South African Online Casinos

South Africa is home to 39 land-based casinos and has a thriving gambling market. It’s also one of the most strictly regulated markets on the continent.

There are different rules for online gambling and land-based gambling. There’s also a clear division between occasional gamblers from professional ones.

Despite somewhat dismaying laws concerning gambling, South Africa is still one of the largest markets for eGaming worldwide. Gambling laws can be tricky for the unadvised in South Africa. That’s why we’ve elaborated a comprehensive review on the best casinos in South Africa.

South African Casinos
South African Casinos

Best Online Casinos in South Africa

Welcome bonus

100% Match Bonus, Free Spins, Cashback, and more...

Highlights

  • Diverse game library
  • Plenty of bonus offers available
  • Fast payouts
Nomini Casino Review

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan not accepted country flag

Read review
1

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

bizzocasino.com

€400 + 150 Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

2
woocasino.com

€200 + 200 Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

3
nationalcasino.com

€100 + 100 Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

4
neon54.com

up to €1000 Welcome Bonus, Cashback, Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

5
playamo.com

100% up to $/€100 + 100 Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

6
slotspalace.com

€1000 Welcome package

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

7

How to choose the right online casino?

Know what you want
1

Set Your Goals

It’s much easier to find what you want when you know what you’re looking for. Before starting your search, consider what you’d expect from a great online casino. Your priorities can lead you to different places if you’re looking for the best bonuses, or for the best gaming options.

Best rated casinos
2

Shop for the Best

The first option you stumble upon may not be the best one available. Spend some time in research, reading reviews, visiting websites, comparing sign-up bonuses, payment methods, and providers.

Find your casino
3

See It for Yourself

Visiting online casinos is the best way to learn about bonuses and other options. Try navigating on the website, test its search engine, and read about bonus schemes. Talk to the live support, whenever there’s any available.

Mobile Casino Bonuses
4

Free Stuff!

Some casinos offer demo games on their platforms, so players can have an idea of the real deal. Other casinos go further and offer no-deposit bonuses, which are basically free cash. Those offers are understandably much smaller than normal welcome offers, but let you have a full experience of the casino.

Sign up at multiple casinos
5

Diversity Is the Key

Even if you already have a favourite casino, give the other ones a chance. Some casinos are better for certain kinds of games, while others have better payment methods, etc. Signing up to multiple casinos allows you to enjoy the best of each.

E-wallet
6

Mind Your Wallet

Regardless of your choice, an efficient banking system should be among your top priorities. It means choosing a casino with varied banking methods, fast withdrawals, and preferably, no fees.

Best 3 Casinos in South Africa Reviewed

There are only too many online casinos out there, but not all of them deserve your attention. Check our short review on the best online casinos for South Africans at the moment.

CasinoYear Payment OptionsWithdrawals
Genesis2018SwiffyEft, Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, Jeton, Astropay, Bank TransfersFastest: Instant

Slowest: five business days

Mansion2003Debit/Credit Cards, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfers, PayPal, Paysafecard, Instant Payments by Citadel, ecoPayz, Web Money, BitcoinFastest: 24 hours

Slowest: five business days

Casino.com2007Paypal, Boku, Skrill, Sofort, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Bank transfer, citadel instant payments, neteller, ecoPayz, Paysafecard, MuchbetterUp to three business days

Reviews of the 3 best ZA casinos

Review by: Gerry

Updated: 28-05-2024

Rabidi N.V. knows no boundaries. Neon54, one of their flagship brands, is available in SA. It offers South Africans a fun and playful gaming environment, featuring an extensive games catalog of over 4000 titles. Most are slots, but other game types, like table games and live games, are available.

Neon 54 Casino Mobile Version

Shifting our focus to the payment section, South African casino enthusiasts are served multiple banking solutions. Among these are well-known processors like Visa, Mastercard, and bank transfers. Bitcoin and Litecoin are also acceptable.

The minimum amount you can deposit or withdraw here is ZAR 200. The maximum (for deposits) is not specified, while for withdrawals is ZAR 203,500 monthly

Neon54 Casino is owned and operated by Rabidi N.V. It, therefore, holds a valid Curacao gambling license. What’s more, our thorough background checks couldn’t link it to fraudulent dealings. So, it is reputable. Even better, it is available in numerous dialects, including English, making it easy for South Africans.

