Best Casino Sites South Africa

If you are a gambling enthusiast who lives in South Africa, it is good to know the regulations of your jurisdiction. If we are talking about the act of gambling itself, it has been legalized thanks to the Wiehahn Commission Report on gambling in 1994.

The most important gambling regulation in South Africa is the National Gambling Act. Players from the country must be well-aware of it and the restrictions it implies. According to this law, playing or offering any interactive game which has not been authorized by the Act or any other South African law, for that matter, is considered illegal. This does not mean that South African players cannot make any bets online. Sports betting is absolutely legal in South Africa, however, players are not permitted to make bets at international sportsbooks which are based in South Africa.

As you can see, South African players are quite restricted when it comes to online gambling. According to the National Gambling Act, only betting on sports is 100% legal and would not be considered as breaking the law.

Gambling Regulations in South Africa

History of Gambling in South Africa

To fully understand the gambling restrictions of the country, one should be aware of the gambling history of South Africa. This is definitely one interesting topic and it has been a part of the country’s past for a long time.

It was back in 1673 when gambling began to be harshly restricted in South Africa. In 1965 the Gambling Act was passed and it banned all gambling activities, with the exception of horse racing bets. However, as it is the case with many other countries, this did not stop many illegal casinos from emerging at different locations, all over the country.

Due to the fact that the residents of those areas were predominantly natives, they were not granted access to the casinos. By the end of 1995, it is believed that there were around 2000 casinos which were operating illegally in nominally independent areas such as Ciskei, Venda, Transkei and Bophuthatswana.

Finally, 1996 was the year of the big changes for the gambling industry. Thanks to the National Gambling Act that had been passed, land-based casino all over the country were permitted to operate if they follow the standard regulations defined by the law. It was all due to the Act that many casino terms were established and there were 40 different types of licenses that were issued to various provinces.

As this new law was passed and there was an entirely new field that needed strict regulations, the National Gambling Board (NGB) was also established. With the National Gambling Act in force, there were several brick-and-mortar casinos, gambling facilities, as well as a national lottery introduced to South Africa.

The introduction of another Gambling Act in 2004 lead to the annulment of the Act of 1996. In 2008 the National Gambling Amendment Act was introduced.

Online Gambling Legalization

There are nine provinces in South Africa and each one of them is regulated by its own gambling and racing board. If bookies want to offer online sports betting, they will have to hold a valid license issued by one of these boards. At the moment, the biggest license issuer in the country is Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB). If South African players decide to bet on sports, they can do it legally at sportsbooks that are holding valid licenses. If punters decide to bet on horse racings, 6% of their bets will be deducted from their winnings in order to cover Value Added Tax (VAT). As of 2012 recreational bettors are not charged any additional taxes and their winnings are not considered as an income that implies taxes.

As you can see, South African players are allowed to make only sports bets online. This is why the National Gambling Amendment Act of 2008 was introduced as an attempt to legalize and regulate online gambling. However, this law is still not brought into effect which means that South African players are still allowed only to make sports bets online. This being said, there are plenty of offshore online casinos that accept players from South Africa. In fact, many of these casinos allow deposits in Rands and offer impressive promotions to players who reside in that country.

While it is true that online gambling is illegal in South Africa, no individual players from the country have been targeted or prosecuted for playing at online casinos. This means that it is the interactive casino operator’s responsibility to choose whether to operate and provide its services in South Africa or not.

The National Gambling Board

It is impossible to talk about gambling in South Africa without mentioning the National Gambling Board. It was established as a regulatory authority that supervises the gambling businesses in the country and makes sure that they all comply with the National Gambling Act of 2004.

Even though the gambling industry of South  Africa had pretty bad reputation until the early nineties, the National Gambling Board managed to restore the fate in proper regulations. This jurisdiction makes sure that the gambling industry of South Africa upholds both local and international standards of compliance.

