Efirbet.com – Bookmakers in South Africa | Betting Sites Reviews

South Africans undoubtedly have a healthy selection of online sports betting sites to choose from. But with each one offering attractive promos and new betting options, how can you secure an overall product tailored to your needs?

Efirbet not only ranks the best sportsbooks but gives you a peek into our selection criteria. This guide explores the selection of sports you’ll find at the best betting sites, including bonuses, payment methods, and licensing status.

You’ll also learn all about South Africa’s gambling laws and more. All that’s left to do is sign up with one of the recommended bookies and place your first wager.

Top bookmakers in South Africa for 2024 and their offers

4.5/5
Rating
  • Licensed Betting Platform
  • Reputable and Famous Brand
  • Useful Betting Features
R1,000 Free Bet
18+ T&C apply | www.wcgrb.co.za | Play Responsibly
4.5/5
Rating
  • Competitive Odds
  • Sports Markets and Casino Games
  • Great Welcome Bonuses
100% up to R3000
18+ T&C apply | www.wcgrb.co.za | Play Responsibly
4.5/5
Rating
  • Excellent Sportsbook
  • Reputable and Reliable brand
  • Excellent Promotions
3,000 R + 300 FS Welcome Bonus
18+ T&C apply | www.wcgrb.co.za | Play Responsibly
4.4/5
Rating
  • Sports & casino for SA
  • Fafabet app in place
  • Fully licensed in South Africa
Welcome Bonus R5,000
18+ T&C apply | www.wcgrb.co.za | Play Responsibly
4.4/5
Rating
  • High odds in the sportsbook
  • Cashout option for punters
  • Lots of promotions
R25 No Deposit Free Bet
18+ T&C apply | www.wcgrb.co.za | Play Responsibly
4.6/5
Rating
  • Complex betting experience
  • Many additional betting options
  • Cool betting features
R5000 Welcome Match Bonus
18+ T&C apply | mer.org.za | Play Responsibly
4.5/5
Rating
  • Excellent reputation
  • Many sports bonuses
  • Useful betting features
Up to 1,000 ZAR + 25 Extra Spins
18+ T&C apply | ngb.org.za | Play Responsibly
3.9/5
Rating
  • Legit SA bookie
  • Lots of games
  • Instant deposits
Signup offer R3,000
18+ T&C apply | www.wcgrb.co.za | Play Responsibly
4.2/5
Rating
  • Great sportsbook
  • Competitive odds
  • Excellent sports betting features
Welcome Offer up to 100 000₦
18+ T&C apply | begambleaware.org | gamstop.co.uk | Play Responsibly

South Africa’s Favourite Sports for Online Betting

Besides music, nothing stirs up South Africans’ elated emotions like sports. Soccer, cricket, and rugby are massive favourites in the rainbow nation. As a result, these sports also enjoy the most betting activity, as fans look for ways to get closer to the action.

  • Soccer

    Soccer enjoys the most diversity and fanbase, especially after South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 16-team DStv Premiership commands massive viewership, with teams like Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates being local favourites. First and second-division soccer features fewer betting markets. You can also wager on international leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.

  • Horse Racing

    Until 1966, on-track horse racing was the only thing you could legally bet on in South Africa. The sport is a bit more complex, so it attracts fewer new bettors. Races occur regularly in tracks around the country, including Kenilworth, Turffontein, and Scottsville.

  • Golf

    A steady diet of high-class tennis action is available to bet on throughout the year. Internationally, four Grand Slams highlight the betting calendar. South Africa is home to some of the best tennis players in the world, with Raven Klaasen achieving a career-high No. 7 ranking for doubles in August 2019. You can also bet on the South African Championship, which was first played in 1891.

  • Cricket

    Cricket is one of South Africa’s favourite sports, with a wide variety of domestic competitions to bet on. The national side, the Proteas, always shines on the global stage, so you can always back your home team to win. Players like AB de Villiers are prolific run-scorers and provide loads of prop betting opportunities.

  • Rugby

    The South African national rugby team, the Springboks, hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The team recently won again in 2007 and 2019. South Africans also follow and bet on the Rugby Union, Currie Cup, United Rugby Championship, and many other competitions.

Soccer Predictions Today

GIL Vicente
Portugal
18:30
-
Famalicao
Portugal
2.46
3.24
3.25
league logoPortugal Primeira Liga
Cadiz
Spain
23:00
-
Granada CF
Spain
2.18
3.44
3.95
league logoSpain La Liga
Burgos
Spain
22:30
-
Espanyol
Spain
2.70
3.15
3.05
league logoSpain Segunda Division
Lille
France
23:00
-
Lens
France
2.20
3.55
3.70
league logoFrance Ligue 1
Bristol City
England
FT
1
-
0
Leicester
England
1
0
5.50
4.00
1.73
league logoEngland Championship
Ayr Utd
Scotland
22:45
-
Airdrie United
Scotland
2.76
3.40
2.64
league logoScotland Championship
View More

How to Choose the Best Bookmakers in South Africa?

South Africans have an increasing number of bookmakers to sign up with. Deciding which one to go with can be a challenge. As such, our team of experts is continually testing and evaluating the top brands and new entrants. Let’s walk you through some factors we use to rank ZA betting sites.

