Safest South African Betting Sites - Most Trusted Bookies 2024
If you prioritize safety above all else when betting, Sportsboom prepared the safest betting sites currently available in South Africa.
If you prioritize safety above all else when betting, Sportsboom prepared the safest betting sites currently available in South Africa.
We know how hard it is to find a betting site in South Africa that makes you feel secure while betting. After all, you’ll need to deposit your money and share personal information when signing up.
We’ve compiled several of the safest South African betting sites to ensure you can bet without any worries. We’ve done extensive research to ensure the sites can provide fun and security, so read on to find our top recommendations.
Most Trusted Betting Sites in SA - 2024
1. Hollywood Bets
![Icon](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.sportsboom.com%2Fbollywood_Bets_f7f3adbef3.jpg&w=64&q=75)
With three licenses from local bodies, it’s easy to see why Hollywood Bets has secured the first spot on our South African list. As well as this, they have a huge choice of trusted and safe payment providers and fair payment terms. Their welcome bonus is another big boost for new bettors.
Licenses:
Gauteng Gambling Board, Limpopo Gambling Board, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator
Excluded Countries: Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria etc
Payment Methods: Instant EFT, Debit cards, Credit cards, Virtual card services, Nedbank To Up Voucher, Nedbank Send-iMali, Instant Money
Bonus: Get a 30% bonus on winning accumulators
Terms and Conditions: Maximum win R600,000 on one bet of 25 or more legs.
Support: FAQ, Phone, Email, Live Chat
Rating: Odds 4.7 Promotions 4.2 Mobile 4.2 Other 4.8
Pros
- Triple licensed in South Africa
- Fast and safe payments
- Good odds on all sports
Cons
- Bonus selection a little small
- Mobile apps not available
2. Betway
![Icon](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.sportsboom.com%2FBetway_Whos_Who_e4dcbeb751.jpeg&w=64&q=75)
With a local license from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, and a remote license too, Betway is guaranteed to offer a safe betting platform. Their payment provider selection is vast, but all of them are trusted providers, offering safe, fast services.
Licenses:
Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Malta Gaming Authority
Excluded Countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina etc.
Payment Methods: Credit cards, Debit cards, Vouchers, EFT bank transfers, Quick EFT, Ozow, USSD, MTN MoMo, Instant Money, ABSA CashSend, FNB eWallet, Nedbank Send-iMAli.
Bonus: Up to R1000 free bet
Terms and Conditions: R10 minimum qualifying bet, new customers only
Support: FAQ, Live Chat, Phone, Social Media
Rating: Odds 4.8 Promotions 4.4 Mobile 4.9 Other 4.6
Pros
- Low qualifying deposit for welcome bonus
- Excellent mobile site
- Local and remote licenses
Cons
- Bonuses could be larger
- Live chat isn’t 24/7
3. Sportingbet
![Icon](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.sportsboom.com%2FSportingbet_d0e23a1b31.jpg&w=64&q=75)
With both a local and remote license, Sportingbet takes the next spot on our list of safe bookmakers. This provider offers a small, but super secure selection of payment providers, as well as a comprehensive welcome bonus with player-friendly terms.
Licenses:
Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Gibraltar Gambling Commission
Excluded Countries: United States, Andorra, United Arab Emirates etc.
Payment Methods: Mastercard, Visa, Flash 1 Voucher, EFT (Electronic Funds Transfers), Ozow.
Bonus: Up to R3000 deposit match bonus
Terms and Conditions: First 100% match up to R1000, second 50% match up to R1000, third 75% match up to R1000
Support: FAQ, Live Chat, Email
Rating: Odds 4.7 Promotions 4.5 Mobile 4.9 Other 4.8
Pros
- Largest and most trusted bookmaker in South Africa
- Local and remote licenses
- Great bonus with fair terms
Cons
- Smaller selection of payment methods
- No phone support available
A Closer Look At The Safest Sportsbooks With Apps
Although most betting sites are compatible with mobile device browsers, apps allow a smoother experience. With a compact and user-friendly app, bettors can quickly monitor live matches and place bets on the go.
