Best Online Casinos in South Africa

Online Casinos in South Africa

You will find many online casinos in South Africa to register and play, but some are worth your time more than others. There are traits that we look for when we review a new online casino, with the legality of the site being the most important of everything. The games available, the bonuses and also the payment methods that the site offers you.

Why Should I Trust This Site?

Why should South African gamblers trust one casino over the other? How do you test that a site is legitimate, trustworthy, and will deal with players fairly? Keeping security in mind and look at what games are available. Are online slots and progressive jackpot slots tested for RNG (Random Number Generator) and does the casino site offer an eCOGRA certification that displays game fairness? These are all questions that South African players ask before registering at new casinos.

We scour unbiased players and expert forums to find out about complaints or disputes. We also look through the selection of games and test them out ourselves. By this, we detail what makes this online casino particularly special, including having exclusive game content.

You can view all the certifications that depict the fairness of the listed online casinos at the bottom of the lobby page. 

Getting started with SA online casinos

With online gambling becoming more and more popular across South Africa, you might ask yourself how to get to enjoy gambling yourself. If you’ve never done this before, it can be quite overwhelming. With so many casinos to choose from, all promising to be the best gaming experience, it can be a daunting task to even get started.

For this reason, we’ve compiled this easy-to-follow step-by-step guide for you. Avoid commonly made beginner mistakes and get straight into the action with the highest possible bonus by following the simple steps below.

	Compare Online Casinos Before you select a site to play casino games, it is a good idea to compare a few gambling websites first. Different sites provide various bonuses and offer a diverse range of game content. Payment methods also differ from one site to another, along with site design. Make sure you pick gambling sites that accept the payment method you want to use to fund your account. You can do so by visiting the cashier and going through the options. The bottom line is to compare one site to another and finally, sign up, deposit, scoop deposit bonuses, and kickstart your online casino journey.
	Check Casino License Always check whether casinos are licensed and regulated. You can double-check this by scrolling down the homepage of the gambling site, all the way to the bottom of the site. Here, you will find licensing information. The best online casinos are licensed by regulatory bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, and/or the UK Gambling Commission.
	Check the Bonus Terms and Conditions After you've double-checked whether the casino you want to play at is licensed, it is time to check the bonus terms and conditions. You know what they say: "It's all in the fine print" and this is also the case with casino bonuses! This includes welcome bonus offers, free bonus promos, online slot tournaments, and deposit bonuses. Most sites ask you to play through a bonus by wagering received bonus money an X amount of times. An acceptable wagering requirement ranges from 20x up to 35x the amount of bonus money received. Example: Let's say an online casino offers you a 100% up to 10,000 ZAR welcome bonus with 30x wagering requirements and you’ve deposited 1,000 ZAR. The site will credit your balance with 200 ZAR, 100 ZAR of your own money, and 100 ZAR of "bonus money." You now have to wager a total of 30,000 ZAR to be able to withdraw any winnings made with the bonus money. Different games offer different contributions toward reaching your wagering terms. Hence, we suggest you play games that offer a generous 100% toward reaching your terms. This includes slots and instant games.
	Signing Up for an Account Once you've chosen a casino, you can proceed to complete your player registration. You do this by clicking the ‘Sign Up,’ ‘Register,’ or ‘Play Now’ buttons on the website and following the on-screen instructions. In most cases, these instructions include filling in your personal details and confirming your phone number or email address.
	Make Your First Deposit Now that you are signed up for the online casino, the next step in your journey is completing your first deposit and receiving a deposit bonus. Here is how to complete your first real money deposit in less than 2 minutes: 1. Log into your player account using your username and password 2. Tap on the CASHIER icon. 3. Review all the payment methods available and choose the payment option to complete your deposit 4. Enter the amount you would like to deposit 5. Review all the information that you have entered and tap on the Complete Deposit button to go ahead with your first real money deposit.

Banking in a South African Online Casino

A variety of payment methods are available when funding your casino account.

