Without a doubt, South Africa is one of the strictest countries when it comes to gambling. Gambling operators must meet some criteria to set up a shop in the country legally. Because of this, many online casinos have shied away from opening their virtual doors to South African gamblers.
So, where do South African casino gamblers turn to?
In this article, we’ll discuss the top 2 casinos exclusive to SA gamblers. We will also discuss how South African gambling regulations work. Let’s roll!
Gambling Regulations in South Africa
Before 1996, all gambling activities, apart from horse race betting, were illegal in South Africa. Thanks to the new government that assumed office two years earlier, gambling in the country took a new turn. Online casinos and other gambling games were legalized. This was mainly triggered by the sprouting of illegal gambling in 1995. In fact, by the end of 1995, illegal casino facilities in the country were about 2000.
With the passage of the National Gaming Act in 1996. The law aimed to monitor and license all gambling activities in the country. After the Act was passed in 1996, the National Gambling Board (NGB) was created. This body is currently in charge of regulating the gambling industry across South Africa's 9 provinces.
National Gambling Act
Even though the SA gambling industry benefited greatly from the 1996 Gambling Act, several changes were made. The old Act was repealed, and a new law was introduced. Except for sports betting, this law formally prohibited online gambling. In 2008, the National Gambling Act, which made several revisions to the Gaming Act of 2004, was introduced. This was followed by the Gauteng High court's official judgment in 2010.
Following these legal revisions, offshore casino operators were categorically forbidden from providing any gambling services to South African citizens. Notwithstanding this, some foreign operators still accept registrations from South African players.
Remote Bill 2014
The government realized how challenging it would be to prevent offshore online casinos from serving the residents. This saw the introduction of the 2014 Remote Bill. If this bill is passed, the South African internet gaming market may undergo a significant upheaval. Online gambling is still prohibited in South Africa since the bill has, unfortunately, never been passed. The lone exemption, as we said, is making sports wagers online.
There have been rumors that the country’s lawmakers may pass changes to control internet gaming. The National Gambling Board, however, remains unwavering in its opposition to online gambling.
Provincial Licensing Authorities
The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) is South Africa's largest provincial licensing organization. It has issued the most gambling licenses in the country.Other provincial gambling boards include:
- Eastern Cape
- Gauteng
- Free State
- Limpopo
- KwaZulu Natal
- Mpumalanga
- North West
- Northern Cape.
Obtaining a casino license
Operators must fulfil several requisites to get a gambling license from one of the 9 provincial gambling boards. These requirements are not cast in stone, so they vary. The boards may revoke a license application if the applicant:
- Does not adhere to the correct licensing procedure
- Violates the guidelines established by the Gambling Board
- Provides misleading information
Before a license is granted, the WCGRB Executive publishes information on the prospective licensees in the Provincial Gazette. If no one disapproves the license within 21 days, the operator is qualified to get a license.
An applicant can only withdraw the application before the WCGRB's final approval. Following the license issuance, the operator must pay the taxes set by the respective gambling board.
Casino license fees in South Africa
The cost of casino licenses varies from one province to another. If, for example, an operator is a new applicant and wants a license from the WCGRB, they’ll pay R504,703. Renewing the license will cost them R252,351.
On the other hand, a new applicant obtaining a license from the New West Gambling Board will pay R230,000. The renewal license fee is R20,000.
Top 2 Casinos Focusing On South Africa
Having learned the legal side of things, here are the best and most secure online casinos focusing on South African players. As these casinos are offshore they are allowed to offer their services, although they are not really online casino South Africa. Most of them offer good services as they operate all over the world.
Springbok Casino
First things first; Springbok casino is a legal casino open to South African gamblers. It holds a valid license from Curacao, which oversees all its activities. The site’s background is green-black, with South Africa’s flag visible below its logo. Everything is well arranged, which makes navigation seamless.
Springbok casino comes with a mobile version. So you can experience all the fun on your mobile device. The mobile version works well on all devices, regardless of the screen size, brand or operating system. That means you can access it using your Android, iOS, Blackberry, or Windows smartphone/tablet.
Regarding games, Springbok uses the Real Time Gaming (RTG) platform to offer a memorable gambling experience. You’ll find plenty of slots, ranging from classics and video slots to progressive jackpots. Table games and video poker are available as well. Unfortunately, the casino doesn’t have a live dealer studio at the moment.
Over to banking, Springbok supports 6 payment methods. You can use SID to make your deposits. Other methods, such as ecoPayz, Bitcoin, and Visa, are available too. Oh, the South African Rand is the only accepted currency at Springbok. After all, the casino serves South African gamblers, right?
When it comes to bonuses, Springbok extends the red carpet to new SA gamblers with a hefty sign-up offer. What about regular players? The casino has everyone sorted, as it offers loads of consistent promotions.
ZAR Casino
Another top gaming site for South African players is ZAR casino. Like Springbok, it holds a valid Curacao license. Right off the bat, ZAR takes player security seriously. It uses SSL encryption technology and has virus-free software that is ranked among the best in the world. Your private and sensitive financial information is thus completely safeguarded.
As for games, ZAR offers hundreds of online slots and table games sourced from top-notch software developers. They are available in demo and real money play versions. To play for real money, you’ll have to fund your account. ZAR offers only secure banking options. You can use Visa, Bitcoin, or EFT to make deposits in an instant.
In the bonus section, ZAR casino is unparalleled. It offers a general welcome offer to new SA players, after which they can claim weekly or monthly bonus deals as regular players. And should anything go south, their friendly customer service representatives are happy to assist you. They are available on call round the clock and reachable via email, live chat, and telephone.
| Springbok casino | ZAR casino | |
| Online since | 2012 | 2006 |
| License | Curacao | Curacao |
| Owner | Springbok Group | Endorphins PTE Ltd |
| Languages | English, Afrikaans | English |
| Banking methods | SIB, ecoPayz, Bitcoin, VISA | Easy EFT, VISA, Bitcoin |
Closing Thoughts
Online gambling has been a hot topic in South Africa due to the government’s strict stand. That, however, has not stopped residents from gambling online. It may have slowed down the industry’s growth but not stopped it.
Since many casinos don’t want trouble with the authorities, they won't accept registrations from the country. This leaves just a few options. ZAR and SpringBok casinos are two of the best sites where any SA gambler can legally open an account. They have everything tailored to the needs of South African players. You should check them out.