All of our chosen sportsbooks offer apps for iOS and Android devices. Most are available via Google Play and the App Store, so you can quickly install them on your device.
How we Review and Rank Safe Betting Sportsbooks
When we compare South African sportsbook options, this is the criteria that we look at:
- Sports collection and betting options: Each online sportsbook has a different sports collection. We check the number of markets available to ensure the possibilities can cater to a wide range of bettors.
- Payment methods: We check how many payment options are offered and consider each method's security.
- User-friendly sites: A sportsbook with a user-friendly site helps bettors of all levels navigate around easily, enhancing the overall experience.
- Customer support quality: When a sportsbook provides the best customer support service, like 24/7 live chat, bettors can conveniently find help if they encounter a problem.
- Bonuses and promotions: We like to see regular bonuses so bettors can always get something extra while betting on their favorite sport.
- Security system: We make sure to check the site’s security system to ensure it can protect every bettor’s personal information, including whether it uses SSL and firewalls.
- Responsible Gambling: We prefer to choose a site that supports responsible gambling and as such provides multiple tools to help bettors gamble responsibly.
How To Choose A Safe Betting Site in SA
Although we’re here to help you find safe betting websites, you might want to know how to judge a sportsbook's reliability. Here are some aspects to consider when checking if a betting site is legit.
Operating License
A legitimate sportsbook ensures you can see its operating license on its website. The information is usually in fine print at the bottom of the sportsbook's homepage.
If you can’t find it, try reading the terms and conditions. Every reputable sportsbook should also put their license information there.
Check the Offers
One of the best ways a sportsbook entices new bettors is through bonuses. However, when a bonus seems too good to be true, it’s best to take a step back and evaluate the offer. For example, a site may offer a substantial deposit match bonus but only give you a week to meet extremely high (eg. 60x) wagering requirements.
Responsive Customer Support
A reputable sportsbook will ensure that every bettor can address their concerns smoothly. Customer support must be responsive and able to give clear solutions. Look for around-the-clock live chat, comprehensive FAQs and, ideally, multiple ways to get hold of support.
Good Reviews and Reputation
There’s no better proof than other bettors’ experiences. As well as reading our expert reviews, we recommend checking to see what other bettors are saying about a site. If a sportsbook has social media, how active are they on there, and do they respond to comments? If so, they’re probably worth a look.
Why You Should Only Use Safe Betting Sites
Scam sites aim to make you believe they’re reliable enough that you deposit money. But when you come to withdraw your money, it’ll never arrive.
Another risk of betting on an unsafe site is that it may leak your personal information. You may receive unsolicited emails and calls that trick you into giving them more details, like your financial or other private data.
Betting on safe betting sites like the ones we review ensures the best betting experience. You’ll receive fair treatment, including finding competitive odds. The site will also be able to protect your data and won’t share it with third parties on your behalf, or if it does, it will make this clear in its privacy policy.
How to Avoid Unsafe Sportsbooks in SA
- Read the fine print: Analyze the betting site’s homepage and gather all the information you can. Then, read the terms and conditions and privacy policy to understand the sportsbook better.
- See what other bettors say: Check review sites and find genuine reviews of the sportsbook. If you find several unresolved complaints, especially if many bettors complain about the same problem, it might be best not to sign up with the site.
- Compare your options: When you compare several sportsbooks, you’ll find irregularities that might appear to be a red flag. For example, you’ll see exaggerated offers that don’t line up with other sites, or wagering requirements that don’t make sense.
The Safest Payment Methods for Online Betting
Well-known payment methods have a high-security system, but the best payment option relies entirely on your preferences.
However, e-wallets like PayPal can be a safer option as they don’t require you to share your financial information with third-party sites. You usually only need to share your email when doing transactions, so your data is safe.
Otherwise, traditional payment methods like Visa and MasterCard are your best options, as they both have very robust security measures in place, like two-factor authentication.
What is KYC at Beting Sites?
