The latest stats show that there are over 2,000 casino sites on the web. Variety is always great, but how do you choose the best online casino available to play at?
Our review team has reviewed 1,200+ online casinos, so we know what makes a gambling site stand out. Here, you’ll find the best 10 online casinos available in South Africa. The VegasSlotsOnline team has selected these sites after strict evaluations. Our top online casinos beat the competition in several areas. These include safety, reputation, casino bonuses, and games, to name a few.
Ready to take your pick from the top casino sites? Check out our shortlist below.
At VegasSlotsOnline, we may earn compensation from our casino partners when you register with them via the links we offer.
All the opinions shared are our own, each based on our genuine and unbiased evaluations of the casinos we review.
At the time of writing, gambling laws in South Africa are complex and unclear. This, understandably, makes it hard for South Africans to know whether they can gamble online or not. In this section, we hope to clear up the picture for you.
The National Gambling Act of 2004 bans interactive gaming services and participation in interactive games, which refers to internet games. The ban is specifically for casino, poker, and bingo games. Technically, online casinos are not legal in South Africa. However, many offshore providers still accept South African players.
What does this mean for you? So far, many locals who choose to gamble online with offshore operators do not face legal action. We still advise you to visit offshore casino sites with caution and discretion. Always check the gambling laws of your jurisdiction to know where you stand legally when playing online.
Legal gambling options in South Africa include offline and online sports betting, the lottery, horse racing, and land-based casinos. All of these activities are overseen and regulated by the National Gaming Board.
There is still hope for fully regulated online casinos in South Africa. The Democratic Alliance, which is the country's opposition party, introduced a long-awaited online gambling bill in 2022. The goal of the bill is to remove online gambling from legal gray areas and fully license and regulate the activity within the country. Keep visiting our page here for the latest updates on legal online gambling laws in South Africa.
Wondering how we go about choosing the best online casinos? You should. When you’re about to choose your preferred online casino in South Africa, you shouldn’t blindly trust any shortlist that comes your way. You should trust a?safe online casino?resource that has your best interests at heart. As a leading brand in the industry, our mission is to be just that for you.
We provide an overview here of what our casino reviews process involves:
We always kick off our best SA online casino reviews with licence checks. All our approved gambling sites must hold a valid casino licence. The top online casinos will be licensed by trusted authorities. These include the likes of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). If the casino site holds multiple licenses, we give it extra points.
After licensing, we move on to security. Nothing beats having your cash and personal info fully protected from fraudsters and third parties. The best online casino will keep your data safe with SSL and TSL encryption. Another security measure we look out for is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
The best online casino is:?licensed by one established gambling authority or more.
? The best online casino is not:?a rogue site with no valid licence in place to operate.
Most gamblers would agree that if an online casino doesn’t feature bonuses that give you the best value, it’s a dealbreaker. We’re on the same page. We expect the best South African online casinos to offer an attractive welcome bonus to their new players. A generous welcome bonus package is always a great start to your online gambling journey. This is especially true if it’s a match bonus paired with free spins, which is a combo we actively look out for during our reviews.
Beyond the sign-up bonus, we prioritise regular casino bonuses at online gambling sites. We make sure our?top SA online casinos?dish out cashback deals, reload bonuses, and loyalty perks on a weekly basis. Aside from checking quantity, we read the fine print to ensure you’re getting a genuine deal.
The best online casino is:?giving you extra value with their online casino bonus selection.
?The best online casino is not:?a shady site with even shadier promotional terms and conditions.
The best online casinos will stock countless games and sports betting options, such as horse racing. We know one player’s preferences will be different to the next, which is why we think variety is important. Online slots are constantly on our radar during reviews. We wouldn’t recommend an online casino if it didn’t include classic slot machines and modern video slots from renown software providers. We also make sure that the casinos in question get their games tested regularly for fairness and hold an eCOGRA certification.
Fans of table games aren’t excluded from the equation. You’ll find casino staples like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette at our best gambling sites. Video poker, speciality games, and sports betting are generally on offer, too. Due to the popularity of live casino games, no site on this list comes without a live dealer lobby.
The best online casino is:?packed with games from trusted industry giants like Microgaming, IGT, and Red Tiger Gaming.
?The best online casino is not:?a lacklustre site that doesn’t offer much choice for real money play.
