[imagesource: Alamy]

The South African computer games industry is not yet at par with the rest of the world, but there are some signs that this country could eventually come out on top in Africa. The following article highlights some areas of online gaming in SA and profiles gamers. Gaming is seen as an activity similar to any other type of competition or group participation activity – there is often a social aspect. Even the most competitive of games, however, are geared to bringing people together.

Most South Africans do not play computer games (and many would certainly say they never will) but more and more people are getting hooked on some form of online game. The Internet has opened up the world to gamers in SA; it has given them access to international competition, has opened up new markets for local producers, and it is encouraging gamers to become even more involved in the industry.

Online Casino Gaming in SA

In SA online casinos have been around for a few years, and the idea is catching on. Debit cards are preferred to credit cards as debit card transactions do not attract interest charges, although they may attract other bank fees. Most SA banks offer debit card facilities now, so this payment method is secure and convenient for most players. Some online casino games are also offered for download on to mobile devices.

Online casinos like NetBet have some advantages over their land-based counterparts, the most obvious being the convenience of playing from home. Players don’t have to dress up or leave their homes, they can gamble in their pyjamas if they so desire. All they need is a personal computer with Internet access. 

Some online casinos also offer their players free chips when they sign up, or alternatively refer a friend for more chances to win. But in the end, many people in SA prefer to visit offline casinos instead – there is something about physically being at a casino that has its own appeal.

The Various Types of Online Games

Casino games like blackjack and roulette are quite popular in SA. There are also many people who spend hours playing games like FarmVille, Mafia Wars or even poker online; virtual worlds like Second Life are becoming increasingly popular as well.

Entertainment websites like YouTube and social networks like Facebook have made it easy for people to post game requests and find people to play with. This has especially been the case for Facebook, which was barely a year old in 2008 and yet already had 11 million users by 2009.

There are also those who are into online casino games like poker. Players usually have to put up a small amount of money in order to get started, which means that if they lose all of it they can still afford to keep playing. But there are always risks involved when it comes to money, so players need to be careful about the decisions they make – especially since some online casinos offer free cash at signup

As more and more people in SA become comfortable playing games on their laptops or personal computers, there is every indication that online gaming will only increase in popularity. It is already a far more mature industry than the country’s thriving land-based casino and amusement arcade scene. 

There are many gamers who play so much that they risk becoming addicted, but in most cases, online games pose no more risks than normal sports or social interaction. Gaming is said to be the world’s number one online pastime.

There are many games that can be played online in South Africa; in fact, any game that you could think of there would probably be an online version.