KYC stands for Know Your Customer, referring to a procedure that online gambling sites use to confirm users' identities. Reputable sportsbooks request several documents to verify your identity to not just make sure you are who you say you are, but that you’re legally allowed to bet on that site.
This procedure is usually followed when a bettor requests a withdrawal. The sportsbook wants to ensure that the person requesting a withdrawal is the rightful owner of the betting account, and is a common process on reliable gambling sites.
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
- Gather evidence: Take screenshots, bank statements, and other relevant information to support your claim.
- Contact the sportsbook: Directly confront the site regarding the situation and ask for a refund.
- Reach out to regulatory bodies: If your case still isn’t resolved, try contacting the sportsbook's regulatory body/bodies with your evidence.
- Legal action: You can take the matter into legal action if your sportsbook still can’t resolve the problem.
- Publicity: To exert more pressure on your bookmaker, you can share your story online. Still, you must be sure it is a scam and not an honest mistake (for example, if the site is known to take a while to process withdrawals).
Which Sports Are Safe To Bet On?
All sports are equally safe to bet on. If you want to bet on your favorite sport safely, you must find a reliable sportsbook who can protect your data and treat you fairly. If you’re playing on a reliable site, all the sports you find there are safe to bet on.
What Is The Safest Betting Strategy?
The safest betting strategy is always to gamble responsibly. First, you must be able to evaluate your gambling habits and take necessary precautions to ensure you can be responsible for your decisions. Set limits if required so you can always have a safety net.
Always manage your expectations, even if you’ve bet using your knowledge. Betting is still dominated by chance, which we can’t 100% accurately predict. Don’t ever think you’ll always win, and be too confident that you’re making unwise decisions.
Safe Betting Sites Bonuses And Promotions
Our recommended sites, and other reputable ones, typically have these kinds of offers available:
- Welcome bonuses: When you sign up and deposit for the first time, a sportsbook usually rewards you with a welcome bonus that you can only claim once on your first deposit.
- Cashback offers: Most cashback offers are a percentage of money back when you lose your bet. The cashback can be in the form of real money or free bet credits.
- Free bet promos: A free bet promotion gives you a free credit to bet on sports.
- Promotions: Sportsbook provides regular promotions like reload bonuses and risk-free bets for bettors. Promotions vary by site, however.
Responsible Betting
Betting is never a way to earn money that can replace your monthly wage. When betting, you must remember to treat the activity as recreational entertainment.
Betting can become addictive; if you don’t constantly remind yourself to be responsible, it’s easy to lose yourself. Set some limits when you’re betting, such as a strict bankroll, to avoid getting carried away and stop before you spend more than you can afford.
Staying Safe Is A Journey, Not A Destination
We know that it can be taxing to spend time researching to find the safest betting site. We hope that our list helps you find the best place that can make you feel secure while you bet. Still, you can also use some of our tips above to judge a sportsbook; check out our recommendations.
Know that betting is fun, but staying safe while betting can be more fun in the long run. We’ve extensively researched to ensure you can bet safely on our chosen sites. So, give them a try and have a safe betting experience!
FAQ
Should I Use Betting Sites Without a Gambling License?
Absolutely not. By having a license, a sportsbook must follow a set of rules, including keeping their bettors safe by following relevant laws. So, gambling on betting sites with a license is always the safest option.
Is It Safe to Use a Betting Site or App on Public Wi-Fi?
Reliable sportsbooks typically use SSL encryption to protect users from hacking attempts. However, we advise you to stay cautious when betting using public Wi-Fi and never input personal information when you do.
Is It Safe to Bet On a Mobile Phone?
If the betting site is safe, it’ll be safe to bet using a mobile phone.
Which Is The Most Trusted Betting App?
All of our betting sites recommendations above have apps for iOS and Android, and they’re safe to use.
Are Betting Sites Secure?
Not all betting sites are secure, but many reliable ones can protect users’ information. Check our betting site recommendations above to find a secure betting site.
Which is The Most Trusted Betting Site?
There are many reliable betting sites, but our top picks are Sports Interaction, LeoVegas, Casumo, BetVictor, and TonyBet.