Neon54 Casino Welcome bonus

up to €1000 Welcome Bonus, Cashback, Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2021

License:

Curacao

Webiste::

neon54.com

Highlights

  • Huge game library
  • Many promotions and a VIP club
Read review
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan not accepted country flag

1

Review by: Gerry

Updated: 14-05-2024

From TechSolutions Group N.V., Bizzo also ranks high among South African players. It hosts over 3000 games. Talk of slots, table games, and live games. Most are available for instant play and often feature a demo version. As such, players can always play for fun as they learn the ropes.

Promotions at Bizzo Casino

A glimpse at Bizzo’s payment section shows over 10 banking solutions available for South Africans. Among them are well-known choices like Visa, Mastercard, PaySafeCard, and Bitcoin.

The minimum deposit or withdrawal amount here is ZAR 200. This is quite low, thus convenient for most players. Consequently, you cannot withdraw any amount above ZAR 81,400 daily.

Bizzo is legit, holding a valid Curacao gambling license. Furthermore, it utilizes SSL encryption technology to shield players’ data during transactions. As such, it maintains a safe gambling environment for all South African players.

Lastly, the site is available in English, thus resonating much with South African players.

Bizzo Casino Welcome bonus

€400 + 150 Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2021

License:

Curacao

Webiste::

bizzocasino.com

Highlights

  • Fast payouts
  • VIP club
  • High withdrawal limits
PLAY NOW
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan accepted country flag

2

Review by: Stan

Updated: 14-05-2024

Also available in South Africa is Hellspin from TechOptions B.V. This casino hosts an extensive portfolio of over 3000 titles. Slots are the majority, while classics like blackjack and roulette occupy a notable percentage of this collection. The choices are endless, and the excitement is through the roof.

Slots and Casino games at Hell Spin casino

The casino accepts multiple payment gateways. Notable options here resonating with most South African players include Visa, Skrill, Bitcoin, and many others.

The least amount you can use to start your gaming adventure here is ZAR 200. The maximum is not specified. For withdrawals, you cannot cash out below ZAR 200 or exceed ZAR 1,017,524 monthly.

Concerned about licensing? Hellspin Casino is licensed in Curacao. Furthermore, it utilizes SSL technologies to encrypt players’ sensitive data during transactions. As such, security here is enhanced, thus creating a safe gambling environment for South African players.

Hell Spin Casino Welcome bonus

€400 + 150 Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2022

License:

Curacao

Webiste::

HellSpin.com

Highlights

  • Hell good games
  • 2022 Launched casino
  • Fast payouts
PLAY NOW
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan accepted country flag

3

Review by: Pettie

Updated: 16-05-2024

This Rabidi-owned online casino is out here, serving amazing gambling experiences to players globally, including South Africans. In its game library, Nomini Casino hosts over 4,000 titles. These are games of different genres and categories. Talk of slots, table games, scratchcards, and live games.

Nomini-website-review

The banking section features diverse payment options suitable to most South African players. Among these are Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and bank transfers.

The least amount you can deposit is ZAR 200, while the maximum isn’t specified. The least amount you can transact for withdrawals will often depend on your VIP status level. However, you cannot exceed the ZAR 203,504 monthly limit.

Nomini Casino is licensed in Curacao as well. Also, it has adequate security measures on its platform, ensuring a safe gaming environment for all players. Our thorough background checks couldn’t link it with fraudulent dealings either. So, it is definitely a reliable and reputable casino.

Nomini Casino Welcome bonus

100% Match Bonus, Free Spins, Cashback, and more...

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2019

License:

Curacao

Webiste::

nomini.com

Highlights

  • Diverse game library
  • Plenty of bonus offers available
  • Fast payouts
PLAY NOW
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan accepted country flag

4

Review by: Maria

Updated: 30-05-2024

50 Crowns also accepts South African players. It is available in English, which is convenient for most South African players. To make it more convenient, the casino accepts diverse payment methods, resonating with most South African players.

50 Crowns Casino Mobile Version

Among these are notable options like Visa, Skrill, Mastercard, Bitcoin, and many others. The least amount you can deposit here is ZAR 400. The maximum per transaction is ZAR 81401. Keep in mind that depositing in 50 Crown Casino is free. On withdrawals, you cannot cash out any amount below ZAR 400 or exceed the ZAR 152600 weekly limit.