With online casinos, one of the biggest pet peeves for gamblers is not being able to deposit with their favourite banking option. Thankfully, the top-rated online casinos let you deposit and withdraw with multiple payment methods. Whether you want to use your credit card or do a bank transfer, our recommended sites have got you covered. To get shortlisted on this page, casinos must also feature more modern payment options like EFT methods, e-wallets and cryptocurrencies.
It may come as no surprise, but we love to cash out our winnings quickly, hassle free. We only list the?best online casinos that pay out fast?here.
The best online casino is: a site that will make transactions easy for South Africans, with no fees involved.
?The best online casino is not: meant to stall on withdrawals or include hidden charges.
Issues can crop up even at the most trusted online casinos. What’s important is how a gambling site handles them. The top sites in the online casino industry will have round-the-clock customer support. We expect the best casinos in South Africa to help you in a professional manner, whether you’re contacting them via phone, live chat, or email.
When we review the best casinos online, we personally reach out to the support team. This way, we can see first-hand whether the agents are knowledgeable and friendly. Unanswered questions or rude replies are massive red flags. We would never promote such sites and often they’ll end up on our online casino blacklist.
The best online casino is:?reachable 24/7 through several contact options, including live chat.
?The best online casino is not:?one that disregards the questions or concerns of its members.
These days, it’s rare for gamblers in South Africa to limit themselves to their desktop PCs. In fact, the popularity of mobile casino gambling is on the rise and shows no sign of slowing down. A serious online casino operator will have its site optimised for multiple devices. These include iPhones, Android smartphones, iPads, and tablets. Device optimisation guarantees you’ll have a sleek and smooth gambling experience, even when you’re out and about.
Many of the?best mobile online casinos?on our list are instant play sites. This means you can simply log in on your mobile browser and play immediately. Other recommended sites also have dedicated gambling apps which you can download from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.
The best online casino is:?mobile friendly, and sleek and fast on any device as a result.
?The best online casino is not:?limited to desktop PCs or laptops due to outdated technology.
Now that you’re familiar with the factors that make up a good casino, we’ll cover the basics of online gambling, which are mostly similar across all sites. Read our step-by-step guide below before playing at one of our top-rated South African casino sites.
How to Sign Up
Once you’ve chosen your preferred casino, head over to the online gambling site where you’ll find a sign-up button. Clicking this will open a registration form, where you’ll have to fill in a few details. These include a username and password, and your email. Proceeding means you accept the casino’s Terms and Conditions. You’ll then be redirected to your player account. Some casinos may ask you to verify your account through email first. And if you’re signing up through mobile gambling app, you’ll automatically stay logged in afterwards. Look out for welcome offers available, which can often appear in the form of free spins or even a no deposit bonus.
How to Deposit
There are many deposit options to choose from at SA's best online casinos. You can take your pick from credit/debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, and EFT payments. Your chosen site will have a Banking page, where you’ll get to know the different methods in more detail and find out which one works best for you. When you’re ready to play, click on the Deposits tab from the menu and select your favorite payment option. Enter the amount you’d like to deposit, and your funds should be visible in your account instantly.
How to Play
Once you top up your account, you can start playing for real! Have a look at the online casino games lobby at your chosen site and browse through the different categories. Top casino sites will have a variety of slots available, including 3D slots and progressive jackpots. If table games are more your thing, you can choose from various types of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. And if you prefer playing in a live environment, you can head over to the live casino section. When you’ve settled on a title, just load the game in your browser.
How to Win
Online gambling can be a lot of fun and you can also make considerable wins at the best casino sites, but always keep in mind that a lot of it depends on luck. While there are some strategies you can try out to improve your chances at table games, spinning the reels on slots is random. However, you can still make sure that you’re making the most out of your budget and gambling responsibly. Always read up on the rules of the game and familiarise yourself with the mechanics. Compare payouts for different games, and practice on free versions before spending your own money.
How to Cash Out
There are normally conditions to withdraw, which any reputable site should explain clearly. For example, to cash out a casino welcome bonus and its winnings, you’ll need to meet the wagering requirements. The casino should explain these in the promotional terms. Make sure that you can withdraw with the same method you used to deposit. If not, you’ll have to find an alternative option. The best casinos online might ask for documents to verify your identity before confirming your withdrawal.
So far, we’ve discussed how our best online casinos are overseen by trusted authorities. Their job is to protect players in a lot of jurisdictions. For online casinos to get a licence and keep it, they must follow strict rules. These rules, for example, prevent underage gambling. If licensing rules aren’t followed, casinos risk getting fined or suspended.
