFT, one of South Africa’s most popular online payment solutions, at many online betting sites.


Players can take advantage of instant crypto and e-wallet payments, such as ecoPayz, Skrill, and Neteller, which offer various benefits, including fast transactions, multiple currency support, and secure and convenient mobile payments.


Visa and MasterCard are the leading card payment solutions worldwide. Online casinos in South Africa accept both of these cards, offering safe and handy payments to and from players’ bank accounts.


While not as fast as other payment methods, Wire Transfers are still extremely popular, mainly because of their security and high transaction limits.


Approximately 71% of South African players use their handheld devices to Gamble. With the growing popularity of mobile casino games, the pay-by-phone option has become increasingly popular. This is mainly due to low deposit limits and fairly quick transactions.

Promotions

Promotions are one of the most appealing factors of online casinos in general. After all, you can’t receive thousands of welcome bonuses in a land-based casino. Therefore, South African players can take advantage of many great deals and maximize their gaming sessions by using bonus funds to play games and win.

Deposit and Welcome Bonus

A very popular promotion at most online casinos worldwide. Many sites offer a standard 100% match bonus, with a couple of exceptions when casinos greet newcomers with bonuses as large as 400% or more. These offers sometimes come with extra Free Spins for players to enjoy a broad range of games during their first sessions.

No Deposit Bonus

It is given as a trial run, with the hope that players will like the casino, return, and make it their favourite gaming destination. No Deposit Bonus is one of the most appealing bonuses, as it does not require any investment from the player’s side. Casinos usually grant it as a reward for registering and verifying the newly registered account.

Vip and Loyalty Benefits

Being a VIP member of certain online casinos can be a game-changer. Many sites treat their loyal players like royalty and offer plenty of incentives and rewards to make their gaming sessions special.

Cashback

If it is not your lucky day, cashback offers are a great chance to recoup some of your losses. Casinos usually offer 5-20% cashback weekly, with some exceptions where players can receive some of their money back daily.

Responsible Gambling in South Africa 

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, or SARGF, provides treatment and counselling to those affected by problem gambling and their immediate family members. It has been the primary overseer of Responsible Gaming practices in the country for the last twenty years. SARGF also provides comprehensive and free counselling and treatment to everyone concerned about the extent of their gambling habits.


It also partners with all the leading regulatory bodies in South Africa, including NGB, the Department of Trade and Industry, and various gambling boards in local provinces. SARGF aims to provide the best possible treatment, outreach programs and training opportunities.

Final Thoughts of Online Casinos South Africa

Players in South Africa can take advantage of many opportunities for excellent online casino entertainment. Even though this country’s online gambling industry is strictly regulated, sports bettors have nearly countless options to enjoy safe and legal bookmakers. Casino enthusiasts can indulge in many international casinos that provide safe, high-quality games. In this section, you’ll find games for every taste and preference. So browse, choose the site that appeals most, and make sure to take a look at our reviews for comprehensive information on various topics. Enjoy, and we wish you the best of luck!

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