At its heart, the gambling site boasts an extensive portfolio of over 4000 titles. Most are slots, although there are other popular game types like table games and live games. They are available for instant play and often feature a demo version(except live games).

50 Crowns Casino holds a valid Curacao gaming license. Also, it uses advanced encryption technologies to shield players’ data during transactions. This, in turn, makes it a safe gambling space for all South Africans.

50 Crowns Casino Welcome bonus

AU$3500 + 100 Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2023

License:

Curacao

Webiste::

www.50crowns.com

Highlights

  • Lucrative Bonuses
  • More than 4000 games
  • 24/7 Live Chat
PLAY NOW
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan accepted country flag

5

Review by: Pettie

Updated: 25-10-2023

Casino.com is another successful platform managed by Mansion Online Casino Limited, launched in 2007. It’s licensed by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, UK Gambling Commission, and an eCOGRA certificate. These credentials are enough to put Casino.com’s trustworthiness beyond any doubt.

Casino.com South Africa

Casino.com is one of the most well-know online casinos in South Africa.

Slots make the largest part of the list, with 1,038 titles. This casino offers over 1,400 games, including a plethora of blackjack rooms (41 rooms), and all other casino classics. This casino promotes regular tournaments for blackjack and slots. Poker, baccarat, and roulette weren’t left behind either, and there’s a decent variety of each to choose from.

Additionally, it has a partnership with IBAS (Independent Betting Adjudication Service). IBAS provides unbiased solutions for disputes between casinos and gamblers. The whole casino is protected by an SSL encryption system, which means it’s completely safe from any kind of cyber-attack.

It supports 13 payment methods, including MuchBetter, Citadel, and Boku. E-wallets make the fastest withdrawals, but the waiting time isn’t long for the other methods anyway: between one and three business days. Customer services are constantly at reach, via phone, live chat, and email.

Casino.com Welcome bonus

100% up to $1000 + 200 spins!

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2008

License:

Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, UKGC

Webiste::

Casino.com

Highlights

  • Respected online casino brand
  • Superior quality games
  • Bonuses come in all shapes and sizes
Read review
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan not accepted country flag

6

Review by: Pettie

Updated: 25-10-2023

Mansion Casino was established in 2003, which means it’s one of the oldest online casinos around. Yet, it hasn’t stopped in time. It holds a license from the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, plus an eCOGRA certificate.

Mansion Casino South Africa

Mansion casino offers great variety of slots and sport betting options.

Additionally, this casino is using RSA-128 encryption, guaranteeing your safety during your gaming sessions. The RNG (Random Number Generator) system is frequently tested so that the outcome of games is always fair.

Its gaming menu offers about 800 games and more than 700 slots titles. Yet, there’s space for 40 live games powered by Playtech, including three live poker rooms, and ten live blackjack rooms. Other attractions on the live dealer section include roulette and baccarat. Mansion Casino works with nine software providers, including NetEnt, iSoftBet, and Play’n Go.

Mansion accepts a wide array of payment methods, from the most traditional ones to Bitcoins. Withdrawals via WebMoney are instant, but it can take 24 hours for e-wallets. The remaining methods must wait between one and five business days for the payout.

Live support is available by phone and chat, and there’s also an email. It supports 13 languages, including English, German, French, Italian, and Portuguese. This casino is completely mobile-friendly, and even offers exclusive bonuses to promote mobile gambling.

Mansion Casino Welcome bonus

100% up to €500

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2003

License:

Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, UKGC

Webiste::

Mansioncasino.com

Highlights

  • Many years of industry experience
  • Hand-picked games
  • Sleek interface
Read review
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan not accepted country flag

7

Review by: Pettie

Updated: 30-05-2024

Genesis Online Casino was launched in 2018, but the company that operates it is much older. The Genesis Limited Group has been in the casino market since 1911. With its eye-catching space theme, this casino has over 1,300 games and over 100 slots. There are 11 providers, including iSoftBet and NetEnt.

Genesis casino South African bonus

Genesis Casino welcomes South African players with R15k + 300 FS in bonus.