Software Providers for Online Casinos

If you are wondering which casino games are the best, you sure can base your decision on the software supplier that provides them. There are several companies that have been working in this field for a long time and know how to give virtual players an amazing experience that is in no shape or form inferior to playing at land-based casinos.

These software providers create innovative games that charms with amazing graphics, enticing sound effects and advanced features. This way online players can have an enormous amount of fun and even win real money while doing so.

Playtech

Playtech is one of the pioneers in iGaming industry. This is due to the fact that its gaming products are with an amazing quality of graphics and sound effects and they also can give players the opportunity to win impressive payouts.

Established in 1999 in Estonia,  Playtech has been constantly evolving and improving its software solutions and gaming products. It is no wonder that the company’s gaming options attract so many people. Exciting slots, classic table games as well as some of the best live casino variations are powered by the genius Playtech.

The company has shown great quality of casino entertainment. Thanks to the fact that it has signed deals with various other gaming developers, nowadays, some of the most innovative, fun and popular online games are provided by Playtech. In 2016 it signed a deal with Warner Bros which launched the DC Universe-branded series of games created by Playtech. Fans of classic comics characters now have the chance to play fun games inspired by Batman, Superman and other superheroes from the franchise.

What is more, as one of the leaders in iGaming industry, Playtech has established itself as a trustworthy software operator. This is why if you join a web-based casino powered by Playtech, you can be sure that your experience is going to be fun and fair at the same time.

NetEnt

Another leading software provider that can be found at South African-friendly casinos is NetEnt. The company is well-known for its entertaining and rewarding games. Alongside the giant Playtech, NetEnt most certainly has earned its spot on the top of the list of reliable software providers.

Some of the most popular online slots are powered by NetEnt. Thanks to the hard work of the team of gaming developers that work for the company, virtual players can enjoy a plethora of innovative and entertaining games. The slots of NetEnt further impress with their advanced features that improve the chances of massive payouts.

Although NetEnt is known for its slot variations, it still provides some wonderful table games. The software developer has stuck to the classy look and fun betting options that gambling enthusiasts can find at any land-based casino.

If you join a virtual casino that offers games powered by NetEnt, you can be sure that you will have the time of your life while playing online.

Evolution Gaming

The iGaming industry is constantly evolving and in the last few years, it changed the perspective of online players completely. Nowadays, thanks to live streams, virtual gamblers can enjoy live-dealer games that can be easily compared to the fun adventures at land-based casinos.

There is no doubt that when it comes to Live Casino games, Evolution Gaming is definitely one of the leading software providers. This company was established in 2006 and it quickly started gaining popularity thanks to its purposely-built Live Casino Studios all over Europe. The software provider has gained such recognition among online gamblers that it recently has launched its first Live Casino studio in Canada. This is the company’s first studio outside Europe.

The gaming library of Evolution Gaming is very impressive as it provides live-dealer table games with various betting options, table limits and payouts. This way players can pick their game in accordance with the risk they are willing to take and the reward they are expecting. The design of each table reminds all top-class Vegas casinos and players have the chance to enjoy themselves while playing the games of Evolution Gaming.

BetSoft

This software company was founded in 2006 and throughout the years, it has proven to be one of the leading gaming providers on the market. Some of the best 3D slot variations are designed and created by the developers of BetSoft. The company is constantly improving its games, as well as its software platform. This is why more and more online casinos choose the products of BetSoft.

Thanks to its innovations in HTML5 technology, the company has made numerous of its titles compatible with various mobile devices. This way virtual players can enjoy the time of their lives even when they are accessing their favourite games via a smartphone or tablet.

Even though BetSoft is known for its fun and rewarding slots, the company has also created many classic casino games. Online players are guaranteed to enjoy their time at the virtual casinos that offer gaming options powered by BetSoft. The software company’s developers have made sure that each title can entice players with impeccable quality of graphics and sound effects. On top of that, the games provided by this software supplier give players the chance to hit impressive wins and become richer while enjoying their gaming adventures.

