New Online Casinos South Africa
Playing at online casinos is rampant all over the world, and South Africans are no different. With numerous free and real money casinos available within a few clicks of a button, there has never been a better time to jump on the online gambling bandwagon.
With hundreds of options, it can be a daunting task to pick the right casino, especially if you are a newcomer to the industry. You might opt for the biggest bonus without looking at other important facts and not have that jol you deserve.
Not all casinos are safe and secure, or licensed and regulated for that matter though. That’s why we have compiled the best new online casinos in South Africa, so you don’t have to browse the whole internet to find something worth your money.
All of the sites below accept the currency of South African Rand, offer deposit bonuses to South African players and hit top marks for safety features.
- All-encompassing online gambling site
- Multi-lingual casino site
- Generous welcome package
- Several cryptocurrencies accepted
- UK players might not be accepted
- Not many conventional payment methods
- Solid welcome package
- Accepts cryptocurrencies
- Wide choice of games
- UK players might not be accepted
- A limited number of progressive jackpots
- Decent welcome hybrid offer
- Good range of promotions
- Accepts Bitcoin
- Small game library
- Withdrawal fees may apply
- No deposit bonus upon sign-up
- Lower than average wagering requirements
- Top progressive jackpots available
- UK players may not be accepted
- No phone support
- Fun casino concept
- Many welcome offers to choose from
- Accepts cryptocurrencies
- Website available in multiple languages
- UK players may not be accepted
- Skrill and Neteller deposits are excluded from the welcome offer
What makes New Online Casinos in South Africa different?
South African casinos are no different than those of the United Kingdom, New Zealand or Australia, for example. They all bring together the best software game developers and various gaming options with the aim of reaching as many players as possible.
The only key difference is that online casinos would accept the currency of South African Rand (ZAR) and the theme and content would be better suited and tailored for South African players.
You will still benefit from bountiful casino bonuses, including match deposit bonuses and free spins and you have a wide range of payment methods to pick and choose from to facilitate payments.
You also have the option to play on the go, either directly from your phone’s web browser, or else, by downloading the mobile casino app. With hundreds, if not thousands of gaming options available online, South Africans are never short of choice.
As previously mentioned, making sure that you sign up for a safe and secure online casino is key to a fully entertaining gaming session.
Licenses and Restrictions for South African Players
Not too long ago, all forms of gambling were banned before being accepted circa 1994. The National Gambling Act brought most land-based casinos back following the ban. To date, there are more than 59 gambling facilities open to both South Africans and foreigners.
Although things look hopeful, online gambling is still a grey area. There are many offshore online operators that cater to South African players, but a lot of them are restricted. This is because interactive gambling was banned in 2004.
Since 2011, the gambling laws of South Africa have been amended to make online gambling illegal within the borders of the country. Although some casinos within the borders accept South African players, it is not legally recommended to open one.
Is Gambling Legal in South Africa?
Although the government of South Africa is doing its best to keep up with the world standards when it comes to online gambling, it still has a long way to go. The government is still divided when it comes to the regulation of online gambling.
Many officials feel that legalising online gambling would have a detrimental effect on South African people. Others think that they can bring in more revenue in the country by legalising online gambling.
Online casinos based within the borders of South Africa are strictly illegal. Furthermore, it was also decided that gambling online with a South African IP address is also illegal.
As we said, it is still a grey area and you should tread carefully.
Authorities that regulate online gambling in South Africa
The National Gambling Board is the main authority responsible for the regulations in the gambling industry throughout South Africa as well as to preserve the integrity of South Africa as a responsible global citizen.
The National Gambling Board’s main aim is to sustain and grow its regulatory capability to place South Africa as an effectively regulated gambling market.
Online Casino Payment options in South Africa
South African online casinos go out of their way to accommodate their players in terms of offering the widest choice of banking and payment methods available. The more efficient and quicker it is, the higher the chances of players opting for it and returning to the casino.
South African online casino payment options tend to cover three main types of payment methods, namely, bank debit and credit cards, e-wallets as well as bank transfers (better known as EFTs).
When it comes to e-wallets, the most popular are Skrill, Neteller and EcoPayz. On the other hand, bank transfers are also quite common. Many players tend to opt for SID Instant EFT, Internet bank transfers and EasyEFT.
EasyEFT is a popular alternative to a bank transfer, debit or credit card. Since it is a South African Rand-based electronic funds transfer, this banking method acts as a middleman between your bank account and your online casino account.
Can you play with South African Rand (ZAR)?
By opting for a casino that supports the South African Rand, you are placing yourself in a better position. For starters, you can benefit from easy payments as well as withdrawals.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry about conversion charges or trying to work out how much anything would cost in a different currency.
Most online casinos accept a variety of currencies, which make them ideal for players visiting from different countries and markets.
One of the biggest advantages of playing in South African Rand is the fact that you can claim your bonuses as well as your winnings in the same currency. If you had to opt for playing in a different currency, you would have to cash out the same way, and losing out to conversion charges and possibly getting a lot less than what you’d have got if you had played in South African Rand.
