While iGaming in South Africa has not been as prominent as Malta, for example, over recent years there has been significant growth. Online sports betting across Africa as a whole jumped over 50% in revenue in the 2023-24 financial year, with the South Africa market generating ZAR 60 billion.
Sports betting and online casinos have become increasingly popular, with many high-quality platforms now available for South African players.
There is a huge list of top South Africa casinos now offering the same exciting iGaming experiences that European players have enjoyed for many years. With partnerships with leading games providers, sophisticated website designs and attractive promotions, there is no need for players in South Africa to turn to iGaming platforms using alternative currencies.
The journey has taken longer, partly due to the gambling laws that previously prohibited players in South Africa from betting. The laws are still something of a grey area, with interactive gambling technically not allowed despite the 2008 National Gambling Amendment Act being drawn up to legalise casino gambling.
The changes have not come into force yet but there is little evidence of law enforcement to prevent operators from offering online casino games to South African players. It is expected that new laws will be passed in the near future, which will further drive the popularity of iGaming in South Africa.
Licensed Online Sports Betting Sites
There are over 30 licensed online sport betting sites in South Africa, ensuring that local bettors can place bets on global sports markets including rugby, football, horse racing and many more sports, while playing with local currency.
How iGaming is Developing in South Africa
One of the key drivers in the growing popularity of iGaming in South Africa is the availability of platforms for mobile users. With 4G and 5G now available across many areas of South Africa, younger and more tech-savvy generations are joining in on the excitement of online betting.
Many of the top online casinos in South Africa provide dedicated apps to download or have responsive websites so that users can access the sites from their mobile or tablet browsers. The ability to play games through the convenience of mobile devices has been integral to the growth of the global iGaming market and this has been a clear priority in South Africa too.
It is estimated that just over 80% of iGamers in South Africa are using mobile devices to place online bets. Statista has predicted that the gross gaming revenue in South Africa will grow at a rate of around 5% between 2025 and 2029.
How the Top iGaming Sites are Dominating the South Africa Market
The 30+ online sports betting sites in South Africa are tapping into the huge growing demand for online betting in the country by investing in the key player priorities. One of the main areas of marketing focus is offering competitive bonuses and promotions to attract and retain new players.
Bonuses and Promotions
Some platforms are offering welcome bonus deposit matches of up to 250%, while the large majority offer a minimum of 100% match on deposits. However, there are many more strategies operators are incorporating to claim a higher percentage of the share of the market.
Choice of Payment Methods
Providing multiple payment methods is one of the important priorities to retain players by offering their preferred choice of payment method, including crypto currency for the added privacy and security this payment method provides.
Customer Service
Customer service is another major area of focus, with many iGaming platforms in South Africa now using AI to provide 24/7 customer support. The levels of customer service varies greatly across the different sites, so it is a good idea to read reliable online casino reviews to get an unbiased view of the genuine customer service quality of each one.
Security and Licensing
To provide site users with peace of mind that their data and financial transactions are secure, most South Africa platforms integrate advanced security features such as SSL encryption and secure payment gateways.
Product Diversification
Another tactic operators are using is to offer diverse products to encourage registered players to try different types of products. It costs less to convert existing sports book players into casino game players, compared to marketing to completely new audiences. Therefore, many operators provide cross-product promotions to encourage existing players to try new games and other products. For example, some are offering eSports and “crash” games to attract younger players.
The South Africa iGaming market is set for continued growth and with changes in gambling laws expected to be introduced soon, the market is likely to expand even further. South African players can expect to enjoy even more features including immersive casino experiences and more advanced gamification.