Casinos with Credit cards

Casinos with Instant EFT

Casinos with SID Instant EFT

Easy EFT and (SID) Instant EFT

One of the most popular payment methods that is available to South African players is electronic funds transfer. This is when the money is wired directly from your bank account into the account of the casino. Easy EFTs and SIDs are both 100% legit and most popular payment transfer options enjoyed by gamblers. These can also be used for withdrawals.

How do they Work?

When you request an Easy EFT or a SID transfer, the online casino places a marker on your bank account, which sets aside those funds to be transferred into their account. The transfer is completed instantly, with the funds appearing in your account once the transfer is complete.

Withdrawals may take up to 5 working days to appear in your personal bank account, once you request a withdrawal using EFTs and SIDs. The same process is used with markers, but because it is putting money back into the player bank account, with slighter extended timescales.

Are Easy EFT and (SID) Instant EFT okay for South African Players?

Put simply, yes they are. Both payment methods are the most safe and reliable for South African players and support ZAR.

How we Test Online Casinos

Whenever we create one of our online casino reviews, we always carry out several checks to bring you the best sites to play.

Here's our step-by-step guide to each aspect that we look over.

	Security Security is the most important aspect in our eyes. We check everything from current complaints to if there is a license in place. We also evaluate the quality of customer support to ensure that customers can get the help they need if they encounter any issues. Security also involves the gambling site having at least a 128-bit security encryption. You can find this information via the online casino's security policy.
	Game Choice This is probably the second most essential aspect when it comes to looking at what an online casino has to offer. We thoroughly look over game choices to make sure that players have plenty of variety on offer.
	Bonuses and Promotions Everyone wants to be able to boost their bankroll when gambling online. This is why we make sure to compare and bring you the best bonuses to the table. We also cover bonus terms, including wagering requirements. The information you need to get the right deposit bonus for you. To view all the available promotions, head over to the casino you are looking to play on. Click on the promotions section, and check every promo they offer, including terms attached to the promos.
	Mobile device play We cover the different aspects of mobile play that each online casino offers. The times when you could only have fun on a desktop pc or a big laptop is over. Whether the site is available just on mobile browsers or if it has a mobile app in place, you can find out everything you need to know with our guides. Most mobile devices are supported, as operators use modern casino software.
	Payouts The final aspect that we go over is the available payout methods. We cover everything from traditional methods to more modern methods that might be available. Whatever method you might want to use, we ensure that you are fully aware of the different methods that are available.

Is It Safe to Play with Real Money?

The risks of playing at a South African online casino are two risks that should be intuitively expected. The first risk is the same that you'll find with any e-commerce site. Because financial transactions over the Internet always come with very slight risks. Most of us who regularly make online purchases have had our information compromised. You had to have your bank refund the money and cancel the card. While our recommended online casinos will use the best encryption technology to protect your information, there is more you can do. Using an e-wallet or instant EFT can add a nice layer of security. Or by using the immediately disposable Paysafecard that can be purchased at many local stores. The second risk is the risk that comes with gambling money in general, which we go over more in-depth in the "Addiction Prevention" section below.

Types of Casino Games Available at Online Casinos in SA

Roulette Guide

Online Slots Guide

Blackjack Guide

Above are the games that you will be able to enjoy at Online casinos in South Africa. Once you land at the site, you have the below gambling options to binge on:

Slot Games - Slots are available in large numbers. You can opt to play traditional slots or binge on bonus round slot machines. Some of the bonuses that can be expected when spinning the reels of slots include scatter symbols, wilds, sticky wilds, cascading reels and other bonus features.

Table Games - You can also enjoy table games. Think of poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Craps and other games. All content here is available to play either for real money or for free, giving you enough fuel to build up on your strategy.

Live Casino Games - All live game content is accessible via the live section, and offers you live table gambling just like playing at a land-based casino. Choose from live dealer games such as Poker, Live Blackjack, Baccarat, and even Game show content. Remember that all live tables are available for real money wagers only.

Jackpot Games - Jackpot games are slots that offer you the option to win a jackpot. Such slots are available via the jackpot section, with both progressive and fixed jackpot games available for you to enjoy.

