You can learn more about the best sites, promotions, payment methods, and mobile casinos, as well as the process of selection by reading the article below. Enjoy!
Legal South African Online Casino Sites
Since there are plenty of offshore casinos accepting South African players, selecting the best legal online casinos was not an easy task.
However, my expert team has spent dozens of nights combing through all available sites and picking only the ones that they themselves would gamble on. All of the sites on our list are worth your time and money.
Feel free to take a look at the list below.
Rank | Rooms | Expert Score | Signup Bonus | Play Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
1
4.5/5 Read Review
|
65 user ratings |
200% up to R15,000+100 FREE Spins (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! | |
2
5/5 Read Review
|
100 user ratings |
100% up to R5000+100 FREE Spins (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! | |
3
4.8/5 Read Review
|
57 user ratings |
up to R10,000+100 FREE Spins (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! | |
4
4.3/5 Read Review
|
16 user ratings |
First 3 Deposits, Get R8888+100 FREE Spins (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! | |
5
5/5 Read Review
|
25 user ratings |
100% up to R2200+44 FREE Spins (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! | |
6
4/5 Read Review
|
24 user ratings |
Get a R300 Bonus (T&Cs apply, 18+) |
Get Bonus! |
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The NGB or as they are also known the National Gambling Board is responsible for overseeing and regulating the land based gaming venues in South Africa.
It is currently deemed to be illegal to gamble at an online casino in South Africa however some online betting sites have been given licenses allowing them to accept wagers from citizens and residents of South Africa.
However, even though online casinos are deemed to be illegal in South Africa there are large numbers of online casino sites that are based outside of South Africa who do market their services to players.
As such as a player you will certainly not find a limited number of casinos sites online are available to you are there are quite a lot of them at which you will be able to play any of their respective casino games for real money.
If you do have an interest in gambling online and have been actively seeking out a range of online casinos at which to play at then the following guide may be of interest to you, and in it we will enlighten you on which sites are licensed in other respected Commonwealth countries and we will also present to you the answers to many questions first time online casino players in South Africa will be looking for the answers to.
A lot of the reasoning behind why most gambling is considered illegal within South Africa, is due to the problems that it can bring with it. Yet, due to the fact that plenty of people were participating in underground gambling, those problems still arose within the country. This was why a very partially legal gambling industry was set up, which had come to fruition by 1996.
Today, that legal gambling industry still relates to land-based efforts for the most part, if you take away the inclusion of an online lottery. Therefore, online casinos are completely illegal within South Africa. Because of this, any operator found to be providing South Africa’s residents with online casino gambling options stands the possibility of facing large fines and the potential for a prison sentence.
So, what exactly does the law say about online gambling in South Africa?
Are Online Casinos Legal in South Africa?
Unfortunately, owning, operating, and gambling in online casinos is illegal within South African borders.
Since 2010, the act of online casino gambling has been strictly prohibited in South Africa.
Prior to this time, it did seem like the country was gearing towards making it a legal operation, with discussions for regulation and legalisation taking place.
Of course, with land-based casinos also being able to be set up in South Africa, online casinos seemed like they would be the next progressive step to take.
Any person operating or gambling in an online casino located in SA is breaking the law and runs the risk of paying hefty fines. However, many offshore online casinos have South Africa as their primary gambling market.
Unfortunately, the banning of online casino gambling didn’t come with any specific reason behind its integration. Both the operation and advertisement of online casinos within South Africa are illegal acts, with punishment for doing so coming primarily in the form of fines. Despite this, there are several online casinos that target the country’s market, with some even marketing themselves as South African casinos in specific.
Yet, those casinos aren’t actually based within South Africa. They’re offshore platforms, which remain as the only possibilities for gamers to access. And while rumours have abounded over the government taking firmer action against these foreign-based casinos, little has come to action from them. As things stand at the moment, players are not prosecuted for accessing foreign-based online casino sites. Because of this, plenty of sites freely welcome South African players to their platforms.
How We Found the Best South African Casino Sites
If you’re wondering how we found the best casino sites available in South Africa, don’t worry as we will explain our selection process in detail.
Even though the task wasn’t easy, our team of experts worked tirelessly to find the best SA casino sites. We took into account key factors, such as licensing, reward systems, game selection, customer support, mobile compatibility, and many others.
Please continue reading to go through each step of our process.
Why You Can Count on Legal Gambling
We have been in the iGaming business for a long time, so we know what it takes to find the best of the best when it comes to online casinos.
Our first step is to do a thorough background check of a selected casino to ensure everything is in order when it comes to legal matters, and make sure that the site is not a scam.
Dozens of online casinos appear daily, and not all sites are worth your attention and hard-earned money.
Our team consists of top legal experts and avid casino players, thus you can count on us to bring you up-to-date information on the online casino industry.
How We Make Sure That Online Casinos Are Legal and Safe
Each online casino that we play in must uphold the same standards for our readers, meaning that the casino must use the latest security measures and hold a valid license.
What do we mean by that? All casinos that put their users’ safety first will have contemporary SSL encryptions that protect user data. Additionally, any casino that cares about its reputation must hold a valid operating license provided by a well-established regulatory body.
Along with these two crucial factors, we also pay attention to previous players’ reviews since first-hand experience is essential.
What Do We Look for In a Casino Site
The legality and security of the casino do not mean a lot if it doesn’t offer a high-quality gaming experience. There are a few other factors that we consider every time we create a list, so keep reading to find out more.
The selection of games available in an online casino is crucial because versatility and a wide range of games keep players coming back. A top casino should offer all types of casino games, including:
Let’s not forget to include live dealer games and video slots.
