Welcome to my guide on the best sports betting apps available in South Africa. On this page, you will find listings of the best real money sports betting apps covering markets and odds along with bonuses and banking options. Find everything a South African sportsbook app could offer, plus short guides on downloading a sports betting app, signing up, and starting betting.
🥇 Best Sports Betting Apps in South Africa for 2024
- Great odds
- Great Welcome Offer
- Excellent Support
- Crash Games
- SA License
- Local banking methods
- SA License
- Accepts OTT Voucher
- Live game shows
- Fantastic bonuses
- Trusted Banking Methods
- Great on Smartphone
- Live Dealer Games
- Large Game Selection
- sports betting
- Crash Games
- Accepts 1ForYou Voucher
- SA License
Which Is The Best Sports Betting App?
Betway has the best sports betting app operating in South Africa. Here's why:
Large range of sports and markets to bet on
Very competitive odds across all sports
Generous welcome bonus up to R2,000
Regular promotions for existing players
Excellent customer support via live chat
With Betway, full compatibility with Android and iOS devices will also be found, which means a punter can easily bet on the go.
🔎 How I Choose the Best Sports Betting Apps
You might wonder what makes the above listed sports betting apps the best. When I assess and rank online betting apps, I do so in a completely unbiased and objective manner. I have a standardized process with various metrics that I thoroughly test for. Only the sports betting apps that meet my standards make the cut. Below are some factors we consider when choosing the best betting apps.
A valid license is always the first item on our testing checklist. We have a hard and fast rule never to feature online betting websites and apps which are not licensed. Every app we list is licensed by a reputed gambling commission.
Even though you may only want to bet on a particular sport, it’s always a good idea to sign up with a betting app that offers a vast range of sports betting markets. You never know when you might want to wager on another sport, especially when the odds are irresistible.
A sports betting app must offer competitive odds. It’s ok if the odds offered on less popular sports are average, but on popular sports, the odds offered must be excellent.
It is important for sports betting apps to be highly cyber secure. The apps we choose use SSL encryption protocols and advanced data protection technologies to assure player safety and data integrity.
The sports betting app must be easy to use and visually appealing. We look for apps with a clean, immersive and modern design which is minimal and yet has lots to offer in terms of features.
The best sports betting apps are compatible with both iOS and Android mobile operating systems. Windows compatibility is an added bonus.
The app must be quick to load, sports markets, bet markets and odds should refresh constantly. There should be no lag or glitches while placing a bet or making a payment and the app should be relatively lightweight and quick to download.
The app must support South African Rands. It should offer instant deposit processing and withdrawals should also be processed quickly. We like to see a cashier with plenty of banking options for both deposits and cashouts. There should not be any unnecessary fees levied on transactions.
The Benefits of a Sports Betting App Versus a Website
While you can certainly bet on a sportsbook website, a sports betting app is simply more convenient, especially for frequent bettors. Here are some of the benefits an app offers compared to a website.
Quick launch: It is much quicker to launch the app than to visit a sportsbook website. Just one tap on the app and it is ready to go. To access the website, you need to launch a browser, type in the website URL, hit go and wait till it is fully loaded.
Login: With sports betting apps, you only have to set it up and login to it initially. After the initial setup and login, you don’t have to login each time you open the app.
Easy to use: Sports betting platforms have thousands of sports bet markets at any given time, and to view all of this on a website on a smaller-screen smartphone can be challenging. On the app, the design is much easier to use while not compromising any data or features.
How to Start Using a Sports Betting App
Here's a quick step-by-step guide to getting up and running with a top sports betting app in South Africa:
1. Choose the sports betting app South Africa has to offer that best suits your needs. We recommend Betway.
2. Download the app for your device - Android or iOS.
3. Register an account on the app - this only takes minutes.
4. Login using your new username and password.
5. Deposit funds to start betting - various banking options are available.
6. Start betting - navigate the app to find your desired sport and market.
7. Place your bets and start winning! It's quick and easy.
Android Sports Betting Apps
Unfortunately, the Google Play Store does not allow real money gambling apps. However, Android users can still easily access sports betting apps in South Africa. The top bookies provide downloadable .apk files on their sites. These .apk files allow you to install your device's Android sports betting app. Be sure to download .apk files from the official bookmaker site for security. Then, open the .apk file on your Android device to start the installation.
What is a Sports Betting App APK?
A sports betting .apk is an Android application package file format used to distribute and install apps on Android OS devices. The .apk contains all the necessary data and files to install and run the sports betting app on your Android smartphone or tablet. Bookmakers who can't list their real money betting apps on the Play Store will provide the .apk file for easy downloading and installation.
Sports Betting App for iOS and Apple
The process is much simpler for Apple iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. Real money gambling apps are permitted on the Apple App Store. Search for the sports betting app you want to use, tap 'Download', and the app will install seamlessly, thanks to Apple's tight integration. Most top bookies launch their sports betting apps on Android and iOS, making their products accessible to everyone.