Growth of New Online Casinos in South Africa
South Africa is one such country that has truly benefited from advances in technology. The gaming industry in South Africa is said to be worth US$38 billion according to Venture Africa. That was in 2018, so you can expect it to have grown substantially since then too.
South Africa is touted as the second-largest gaming market on the continent. One of the key influential factors that have encouraged growth was within the mobile gaming sector. In particular, there has been a substantial increase in iGaming and eSports.
Mobile gaming has been on the rise, thanks to the government’s investment in improving the country’s communications infrastructure. That means that high-speed internet, as well as 3G and 4G coverage, is widely available across the nation.
Though South Africa’s mobile gaming industry has not grown at such a speed, things are about to change with more affordable mobile solutions.
Together with improved communications infrastructures and increased availability of mobile touch screen technology, mobile gaming is on the rise and will be on the rise not too far in the future.
What to consider when choosing a South African New Online Casino
Online gambling is a very popular form of activity in South Africa. With thousands of players jumping on the bandwagon, there are hundreds of options and sites for South Africans to sign up to. If you are new to the world of online gambling, you might not quite understand how they work and what to watch out for.
Knowing what casinos are safe and trustworthy, should avoid unnecessary hassles in the long run. Check out our below list of factors to consider when choosing a South African new online casino:
Offshore online casino
Since online gambling sites are forbidden to operate within the borders of South Africa, you can only play at offshore online casinos. This does not eliminate any risks involved with casinos online. Since online casinos are illegal in South Africa, you are still at risk of incurring fines or penalties.
Although no players have ever been brought to justice by law enforcement agencies, you should always be aware of the risks. The government has also requested local banks not facilitate online casino transactions. That being said, there have been no qualms when it comes to transactions flowing to legitimate offshore online casinos.
Offshore online casinos should also be licensed and regulated by a relevant gambling body. These would include the Malta Gaming Authority, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission and the UK Gambling Commission amongst many others. You can look for signs of a licence in the casino’s footer.
A licensed casino ensures that you are provided with a safe and secure gambling platform. All your personal and financial information are also not shared with third parties. Most importantly, they guarantee that the games are fair and use Random Number Generators to produce fair and impartial results.
The Trust Factor
It is important that you sign up for a casino that you can trust. Just like you would not share your credit card details with a stranger, you need to be careful with casinos as well. If you are signing up for a casino from our lists, then you are good to go as we have run all necessary checks.
You should also read other players’ reviews to learn more about their experiences.
Casino Bonuses
One of the biggest benefits is the casino bonuses. Almost every online casino out there offers some type of bonus. Some even throw in a no deposit bonus, giving you ample opportunity to test out a casino without putting your own money on the line.
Bonuses can come in various shapes and forms, including no deposit bonuses, match deposit bonuses, free spins deals, cashback deals and much more.
The Game Library
If you love playing Blackjack, it would be pointless to sign up for a slots-only online casino. This is why you need to have a good look at the game library. Though some players would strictly prefer one gaming option over another, we always recommend you sign up to a casino that stocks more than one type of gaming option.
Besides online slot games, they should have jackpot games, card and table games, keno and live casino games amongst others.
The games should also be backed up by leading software game developers on the market. Prominent software game developers are licensed and regulated by reputable gambling bodies. They ensure that the games are fair and use a random number generator.
Opting for a relatively unknown software game developer that is not licensed could cost you in the long run.
Payment Methods
The casinos you should sign up to should accept South African Rand (ZAR). If other casinos accept South Africans but don’t accept this currency, you should move on. You don’t want to deal with unnecessary charges and conversion fees.
Fast Payouts
Most players would agree that fast payouts are a prominent and deciding factor. If you are making a deposit and you strike it big, you would want to receive your funds as soon as possible without any delays.
The Best Online Casinos that Accept South African Players
The best online casinos that accept South African players are the ones that cater to their players. They are casinos that have a steady and good reputation, offer a wide variety of bonuses and promotions, and most importantly are fair with their players.
This means that the bonuses would come with fair terms and conditions, including reasonable wagering requirements and high caps on winnings. They also accept deposits and withdrawals in South African Rand (ZAR) and don’t charge any fees.
When it comes to payment methods, they accept a wide variety of bank debit or credit cards, bank transfer options as well as e-wallets.
Though gambling is technically illegal in South Africa, it is still important that you use your judgement before signing up for a casino. You should only sign up to offshore casinos that are licensed and regulated by a reputable gambling body.
Most Popular Casino Games in South Africa
Similar to most other markets, the most popular casino games are online slot games. South Africa is no exception. They love slot games because they come in a variety of themes, come with advanced features such as multipliers and free spins rounds, progressive jackpots and many chances to win.
The most popular type of slot games are progressive jackpots, so games such as Mega Moolah by Microgaming and Mega Fortune Dreams by Net Entertainment are high on the list.