Best Casinos with the most games

How to play casino games for Free

There are two main ways to play for free at an online casino. The first way allows players to play for real money, while the second way doesn’t include that. We'll walk you through both methods to help you get started:

Play for Free with Real Money

This can be done when a casino offers no deposit bonuses. These are bonuses that give players either extra bankroll cash or free spins to their account without having to make a deposit. Once the no-deposit bonus has been awarded, players then have the opportunity to use this bonus to get real money winnings. These bonuses often tend to be quite low, but as they are free bonuses they are still very desirable.

Playing for Free with Demo casino games

Slot and table games are two gaming options at casino sites that you can enjoy for free. By clicking on the game, you would be able to choose to play for real money or for free. We always suggest that you play for free to build up your game strategy and knowledge.

Best Casino Bonuses

While it's easy to say that online casinos offer as much excitement as land-based casinos, they are different in pretty much every way. Their games on offer, fairness, and winning potential, are the same. Land-based casinos may offer a full bar, live entertainment, and resort-style amenities. While their online counterpart offers unmatched convenience and promotions. This is something you will not find in a land-based counterpart. We're talking high bonuses wherein the casino will match your deposits by certain percentages. For example, a 100% welcoming deposit match bonus that gets you R500 in free money when you deposit R500.

Welcome bonus guide

No Deposit bonus guide

Free spins bonus guide

Other casino bonuses include free spins on Slots, reload bonuses, VIP comp points or drawings. One of the most important aspects is how great their promotions are. We compare this to their competitors.

An online casino bonus is an incentive to players. This bonus package helps casinos attract new players and keep the existing ones playing. But before claiming the deposit bonus, it's essential to differentiate the different types of rewards and what you're getting yourself into.

In this short read, we'll help you understand what welcome bonuses and loyalty rewards are all about.

What are welcome bonuses?

Welcome bonuses are rewards given to new players who set up an account successfully.

Below are the most common welcome rewards:

Match deposit bonuses: Most casino sites offer this reward. As the name suggests, a match deposit bonus is an incentive for new players who deposit a minimum amount. The site can match your deposit by 100% or 200%, depending on the operator's generosity.

Reload bonuses: This is usually part of the more comprehensive match deposit scheme. The online casino can match your second up to fifth deposit by a certain percentage. For example, they can credit a $1,000 welcome bonus in five equal installments for five deposits.

Free spins: Online slots with free spins are also offered as part of the match deposit bonus. The casino can give new players free spin rounds on a specific slot machine they wish to promote. Free spins can also be available to loyal players on new slot additions.

No deposit bonus: This is arguably the best casino bonus, although finding it can be challenging. In this bonus program, players don't need to make a minimum deposit to claim the reward. Just create an account, and the site will automatically release the bonus. Note that the bonus amount is usually small.

Best welcome bonus casinos

What are loyalty programs?

Online casino operators know that attracting players with irresistible packages is the easier part. The real work is convincing players to continue depositing and playing on the website. For this reason, casinos design loyalty programs like the ones listed below:

Cashback: These are bonuses given to players to cover their losses on a specific period. For instance, a casino can give loyal players a 5% cashback on weekend losses. This means you'll receive $5 in bonus money if you lose $100 real-money bets over the weekend. That's better than nothing!

VIP programs: VIP treatments are for players who deposit, play, and withdraw real money often on the website. Usually, players will collect points and redeem them as credits. Top-tier VIP players can also get special treatments like faster-than-normal withdrawals and personal account managers. Players can even win a car or a Las Vegas trip.

All in all, most online casinos in SA offer an array of promotions for loyal and new players. However, we advise you to carefully read and understand the bonus terms before claiming anything. Some bonuses have untenable wagering requirements, validity periods, and bet limits. So, be careful!

Playing Casinos from a Mobile Device

Thanks to modern technology, the convenience of playing casino games stems beyond sitting at home at your computer. Mobile South African casinos are becoming more and more popular. Whether you're sitting in traffic, at the park or anywhere you might want to experience mobile games, you can now do so from anywhere.