Genesis Casino holds some of the best licences and certificates in the market: Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and eCOGRA. While MGA is one of the most demanding jurisdictions for online casinos, the eCOGRA guarantees Fairplay practises. It goes to say that this casino is absolutely trustworthy.

The banking department is quite efficient, processing deposits and withdrawals quickly and free of charge for most options. Genesis Casino offers 14 banking options, comprising the major debit and credit cards, e-wallets, and SwiffyEft.

There are five options for instant withdrawals: Zimpler, iDeal, Euteller, Entercash, and Boku. Other e-wallets take up to 24 hours, while credit and debit cards can take up to five days.

The platform is available in six languages: English, Spanish, German, Swedish, Finnish, and Norwegian. Customer services are available by phone and email. This casino doesn’t have an exclusive app, but it runs perfectly on any browser, on any mobile device.

Genesis Casino Welcome bonus

€1000 + 300 Free Spins

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Online since:

2018

License:

MGA, UKGC

Webiste::

Genesiscasino.com

Highlights

  • Flawless mobile compatibility
  • Diverse game selection
  • Attractive welcome bonus
Read review
 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan accepted country flag

8

New Online Casinos in South Africa

Online casinos are prohibited in South Africa, by the National Gambling Act, which means that no online casino, local or foreign, is allowed to cater to the South African audience. Still, many offshore casinos welcome South African players, offering convenient payment methods, and above all, discretion.

We’ve reviewed three fantastic casinos for South African gamblers. Those casinos are licensed in the most demanding jurisdictions and are completely safe to play. Still, such restrictive laws aren’t really appealing to casino operators. It explains why this market is less dynamic in South Africa than in gamble-friendlier countries.

New online casinos accepting players from South Africa
#Casino nameBonusLaunchedMin. DepositVisit casino
1PureBets Casino125% up to €125 + 25 Free Spins2024€10 Read review
2SlotCloud CasinoUp to 7000 Free Spins With 0 Wager2024€20 Read review
3SlotWish CasinoMany Promotions to Follow2024€20 Read review
4DiceWise CasinoMany Promotions to Follow2024€20 Read review
5Vauhdikas Casino100% Up to €500 + 100 Free Spins2023€15 Read review

Most Popular Slots in South Africa

Check below the games that South African gamblers have been playing the most. Some of them came from land-based casinos, but all of them are completely compatible with mobile devices. Here, you’ll find a short review of each game.

Slot NameProviderYearRTPVolatilityMax Win
88 FortunesSG Gaming201696.27%Low500x
Wild PandAristocrat201594.36%Medium2,000x
China ShoresKonami201596.1%High300,000x
Lions ShareMicrogaming201295.05%HIgh8,000
StarburstNetEnt201296.09%Low500x

88 Fortunes – SG Gaming

Enjoy an Eastern Asian adventure full of mystery and, of course, gold. 88 Fortunes has a 5×3, 243 ways to win, and an RTP rate of 96.27%. It also has four different jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand Jackpot. The maximum win is 500x your initial wager. Bets range between 88c and ZAR 88.

The game is full of symbols related to Chinese culture painted in gold over a red background. The soundtrack is very pleasing and really sounds like Chinese folkish tunes. Symbols include playing cards from Nine to Ace, golden coins, golden ships, a turtle, and a figurine, plus a Scatter (a gong) and a Wild (a fu-bat).

The Fu-Bat Jackpot Feature is randomly triggered when more Wilds come into play. Wilds also add coins to your Coin Pot; the more cash in the pot, the higher are the chances of triggering a progressive jackpot. There are also free spins, which four or more Scatters award. During the free spins, you can trigger the Picker feature.

Wild Panda - Aristocrat

Wild Panda – Aristocrat

Have you ever come across somebody who hates pandas? Probably not, we’d guess. Pandas are adorable and also make great slots games. In this game, you’ll get to join them in their natural habitat: a bamboo forest. The game runs on a 5×4 grid, has 100 paylines, and has an RTP rate of 94.36%. Lucky winners score 2,000x their initial bets. Bets range between 1c and ZAR 1.

There are seven special symbols and playing cards from Nine to Ace. The letters P, A, N, and D may appear randomly on those cards. When the word PANDA is formed on the grid, you open the Free Spins round. If you get five pandas during the free spins, your winnings are multiplied by 2,000x. Four or three pandas multiply your bet by 1,000 and 500x, respectively.

