A Beginner’s Guide to Sports Betting in South Africa

What is Sports Betting?

Sports betting is the act of placing a wager (a bet) on the outcome of a sporting event. If your prediction is correct, you win money. If it’s incorrect, you lose the money you wagered. It’s that simple. In South Africa, sports betting is 100% legal, as long as you use a licensed bookmaker.

How to Get Started in 5 Simple Steps

Starting your sports betting journey is a quick and easy process. Here’s my 5-step guide for beginners:

1. Choose a Licensed Betting Site

   This is the most important step. You must use a site that is licensed in South Africa. This ensures your money is safe and the betting is fair. My top two recommendations are:

   • Hollywoodbets: Best for beginners with its no-deposit bonus and focus on local sports.
   • 10bet: Best for those ready to deposit, with a huge bonus and a modern interface.

2. Register Your Account

   Once you’ve chosen a site, you’ll need to sign up. This usually takes less than two minutes and requires basic details like your name and ID number.

3. Make Your First Deposit

   To place a bet, you need to fund your account. Most sites accept easy payment methods like vouchers, Instant EFT, or card payments.

4. Understand the Odds

   Odds represent the probability of an outcome and determine how much you can win. For example, if a team has odds of 2.50, a R10 bet would return R25 (R10 x 2.50) if they win.

5. Place Your First Bet

   Navigate to a sport you know well, like soccer. Find a match, choose an outcome (e.g., a team to win), enter your stake in the bet slip, and confirm your bet. Now, enjoy the game!

Popular Sports to Bet On in South Africa

The best strategy is to bet on sports you already know and love. In South Africa, the most popular sports for betting are:

• Soccer: From the DStv Premiership to the English Premier League, soccer offers thousands of betting markets.
• Rugby: A favourite among South Africans, especially during the Currie Cup or international tests.
• Horse Racing: A classic form of betting with deep roots in the country, and a speciality of sites like Hollywoodbets.

Understanding Basic Bet Types: Singles vs. Multiples

Once you’re ready to bet, you’ll face your first choice: placing a single or a multiple. Understanding the difference is key.

Single Bets

This is a bet on a single outcome. For example, betting on the Springboks to win a rugby match. It’s simple, low-risk, and the best way to start.

Multiple Bets (Accumulators)

A multiple combines several single bets into one wager. For your bet to win, every single one of your predictions must be correct. The odds multiply, so the potential payout can be huge, but so is the risk.

When you’re starting out, stick to single bets on teams you know. It’s the best way to learn. Multiples are exciting for a weekend of soccer, but remember, just one wrong result and your entire bet is lost. My sweet spot is usually a 3-4 team multiple with strong favourites.

The Golden Rule: Bankroll Management

This is the most important lesson in all of sports betting. Your ‘bankroll’ is your total budget for betting. The golden rule is simple: only bet what you can comfortably afford to lose.

Treat this money like an entertainment budget, not an investment. A smart strategy is to only stake a small percentage (e.g., 1-5%) of your total bankroll on any single bet. This ensures that a few losses won’t wipe you out, keeping you in the game and making it fun for longer.

A Final Word on Responsible Betting

Sports betting adds excitement to the game, but it’s crucial to do it responsibly. Always follow the golden rule of bankroll management, never chase losses, and bet with your head, not your heart. For more information, please read my detailed Responsible Gambling guide.

Sports Betting FAQs