Betting on Soccer guide

Soccer is the world's most popular sport, and it garners millions of viewers and dedicated sports fans. It is little wonder that soccer is also the most-watched sport in South Africa. The popularity of the sport has attracted sports bettors who are looking to make bets on soccer matches. Aside from the FIFA World Cup which is the most popular soccer event, there are other soccer leagues like La Liga, the English Premier League, the Champions League, and the Europa League.

Locally, there is a strong local league with clubs like the Orlando Pirates with large fan bases. In recent years, the internet revolution has made it possible for South African football betting fans to bet on their favourite teams and tournaments quickly and conveniently, using their mobile devices, or while relaxing at home. Online Soccer betting has become a popular pastime for South Africans with thousands of fans visiting soccer betting sites daily.

With a global football betting market worth more than $600 billion, soccer betting is now big business, with an extremely competitive online soccer betting industry offering football fans a huge array of betting opportunities. Many soccer betting sites compete for the attention of fans by using competitive betting odds and bonuses.

So, to help you find your feet in this exciting world of sport and betting, here is our complete guide to online soccer betting.

By Adiela de Bruyn - Last modified 2024/02/08 - Estimated reading time: 15 minutes.

Table of contents

Betting on Soccer guide

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Best Bookmakers for SA

  1. 1
    Bet.co.za
    Bet.co.za Since 2010
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    Sport options
    InfoAmount of different sport options
    32
    Live sports
    InfoOption to gamble on live matches
    Yes
  2. 2
    Hollywoodbets
    Hollywoodbets Since 1986
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    Sport options
    InfoAmount of different sport options
    47
    Live sports
    InfoOption to gamble on live matches
    Yes
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How to Bet on Soccer

To start betting on soccer, there are some steps you must take. Online soccer betting sites provide soccer odds and betting markets for punters in South Africa. In addition, they provide a seamless soccer betting experience that makes it easy to place bets and win big. Soccer matches from big leagues like the Serie A, La Liga, Ligue Un, Premier League, and the Champions League are available for online betting. In addition, local leagues and popular soccer matches like the Soweto Derby are also available at these sports betting sites. Here is how you can place your first soccer bet:

Step 1

To bet on soccer, you must register with an online bookmaker. Start by searching for top soccer betting sites and select the one that suits your needs. Visit the home page of the soccer betting site and click "Sign Up" to begin the registration process. The betting site will request your personal details including your full name, date of birth, email, password, and address. The information provided must be correct because you will verify your account using a valid means of identification. Compare various sports betting platforms until you find one with great soccer betting odds.

Step 2

Once you've registered, the next step is to fund your account and claim the deposit bonus. Most soccer betting sites in South Africa have a first deposit bonus for new account holders. Ensure that you meet the minimum amount required for the first deposit to claim the bonus. Select your preferred banking method to make the deposit and enter the desired amount. Some banking methods do not allow players to receive bonuses. Read the bonus terms and conditions for more details on the available payment methods and wagering requirements.

Step 3

Go to the sports betting section of the online betting site and click on the soccer category. Most bookmakers offer different soccer leagues, tournaments, and cups like the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and other live soccer matches. Choose your preferred soccer match or tournament to start predicting match outcomes.

Step 4

The next step is to find the soccer betting markets you are interested in. Most sites in South Africa offer popular soccer betting markets to punters in the country. Having found the right betting markets, the process of getting your bet on is simple. When you click on your selection, it will appear in the bet slip which is usually displayed at the top of the page. From this betting slip, you will be able to change your stake, combine your bets into multiples and check your potential winnings.

Step 5

Double-check your bets to ensure that the selections are correct. If the online betting site allows, use the available accumulator to increase the soccer odds and make more money from your bets. Select the amount you would like to place on your soccer bets and click to confirm. You can monitor your soccer bets on the soccer betting site by going to the active soccer bet online section.

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Soccer Betting Markets

Soccer betting sites offer multiple betting options and betting markets for punters in South Africa. If you want to start betting on competitions like the English Premier League, you must familiarize yourself with the available markets. The most popular type of Soccer bet is still the traditional Match Winner market, in which you can bet on a home win, Away Win or Draw. This is the simplest bet you can make on a soccer match and it is usually recommended for beginners.

Over/Under

Unlike the match-winner bet, this wager predicts if certain match events will be over or under a set line. In an over/under goals bet, the bettor is gambling that a soccer team will score more than or less than the set line in the soccer match. For example, an over 1.5 goal bet means that more than one goal will be scored in the match.

