How to Place a Sports Bet
Online in South Africa

If you’re new to online betting, learning how to place a sports bet online in South Africa might seem a bit confusing at first. In reality, it’s a simple process once you understand the steps. This guide walks you through everything you need to know so you can place your first bet confidently and start enjoying the experience.

Start with a locally licensed betting site

The first step to place your first sports bet online is to choose a locally licensed South African platform. We have listed them all in one place.

See All Licensed Sites

Before You Place Your Bet

You will need an online betting account, a way to make payments online, and an identity document to verify your account. Once your account is active, you can make your first deposit and begin exploring the sports and events available.

When depositing money, add enough funds to cover the amount you plan to bet. Most local payment options process deposits instantly, and your account balance will update as soon as the payment is confirmed.

Where to Bet Online

In South Africa, it’s illegal and unsafe to bet on offshore betting sites. That’s why we’ve put together a list of legal and locally licensed betting sites that hold valid South African bookmaker licences. We strongly recommend choosing from our verified selections for a safe and reliable betting experience.

Betway logo
YesPlay logo
Hollywoodbets logo
10bet logo
LulaBet logo
Playbet logo
Betfred logo
AllStars.bet logo
BetXchange logo
BetOlimp logo
Bettabets logo
Easybet logo
Gbets logo
BetShezi logo
eBet logo
FirstBet logo
Jackpot City logo
Goldrush logo
Playa Bets logo
SportPesa logo
Tic Tac Bets logo
SoccerShop logo
Topbet logo
SunBet logo
Jabula Bets logo
ScoreBet logo
Morris Vee logo
Vegas Bets logo
MBet logo
OneBet logo
YourBet logo
King Bets logo
SuperSportBet logo
Pokerbet logo
Sportingbet logo
Bet.co.za logo
Supabets logo
World Sports Betting logo
Lottoland logo
Play.co.za logo
LottoStar logo
Lukki.bet logo
Mzansibet logo
WanejoBets logo
Betbus logo
Interbet logo

Placing Your First Bet

After your account is funded, you are ready to place your first bet. Betting platforms organise their events by sport, so you can browse through soccer, rugby, cricket, tennis, or other available options.

How to Place Your First Bet

  1. Choose the sport you want to bet on

    Open the list of sports and choose the one you want to bet on.

  2. Select the event or match

    Find the fixture you want from today, upcoming, or live.

  3. Pick the betting market

    Keep it simple for your first bet and choose a result like the winner.

  4. Tap the odds

    Tap the price next to your outcome to add it to your bet slip.

  5. Enter your stake

    Type the amount of money you want to bet in the stake field.

  6. Review and confirm

    Check your selection and stake on the bet slip, then place the bet.

Once your bet is confirmed, it will appear under the “Open Bets” section of your account. You can track it there until the event ends.

Top Sports Betting Sites in South Africa

Bet on verified South African sites with bonuses.

View the Full Guide

Understanding the Bet Slip

Your bet slip shows all the details of the bets you plan to place. If you make a mistake, you can remove a single selection or clear the entire slip before confirming.

If you are betting on events with finishing positions, such as a race or tournament, you may see options like “each way.” This allows you to bet on a result and also cover another possible placing.

When you select multiple events, your bet slip will display different combination options such as accumulators or multi bets. These let you combine multiple selections into one larger bet for a higher possible payout.

Once a bet is placed, the slip will show your stake, the odds, and the maximum payout. It is a good idea to clear it after you are done to avoid repeating the same bet by mistake.

Sports Betting Terms Explained

Understand key betting terms used on South African sites in one simple guide.

Read the Guide

Tracking Your Bets

You can view your bets at any time in your account. Look under “Open Bets” to see active wagers. Once an event has finished, check the “Settled Bets” or “Bet History” section. This shows whether your bet won or lost, the odds you took, and the payout amount if you won.

Understanding South African Odds

You will see all betting odds shown in decimal format, which is the standard in South Africa. Decimal odds are easy to understand. The number shows the total return for every rand you bet, including your stake. For example, odds of 2.00 mean you get back R2 for every R1 you wager if your bet wins.

What Odds Are and How to Understand Them

Learn how betting odds work and how to read them in our quick South African guide.

Read the Guide

Key Things to Remember

Once a bet is confirmed, it cannot be changed or cancelled. Always double-check your selection and stake before placing your bet to make sure everything is correct.

Understanding how the bet slip works and how decimal odds are displayed will make betting easier to follow. With each bet you place, you’ll become more confident and comfortable using online betting platforms.

Betting Calculators

Make Every Bet Count

Calculate profits, odds, and bonus rollovers before you wager. Quick, accurate, and built for South African bettors.

  • Acca Payout
  • Odds Converter
  • Bonus Rollover
  • Voucher Value
Open Calculators

Responsible Gambling (18+)

Betting and Lotto are for adults only. Play for fun, set limits, and only use money you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being enjoyable or you’re worried about your play, take a break and get support.

You must be 18 or older to gamble in South Africa. If you need help now, call the NRGP on 0800 006 008.

HOW TO PLACE A SPORTS BET ONLINE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Betline South African Flag

You can trust Betline to give you everything you need to know before signing up at any top sports betting site in South Africa.

This list helps you find the best place to bet online by showing what each platform offers, what you can expect as a player, and what makes every betting site worth considering.

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