The amazing 3D video slots of BetSoft were the reason for the creation of the SLOT 3 series. In addition to their innovative slot variations, there are plenty of casino classics as well. One of them is Poker 3 which is a game that offers an entirely new and entertaining experience to poker fans. It allows them to compete against other poker players from around the world in a wonderful 3D version of classic poker.

This software provider is definitely working hard to be recognized as one of the best gaming developers on the iGaming scene. Needless to say, the hard work of the company is paying out as more and more online players prefer the titles powered by BetSoft.

NYX Interactive

Although this software provider is relatively new, thanks to its innovative and high-quality games its popularity started growing rapidly in the past few years. If you join an online casino that offers titles powered by NYX Interactive games, you will notice their amazing look. The software company has become well-known thanks to its fun and original classic and video slots. In addition to that, the provider has also developed great table game variations, video poker options, as well as scratchcards.

Even if NYX Interactive has a long way to go until it reaches its top competitors, it is definitely on the right path. Thanks to the inventive games of the software company, many online players can enjoy a top-notch interactive gaming experience.

Types of Games South African Virtual Players Can Enjoy

If you live in South Africa and you are wondering what type of games you can play online, you would be very pleased with the variety. The majority of online casinos offer their members a full range of casino games. Whether you are a fan of slots or you prefer classic table games, you are guaranteed to find the source of entertainment that suits your taste.

Slots

When it comes to casino adventures, most players prefer to play slots. This is why the majority of online casinos focus on providing numerous variations of the game. This way they can be sure that slot fans will have plenty of options to choose from.

In most cases, casino members have the opportunity to pick from classic slots and video slots. The former is inspired by the slot machines that were popular back in the days. They have only 3 reels and, most oftenly, a single payline. Although this type of slots is more simple, some players prefer playing is as they can still reward pretty good payouts.

Even though classic slots have their fans, the video slots are what make online gambling very popular these days. Those who are fans of movies, celebrities or comics, will be more than pleased to see that there are plenty of slot variations with fun themes. Video slots usually have 5 reels and multiple paylines. This way players have more winning opportunities. Thanks to special symbols and bonus rounds, players also can enjoy greater payouts. There are also quite a lot of progressive slots that offer players the chance to win massive jackpots.

Table Games

Those who are keen on playing classic casino games will have the opportunity to play online plenty of roulette, blackjack, baccarat and craps variations. These games allow virtual players to pick tables that suit their betting preferences and offer good payouts.

Since the majority of online table games are powered by leading software companies, players can expect amazing visual and sound effects that can make their experience more thrilling. The hardworking software suppliers are also constantly updating their list with table games available for mobile devices. This means that it is getting easier to enjoy your virtual gambling even when you are outdoors.

Roulette games provide players with the choice to pick among European, French or American variations. This way you can play with the rules that are preferred by you. However, the roulette fun does not end there since there are plenty of other editions of the game. Some roulette options have multiple wheels or two spinning balls. Racetracks that allow advanced betting options are also very common with online roulette. All of these extra features make every game more entertaining and enticing.

The same goes for blackjack as well. There are games that allow side bets, have slightly altered rules or apply the squeeze technique. There are even progressive versions of blackjack. This way players can enjoy great payouts and increase the level of thrill while having fun online.

The great thing about playing virtual blackjack is that you can pick the table that offers the best odds and suits your budget. This especially applies to baccarat variants. Back in the day, this game was played only by high-rollers. However, there are multiple versions online that are suited for baccarat fans who like to play with lower stakes.

Poker is also a casino classic that has many fans. This is why online players can find plenty of variations of the game online. This way they can pick a poker version that will bring them enjoyment and will also offer the opportunity to boost their gaming balance.

Video Poker

This casino genre is favourite of many players since it combines the luck factor of slots and the strategies of classic poker. Video poker is a very entertaining category and it truly can offer great payouts if players use the proper poker strategy.

If you decide to join an online casino, you are guaranteed to find plenty of titles that have different rules, payouts and require various strategies. The most common variations that you may play are All American, Jacks or Better, Joker Poker and many others.

