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Top Betting Sites With Welcome Bonus

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Betway: Get 100% match on your first deposit up to R1,000

Written by

Patrick Meyer
Patrick Meyer

South African betting sites are always jostling to provide the best promotions. I have checked every local betting site with a welcome bonus. That's right, I did the betting welcome bonus hunting, so you don't have to.

Finding betting sites with a welcome bonus isn't hard. But knowing which site offers the best welcome bonus can be a challenge, and who wants to do all that research? Luckily for you, that is part of my job.

Top 10 Welcome Bonuses from South African Betting Sites

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What is a signup bonus?

A signup bonus is an incentive that online sportsbooks offer new players to entice them to make deposits and bet with real money. These rewards include free spins, bonus funds, or cashback coupons.

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Should I claim a signup bonus?

Yes, you should. You increase your chances of winning in sportsbooks by using bonuses, so they are worth it. However, make sure you use a platform with fair bonus rules.

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Is a signup bonus taxable?

No. Signup bonuses are not taxable, and the South African government does not require gamblers to pay taxes on winnings. However, professional gamblers who record frequent huge wins may be subjected to certain tax fees.

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What are the most common bonuses?

The most common bonuses in sportsbooks and casinos are; signup bonuses, deposit bonuses, free spins, and no-deposit bonuses.

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Can I combine a signup bonus with other bonuses?

Yes. There are cases where sportsbooks line up more than a single bonus for you. In these cases, you can combine these bonuses. However, these combinations are often only on bonus funds and free spins.

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Which betting site has the biggest welcome bonus in South Africa? 

Playa Bets arguably has the biggest welcome bonus available to SA players. They offer a 100% deposit bonus up to R10,000, activatable with only a minimum deposit of R20.

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What betting site gives you free money for signing up? 

Numerous betting sites offer free bets to players just for signing up. Some of them are; HollywoodBets, Sportingbet and Lulabet.

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What is a welcome bonus? How can we use this in betting? 

A welcome bonus allows players to receive lucrative rewards as a welcome package in a sportsbook. Players can use these bonuses to bet on specific events without using real money deposits.

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What is a welcome bonus on online betting? 

A welcome bonus is a reward offer that new players receive on online betting sites. It could be in the form of free bets or cashback for refunds of lost bets.

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What is the difference between a welcome bonus and signup bonus? 

Welcome bonuses and signup bonuses are both bonus offers designed for new players in sportsbooks. Both terms are interchangeably used. Some sportsbooks use the term 'Signup bonus' to refer to no deposit bonuses that can be activated on sign up. On the other hand, a welcome bonus is a general term that covers all forms of bonuses for new players.

My Favourite Welcome Bonus in South Africa

Betway has the best sports welcome bonus. Players can claim a 100% matched deal up to R1,000. Betway is a globally trusted sports betting provider. The Betway App is a huge advantage, making betting from my phone as easy as possible. To top it off, they have a reputation to uphold, so their customer support is great. When I first signed up, I had a few questions that were quickly answered via the chat support in the app.

By depositing R1000 into my account, I immediately received my welcome bonus as a deposit match bonus of R1000. That gave me a grand total of R2000 to bet with.

What Are Casino Welcome Bonuses?

Gambling sites often use casino welcome bonuses to attract new users. They could be in the form of bonus cash or free spins.

How Do Welcome Bonuses Work?

As the name implies, welcome bonus offers are for new users of a sportsbook's site. Depending on the betting site, there are specific terms and conditions that players have to follow to qualify for a betting site welcome bonus. You often have to make a minimum deposit to get your welcome bonus. In other cases, you get a welcome bonus just for signing up for the betting site.

Also, most welcome bonuses feature wagering requirements, which represent the number of times you have to wager your total bonus value before becoming eligible for a withdrawal. You can cash out your bonus funds once you fulfil all bonus requirements within the validity period. Otherwise, your funds become void after the validity period.

Betting Site Welcome Bonus Ts & Cs to be aware of

The conditions attached to a first deposit bonus depend solely on the bonus provider. However, you'll be required to make the first deposit of at least R20 or R50 to activate your bonus offer. If it is a 100% match deposit offer, remember that the more your first deposit, the higher your possible bonus amount. Keep in mind that many betting sites welcome bonus offers that come with an expiry date. The expiry date can be anything from 24 hours to a few weeks. For the full terms and conditions of a betting site's welcome bonus, make sure to check that specific sportsbook's terms and conditions.

How Do Casinos Make Money on Welcome Bonuses?

Casinos rarely make money from welcome offers. Instead, these bonuses serve as a marketing strategy to draw the attention of new users. In the long run, these casinos make money from active players who make deposits and place bets regularly. They earn from lost bets, but there are also other areas where they profit.

Most casinos make money via house edge in games. A house edge represents a casino's advantage over you as a player. The casino is likely to profit more when bettors play games with a high house edge.

