South African players have a number of different casino options available to them. Even though online gambling is a slightly tricky subject in terms of legality, players in South Africa can still enjoy an excellent range of different options. We’ve taken a deep dive into what’s available to players, what they need to look for, and which sites stand out. If you’re ready to start your online casino journey, then this guide is perfect for you.

Is Online Gambling Legal in South Africa?

It’s a bit of a grey area for players. Online gambling is legal in some forms within South Africa, however, playing at online casinos isn’t legal. It’s legal for bettors to bet on sports and horse racing online, but online casinos don’t enjoy the same level of freedom. It’s not the end of the world though. There are a few ways around this issue.

Firstly, although online casinos aren’t legal in South Africa, what this really extends to is stopping online casinos from being located within South Africa. So, players are able to sign up to online casinos as long as they’re located offshore. While it’s not legal to play at an online casino, players don’t get prosecuted or punished for doing so. However, if someone set up an online casino within South Africa, it would be a different story and they would be punished when caught.

Players can also use a VPN to access online casinos that are located in restricted jurisdictions. There is a risk when doing this, as players may be breaking terms and conditions, which can lead to funds being confiscated. Players should be fully aware of this before signing up. There are ways to mitigate this risk slightly, but there’s no way to completely remove it.

The same situation is in New Zealand. The owner of onlinecasinosrealmoney.co.nz tells us that the country is working on their outdated gambling laws but that it will take years to get something done. The Netherlands did update their gambling laws after 15 years of debate, making it legal to gamble online at licensed operators.

What to Look for in an Online Casino

 

Because the online casinos are all located offshore, it does mean there are certain factors players have to take into account. Not every player is aware of these factors, so we’ve covered them in detail to ensure all South African players can easily find the safest sites to play at.

Licensing

 

Although online casinos don’t have a South African license, a license from other jurisdictions is a good indicator of if a site can be trusted. Players should look into the licensing of a site and if the site has been punished at any point before creating an account.

It should also be noted that a license doesn’t guarantee protection. Some sites can have a license and still behave unfairly. So, while a license is a good sign, it’s not a guarantee that a site can be trusted.

Reputation

 

If a site has a license, then the reputation is the next factor to take into account. If a site has a good reputation it means players can trust what it has to offer. A good reputation is built up through years of treating players fairly and providing a safe service. However, on the other hand, if a site has a poor reputation it means it can’t be trusted. A poor reputation is earned by treating players poorly and offering an unfair service.

Game Selection

 

If a site has a poor game selection, then why would players want to sign up? Players should always look into the game choice before signing up to a site. It’s not just a case of finding out if slots are available, it’s also related to the other genres of casino games. So, Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Poker, and live casino games are all options players should look into.

There’s also other options that players should be aware of too. Bingo, lottery, and sports betting are all offered at different online casinos. So, players who want to try out something a little bit different should look into whether they are available.

The software developers that are featured at the site are an important factor as well. If high quality software developers are featured then it means it’s likely the games will also be high quality. Of course, the inverse is also true, if poor quality developers are included at a site then it’s likely the games will be of a poor quality. Looking for developers such as, NetEnt, Microgaming, Red Tiger, and Yggdrasil are all examples of top software developers. For players who enjoy live dealer games, Evolution Gaming are an excellent site to check out.

Payment Methods

 

Players should research the payment methods that are available. If a poor selection of payment methods are offered then it could make it difficult to make deposits and withdrawals. Also, players should look into whether their preferred method of payment is available. If it’s not available then it means players will either have to create a new payment account or find a different casino to play at.

Customer Service

 

It’s vital to have excellent customer service in place. If players can’t get in touch with support when they have a problem, it means the issues can’t be resolved. Support can come in a number of different ways. The most common is through a live chat. This allows players to talk to support operatives in real time and get a solution to their problems. A similar solution is to contact email support, which takes a little bit longer but can allow for more detail to be provided.

Some sites will also have an in depth FAQ available. This can remove the need to talk to customer support as it can provide solutions before a problem is created.

Bonuses & Promotions

 

Claiming a bonus is one of the biggest benefits to playing at an online casino. They’re typically not offered at standard casinos, so it’s a unique advantage. However, not all bonuses are worth claiming. The first thing players should look into is if the bonus is substantial enough. If it doesn’t offer much to players then it might not be worth claiming. It can also relate to what the bonus offers. For example, a table game player will not find much benefit from free spins. So, players have to ensure the bonus is beneficial to them.

The terms and conditions of the bonus are also important. If the bonus provides unfair terms and conditions, then it won’t be worth claiming. For example, wagering requirements of 100x could be seen as unfair terms and conditions. To add to this, players should also ensure that win caps on bonuses don’t impede on what they can claim. Would it be worth claiming a R1,000 bonus if the win cap is R5? Thoroughly researching the terms beforehand will stop this from becoming a problem at a later date.

Best South African Online Casinos

 

Choosing the best South African online casino is critical to enjoying the online betting experience. Using our above guide should make it easier to choose a safe site to play at, but for players who don’t have the opportunity, there are a number of sites that stand out to the South African audience.

Zar Casino is an excellent site with some superb game choice and excellent bonuses. Players can play everything from slots to table games here, so it’s an excellent choice.

Springbok Casino has been on the market for a long time. It provides players with a fantastic betting experience, built around some incredible software developers. Anyone who wants a serious casino experience will enjoy what Springbok has to offer.

For any other choices, players should use our guide to find the very best site for their needs.