You can play all of your favorite games at all the online casinos using a mobile device. This works as long as you have a network or Wi-Fi connection. This makes the online experience as convenient as it gets, with all the action sitting in your pocket. Most mobile casinos offer lobbies that are optimized for your device. Some of them have bonuses specific to the phone or tablet player, while others offer complete mobile apps. The same account can be used on desktop and mobile.

Live Casino Games

The best software companies are the ones that are known throughout the gaming industry for their top content. They can make digital casino games feel like the real thing. Famously immersive, with graphics, sound effects, and animation like you've never seen before.

With that being said (and again thanks to modern technology), the Live Casino experience you land at online casinos is as realistic as it gets. Streamed in from a high resolution camera and using virtual betting chips. Live dealer games offer real-life dealers that spin physical Roulette wheels, roll real dice, and deal tangible cards. The actions happen in studios that look like a land-based casino floor. Some example of games that can be played are live roulette, live blackjack and when you have enough game knowledge to conquer the live tables, choose one of the live casino games, sit and place your wagers.

Live Roulette	Live Blackjack	Live Baccarat

Best 10 South Africa Online Casinos

Best SA Online Casino Overall: 10Bet Casino

Best Feature: Your journey at 10Bet kicks off with a hefty welcome offer package. You walk away with a whopping 100% deposit match of up to R3,000. If you are more inclined to the world of sports, you can also choose to scoop a sport related welcome package. It also offers you 10 free spins to give you a taste of what the 10Bet casino has to offer.

Games available at 10Bet includes a jam-packed live casino to offers Roulette games, Poker, Live Game show offerings and other top table games we all grew to love. The slot section is also a masterclass. With top tier software providers such as Microgaming, Playtech and more pumping the casino with new content on a weekly basis.

Your overall gameplay is complimented with a rewarding VIP Loyalty Scheme, that will see you accumulate points to then use at the 10Bet marketplace. Use your loyalty bonuses on free spins to test new games.

Biggest Drawback: Whilst 10Bet is a force to be reckoned with, the casino lacks in offering a dedicated mobile application for IOS users. If you would like to visit the mobile site, you would need to use your browser. Not ideal, but we promise that it works flawlessly.

Our View: When visiting 10Bet, you can expect a great gambling experience, coupled with simple navigation and ample fun. The games, the bonuses, the top tier software providers features, and everything else the site represents makes it a top destination for gamblers.

Registration is easy, making life easier for new players.

Read the 10Bet Casino review

Best SA Online Casino with a bonus: ZAR Casino

Best Feature: ZAR Casino is another South African top brand to consider if you are a player that relished to bonuses and promotions. The only casino prides itself in being a top destination for gambling bonuses, allowing you to scoop promos and play with a chunkier bankroll.

You are initiated at ZAR Casino with a luscious welcome bonus offer that will see you land a 100% deposit match of up to R30,000. This comes along with an additional 30 free spins to start off your gaming journey. Other promotions follow, with ZAR casino’s main goal is your gambling fun, potential big wins and promotions to keep you coming back for more. Some promotions worth your time include slot tournaments with top prizes of R35,000 up for grabs, along with deposit matches. But also free spins promotions and money drop events.

Biggest Drawback: We would love to see game filters for us to use and locate our go-to games quicker at ZAR casino. The site is packed with top games, hence game filters by provider would help the overall UX that the site offers.

Our View: Overall, ZAR is a great online casino, with player gambling gratification being at the center of everything. Once you register at the site, you have a chunky welcome bonus to claim, with reload bonuses to keep you engaged thereafter. ZAR also runs a blog, offering you insight of what new promos are available, new games, and also game strategy to boost your overall gameplay!

Read the ZAR Casino review

Best SA live dealer online casino: Yeti Casino

Best Feature: Yeti Casino is another online playground worth mentioning when comparing casino sites in South Africa. The gambling site is easy on the eye, with a top-notch navigation that will help you find your way to the content that Yeti SA offers.