Aside from games, we mustn’t forget bonuses and promotions — something that every player looks forward to. All bonuses should have reasonable wagering requirements that can be completed in the time given. Additionally, rewards should be available to both newcomers and regular players.
However, bonuses have little merit if the casino does not offer your preferred payment method. Thus, we try to keep in mind that different players require different gambling payment options. The online casinos on our list offer popular deposit and withdrawal options, with low or non-existent fees and speedy processing times.
Customer support is just as important as all the other casino features. If a player does not have access to prompt and helpful customer service, their casino experience will be less enjoyable. When testing customer service teams, we look for the following:
- Accurate and useful answers
- Friendliness
- Availability
- Professionalism
Blacklisted South African Online Casinos
Although there are many excellent online casino sites that you should visit, some should be avoided at all costs. Many casino sites are dangerous territory, especially for inexperienced players that can be easily deceived.
Before you decide on a casino to join, take a look at the list of sites you should most definitely steer clear from.
Rome Casino
- Tampered software that provides unfair outcomes
- Extremely low monthly withdrawal limits
- Slow withdrawal process
Fly Casino
- Restricted withdrawal limits
- No mobile platform
- Ongoing liquidity issues
VIP Slots Casino
- High deposit fees (up to $70 for prepaid cards)
- Low withdrawal limits ($100/monthly) for cheque payouts
- Non-responsive customer support
The Online Casino Industry in South Africa
Interestingly, the gambling industry in South Africa is one of the most profitable industries in the country. Experts report that the compound annual increase is about 6% in SA. According to Tech Financials, the gambling industry is expected to reach $34.8 billion in 2020.
The Future of Online Casinos in South Africa
Although there is no indication that online casinos located in SA will become legal, players can still look forward to a bright future.
South African authorities such as the National Gambling Board are not likely to ban offshore online casinos, so players can continue to enjoy a variety of games by joining any of the sites on our list.
These statistics are supported by the fact that one in ten South Africans enjoys gambling online. With the online casino industry’s recent boom and no possible bans in sight, we can only expect that the online casino industry will continue to rise.
Mobile Casinos in South Africa
Regardless of how great an online casino is, nowadays it’s not regarded as top-notch if it doesn’t offer a mobile version. With the social online games market to reach over 3.72 billion South African rand in 2023, it’s no wonder players enjoy mobile casinos that allow them to play games on the go.
For this purpose, all high-grade online casinos use HTML5 technology and provide the best possible gaming conditions for mobile users. Casinos presented on our list offer the possibility of playing games on smartphones and tablets, whether your device uses Android or iOS.
Popular Payment Methods for Online Casino Sites in South Africa
Luckily, most South African casinos offer a variety of payment methods to their players. The most popular payment methods include credit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard.
The second most popular payment methods are e-wallets. So, you can expect to come across some, like Skrill and Neteller.
Most modern online casinos offer the option to deposit and withdraw money using cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and others.
You can also find other payment options, such as:
- Prepaid cards such as Paysafecard
- Bank wire
- Cheque
- Internet banking
Legal Live Dealer Casinos in South Africa
If you want the best of both worlds — playing from the comfort of your home while enjoying the thrill of a land-based casino, you will be interested in live dealer action.
These days, more and more players opt for live dealer casino games instead of RNG-based games. Professional dealers are located in real casinos or studios worldwide, and South African players can participate by joining HD live streams from their living room sofas.
All of the best online casinos offer an abundance of live dealer games, including variants on:
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Baccarat
- Roulette
Popular Software Providers for Online Casinos in South Africa
Online casino software development is a competitive business, meaning that all software providers strive to render the best possible services to South African online casinos.
Ultimately, some software publishers are better than others when it comes to the overall:
- Gaming experience
- Graphics
- Sound effects
Some of the more successful providers include NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT, Evolution Gaming, Play ’n GO, and others.
Responsible Gambling
As the number of available online casinos increases, so does the number of gamblers that require professional help. Remember that only responsible gambling is fun and that any increased gambling activity can lead to severe problems.
If you find yourself in need of help or know someone who needs help, take a look at one or both of the sites below.
- The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation — SARGF has been in the business of helping gambling addicts for 20 years, and will gladly help you and your family overcome serious gambling problems.
- Gamble Aware — GA offers in-depth information on problem gambling with 24/7 live chat and phone line. The professional Gamble Aware staff can guide you to the right support system.
- National Gambling Board — The NGB is the official regulatory body within South Africa, listing helpful information and helplines for those that need it.
Final Thoughts
Even though the rules of gambling are a bit stricter than in other countries, South African players do not lack options when it comes to offshore casinos. We gathered the crème de la crème of casino sites that will suit even the pickiest players.
Hopefully, South African players will find this in-depth guide to the best online casinos helpful and choose one of the casinos from our list.
Please, remember to gamble responsibly. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are looking to play casino games online for real money then below are the most frequently asked questions regarding the online gaming environment, and underneath each question is the most relevant answer to each respective question.
I would like to know how you can suggest a casino, rate it 5 stars and then warn people against them? Contradictory Statement? The very 7reels 5 star listed casino second on your suggestion list does accept South African players but they are under Curacoa jurisdiction as well. I had an account with 7reels.com I didnt receive a cent of my winnings and my account closed to my face.
Hi Abigail, Thank you for the message. We have now removed 7 reels and dobule checked all other casino rooms to make sure they are all legal and accept players for South Africa.
Wow I love this information and helpful!
Hi I’d like to know specifically if Europe casino is legal in Southern Africa
With 9 provinces in South Africa that govern gambling activities in their own ways, locally and have their own gambling regulator. This guide has been very helpful.. Thanks
Hi there i won an amount of 30000 at a sa casino. Now they are paying out 3000 per week why not the full amount. Can they do it