China Shores - Konami

China Shores – Konami

Here’s another great option for panda lovers. China Shores, developed by one of the most traditional gaming studios, is ready to take you to China once again. This game goes on a regular 5×3 grid, with 30 paylines, an RTP rate of 96.1%, and a maximum win of 300,000x the initial bet. Bets go from 30c all the way up to ZAR 150.

Symbols include playing cards from Nine to Ace, plus five special symbols. These are the usual Ying Yang, teapot, golden tortoise, a lamp, and of course, a panda. Additionally, this game counts with Action $tacked Symbols, a feature that assigns different adjacent positions for each reel.

Free spins are triggered by the Ying Yang (scatter) symbol when they land in combinations of three or more. During this feature, you can opt out and bring your winnings with you, clicking on the Balance of Fortune. This option is only available when you still have 20 or more free spins remaining. A panda represents the Wild symbol.

Lions Share - Microgaming

Lions Share – Microgaming

This exciting Microgaming title has the African Savannah as a background for Lions Share. The graphics look somehow like the old arcade games, and the gameplay is simple enough for beginners to enjoy. The game has a classic 3×3 grid with only one payline, an RTP of 95.05%, and a top prize of 8,000x. Bets range between 25c and ZAR 5

The simple gameplay is also reflected in the number of symbols available. There are only cherries, bar signs of three different sizes, and a lion’s head, which is a special symbol. A combination of lions’ heads awards jackpots of 2,000x, 4,000x, and 8,000. This game can be considered a high volatility title and favors the bold in its gameplay. The higher the bets, the higher are the winning chances.

Starburst - NetEnt

Starburst – NetEnt

This timeless classic by NetEnt keeps making new fans around the world since 2012. It’s an outer space-themed game, with incredibly colourful graphics and pleasing sound effects. The game runs on a standard 5×3 grid, ten paylines, and an RTP rate of 96.09%. Bets range between 10c and ZAR 100. The best combination awards 500x the original stake.

This game has a sort of Bejewelled feel to it, as almost all the symbols are gems, spinning on a deep-blue background. The exceptions are the special Bar Sphere and 7 Sphere symbols. NetEnt kept things simple for this title and there’s only one special feature available awards free spins and re-spins.  Last year, NetEnt released a revamped version of this game, Starburst  XXXtreme, where players can win up to 200,000x.

Try before you deposit. Play 1000+ Free slots

Find hundreds of slots available for free play.

Other Popular Casino Games in South Africa

Land-based casinos have already been allowed in South Africa for more than 50 years. During this time, South Africans developed a taste for the casino classics. Check below for a short description of the most played casino games in the country.

  • Blackjack: South Africans love blackjack, and it’s definitely one of the favourite options for casino-goers. It’s also known as 21 or Vingt-Un.
  • Poker: Poker is a mandatory game in any casino, land-based or otherwise. This game is also immensely popular in South Africa. Texas Hold’em and Omaha are still the most played versions of this game, but there are many others.
  • Roulette: No other game is more associated with casinos than roulette. It’s been there since Renaissance times, and South Africans love every variation of it.
  • Baccarat: Baccarat is another French card game that can’t go missing in any casino.
  • Keno: Keno is a Chinese game that works very similarly to bingo. There are tickets with numbers on them, from 1 to 80.
  • Video Poker: Video poker games are widely popular among casino-goers. It’s based on Draw Poker, using five cards. There are many different kinds of video poker, like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.

Best live dealer casinos accepting players from South Africa:

  1. Kassu
  2. Casino Gods
  3. Woo Casino

South African Sports Betting Sites

Sports Betting South AfricaOnline sports betting is an exception to the prohibition on online gambling. However, online sportsbooks must be licensed by the National Gaming Board. There are over 30 online sportsbooks operating legally in the country, offering an incredible variety of betting lines.

There are no restrictions on what kind of betting lines or sports should be available. So, punters can enjoy a quite decent variety of options here. The most popular sports for betting are football, followed by table tennis, tennis, rugby, and cricket.

These sportsbooks are also allowed to provide eSports betting. It’s great news for those craving a game during the off-season. Sports betting makes 24% of the country’s annual gambling revenue.

