The Republic of South Africa is situated in the southern part of Africa, being washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. South Africa became a Republic in the year 1961. In recent years, sporting events have become a place for people to bet in South Africa. It is imperative to comprehend the sphere of South African betting sites and legislation regulating it. In this detailed guide, we will look at everything you need to know about sports betting in South Africa; the history, the laws and betting sites in South Africa.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Overview of South African Gambling Laws
Early Regulations (1961:1995)
- 1961: South Africa become an independent state after getting its freedom from United Kingdom.
- 1961: Gambling remained prohibited; Britain laws ceased to have an effect.
- 1965: Gambling is legal with the help of the gambling act.
The Rise of Illegal Gambling (1970:1995).
- 1970: Casinos and slot halls work in bantustans, which are the territories of black South Africans.
- 1995: More than 2000 unlicensed gambling establishments do business.
Legalization and Modern Era (1996:Currently)
- 1996: National Gambling Act allows the operation of casinos and also provide for the National Lottery.
- 1997: The lotteries act is enacted.
- 2008: Online gambling is allowed to certain extent, through the National Gambling Amendment Act.
- 2022: Preliminary review of the Draft Remote Gambling Bill aimed at the revision of the online gambling laws.
Gambling Regulator of Betting Sites in South Africa
National Level
- National Gambling Board (NGB): Controls and supervises gambling related services and their operations throughout the country.
Provincial Regulators
Each province has its own regulatory body:
- Eastern cape gambling and betting board
- Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority.
- Gauteng Gambling Board
- Kwazulu: Natal Gambling and Betting Board.
- Limpopo Gambling Board
- Mpumalanga Economic Regulator
- North West Gambling Board
- Northern Cape Gambling and Liquor Board
- The Western Cape gambling and racing board.
Permitted and Prohibited Bets
Permitted Bets
- Lottery & Scratch Cards: The South African National Lottery as a Monopoly.
- Bingo: Primarily focused on slot establishments that are considered as bingo halls.
- Sports Betting: Both online and offline ways.
- Casino Gambling & Poker: Applicable only to the land-based facilities.
Prohibited Bets
- Online Casino Gambling & Poker: This is unlawful in the absence of correct permits.
- Foreign Lotteries: The following persons are prohibited from participating in the Promotion: South African citizens.
Fees and Licenses of Gambling Operations
- Types of Licenses
- Casino Licenses
- Bingo Licenses
- Bookmaker Licenses
- Totalizator Licenses
- Online Betting Licenses
- Manufacturing and Key Licensing
Licensing Process and Fees
The licenses are given on a perpetual basis with an option of renewal on an annual basis. The rates and charges differ according to the sector and geographical area.
- Taxes on Gambling Winnings
- Land: Based Casinos
- Typically taxed at 10:1. 15 percent of the gross gaming revenue.
- Online Betting
- Taxed at 6: They shall pay the tax of 7% of the net gaming revenue.
Popular Betting Sites in South Africa
Dafabet
Dafabet
It is among the best for Football, Horse racing, Rugby, and Cricket betting. Enabling users to watch the events live, Dafabet makes sure that you don’t miss any of it.
Up To £130 + £5 Free Bets
Betmaster
Betmaster
It is one of the most popular betting sites in South Africa due to its reliability and competitive odds and offers a multitude of sports to bet on.
Up To £1000 + £10 Free Bets
20Bet
20Bet
Popular for its user:The interface is friendly and the customer service is great, 20Bet provides a great variety of sports: soccer, tennis, golf, etc.
Up To £150 + Recharge £150 Free Bets
Main Events in the History of South African Sports
South Africa has a rich history of hosting and participating in significant sports events:
- 1995 Rugby World Cup: South Africa triumphs, the country that is symbol of democracy in the whole world.
- 2010 FIFA World Cup: This year it was held in South Africa, a first.
- 1996 African Cup of Nations: South Africa gets their win with their national team, Bafana Bafana.
- 2003 Cricket World Cup: Another huge international event is taking place in South Africa.
- 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup: The proteas celebrates by bringing the trophy home.
South African Sport Stars of the World
Rugby Legends
- Francois Pienaar: Took the team to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup championship.
- Bryan Habana: Joint:this is the record of the highest try scorer in international rugby.
Cricket Icons
- Jacques Kallis: He was one of the best all:round cricketers of his time and perhaps of all time.
- AB de Villiers: He is a well known batsman of the cricket world.
Athletic Champions
- Caster Semenya: Two time Olympic champion in the 800m race.
- Wayde van Niekerk: You know the world’s record holder in the 400m.
Football Heroes
- Lucas Radebe: Considered as one of the best defenders to have ever played the game.
- Benni McCarthy: All:the record holder of all time highest goalscorer in the South African Premier Soccer League.
Gambling Laws of Other Countries
- Namibia: Gambling is allowed and the rules are quite stringent and it operates under license.
- Botswana: The legal types of gambling are not very extensive and include mainly lotteries and certain types of sports betting.
- Zimbabwe: Gambling activities particularly casinos and sports betting are legal and are governed by the Zimbabwe Lotteries and Gambling Board.
Conclusion
Knowledge on the environment regarding sports betting in South Africa will go a long way in improving your experience. Due to the history of sports betting, legal framework, and a large number of websites, South African sports betting is both safe and entertaining. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced bettor looking to sharpen your skills, these resources, and the information on current laws should be of interest to you.
FAQ: Betting Sites in South Africa
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