Table games are also quite popular but don’t enjoy as much popularity as online slot games. Games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat, Craps and Dice games are much cherished and sought after in South Africa.
Online Casino Bonuses available in South Africa
Online casino bonuses are one of the most prominent and deciding factors for most players when they are shopping around for a new casino.
Here are some of the best casino bonuses available in South Africa:
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is the most widely available casino bonus you will come across, not just in South Africa, but all over the world. The welcome bonus is offered to new players who are about to make their first deposit.
They can come either in the shape of a matched deposit bonus, free spins bonus or both.
No deposit bonus
A no deposit bonus is usually provided as an incentive to get players to sign up for a casino. It can come either in the shape of free spins or a lump sum of money. You are under no obligation to make a deposit, but you will also get to claim a welcome offer if you do.
Like all other offers, no deposit bonuses come with terms and conditions.
Match deposit bonus
This bonus essentially offers to match the money a player wishes to deposit by a percentage. So if a casino is offering a 100% match deposit bonus up to 100 ZAR, and you make a deposit of 100 ZAR, you’ll have a total of 200 ZAR to play with.
Free spins bonus
This bonus offers players a number of free spins on a specific slot game or slot games. Free spins are very common and highly sought after by slots fans. Free spins can range from as little as 5 going all the way to 500 free spins.
Of course, the value of the free spins plays an important part here. If you are claiming 500 free spins with little value, you can’t expect much in return. However, if you are playing a few valuable free spins, you have a good chance of walking away with a few bobs.
Cashback bonus
The casino promises to refund a percentage of your net losses back. Similar to other offers, cashback tends to come with wagering requirements and other terms and conditions.
High Roller Bonus
A special bonus that is available to players who like to make substantially big deposits. A regular welcome deposit bonus would not do for players who like to gamble big, so casinos tend to offer a different and separate welcome offer for high rollers.
Pros & Cons of Choosing a New South Africa Online Casino vs an Older Brand
This depends on personal preferences. Some players would prefer to play it safe and settle for an established online casino, while others seek the thrills of a new casino.
Both come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. A new casino might not have enough revenue to pay out big wins initially, while established casinos tend to offer predictable and dull promotions with less than favourable terms and conditions.
Here are the pros and cons for both types of casinos:
Advantages of New South African Casinos
- Thrilling and more substantial welcome bonuses
- Just terms and conditions
- Offer a huge range of casino games
Disadvantages of New South African Casinos
- Smaller budgets and limited finances
- Promotions might be few and far between
- Customer support might not be available 24/7
Advantages of Established South African Casinos
- Player reviews can be easily accessible online
- Safe, trustworthy and follow the right protocols
- Might have more than one gaming licence
Disadvantages of Established South African Casinos
- Might not support or offer games by new software game developers
- Harsher terms and conditions
- Promotions tend to play it safe in a way that benefits the casino
FAQs
1. How are new online casinos in South Africa licensed and regulated?
1. How are new online casinos in South Africa licensed and regulated?They are not. Online gambling is strictly forbidden in South Africa. Operators are not allowed to set up shop within the borders.
Players who wish to gamble can play at offshore online casinos, but these too, come with risks. Bear in mind that players have been fined in the past for gambling. That being said, online gambling is still quite rampant in the region.
2. Can South African players cash out at new casinos?
Yes. Provided that players have met all the terms and conditions as highlighted in the offer and promotion they are claiming, they can cash out. It is important that you read the terms and conditions carefully before signing up for a casino.
You should be sure that casinos accept players from South Africa. Some casinos tend to accept deposits but would not allow withdrawals. If you are signing up for a casino from the above list, you can rest assured that you will be able to cash out.
3. What are the red flags we should look out for when choosing a new online casino?
Even though online gambling is illegal in South Africa, you should still sign up for an offshore casino that is licensed and regulated. This guarantees that you are offered fair service, that the games are fair and that the casino is as honest and transparent as possible.
Additionally, you should go over the casino’s privacy policy to see how your personal and financial information is handled and managed.
Feel free to read player reviews of the casino you are thinking of signing up to as well, to make sure that there are not too many red flags.
4. Are new online South African casinos safe?
Provided you are signing up for a casino that is licensed and regulated by a reputable online gambling body, you should be good to go. Watch out for licences from Gibraltar, Costa Rica, Malta or Curacao. Bear in mind, that gambling in South Africa comes with its own risks.
5. What is the most popular casino game in South Africa?
Online slot games are by far the most preferred type of game in South Africa. Progressive jackpots such as Mega Moolah by Microgaming enjoy popularity thanks to their enormous cash prizes.
Card and table games are also enjoyed in South Africa. Games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Poker, Dice Games and Craps are some of the most played games.
6. Are my winnings in online South African casinos taxable?
Yes and no. Players who gamble for entertainment purposes are not taxed. However, professional gamblers who gamble for income will be charged tax on the profits generated.