Playing with the right strategy on video poker can sometimes decrease the house edge significantly and even make the Return to Player percentage (RTP) go above 100%. This definitely sounds tempting and it is understandable why there are so many video poker variations available online.

Live Casino Games

This category is favourite to numerous online players. This is because live-dealer games give the opportunity to enjoy an authentic, thrilling and rewarding gaming experience. Thanks to the high-quality technology that is used at Live Casino Studios, players from different parts of the world can feel like playing in the classiest land-based casino.

Live Casino Games include all popular categories such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack and poker. Recently there have been more and more variations of live-deale table games appearing at top online casinos.

Thanks to leading software providers, such as Evolution Gaming, virtual players have the opportunity to play with real dealers, communicate with them in real time and even chat with other fellow players. This definitely elevates the gambling experience to a whole new level.

Live Casino options go way beyond a few simple table games. In some of the best web-based casinos, players can choose tables with higher betting limits or even join VIP tables exclusively ready for them. This definitely changes the future of online gambling. Live-dealer games take the classy feel of brick-and-mortar casinos and bring it in your own home, where you can lay back and play comfortably. Not to mention that there are Live Casino games that are fully compatible with portable devices and mobile players can enjoy them even when they are on the move.

Progressive Games

A lot of interactive players embark on virtual gambling adventures with the dream of becoming millionaires. This is very much possible thanks to the numerous progressive games available online. Such gaming options offer players the chance to win a constantly growing jackpot by making a certain bet on the progressive game. The reason why the rewards are increasing all the time is that when players make bets a small percentage of their wager is added to the jackpot. If they fail to sweep the massive prize, it continues growing until one lucky player hits the major jackpot.

The most popular progressive games are usually 5-reel slots that require making a maximum bet. It will guarantee players that they are eligible for the jackpot. There are, however, some roulette, blackjack or video poker games that also offer progressive jackpot rewards.

The majority of online casinos have a separate section that displays all of the jackpot games that offer big prizes. This way players can see which is the current highest progressive payout that can be won by one lucky player.

Specialty Games

In addition to classic gaming options, online players often have access to the so-called “specialty games” those include keno, bingo, scratchcards and other fun arcade games. This category of casino entertainment is offering a tad different taste of online gambling. You still have chances of winning pretty good payouts while enjoying a few specialty games.

When you play online, it is definitely worth it to explore your gaming options. You might enjoy playing some of the games that fall under the category “others”. What is even better, you can actually end up with pretty generous payouts.

Mobile Casinos in South Africa

With the latest development in online gaming, players can enjoy better and more convenient casino adventures even when they are outdoors. That is all due to mobile casinos which have become pretty popular among interactive players. Thanks to this innovation, all you need is a connection to the internet and a portable device. South African players can also enjoy their gambling adventures on their smartphones and tablets.

Mobile casinos can either be browser-based or app-based. The former can be easily accessed by loading the virtual casino on a smartphone or tablet browser. Most online casinos offer this method of mobile playing.

There are also some virtual casinos that offer mobile applications. This way players can download and install the software on their portable devices and enjoy their favourite casino games instantly. While some casino applications can be found at the App Store, there are also plenty of interactive casinos that have QR codes on their web pages which can also help players download and install the mobile casino apps.

Since most software providers have made the majority of their games compatible with mobile devices, virtual players can enjoy a plethora of fun casino games even when they are on the go.

Banking Options for South African Players

When playing online for real money it is always important to be able to manage your funds in a safe and convenient manner. This applies to South African players as well. They can utilize several payment solutions when it comes to making deposits and initiating withdrawals.

One of the most popular and convenient methods is credit and debit cards. South African players can utilize VISA and MasterCard-branded cards to make fast and safe transactions. The great thing about this method is that players can enjoy their favourite games right away as deposits are processed immediately.