Deposit Bonus

Deposit Bonus

Deposit bonuses are the most common offer in sportsbooks and casinos. As the name implies, you activate this offer by making a direct first deposit while keeping in mind the minimum deposit required by the casino. This offer often comes as a 100% deposit up to a specific amount, primarily for new gamblers. 

The First-Bet Refund Bonus

The First-Bet Refund Bonus

The concept of the first-bet refund bonus is quite simple, and it is now common among casino sites. The first-bet refund bonus is a cashback offer that allows players to receive refunds if they lose their first bets.

Free Bet Bonus

The Free Bet Bonus

A free bet is a cash bonus you receive for signing up or depositing on a betting site. These free bet funds work just like regular bets from your main account. However, some requirements exist before redeeming free bet winnings as real cash.

Depending on the betting site, you may need to enter specific bonus codes to unlock free bets, and they are often open to only new players. 

Matched First Deposit Bonus

Matched first deposit bonuses are based on the percentage a bookmarker offers to players. If you are a newbie, these percentage bonuses can seem confusing. However, with careful study, they are quite simple to comprehend.

Matched first deposit bonuses match your first deposit with a specified percentage, giving you extra funds as bonus cash. Most sportsbooks offer between 50% and 100% deposit bonuses, but some can go as high as 200% or more.

Suppose a bookmaker offers a 100% matched first deposit bonus. In that case, you receive R100 in bonus funds if you make a first deposit of R100. Thus, your total balance would be R200, including your bonus funds.

Sign Up For A Free Bet

With a sign-up free bet, a player only needs to register an account in the sportsbook to receive the offer. In South Africa, most bookmakers offer between R25 to R50, and players are automatically credited immediately after signing up. However, on some sites, there are some deposit requirements you must fulfil before you can enjoy these free bets.

Risk-Free Bet

A risk-free bet is the same as a regular free bet offer. But in this case, the player protection clause shields players from losing with these bet funds. With a risk-free bet, the player is eligible for a stake refund if they lose their wager.

Wagering/Rollover Requirements

All sportsbook bonuses come with certain requirements, the most popular of which is the wagering requirement. The wagering or rollover requirement represents the number of times you have to bet your total bonus worth before becoming eligible for a withdrawal.

Suppose a sportsbook gives you a bonus credit of R50 with a rollover requirement of 10x at a minimum of 1.50 odds. In that case, you must wager your bonus amount (R50) ten times before you can cash out your winnings, which amounts to a total bet of R500. Also, all selected games in your accumulators must have at least 1.50 odds each for the rollover to count.

This rule is the same for online casinos, but their rollover requirements are often higher.

Sportsbook Bonus Terms & Conditions

There are tons of sportsbook bonus offers available in South Africa. However, looking at their terms and conditions, only a few are worth it. The T&Cs of an incentive are one of the most important things to consider, as they determine how much profit you stand to make from the offer.

If you are a newbie, it can seem confusing, as bonus rules often come with different terms. In this section, we have highlighted some of the essential areas of sportsbook T&Cs and what they mean.

  • Minimum Deposit

Minimum deposits are always available in the bonus T&Cs. As the name entails, it is a specified amount that a player has to deposit before becoming eligible for a bonus offer. Most sites cap their minimum deposit limits at R20, whereas others have higher requirements of R50.

  • Fraud Protection

Most iGaming authorities work hand in hand with sportsbooks to reduce the rate of fraud. For example, a single player cannot sign up on multiple accounts to receive multiple bonus offers. Players who carry out the act are liable to permanent bans or suspensions without warning.

  • Age Rules

The age rule is a standard rule applicable in all casinos worldwide. It is a condition that states that all players must be 18+ before participating in any gambling activity. Depending on the platform, you may undergo some age verification process. In some regions in Canada and other countries, the minimum age requirement is 21.

  • Bonus Validity Period

A sportsbook has the right to place expiration dates on bonus offers. Thus, you must confirm the exact validity period of the offer to work under the right time frame. On most sites, bonus validity lasts for about seven days after activation. However, some sites offer longer validity periods of 30-60 days.

Sportsbook Signup Bonuses

Sportsbook signup bonuses have always been a major reason online gambling and sports betting have grown rapidly. However, unlike traditional sportsbooks, online betting sites are flexible and thus create better and more exciting promotional offers to attract players.

How Do We Choose the Best Betting Site Welcome Bonus? 

There are numerous signup bonus deals available online, so choosing the perfect offer can be daunting. To make the whole process easier, we have outlined some important factors we consider when selecting the best signup offers for you.

Low Wagering Requirements 

The wagering requirements of a bonus are one of the first factors we consider while selecting the best signup bonuses. The bonus requirement will determine whether or not you can make a profit from an offer. For sports betting, a wagering requirement of 1-25x is moderate, as it falls into the lower average. The average wagering requirement should be 35x and below if you play at an online casino. 

