Sports betting and its Relationship to Digital Credit: A Case Study for East Africa

05/06/2025 Email Marketing

Government regulation goes a long way to ensuring that people do feel that sense of safety. Many of the same technologies that have helped spread awareness around sports betting have also made it more accessible and convenient to participate in. Online sports betting has advanced considerably in the last three decades since it first began to gain traction.

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Statistics show that 49.4% of South Africans bet on sports from October 2021 to October 2022; around a quarter of these bettors also engage in online betting a few times a week. Given numerous options, bettors should be aware of the vital features that any website should provide. Whether your experience with betting is fresh or seasoned, understanding what to anticipate from the TOP 20 betting sites will guide your decision. If you want a real edge, go for the best sports betting sites that offer live odds, fast payouts, and solid mobile apps — they make all the difference. Sports betting in South Africa is legal and currently regulated by the National Gambling Board. While all other forms of online gambling are illegal, sports betting has experienced significant growth in popularity over the last few years.

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I became an aggressive gambler, didn’t even care when I would lose my salary. One morning I sat at a machine with the hope of winning but instead lost R5 000 in 2 hours. I had no one to turn to, my family had found out about my gambling and they didn’t want anything to do with me.

The National Gambling Board

• “For economically constrained consumers however, gambling presents a particularly risky pastime fraught with potential pitfalls.
• Parimatch can rightfully be considered the best online betting app – the creators have made sure that they have access to sports events no worse than in Europe.
• Local payment options available on the finest betting sites include popular mobile payments like PayPal and cryptocurrencies as well as bank cards and e-wallets.
• Figures from 1995 such there were as many as 2000 illegal casinos operating in the country.
• This OTP is usually sent to the account holder’s mobile number, thus making it difficult for fraudsters to transact with stolen credit cards.
• Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and its premier league, the UFC, have captured the imagination of sports fans around the world, including in South Africa.

Although this abuse is not always regarded as fraudulent activity, bookmakers hope to identify and block bonus abusers as soon as possible. Once they are addicted then all rational thought goes and it’s a case of good money chasing after bad (12). Digital credit makes this activity possible or significantly reduces the friction in the process. We can also note that a poor saving culture is among some of the attributes leading to indulgence in sport betting (14). We recommend that more study on sports betting and digital credit to be done so that more evidence of this thesis is uncovered.

• Ultimately, the more you know, the better your chances of placing smarter and more strategic bets.
• Moreover, technological disruptions, such as the emergence of blockchain and cryptocurrency-based betting platforms, present both challenges and opportunities for traditional operators.
• Software developers are developing sports betting features that focus on personalisation where your previous betting performance will be taken into account using recommendation engines.
• While mobile penetration is high, internet access is still limited in many parts of Africa.
• Relates to various typesof gambling conducted online including poker, slot games, bingo and others.
• Make sure you have access to free-to-play contests, leaderboards, and community engagement activities, as these all make a difference to the overall social sports betting experience.
• After all, we can make a prediction that it has come from the times of gladiator games or even earlier.

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This Act legalized other forms of gambling in the Province and provided for the establishment of the Gauteng Gambling Board. In Mark Tipping’s experience, most online betting frauds can only be realised once payment is made to the fraudster. At this point, additional documents may be needed to be submitted by the patron before payment is made, including proof of residence and proof of bank account details. In instances where non – South African punters are prohibited by Bookmakers from betting, these processes make it more difficult for these players to withdraw money from the platform without being detected.

Regulatory framework and legalisation

1994 saw a new democratic government taking powered and all forms of gambling were legalized. The National Gambling Act 1996 introduced a system of licensed casinos as well as a single national lottery. The Act made provisions for the regulation of activities relating to gambling and uniform standards were introduced. The National Gambling Board was also established and became responsible for the supervision and regulation of the gambling industry.

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Variety of Betting Markets and SportOnline betting sites cover a huge range of sports and betting markets, so expect to find everything from football and basketball to esports and niche sports. If you enjoy live betting, then you should take advantage of in-play wagers, which are also available on online sportsbooks. That said, it’s perfectly fine to place bets at licensed and regulated online sportsbooks in SA.

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It is uncertain whether this type of gambling will ever become legal in South Africa. Given the rapid expansion of the Internet across the continent and its good availability, the football fan base and audience in other sports continues to grow. The main focus of betting is among young people under the age of 25, most of whom, moreover, are unemployed and see betting as an opportunity to get good winnings. The main reason behind this game’s outstanding popularity lies in the small house edge value it has, which is actually the lowest one of all the available card games in online casinos.

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It provides a diverse selection of betting markets including moneyline bets, over/under rounds, and method of victory. This encourages more South Africans to bet safely, securely and ultimately responsibly. Roulette, which has been traditionally popular in land-based casinos, is now growing online. It is now the most popular casino game by revenue and players typically bet much larger amounts than other types of casino games, around R250 per bet.

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A good welcome bonus can give you extra funds to bet with, reducing your risk and boosting your chances of winning without spending more of your money. Some sportsbooks also offer free bets which allow you to test the platform before fully committing, so you can see whether they’re a right fit for you. The best bookmakers have fair terms with reasonable playthrough requirements, so you can withdraw your premier zone bet winnings instead of getting caught in frustrating endless rollovers.