E-wallets are another popular payment method that South African players can use to top up their gaming balance or withdraw their winnings. Skrill and Neteller are among the most widely accepted e-wallet services. A lot of online players prefer to make payments via digital wallets since this method will spare them the inconvenience of sharing personal details about credit/debit cards or bank account. What is more, e-wallets are a pretty budget-friendly solution since they rarely imply additional fees.

Instant transfers are also a banking solution that online players from South Africa can use. This way they will be able to transfer their money to their casino account in a fast and secure manner. Depending on the web-based casino where they play and the country they reside in, players can utilize different instant transfer services. This way they will be able to make fast, secure and easy transfers from their bank account.

Last but not least, players can choose to transfer funds to their gaming balance from their bank accounts. This can be done via a wire transfer which a highly secure transaction method. It is, however, slightly slower compared to the previous ones.

Prepaid cards are also a very popular payment solution that online players can use. This is one of the safest ways to top up one’s gaming account. Thanks to prepaid cards players are allowed to remain anonymous while making a deposit. This can be a huge advantage for those who reside in South Africa. What is even better about utilizing a prepaid card is that even if you make a mistake while depositing, you do not risk losing a huge amount of money. After all, players are allowed to upload only as much funds as they have in their prepaid cards. The only downside of prepaid cards is that they can be used only for topping up one’s gaming account. This means that virtual players should look for a different payment solution when they withdraw their winnings.

How to Pick the Best Online Casino

When you are picking an online casino where you can play your favourite games, there are several things you should pay attention to. It is important to feel safe when you play. This is why it is good to pick a virtual casino which uses the latest encryption technologies. This way you will be sure that your funds and personal information will be properly protected. Make sure also that the web-based casino utilizes a Random Number Generator. This way you can be certain that the outcome of every game will always be arbitrary.

Even if the virtual casino uses RNG, make sure that it is regularly tested by an independent auditory company. This way you will be sure that you are playing in a strictly regulated and fair gaming environment. You should also pay attention to the licenses that the casino holds. If the web-based casino where you play has valid licenses issued by trustworthy authorities, you can be sure that your gaming experience will be smooth and safe. Some of the most reliable gaming license issuers are the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.

Another important aspect of choosing an online casino is the level of security it provides. You should always be sure that your money and personal information will be protected and no one will have access to them. This is why web-based casinos that use the latest encryption technology can be trusted.

If you are offered with various safe and convenient payment solutions, this is also considered a great advantage. It is especially important for South African players to explore their banking options when they play online. Credit/ debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards and instant transfers are some of the most popular banking solutions that good virtual casinos offer. Make sure that the online casino of your choice is not charging costly fees for transactions. The majority of trustworthy gambling websites do not require any additional fees for deposits and withdrawals or, if they do, they are quite reasonable.

It is also important to have a responsive Customer Support team to rely on when you encounter some issue. This way you can be positive that your online gaming will be smooth and enjoyable. Pick a virtual casino that has a very informative FAQ page.

You may be able to find the answer to the question that is concerning you there. Virtual casinos which offer a Live Chat option are always a great destination for online players. This way even if you have a question that needs an urgent answer, you can easily contact the casino agents. Another option that should be available for members of the virtual casino is sending an email with their inquiries.

Good web-based casinos have teams that answer any email in a timely manner and give a proper response. There are even online casinos that offer players the option to contact Customer Support via a phone call. Even if you are not from the country where the gambling operator is based, many interactive casinos have international numbers that can be dialled by players from different countries.

When playing online, it is important for players to know that they have a chance of winning good payouts while making real-money wagers. This is why interactive players are advised to look for web-based casinos that offer bountiful Welcome Bonuses and promotional offers. This way casino patrons will have the opportunity to boost their gaming balances and improve their chances of hitting great payouts. Being able to claim a generous bonus is not enough. Make sure that you will be able to meet the wagering requirements and avoid virtual casinos that try to deceive players with their promotional offers.

Last but most certainly not least, you should pick an interactive casino that offers a wide range of games. This way you will be able to choose the game that suits your taste the best and boosts your gaming account.