Correct Score

The correct score bet tries to predict the exact score of a match result. This bet is made pre-match and it usually has very high odds but it is equally risky. The match has to end with the predicted scoreline or the bet is lost.

Draw No Bet

This is a safe bet that reduces the risks associated with outright winner bets but it has low betting odds. Punters who select this option when placing bets are making a wager that one team of the other will win and a draw returns the stake. For example, if you bet Team B win or draw in a match between Team A and B, the bet comes if Team B wins. The bet loses if team A wins but the stake is returned if the match is a draw.

Both Teams to Score

This bet wagers on both teams to score a goal during the match; the bet loses if only one team scores. The bet can be made before or during the match but this usually depends on the soccer betting site you are using.

Total Corners

This soccer bet online wagers on the total amount of corners that will be conceded during the game. A corner is awarded when a defending team plays the ball behind their goalpost. To reduce the risk of picking an exact number, some soccer betting sites allow punters to choose from a range.

First Goal Scorer

This soccer bet selects the player who scores the first goal of the game. All 11 players of both teams will have a set number of odds attached to them. The odds are determined by each player's position and their performances from previous matches. It is an extremely risky bet but the payouts are rewarding.

Half-Time/Full-Time

This soccer bet predicts the outcome of both halves of a soccer match. It has high odds which is why it is one of the most popular soccer bets in the world. Sports betting sites usually provide higher odds for this selection than is available at other markets. If one of the predictions for either half is wrong, the bet loses. Punters are also allowed to select the highest-scoring half and other soccer bets that increase the odds.

Asian Handicaps

Asian Handicaps are used by punters to balance the odds between a stronger team and a weaker team. You can give one team the advantage before the match starts by adding virtual goals to their tally. A minus symbol is placed in front of stronger teams and a plus symbol is used for weaker teams. This wager has betting lines punters can use when they bet on soccer. Using these lines and handicap calculators allows players to make informed bets.

Double Chance

The double chance bet is popular at soccer betting sites because it offers players a safe bet. This bet allows punters to stake money on two outcomes in a soccer game. This bet has three options which are:

  • Home or away team to win.
  • Home team win or draw.
  • Away team win or draw.

This bet is available at most soccer betting sites but most professional punters avoid it because of the low soccer betting odds. It is best for punters who are undecided and are trying to protect their stake.

In-play Bets

These are live betting odds offered by soccer betting sites. Punters in South Africa can bet on the events happening in live soccer matches. The odds from live betting can be quite high but they usually fluctuate based on actions in the live soccer match. A reliable bookmaker will offer live streaming services which allow players to watch the match and place online bets simultaneously. Live betting can be extremely risky but the rewards outweigh any potential downside.

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Soccer Betting Options

The first thing you will notice when you start to check out soccer betting sites is the sheer variety of betting opportunities available. Of course, the major betting attraction in the world of soccer is the World Cup, held every four years, with millions of soccer fans around the world pitting their wits against the bookmakers to place bets.

Besides the World Cup and other popular international tournaments, such as the African Nations Cup, domestic football is a big draw for soccer betting fans. When it comes to major tournaments such as the ABSA Premiership or Italy's Serie A, online football betting companies will offer a huge variety of markets, which could be as many as 100 for some of the most popular games, providing lots of profit opportunities.

Statistics and Data

One of the most interesting developments in the soccer betting world in recent years is the increasing awareness of the importance of football data. Modern South African football betting fans can access an array of statistics to inform their betting, and this change in the football betting landscape is reflected in the way that media companies present their football coverage, providing far more statistical depth than would once be the case.

While it is easy to become lost among the data, there is no doubt that the wealth of information available on sites like Soccerway, Odds Portal, BetBrain and others helps to keep football betting fans informed and even if you have no mathematical abilities, statistics such as shots on goal, possession, or pass completion percentage can add considerably to your understanding of the game and give your betting an extra edge.

Online football betting combines the world's most popular sport with the thrill of pitting your judgement in search of rewards and the convenience of being able to follow the action from your home at your leisure. As with any other financial venture, betting on football is not to be taken lightly but as long as you do your homework and bet sensibly, it offers South African football fans a great way to add extra excitement to their pastime.

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Soccer Betting Tips

When you bet on soccer, there are so many things you can do to improve your bets. Here are some soccer betting tips:

High Odds

Always look for the best odds when you bet on soccer. Bookmakers offer betting odds at varying prices based on various factors. Some bookmakers will offer higher odds than others, which is why you should compare odds before each bet. High odds give you a chance to win big payouts when your wager comes.