You’ll only get the safest online gambling experience by playing at regulated casinos. If internal gambling is legal where you live, then you’re better off visiting casinos that are licensed locally. We know, however, that many countries don’t allow online gambling, or it exists in a legal grey area. In these cases, players should still opt for licensed sites. The difference is that the regulator would be based overseas. This is the case, for example, with the best online casinos in South Africa.
We provide a quick overview of the most important gambling authorities around the world below. Look for their logos in the website footer of online casinos.
Year established: 2001
Licensed operators: 400+
The?Malta Gaming Authority(MGA)?is one of the most respected authorities globally. Its main goal is to create a safe space for online gamblers and promote responsible gaming. It also aims to keep the industry free of money laundering and other crimes.
Year established: 2007
Licensed operators: 450+
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) oversees the UK market and many others. It is the strictest gambling commission globally, so?online casinos with a UKGC licence?are some of the safest you’ll find.
Year established: 1996
Licensed operators: 450+
Cura?ao eGaming is one of the longest-standing commissions. It has been around for over two decades. One of its goals is to prevent fraud, making it a reputable authority.
Year established: 1996
Licensed operators: 250+
Like Cura?ao eGaming, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) is an established regulator. It oversees gambling in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. It is reliable, despite not being as well-known as other authorities.
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We've provided a breakdown of the most common?casino bonuses?you’ll find at SA online casinos below. Our team has also pointed out what you should look out for to know you’re getting a fair bonus.
Casinos usually give out?no deposit bonuses as free spins, with no deposit needed. Sometimes, they can be a fixed sum of cash given to players when they sign up. This is a modest amount of bonus money, like R100 or R200. No deposit bonuses are great for testing a real money casino without using your own cash.
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Low wagering requirements
A reasonable expiry date
No option to opt out of the bonus if desired
Not being able to cash winnings made from bonus
You receive a welcome bonus once you create an account and make your first deposit. This is typically a match bonus. A match bonus is free money from the casino that matches a percentage of your deposit.
We enjoy huge welcome bonuses like anyone else, but it’s important to not stop at the size of its match percentage. We advise checking the T&Cs to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. A legitimate bonus will guarantee you a fun time at the best online casino sites.
Reasonable wagering requirements (30x-40x is the average amount)
Your favourite games count towards the wagering requirements
Limitations on the amount you can withdraw when winning
High minimum deposits that don’t consider smaller budgets
Free spins bonuses?can be part of a welcome bonus, but you’ll also find them as dedicated weekly promotions. What we like to see is the chance to claim a relatively high number of free spins for a low deposit.
Generally, the casino decides which slot or series of slots you can use your bonus on. We give better rankings to casinos that let you use this bonus offer on more than one slot game.
A fair amount of free spins for your deposit
The chance to sample different games
High wagering requirements
Too quick of an expiration time
A reload bonus is like the match bonus we mentioned above. The difference is that you’ll be able to claim it after you’ve used up your welcome bonus. Your deposits will be matched up to a percentage again here. The top rated online casinos tend to dish these out regularly to loyal players.
Gambling sites usually offer reload bonuses on specific days of the week. For example, you could get?25% up to R1,000 every Friday?as a weekend special.
Low wagering requirements
Recurring reload bonuses
High minimum deposits
Unfair expiration dates
The best online casino South Africa sites and elsewhere look out for their players and offer cashback bonuses to help them get a percentage of their losses back. This is how it works: deposit and play at your chosen site throughout the week and you’ll normally get anything between 5%-20% back.
Do keep in mind that there’s usually a maximum cashback amount as decided on by the casino. This normally ranges anywhere between R2,000-R10,000. For example, your full offer could look like this:?10% up to R2,000.
No wagering requirements
High cashback amounts
Limitations on games
High minimum deposits
No casino site would be complete without the games you know and love.?New online casinos?even go above and beyond by stocking the latest titles. We discuss the most-loved casino games online, old and new, here:
No Vegas casino would be complete without slot machines and it’s no different for online gambling sites. The best online casinos will offer a variety of slot games. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can spin on classic, three-reel slots with fruit symbols. if video slots are more your thing, you’ll come across bonus-packed games with five reels. Progressive jackpot games, like Mega Moolah, Mega Fortune and Aztec Millions are among the most-played slots. We suggest giving them a spin if you’d like to try your luck for big wins. Most of the slots we offer are free but if you’d like to try?slots for real money?we’ve got you covered as well.