Once you click on Yeti's live casino, you are welcomed with live games such as Texas Hold'Em, Caribbean Stud, Blackjack Games, Roulette games and other table games all offered in a live dealer format. Make no mistake, the games are fast-paced, yet they offer the player the chance to re-live the Vegas fantasy. This with the dealer calling out your username and asking you to place your bets as you sit at the live table. What we suggest is, you take full advantage of the free game play offered at the table game section. Test your gambling skills before you head over to play at the real money live games.

If you want to test your live gambling skills and add some new game content to your resume, Yeti offers you the chance to enjoy new live games. Examples are Monopoly, Extra Super Chili Spins, Vegas Ball Bonanza, Mega Wheel, Side City Bet, First Person Mega Ball, Sweet Bonanza Candyland, Football Studio First Person, Live Dreamcatcher, Dead or Alive, and Bac Bo. Other titles offered in a table game setting.

Biggest Drawback: With a site overflowing with games, the needs to have game sections is a must. This is the only thing that Yeti needs to work on in our eyes. When making your way to the live casino, it would be nice to see sections such as: Live Poker, Live Roulette, Live Baccarat etc., grouping all the games under one section. At present, this is not something offered, but we do hope the site implements easier navigation in the future.

Our View: Yeti is a fun casino to visit and register at. The Live section is a top tier live dealer arena which welcomes both newbie and established players. Powered by Evolution Gaming, playing live is a must at Yeti, with top live dealer games available at various wagers. If you get bored playing live, you can always head over to the games section, with bonuses and tournaments readily available to boost your gameplay!

Read the Yeti Casino review

Are South African Online Casinos Legal?

Online gambling is 100% allowed in South Africa. This means you will not get in trouble for playing at an online casino. If you were to win larger amounts and put them into your regular bank account unreported, even then the risks are low. Especially when you can open up an e-wallet account like Skrill or Neteller. With those, you can keep your gambling funds separate from your finances. In short, the government regulations regarding gambling are enforced on the operators only. This is leaving South African players free to deposit without fear of prosecution. The only trepidation we would have is the idea that the South African government will force sites to close down. But if it's a legitimate casino (one that we recommend), they will release your winnings for sure.

We also want to highlight that an increasing number of South African provinces are now offering online casino licenses, making them fully localized and regulated. These are clearly marked with a "local license" label in the table under the "more information" tab.

Addiction Prevention and Gambling

When it comes to playing at online casinos we recommend, it is important that you not risk playing at a scam site and play responsible. It is crucial to play responsibly by setting a budget, stopping when you've won a certain amount, and setting a timer. These are not independent strategies! You should use them all together to ensure you are not risking more money than you can afford to lose. Always remember: the casino has the advantage no matter what game you're playing (House Edge). Even games with the lowest house edge will always give you losing streaks. Play smart to lower your risks. Never play at a casino as a source of income or to win back lost funds. Instead, play at a site for pure entertainment value. Consider walking away with more money than you started with, happy bonus to the fun. The biggest argument for making gambling illegal is the high risk of losing money. But if you're playing for real money you can lose, there's no risk. All the sites listed on our page take responsible gambling very seriously. More information can be found on our page about the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.

Useful Resources

We've found some useful websites for info on online casinos in South Africa.

Internal resources

Our website is packed with information, from tips on using bonuses to strategies for betting on the red field in Roulette. Below are some suggestions to help you get started. For additional resources, use the menus, or navigate upwards using the arrow at the bottom right of the page.

Casino Software Guide - Discover everything about the various game development companies and the technologies they use
Responsible Gambling - A guide covering topics related to responsible gambling
Casino Games - A comprehensive guide detailing all the ins and outs of the most popular games
Gambling Tax - Discover everything you need to know about gambling taxes in South Africa
Our Sitemap - A summary of all the information provided on this website

External resources

Responsible Gambling - Gambling help including self check quiz
National Gambling Board - The national gambling board for SA
Statista - Online Gambling South Africa forecast

For additional resources, you can also click on any of the logos displayed at the bottom of our website.