The sports betting market enjoys a much more favourable situation in terms of legislation. By consequence, it’s also a much more developed one. Many of them have dedicated apps for mobile devices, although all of them are mobile-friendly.

Here are some completely licensed sports betting sites for a safe betting experience:

Welcome bonus

€120 + 120 Free Spins

Highlights

  • Amazing variety of gaming activities
  • Very good bonus conditions
  • Outstanding customer service 24/7
20Bet Casino Review

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

 Japan online casinos

Players from Japan accepted country flag

PLAY NOW
1

18+ | New Players Only | T&C Apply

Most Popular Casino Deposit Methods in South Africa

Boku

Boku

Boku is one of the most famous mobile payment methods worldwide, and it’s accepted by over 50 countries. It’s an increasingly popular payment method for online casinos due to its convenience. Boku allows players to top their bankrolls and pay for them on their next phone bills.

Players love it because they can start playing without cash. Deposits with Boku have typically low limits, which is perfect for occasional gamblers. Naturally, it can’t be used as a withdrawal method.

PayFast

PayFast

PayFast is a South African online payment provider established in Cape Town in 2007. It helps online retailers and consumers have a safer shopping experience. There’s a variety of payment methods that can be used via PayFast, like Mastercard, Bitcoin, Mobicred, and more.

PayFast processes payments instantly, differing from traditional e-wallets in that sense. It’s a perfect payment method for swift deposits and withdrawals for online gamblers. Operations aren’t free, though. There aren’t monthly fees, but every successful transaction pays a small fee.

Crypto currencies

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptos are a trendy payment method for online transactions in South Africa. Cryptos are legal but are regulated by the government. A new series of restrictions were imposed by the government last year to prevent financial crimes.

Gambling with cryptos isn’t prohibited, as long as it’s done in one of the licensed land-based gambling venues across the country. Online gambling is completely banned, making it illegal to gamble with cryptos.

Best crypto casinos in South Africa:

  1. Wild Coins – 3.50 BTC Bonus
  2. TrueFlip.io – 10% Cashback
  3. Golden Crown – $10k and 100Free Spins
  4. Playamo – €300 + 150
  5. LTC Casino – No bonus

Read our crypto currency gambling guide

Moneybookers (Skrill)

Moneybookers (Skrill)

Skrill is a leading e-wallet in the global market. It operates with 35 currencies in dozens of countries. It’s one of the most used methods to send money abroad or make deposits on offshore banks.

E-wallets are very popular among online gamblers because they typically allow fast and free operations. Through Skrill, it’s also possible to move cash into crypto accounts. This company has been in operation for 20 years already.

Visa payments

Visa/Mastercard

Visa and Mastercard are the most used credit and debit cards worldwide, hands down. It’s accepted in more than 200 countries, and it would be easier to list the places that don’t accept them than those that do.

Last year, Visa announced a partnership with Crypto.com to create a debit card for crypto accounts. Mastercard has partnered with Bitkub, CoinJar, to create prepaid, debit, and credit cards for cryptos.

Gambling Regulator in South Africa

NGB South africaThe National Gaming Board  is responsible for regulating and overseeing all gambling activities in the country. The National Gambling Board was established by the National Gambling Act in 2004 and worked along with all Provincial Gaming Boards.

The NGB also appoints authorised bookmakers for online betting and makes a strong case against online gambling on their page. There, it says that other forms of online gambling are illegal, and the bank could confiscate winnings made from such activity.

Although gambling follows national rules, provinces have some independence to adjust taxes and minor issues. Before creating the National Gaming Board, the country was riddled with illegal casinos, land-based or otherwise.

The National Gaming Act was a crucial step to give more transparency to this sector, but it has left aside large portions of the gambling activity, chiefly online casinos. An amendment to the Act, from 2008, promised to liberalise this niche but never came to force.

Although the NGB is responsible for licensing land-based casinos on a national level, prospect companies must apply first in the Provincial Gambling Board whenever it releases a Request for Application.

South Africa-Specific Gambling Restrictions

South Africa is a strictly regulated market when it comes to gambling. Online casinos are prohibited, regardless of if it’s a national or a foreign one. Land-based casinos, sportsbooks, and bingos can operate, although also following several restrictions.

Only 41 casino licences can be granted in the country, and those licences are proportionally divided among the nine provinces. While some provinces can grant up to five licences, others can grant only three.