Tip #1 - Compare the odds

Having a wide range of betting markets to pick from is a good start. However, you can only maximise your winning potential if they go together with competitive odds. Odds reflect the likelihood of a result occurring and determine how much you’ll get from winning bets. Top bookies ensure you get the most money whenever you win, so be sure to shop for excellent value.

Tip #2 - Check out the payment methods

All locally-licensed South African betting sites accept the Rand. You can use convenient payment methods like EFT, Ozow, Vouchers, and SiD bank transfers. Punters can also use their Visa or MasterCard debit cards. Whether you’re depositing or claiming a payout, transactions should be quick and without charge.

Tip #3 - Review the betting products

South Africa is nicknamed the rainbow nation, a testament to its incredible diversity. This comes out even in the variety of sports you can follow and bet on. A sportsbook must cover numerous sports and provide a decent range of betting markets. Live streaming, bet builders, cash out, and other features greatly enhance your betting experience.

Tip #4 - Choose a mobile-compatible platform

With mobile phones becoming smarter than desktop computers, South Africans are going with bookies that allow them to place and follow their bets on the move. Some mobile apps even feature convenient functions like push notifications or biometric login. If you don’t want to download and install an app, mobile-compatible websites still allow you to bet while out and about.

Tip #5 - Look for bonuses

As a new customer, you’re typically eligible to receive a welcome bonus in the form of a match deposit or free bet promo. More generous sign-up offers allow you to explore different betting products without overspending. Ongoing promotions ensure you always have rewarding betting experiences. Our team probes the rewards available at each sportsbook to determine if the terms and conditions are fair and realistic.

Tip #6 - See what other players share about the brand

Despite doing your best to vet a betting site before signing up, the proof is really in the pudding. But you don’t have to eat it yourself. Browse betting forums, and you’ll find what each bookie’s current and previous customers have to say about their experiences. Take some reviews with a grain of salt, though. Once you read about 20 reviews from different sources, you’ll get an accurate picture of what to expect.

Essential Terms for South African Bettors

Before delving into the South African sports betting deep end, it’s worth your while to research relevant terms and jargon. Here are some things to know before starting.

👉 A License Issued by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board is Mandatory

The National Gambling Board (NGB) has regulated South African gambling since 1966. The entity also determines what gambling options are legal within the country. However, gambling and racing boards in each of the 9 provinces issue retail or online betting licenses. The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board is the biggest and licences the most online sportsbooks. Legal bookies display their licenses on the website footer.

👉 Online Betting is Governed by the National Gambling Board in South Africa

The South African authorities have heavily restricted gambling since 1673. The National Gambling Act of 1996 provided for regulated gambling activities and pronounces 40 licenses to be shared among the provinces. The National Gambling Board is the organisation tasked with supervising the provision of these licenses and enforcing industry standards.

👉 18+ Policy apply

Like any country, South Africa has a legal framework guiding the gambling industry. Stringent measures restrict what betting sites and players can do. In this case, only individuals 18 or older can bet on sports.

👉 South Africa FICA Betting Verification is a Must

Online sports betting sites attract a high frequency of significant cash transactions, creating opportunities that criminals may want to exploit. Sportsbooks are, therefore, mandated to know their clients. You must provide proof of identity, address, and source of income.

👉 Phone Verification is Required

Phone/SMS verification is also required to strengthen security measures. This way, sportsbooks can confirm who you say you are and that you’re located in South Africa. Phone verification also allows for the promotion of responsible gambling. It provides a defence against fake accounts, identity fraud, and underage gaming.

👉 Responsible Gaming Policy is Recommended

The National Gambling Act of 2004 requires betting sites to protect vulnerable players from the adverse effects of gambling. The National Responsible Gambling Programme promotes research, public education, monitoring and counselling, and awareness of problem and underage gambling-related issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to bet in South Africa?

Betting is legal in South Africa, but only with bookies licensed by their local, provincial gambling board. While enforcement is lax, betting on foreign-based sites may result in your funds getting frozen. Locally-regulated online sportsbooks, on the other hand, allow you to bet and legally withdraw funds with zero tax.

What is the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board?

To operate legally, betting sites in South Africa’s nine provinces have a license from a local gambling and racing board. The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board is the most prominent such regulator. By signing up with bookies displaying a WCGRB license, you’ll get a safe and consistent betting experience.

What is the National Gambling Board in South Africa?

The National Gambling Board oversees the South African online gambling legal framework. So, while legal bookies are licensed by their provincial regulator, the NGB is the overall regulator.

How do I go through FICA verification for online betting?

You can complete FICA verification in one of two ways. The first is to send copies of your ID, driver’s license, or passport and a bank statement or utility bill to the betting site via email. Most betting sites also typically have upload tools to provide these documents within your account.

How much is a gambling license in South Africa?

Betting sites and other suppliers of gambling products must be licensed by the National Gambling Board. Additional costs may be required by local licensors. Bookmakers must pay R14,377 to apply for a new license and R2,884 for renewals. Key employees must also hold valid licenses, with key figures like CEOs requiring R585 to apply for a new license.