The Safety and Security of Sports Betting Apps
Online betting apps are generally as safe, if not safer than betting directly on the sportsbook website. However, not every sportsbook app/website is the same. For a safe, private and secure betting experience, it is important to use a betting app which is licensed and well reputed. You want to avoid downloading unlicensed apps since you could download a virus or malware.
When the app is licensed, it entails that certain safety standards are in practice. All your data is stored and transmitted from your mobile to the servers in an encrypted manner. This way, even if a cyber attacker can tap into the data, they will not be able to make sense of it without the private key, which is something only the intended recipient has.
Never install or use a betting app on a public or shared device. If you are using a public device, it is better to use the website to place your bet instead of an app and then make sure you log out of the website when you are done.
Use an app only on your own personal mobile devices. It is also important to never share your app username and password with anyone else. Additionally, make sure you set a strong password.
Banking Options With Betting Apps
The South African betting apps that we’ve featured on this page offer a variety of ways for punters to load money and withdraw money from their accounts. Some of the common payment methods that such apps support include the following:
Bank cards from card issuers like Visa and Mastercard are one of the staple payment options available for deposits. If you have a credit or debit card, you can make a deposit just like how you would use your card for any online payment.
E-wallets are a popular option for bettors since the betting charges won’t show up on their credit card or debit card statements. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are popular options. They are both fast and cheap.
Some betting apps which focus on the South African market support InstantEFT. So, if you have bank account with banks such as Capitec Bank, FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, etc. then Instant EFT is a great choice.
Bank wire transfers are available, but not recommended unless there is no other option. The minimum deposit and withdrawal limits are usually high and such transfers may also incur fees.
Many real money online betting apps even support integration with popular crypto wallets. In this way, you can make deposits and claim withdrawals right from your crypto wallet to your betting app cashier. Tokens such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, etc. are usually supported.
What To Look For In A Sports Betting App
Here are the key features that make a great sports betting app:
Welcome Bonus - Does the app offer newcomers a welcome bonus or a free bet to get started?
Good Odds - Are the odds competitive across various sports and markets? This is vital.
Betting markets on offer - Does the app offer a wide range of sports, leagues and bet types?
Live Sports Betting via the App - Can you bet in-play on live games via the app?
Live Sports Scores - Does the app provide live scores and stats to help with in-play betting?
Special Sports Betting App Features - What unique tools or features does the app offer? E.g. cash-out.
Sports Betting Promotions that are app exclusive - Does the app give you access to ongoing bonuses and promotions?
Mobile Betting Apps Compatibility: Android and iPhone Betting Apps
Android Betting Apps
The official application repository for Android is the Google PlayStore. In some cases, you might find the betting app officially listed on the PlayStore, but most often, this is not the case. Android users will generally have to download a .APK file from the sports betting website and then launch the .APK to install the Android betting app.
iPhone Betting Apps
Unless the sports betting app is listed on the official iTunes AppStore, you may not be able to sideload it like how Android users can. If you want to bet from your iPhone or your iPad, then it is imperative that you choose a sports betting app which is present on the iTunes AppStore. To download, go to the AppStore, search for the sports betting app by typing in the name and then proceed to download and install the app.
Sports Betting App Promotions
The best sports betting apps compete to offer players the best value promotions and bonuses. Here are some to look out for:
Welcome Bonus - Get your sports betting off to a flyer with a generous Welcome Bonus or free bet.
Deposit match - Increase your bankroll by taking advantage of deposit match offers when you fund your account.
In-App promotions - Thanks to the app, enjoy free bets, enhanced odds, and other promos.
Free Bets - Scoop free bets and no-lose bet deals using the app.
Minimum Deposit Bonus - Some apps give bonuses just for depositing a small amount.
FAQs
Which app is best for online betting?
The best app for online betting will vary from one person to another. There are a variety of factors that will determine which sports betting app is the best for you. You need to consider your location, the sports you are interested in betting on, payment methods, odds, and more. If you’re based in South Africa and you’re looking for top-rated betting apps, just glance through our list above and choose any for a seamless mobile betting experience.
Can I bet legally online?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in South Africa with licensed SA bookmakers. On our list, you will find offshore bookmakers as well. While they are not certified by the SA government, they are still not illegal since they are not hosted within the jurisdiction of South Africa.
Do online betting apps use real cash?
Yes, the online betting apps listed on this page are real money betting apps. You can make deposits using various online payment methods. Then, you can place real money bets and even win and cashout real money.
Can you use betting apps to play for free?
Yes, some betting apps will offer you a free bet when you first sign up for an account as part of the welcome bonus. Using the free bet, you can make a bet for free. There could be other such offers that you can leverage to play for free.
How do you know a betting app is safe?
The first line of defense is to always make sure the betting app is licensed by a reputed gaming commission. Additionally, you can check reviews about the app and see what kind of experiences other players have had with the app. It’s wise to choose an app which has been tried, tested and proven safe. All the apps listed on this page are 100% safe.