Companies must apply not only for new licences but also for acquiring existing ones from third parties too. In this case, such companies need to apply for transferring the licence.

These licences also pertain to the number of gaming positions a casino can have.

If a casino wants to expand its game base, it should apply for the related gaming board and pay an additional fee. South African casinos have between 200 and 2,000 slot machines; each one of them must be registered at the Central Electronic Monitoring System. Rules for table games must also be pre-approved by the adequate board.

It’s also possible to find slot machines in places that aren’t gambling venues. These machines are called LPMs or Limited payout machines.

They can be found in clubs, pubs, and sports venues. Such locations must also apply for a “site operator” license.

State of Gambling in SA – 2024 Update

State of gamblingGambling is booming in South Africa, even with the strict regulations in place. Just last year (2023), online gambling alone raked in an impressive US$736.30 million. And when you toss in the earnings from lotteries, bingo halls, and land-based casinos, it’s a staggering amount, right?

Online casinos are illegal in South Africa. So, you might be scratching your head, wondering how online gambling revenue is still off the charts. Well, a good chunk of that hefty sum likely comes from online sportsbooks. Quite a dynamic gambling scene, wouldn’t you say?

Online casinos being outlawed in South Africa doesn’t mean that there are no gambling sites offering games of chance. Of course, many offshore casino operators are capitalizing on SA legislation loopholes, offering games of chance to residents. Sure, there’s the risk of consequences if they get caught. Nevertheless, most have kind of slipped into South Africa’s gaming scene without much trouble.

The crazy part? Players are shelling out billions on them every year. The result is an exponential growth of this illegality. But hold on, there could be light at the end of the tunnel. A Remote Gambling Bill was tabled earlier this year. As such, it is in the “cooking process.”

The bill proposed by Shadow Minister of Trade Hill-Lewis seeks to legalize online casino gambling and create more jobs and a larger tax base. Per its proposals, any online casino operator seeking to operate in South Africa must first open a local office first. Then afterward, be granted a license.

Of course, we can’t dig deeper into the bill details since it is extensive. But the bottom line is the legalization and regulation of online casino gambling is coming. We’re still in the early days of this bill. It’s got to navigate through all the legal hoops before it becomes the real deal. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome!

Gambling Taxes in South Africa

Gambling Taxes in South AfricaGambling winnings are liable to taxation, depending on how important these winnings are for your income. If you’re an occasional player with other sources of income, your gambling winnings are taxed, although they should still be declared.

For professional players, gambling is the only source of income, and they should pay taxes normally. On the bright side, professional players can also claim losses in the same way. Lottery prizes are exempt from taxation, but horse betting winnings pay 6% on the source to pay for VAT.

Such a division is rooted in two pieces of law: Graham v Greene (1925) and Morrison v CIR (2009). In the first case, it was decided that gambling winnings shouldn’t be equated to the bookmakers’ profit for the sake of taxation. Occasional gamblers and bettors haven’t paid taxes on their winnings ever since.

The second case decided that if a person lives solely from one’s gambling winnings, it should be considered a profit-making scheme, thus being liable to taxation. Winnings made on foreign, unlicensed online casinos and sportsbooks must pay capital gains taxes, which is 18%.

History of Gambling in South Africa

South African Gambling HistoryEarly gambling accounts on South African soil date back to the 17th century. The activity has oscillated between legality and illegality quite often in the past century. Gambling was prohibited in 1965, with the Gambling Act. Horse betting was the only gambling activity spared by the ban.

Fifteen years later, land-based casinos were already crawling back into society, but this time, restricted to a few bantustans, like Ciskei, Transkei, Venda, and Bophuthatswana. The prohibition, as per usual, created a thriving illegal market. Official estimates talk about 2,000 illegal casinos operating in the country between 1994 and 1995.

In 1996, casinos were back to legality, thanks to the National Gambling Act, which has licensed casinos and established a lottery. The National Gambling Act was updated in 2004, banning online gambling. Only registered bookmakers can operate sportsbooks, while online casinos remain prohibited.

In 2008, the National Gambling Amendment Act tried to legalise online gambling. However, due to pressures from licensed land-based casinos and financial authorities, the law never came into force. Many offshore casinos are welcoming South African players and operating with ZAR.