Manage Your Bankroll

Managing your bankroll is the easiest way for you to make more bets without losing all your money. You should stick to single bets and avoid using accumulators to increase the odds. The more games you add to your slip, the higher the chances of the bet losing. single bets may not have extremely high payouts but they are safer than multiple bets.

Monitor Team News and Line Ups

Soccer is a team game but some crucial players can affect the outcome of a math. You need to follow team news and other relevant information that gives you an insight into what is happening with the team. This will allow you to know when a team is at their strongest or if they are weakened by other issues. Ensure you get your news and updates from trusted sources and journalists with access to the soccer teams.

Use Multiple Bookmakers

Using multiple bookmakers is another strategy you can use to stay ahead when you bet on soccer. Using multiple sites to bet on soccer allows you to take advantage of any increase or mispricing of odds. It will also give you access to more betting markets and allow you to get the best odds and allow you to take advantage of individual perks offered to gamblers.

Bonuses and Free Bets

Most betting sites in South Africa offer free bets and other bonuses to users on their platforms. A free bet allows users to place wagers on a betting site without using their money. A free bet is a great way for players to gamble risk-free and win cash rewards as winnings are not subject to wagering requirements. Welcome bonuses also give players bonus money which they can use to expand their bankroll and bet on soccer.

Make Logical Bets

Just like with casino games, punters need to think logically when they betting on soccer. They should avoid being sentimental towards their favourite team or player. It is important to use a data-driven approach in soccer betting because it ensures that punters make more positive decisions by considering things logically.

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How to Select a Sports Betting Platform

To get the best out of soccer betting in South Africa, you must use a platform with the best perks. Here are some tips you can use when choosing a soccer betting website:

Soccer Betting Markets

Always consider the available soccer betting markets before you join a platform. The more markets a platform has, the better it will be for you because you will have more betting options. Ensure that all the popular markets are available and other less popular options are also available.

Live Streaming

Live betting is a great offering by bookmakers and the live streaming component takes it an extra step. Streaming will allow you to watch your favorite soccer games on the betting platform without any hassle. This feature is not available in all betting sites so you must compare between operators till you find one that shows the soccer games you want. The best bookmakers will stream games from the Premier League and other popular leagues around the world.

Competitive Odds

Ensure that the platform you want to join has some of the highest odds in the soccer betting markets. Higher odds increase your chances of winning bigger rewards and they ensure that you have value for your money. Compare the odds among various operators and get the best one before you settle on an online betting site.

Payment Methods

The available payment methods are another factor you should consider. The available methods must support the Rand which eliminates the need for conversion fees. Furthermore, these methods should allow you to seamlessly fund and withdraw money from your account without any hassle. The minimum deposit amount must also be friendly and withdrawal processing times must not take too long.

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Conclusion

Betting on soccer is as easy as playing casino games. You have to choose an online betting platform that offers soccer betting and register on the site. If you are lucky, you can win a free bet as part of your bonus rewards. A free bet will allow you to place wagers on soccer matches without using your money. To get the most out of betting on soccer, you should use our bet tips to ensure that you have an edge while placing bets.

We also covered the various soccer betting markets available to gamblers in the country. These markets cut across various types of bets and offer players more options. It is also important for players to choose their betting platform using the features we provide in this guide. This will help them to get the best gambling experience available in South Africa.

This guide is suitable for both experienced and beginner punters who are getting into soccer betting. We hope that this helps you get started on your soccer betting journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Soccer Betting

Is soccer betting legal in South Africa?

Yes, it is legal in South Africa. Only people 18 and above are allowed to participate in betting on soccer games.

What soccer betting markets are available for bettors?

There are different betting markets available for soccer and these include match winner, over/under, handicaps, live bets, draw no bet, and correct score. It is important to browse the entire catalogue of betting markets available at a site before you settle on one.

How do I get the best soccer betting odds?

To get the best soccer betting odds, you must compare various bookmakers. The odds presented by these gambling sites are different which means players can compare to get the highest odds before betting. Players can use odd comparison sites to get more accurate evaluations before selecting a bookmaker.

What are the most popular soccer leagues available?

The most popular leagues are the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue Un, and Serie A. These leagues are offered by every bookmaker in the country and they are the most accessible betting options.

How can I improve my soccer betting skills?

You can improve your betting skills by using the tips we have provided in our guide. Watching matches and staying up to date with happenings also help you become better at making predictions regarding match outcomes.

Author and fact checker: Adiela de Bruyn

Adiela de Bruyn biography

Expertise: Online casino reviews, player insights, and marketing strategies.

Experience: 10+ years. Former croupier, casino enthusiast, and contributor to South Africa's online gambling regulations.

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