• From cricket and rugby to soccer and basketball, the platform provides extensive coverage of global and local sports.
• Sportingbet accepts more than one million unique bets per day, and on some days even more than two million.
• One morning I sat at a machine with the hope of winning but instead lost R5 000 in 2 hours.
• Secondly, it is constantly amazing to watch the game of your favourite team or a player, but when it brings you money, it is much better.
• This is because digital credit has enabled ease of access to funds which the borrowers then use for their digital gambling.
• Prior to August 1996 betting on horse racing and other sporting events was the only form of legal gambling in Gauteng.
• Mobile penetration in Africa is among the highest in the world, and mobile devices are the primary means of accessing the internet.
• In terms of sports betting, South Africa has witnessed a remarkable evolution from traditional methods to the integration of cutting-edge technology that merits closer examination.

A substantial segment of the African public has easy access to online betting because of internet accessibility. Online betting is undoubtedly a popular entertainment form for young people in Africa. A few African countries that have emerged as major participants in the online betting industry and attracted both local and international betting companies are Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana.

• At this point, additional documents may be needed to be submitted by the patron before payment is made, including proof of residence and proof of bank account details.
• Football is by far the most popular sport to bet on in South Africa, and the UEFA Champions League is always a major highlight for local punters.
• Optimizing betting sites for mobile usage can help to guarantee a seamless betting experience by means of simple navigation.
• Betting and gambling have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with evidence of wagering found in ancient civilisations from China to Greece.
• Currently, the gambling market in Kenya continues to be dominated by sports betting, with an estimated number of over 7-million citizens actively placing bets on online gambling services.
• This encourages more South Africans to bet safely, securely and ultimately responsibly.
• Betting services with in-play betting let users stake wagers on events as they are happening, therefore adding thrill and involvement to the process.

Perhaps one of the most important rules of betting is setting a budget and sticking to it. You first need to decide exactly how much you have to spend, and once you do, ensure that you don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. Overall, responsible sports betting ensures that you enjoy the entire online betting experience without unnecessary stress.

As well as to uphold and maintain the image of the South African gambling industry on a global level. Sports betting operators require a valid license to operate in the country. Such licenses are issued by the Provincial Licensing Authorities, one per province. You can find more details on betting law and related topics on our Betting Law page. We have also created a few useful and strategic tips to ensure your online betting safety. Many sportsbooks offer bets on football, basketball, tennis, and horse racing, along with esports and entertainment events.

• Before 1965, all forms of betting and gambling were illegal in South Africa, with the government viewing the activities as a threat to public morality.
• Betway is considered the biggest bookmaker in South Africa and along with Sportingbet and Hollywoodbets.
• Parimatch also contributes to the development of betting in Africa – on the bookmaker’s website you can easily find information on how to bet and win every day.
• Africa is considered a technology-limited continent, which means it is cut off from the rest of the online world.
• These innovative games, including Lucky 6, Lucky 7 and Wheel of Fortune play every three to five minutes and offer easy, instant winning opportunities from as little as R1.
• In other words, you need to look beyond the title of the bonus and consider factors such as wagering requirements and restrictions on eligible bets.

If you love to bet on the go, then look for a sportsbook that offers a mobile-compatible site or a dedicated app. If you’re always on the hunt for bonuses, then choose a site offering multiple bonuses and promotions, including tournaments and loyalty rewards. Not only will you see a great welcome bonus upon signing up, but you’ll also have access to deposit match bonuses, free bets, multi-bet bonus boosts, and cashback offers. What’s more, 10bet promises to give you the best odds on your favorites, like Premier League games. Betting on horse racing, rugby and football, for example, was allowed and was very popular because it was the only form of gambling that was allowed.

One of the biggest factors in the growth of sports betting is simply increased awareness and visibility. While it’s true that advertising and sponsorships can only take you so far, they do make a significant difference. Now, the company is leveraging its expertise in gaming and entertainment to introduce new and exciting offerings to consumers in West Africa, catering to the evolving needs and preferences of the market. For those who feel their gambling habits might be affecting their financial well-being, Manyike advises seeking support. “The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation offers free and confidential counselling services,” he added.

Can I cash out my bet before the game ends?

Before accepting any welcome bonus, make sure that the terms are fair and achievable, ensuring they’re aligned with what you’re comfortable with. In South Africa, sports betting is legal, but only through licensed operators regulated by provincial gambling boards. Unlike some countries, betting on college sports is permitted, as long as the event is listed on a licensed sportsbook. However, all bettors must be 18 years or older, and sportsbooks must comply with responsible gambling laws to prevent underage betting. Odds qualityLikewise, aside from having a range of sports betting markets, the betting platform should offer competitive odds and a variety of wagering options.

Now being able to place wagers on mobile phones there has been an explosion of the popularity of sports betting. The industry has grown impressively with the number of regular users rising (2). The evolution of sports betting in South Africa has broader social and cultural implications, reflecting changing attitudes towards gambling. While sports betting has become increasingly normalised, concerns persist regarding its potential negative consequences, such as problem gambling and addiction.

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It’s critical, therefore, that operators in the sector keep up with these trends and advancements. “While South Africa has always been a sporty nation, its international sporting profile has probably never been higher and this is especially true for women’s sports,” says Chelin. US legislators are now mulling how to regulate the sector at a national/federal level given the increased uptake in what is now estimated to be a $10bn industry. The local market is dominated by Betway, Hollywoodbets, PlayaBets and Easybet. Kickboxing and Muay Thai, with their emphasis on striking and aggressive exchanges, tend to produce more exciting and unpredictable fights, offering different betting opportunities.