However, another round of prohibitions came in 2010, banning offshore casinos. Land-based casinos are still legal in the country, while online gamblers must resort to VPNs to get around restrictions and enjoy a gaming session.

Land-Based Gambling in South Africa

Land-based casinos have been allowed in the country since the late 70s, and there are 39 of them across the country. The national legislation currently limits the number of licenses to 41. These licenses are distributed among the nine provinces, as follows below.

Provinces

Licenses

Eastern CapeFive licenses available (four already granted)
Western CapeFive licenses (already granted)
Northern CapeFive licenses (four already granted)
North WestFive licenses (four already granted)
MpumalangaThree licenses (already granted)
LimpopoThree licenses (already granted)
KwaZulu-NatalFive licenses  (already granted)
GautengSeven licences (already granted)
Free StateFour licenses (already granted)

Land-based gambling enjoys much more favourable legislation than its online version does.

The same authorisation enjoyed by land-based casinos also extends to bingo terminals, lottery and sports betting. Licenses are conceded by provinces, following nationwide legislation.

Such licenses are only available to companies and can’t be conceded to individuals. The same goes for third parties, like testing agencies and totalisator operators. There are no limits for the number of games, slots machines, bets, or payouts.

Still, all slot machines must have a Return to Player (RTP) rate of at least 80%. Rules for table games need a pre-approval from the local regulators.

Gambling addiction help

South Africa Gambling Addictions Help

Gamblers with addiction problems can seek help in the NRGP (National Responsible Gaming Programme), organised by the South African Responsible Gaming Foundation (SARGF). The Foundation was established in 2000, born from a public-private partnership between the gambling industry and gambling regulators.

SARGF must report its activities and statistics to local and national authorities, despite its independent status. SARGF is partially funded by donations from the gambling industry, and the minimum contribution is 0.1% of the industry’s revenue in that year.

Gamblers can also file for self-exclusion on NGB’s website.

Buy crypto at online casino

Did You Know?

  • Despite prohibitions, South Africa remains one of the biggest markets for eGaming worldwide. In fact, it’s the second-largest market in the continent for this niche. Gambling revenue is also a sizable portion of the country’s GDP. 
  • Data from 2020 suggests that about 10% of South Africans gamble regularly, spending approximately USD 13 billion per year. Slots and table games make about 70% of the country’s annual gambling revenue.

FAQ

Online gambling is only allowed on licensed sportsbooks, lotteries, and bingos. Online casinos remain banned.

There are 39 land-based casinos in South Africa, from 41 licences the government can concede.

Gambling is taxed in South Africa only when it’s one’s only source of income, meaning that this person is a professional gambler. Occasional gamblers have other sources of income and don’t pay any taxes on their winnings, but such winnings must still be reported on the tax return.

The South African government empowered the National Gambling Board with the National Gambling Act in 2004.

Approximately one in ten adults of South Africans gamble frequently.

Final Verdict

Final VerdictSouth African laws can be confusing for fresher gamblers, as there are so many restrictive and seemingly contradictory rules. There are land-based casinos in every province for those who wish to avoid headaches in their gambling sessions.

Additionally, licensed sportsbooks operate in land-based venues and appointed online platforms. It’s also possible to play the lotto online, and indeed, the lotto is the most popular online gambling option, followed by horse racing.

Online casinos remain illegal in the country, and those in breach of this law risk being fined and even jailed. However, such stark rules mainly apply to gambling operators, not gamblers. Yet, the NGB alerts on its website for confiscating gambling winnings coming from such sources.

That’s why many South Africans resort to VPNs and digital to bypass this prohibition. Several trustworthy offshore online casinos accept South African gamblers and even operate with Rands.

The amendment from 2008 that could untie the Gordian knot of South African gambling rules remains dormant. Yet, legislators, investors, and players expect this situation to change in the future, with the prospects of tax income that would result from the regulation of this market.

We always recommend players to choose trustworthy casinos, well-rounded by licences, certificates, and high-end security. Above all, play responsibly and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you feel you’re conceding to compulsive behaviour.

Casino regulations in other parts of the world

About the author

Stan / Casino expert

Stan is the one that founded CorrectCasinos.com back in 2018. He is really passionate about fair-play in online casinos, transparency and responsible gaming.