It is difficult to make winnings from bonuses with higher wagering requirements, especially when you are a newbie.

Longer Bonus Validity Period 

The validity period of a bonus refers to the duration for which it remains valid after activation. Shorter validity periods, like 3-7 days, will naturally place more pressure on players, leading to less calculated bets and lower efficiency. On average, a bonus offer with at least 14 days of validity is considered reasonable. Some platforms offer bonuses with an extended validity period of up to 60 days.

Best Free Signup Bonus For SA Casino Players 2024

Here is a list of some of the best free signup bonuses available in some SA casinos. Most of these offers do not require deposits; however, making deposits will allow you to enjoy the complete package.

  • 20 Free Spins + 100% Match Deposit Up To R1000 (Sportingbet).

  • R25 Free Sign-Up Bonus (Hollywoodbets).

  • 25 Free Spins or R50 Free Bet (Lulubet).

What is a Signup Bonus? 

The term 'Signup bonus' covers many welcome bonus packages in sportsbooks and casinos. Though popular on these sites, most use the term welcome bonus. A signup bonus is either a free bet, bonus credit, or free spin, which players receive mainly for registering an account on platforms that offer them. Most sites use it as a marketing strategy to gain more exposure and increase player interest. 

Types of Signup Bonuses

As aforementioned, the term 'signup bonus' represents a wide range of welcome bonus offers. Thus, they can come in different forms. There are numerous signup bonus offers available in South African sportsbooks.

However, here are some of the major types of signup bonuses which you will likely come across:

Free Spins Sign Up bonus

Free spins are bonuses that players receive in the form of spins, usable in specific slot games. It could come as a part of another bonus package. However, some brands offer free spins as a standalone signup bonus reward.

Match Deposit Sign Up Bonus

A match deposit bonus is a type of sign-up bonus which gives players rewards according to their deposit amounts. These bonuses come in percentages, and players receive rewards accordingly.

Cashback Sign Up Bonus

Cashbacks do not give players any bonus credits upon signing up. Rather, players get refunds if they lose their first few bets. It is a signup reward that protects players, allowing them to explore their betting styles without fear.

Deposit Sign Up Bonuses 

The deposit signup bonus is one of the most common signup bonuses available to South Africans. Depending on the specifications of the sportsbook, this bonus can be valid for more than a single deposit. Also, it often comes in a combination of bonus credit and free spins.

How to Claim Your Sign Up Bonus

The process for claiming a signup bonus depends solely on the casino. Also, the availability of a coupon code can affect how you claim a bonus offer. In most cases, a casino displays all the required information about a bonus on the homepage, allowing players to claim the rewards easily. 

Other than these direct methods, here is a step-by-step guide on how to claim your signup offer.

Register An Account: To claim a signup bonus, you must first register and verify your account on your preferred betting site. 

Visit Promotions Page: On your account dashboard, visit the menu area and locate the promotions page. Alternatively, you can access available bonuses via the notification bar.

Make A Deposit: If the signup offer you want to claim requires a specific minimum deposit, you must first deposit some funds into your account. For No deposit bonuses, you receive automatic bonus funds upon signing up and verifying your account.

Enjoy: Once you have fulfilled all requirements, your bonus account will be credited and you can start exploring the online betting world.

The Importance of the Wagering Requirement 

A wagering requirement is very important in all casino bonuses. It is a requirement structure that controls the usage of incentives and how players can utilise them. Casinos do not profit from signup bonuses, so these requirements help to regulate how much players can win from bonuses. Moreover, this requirement prevents players from ripping off casinos by opening multiple accounts to claim rewards.

Best First Deposit Welcome Bonuses for 2024

100% Deposit Bonus Up To R2000 at PalaceBet

PalaceBet offers one of the best first-deposit welcome bonuses in South Africa. The bonus gives players a 100% first deposit up to R2000. The minimum deposit required to activate this reward is R50.

Once you make your first deposit of up to R50 with the coupon code "WelcomeBonus," you automatically receive bonus funds alongside your main deposit funds. However, the wagering requirement is 25x, so you have to wager your bonus amount up to 25 times before you can redeem bonus funds as real cash.

100% Deposit Bonus Up To R1000 at Bet.co.za

There are just a few first deposit welcome bonuses in South Africa that are as profitable as the bonus from Bet.co.za. This website offers a 100% deposit up to R1000, available only on first deposits. Like most bonuses, you only need a minimum deposit of R50 to activate the offer. The wagering requirement of the bonus is 6x with minimum odds of 1.70 or 7/10 for sports bets.

Author Patrick Meyer portrait
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Product Owner and Editor

Patrick is the face of Onlinegamblingsa.co.za - he joined us years ago as a freelance writer and came up through the ranks to become an indispensable part of the team. He's our secret weapon, our gambling expert and a massively talented writer with a knack to make complicated things simple, all while writing with journalistic objectivity.

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