iGaming in South Africa: The Best Gambling Games in 2024

Real Money vs Free Games

Casinos understand that their customers want to have as many options as possible. They also understand that not everyone is interested in wagering real money. Therefore, they often provide customers with a choice of online gambling games for real money and gambling games for free.

The main difference between the two is that real money games require the customer to use their own money to play, while online free gambling games can be played using virtual money or free credits.

Let's take a quick look at some of the advantages of both:

💸 Real money

• Win real money in return
• Gives access to other benefits and bonuses
• Wider choice of games

🆓 Free games

• No registration or deposit required
• No need to risk any of your own money
• Can learn the game before playing for real

Popular Software Providers

Online casino games are a combination of brilliant artwork, genius-level maths and exceptional software development. Game operators that are striving to be leaders in the industry need to go to great lengths to win over the players. In fact, each game requires teams of designers, programmers, and mathematicians to create the finished product. 

Here are some of the top software providers in the industry:

• NetEnt: This company has been producing games for over 20 years now. It has made some of the most successful games in the industry and won over 200 awards. NetEnt began by producing slot games but has branched out into table games and live dealer games. Some of its most famous games are Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Narcos and Mega Fortune.

• Playtech: This is another giant in the games provider industry. Playtech started out at around the same time as NetEnt. It also has a wealth of experience and many success stories. With offices in over 20 countries, it has been able to move into all sectors of the iGaming market, from slots to table games and sports betting. Some of its most popular titles are Age of the Gods, Green Lantern, Wild Gambler, and The Matrix.

• Yggdrasil Gaming: A smaller studio that prides itself on producing beautifully crafted slot games with innovative themes. Yggdrasil also produces jackpot slots and a handful of table and card games. Popular games include Vikings go Bezerk and Joker Millions/

• Evolution: Casino players flock to Evolution’s games because they offer something completely unique. In fact, the company is renowned for its live studio games. They broadcast from several countries and have over 300 live dealer tables. Evolution was the first to offer live game shows, with games such as 'Deal or No Deal' and 'Crazy Time'. Their most recent innovation is Dual-Play games, allowing players at home to join the action at a land-based casino table.

What is the House Advantage?

In gambling terms, the house advantage refers to the mathematical edge that casinos build into the games that they offer. This edge means that, over time, the house will always win a certain percentage of the bet. Therefore, the more wagers you make, the more likely you are to lose money to the house.

The percentage taken varies depending on the game. For example, if playing blackjack using the basic strategy, the house advantage is as low as 1%. However, if you make blackjack side bets, the house edge can be as high as 25%. The rules of games also build in advantages for the house. In blackjack, if both the dealer and the player go bust, the player loses. This means that the house keeps the wager.

RTP & the Random Numbers Generator (RNG)

In the world of online slot games, the Return to Player rate (RTP) is an excellent example of how the house advantage works. The RTP is the theoretical percentage that a game will pay back over time. It is calculated over thousands of spins. For example, if a game has an RTP of 96%, it means that for every 100 Rand wagered, the player will theoretically get 96 Rand back. The remaining 4% constitutes the house edge.

The Random Number Generator (RNG), is a computer algorithm that ensures that each game is truly random. This is important for both the casino and the player. Reputable casinos operate under a gaming licence issued by regulatory authorities. These include:

• The UK Gambling Commission
• The Malta Gaming Authority
• The Alderney Gambling Control Commission
• Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
• The Kahnawake Gaming Commission

A condition of these licences is that casinos must have their games audited annually for fairness. In addition, all reputable games providers will also have their games tested annually to verify that all is fair and aboveboard. There are a number of independent, external agencies that test the RNGs in each game to check that the outcomes fall within the agreed perimeters. These include eCOGRA and Gaming Laboratories International.

Mobile Gambling Games

These days, many people use their mobile phones to play casino games. They find it much more convenient to download a casino app and enjoy a few spins on their favourite slot, than to sit at a PC. There is a huge variety of gambling games to play at home and games providers are creating new games all the time. Mobile-optimised games also have numerous advantages. 

They allow players to play on the go. For example, you can use your phone to play a game when you are commuting to work on the bus or train, or out and about in town. Another great incentive is that plenty of online casinos offer fantastic welcome bonuses.

Online casinos often produce apps for mobile phones. In fact, casinos design apps specifically to run seamlessly on mobiles. Operators employ HTML 5, which allows a site to automatically adjust the layout to suit the screen size and resolution of different mobile devices. Players will find that there are apps for gambling games Android and for iPhones.

Staying Safe While Gambling Online

When gambling online, it is essential to know how to protect your money, data, and identity. Luckily, there are ways of knowing if a site is legal before you register. The first feature to look for is whether the casino site holds a valid licence from a reputable gaming regulatory authority. Usually, sites that are correctly licensed, display the licensing authority logo at the bottom of the page.

Other indications of a trustworthy site are that it uses the most up-to-date encryption technologies, like 256-bit SSL encryption. There should be a wide choice of internationally recognized payment methods like Visa and PayPal. A reputable casino should also promote responsible gambling, as well as offering 24/7 customer support and an anti-fraud team.

Is Online Gambling Legal in South Africa?

South Africa, in common with numerous countries, has had a complicated relationship with gambling over the years. The National Gambling Act of 1996 defined and regulated gambling throughout the country. It made provision for the setting up of gambling authorities in the individual provinces. These authorities can authorize casinos to provide online gambling services.

If wagering on live games, slots, table games and sports is your favourite pastime, you can rest easy knowing that as long as you play at a reputable betting site with a valid licence, you will have a great gambling experience. However, before you sign up at any casino, ensure it holds a licence from one of the respective gambling authorities. Choose from our list of reputable sites here.