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With more than 45 million smartphone users roaming around these days, betting apps in South Africa have really taken off. And with the convenience that app-based betting offers over regular sportsbook websites, it’s easy to see why.
But with a bewildering range of different betting apps to choose from today, how do sports fans know where to turn? Well, the best gambling apps in South Africa should offer silky-smooth functionality, and compatibility with all the latest devices. Plus they should have unique features and get a high place in our comparison table below.
Before we reveal a few betting app favourites that have been whipping up a storm across The Rainbow Nation of late, let’s look at a few essential features any app absolutely must have before you should even consider it. We’ll explore these in the form of some useful tips on how to compare the market:
This might come as a surprise, but not all gambling apps in South Africa will work smoothly will all smartphones and tablets. Android user? You’ll need to locate an app on the Google Play store. iOS freak? Then you’ll need an Apple-friendly app. Perform a search on the relevant app store, or glance at an operator’s website to get an idea of where their apps are (and aren’t) available. Some operators might offer a mobile-friendly website instead of an app.
Of course, odds are ultra-important if you’re looking for the best online gambling in South Africa. Most apps will let you take a sneak peek, so we’d recommend dusting off your magnifying glass here to take a closer look at the odds available. Llook out for “odds-boosters” and promos, that aren’t always obvious at first glance.
All reputable betting apps in South Africa should hold a license from the National Gambling Board (NGB). Period. But there are a few other security must-haves you should keep an eye out for,, from SSL encryption that’ll safeguard your sensitive data, to two factor authentication (2FA) that’ll stop potential hackers in their tracks.
In our recent guide to sign up bonuses with betting sites in South Africa, we unveiled some of the best welcome promotions currently on the market. Likewise, you should look out for special first-timer offers when comparing betting apps, too – and compare them for competitiveness.
Here at TheGruelingTruth, our comparisons will help you locate the hottest apps in no time. But you should use all the resources available to you to narrow down those that are going to work best for you. Sites like TrustPilot, for example, can give you a good idea of what past players thought of a particular app. Who knows, you might stumble across someone with similar tastes to yours…
As you probably already guessed, we’ve been rating betting apps for quite some time now. A real long time in fact. From where we’re standing, the apps that offer South African bettors the most potential right now, appear to be:
Horse racing odds are rarely as competitive as those offered by Hollywoodbets – a full-service betting app that lets you bet on anything from the Rugby World Cup to UK Premier League soccer games. You’ll find their fast, functional “HW Mobile” App hiding among the top-ranking gambling apps for South Africa on both Google Play and the App Store. And we’ve a feeling you won’t be disappointed by what this incredible app has to offer.
Bettors get access to frequent promotions, changeable odds formats, easily customisable betting slips and even a handful of Pragmatic Play-powered casino games if ever you fancy a break from all those sports. Awesome stuff.
Playabet offers one of the most feature-filled apps we’ve seen anywhere – though it is sadly only available on Android at the time of writing. With these guys, you can peruse odds on anything from Australian football to dog racing, edit and spruce up your betting slips to your heart’s content, and process deposits and withdrawals via virtually all ZA’s most popular payment methods.
Online gambling apps in South Africa are seldom this user-friendly, either. One-click tools rule the roost and there’s even a handy “quick bet” feature you can use to place a random bet on any hot event if you’re feeling lazy one day. Expect regular odds-boosters here, too.
Supabet is a similarly feature-full choice, enabling bettors to enjoy live and in-play odds from their smartphones, as well as pop-up live chat options if ever you need a helping hand. One thing worth noting, however, is that Supabet doesn’t go down the traditional “downloadable app” route. Instead, they offer a mobile-friendly website that’s tailored to load quickly and function fluidly across all kinds of devices.
Don’t let this put you off, though – the user-experience here is just as good as any other app we’ve seen, and the mind-boggling range of different sports markets on offer is a real cut above what many other similarly-sized platforms offer in ZA.
Signing up with a betting app in ZA is easy as pie. After all, apps are all about user-experience, right? The general process, which will differ ever-so-slightly from app to app, usually involves the below steps – though it’s important to keep safety in mind always:
| Step to follow | How-to guide | Important considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Find the right app | Browse the Google Play or App Store for betting apps – and use our guides to compare the best ones, too. | Keep in mind everything you’ve read here, guys – i.e., look out for bonuses, licenses, and all. |
| Download it safely | Download your desired app from either the Google/App store, or the operator’s own website directly. Do this via a Wi-Fi or data connection you can trust, for obvious reasons. | Avoid downloading from any suspicious-looking sources or third parties you’ve never heard of. Going direct is always best. |
| Set up your account | You’ll be asked to enter some basic info when registering. At this stage, you should upload your FICA info – as this’ll help you process withdrawals faster later down the line. | If you’re claiming a new customer bonus, double-check whether a promo code is needed. |
| Verify yourself and start betting | Know Your Customer (KYC) checks are imposed by most operators. Your app will send you a notification – or you’ll get an email – which you’ll need to click promptly to verify your account. Then, you’re good to go. | Setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) at this stage is wise to add an extra layer of security to your account. |
Whether you’re keen to grab an awesome bonus deal with new sport betting sites in ZA, or you’re looking for a longer-running operator with a tried-and-tested rep, you’ll find a betting platform that fits the bill using our expert comparisons and reviews – or by simply picking one of those mentioned on this page.
As we’ve already explored, Hollywoodbets is awesome for horse racing odds, Playabet is fantastic if you like unique betting features and tools, and Supabet is a solid option for bettors who like to bet on a broader range of sports. At the end of the day, it’s all on you to decide which operator’s the best fit. Whichever way you lean, only ever download reputable and secure betting apps in South Africa from reliable sources. Look out for glitch-free betting tools, too, as well as generous bonuses that are verifiably competitive and fair.
Any sports betting apps you download in South Africa should offer fast-loading betting tools, competitive odds and a decent selection of different sports markets. Compare the hottest apps today..
Online sports betting is deemed legal in South Africa, but only if you bet with licensed bookmakers. Find out how to spot legit operators now.
The best betting apps advertise show-stopping bonuses, which are usually good for a free bet or two. Before claiming, however, you should make sure the operator is licensed, and their bonus is competitive. Read our expert guides to learn more..
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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