Looking for more slot recommendations? These are the games some of our team members love to play at the online casino South Africa websites:
Game Name | Software Provider | Beginner Friendly | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
Ooh Aah Dracula ?? | Barcrest | Yes | 99% RTP |
Goblin Heist PowerNudge ?? | Pragmatic Play | Yes | Respins Bonus |
Fate of the Gods ?? | Rogue | No | Destiny Reels system |
Raging Rhino ?? | WMS | Yes | 4096 ways to win |
Table games are perfect for anyone who likes a mix of skill and luck. Some games are more skill-based, such as blackjack. Others rely more on random outcomes, like roulette, craps, and baccarat. While some sites focus on slots, the best-rated online casinos take care of their table games fans too. Many popular South African online casinos nowadays also include unique variants of modern games. There’s never just one version of blackjack or baccarat in the lobby.
Do you want to try table games but you’re not sure where to start? Check out the casino games we currently love playing when we need a change from slots:
Game Name | Software Provider | Beginner Friendly | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
European Roulette ?? | SG Digital | Yes | Low house edge |
Atlantic City Blackjack ?? | Microgaming | No | 99.65% RTP |
Monopoly Roulette Hot Properties ?? | WMS | No | Several fun bonuses |
No Commission Baccarat ?? | OneTouch | Yes | Straightforward rules |
Online poker games are perfect for gamblers who like to take decisions strategically at the table. Beginners may be put off by learning poker rules and different hand ranks. However, poker is easy and fun to pick up once you nail the basics. The best online casinos in South Africa typically offer video poker games, which are similar to slots in terms of layout. They also offer other poker games, like Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker.
The online poker enthusiasts in the VSO team want to give the following games a shout out:
Game Name | Software Provider | Beginner Friendly | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
Joker Poker ?? | Play’n GO | Yes | Joker acts as wild |
Double Bonus Poker ?? | Pragmatic Play | No | Big wins for four of a kind hands |
Pai Gow Poker?? | SG Digital | Yes | 2.8% house edge |
Regal Poker ?? | Spin Games | No | Higher-paying hands |
Let’s face it. Many of us get tired of playing against a random number generator. An actual croupier and other players at your table just add to the thrills of gambling. You won’t need to drive to your nearest land-based casino to experience this though. Live dealer online casino games will offer you the social feel of brick-and-mortar gambling. Thanks to a live video feed, you’ll be playing against a human dealer. Live blackjack, live roulette, and live baccarat are all games you can play in real time, with other players.
Here, you’ll find the latest games that have been on our radar at the best live dealer online casinos:
Game Name | Software Provider | Beginner Friendly | Highlight |
---|---|---|---|
Lightning Roulette ? | Evolution Gaming | Yes | Superb special effects |
Boom City ?? | Pragmatic Play | Yes | Easy-to-follow rules |
Live Quantum Blackjack Plus ?? | Playtech | No | Random multipliers |
Who Wants to be a Millionaire Live Roulette ?? | Spin Playtech | No | Fun game show vibe |
It’s always a good idea to think about what?deposit method?you’ll use at a top casino site. You need to consider what payment option works best for your needs. Here you’ll find the major payment options available to you when gambling online:
Credit and debit cards are extremely secure since they're issued by banks. In fact, some like VISA also have extra safety features such as Fraud Protection. However, if you're not too keen of sharing gambling activities with your bank, you can check out other suitable options such as e-wallets or cryptocurrencies.
There are so many trustworthy e-wallets in SA to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice. Top names include Skrill, Neteller, and Paypal. If you're looking for an option that doesn't share your personal details with a slots site, this might be the option for you.
Prepaid cards like Paysafecard are great if you're looking for a cash option. Simply go to your nearest local store, buy a card, and top up your casino account using a 16-digit PIN. Note that not all online casinos will allow you to withdraw using prepaid cards, though.
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) payments are one of the most popular deposit options for South Africans. It allows you to directly transfer money from one bank account to another. The top choices in South Africa include EasyEFT and SiD Secure EDT.
We’d like to wrap things up by giving you a checklist that will come in handy when you’re scouting for your next online casino in South Africa. While we offer expert recommendations, the best online casino is your choice. This is because certain aspects of gambling sites boil down to individual preference. One gambler might want a crazy website theme while the other just wants their favourite games in the lobby. Having said that, here you’ll find all the hallmarks to look out for in one place:
Your online casino must have a licence. Check the casino website’s footer, where you should find all the licensing information you’ll need. Steer clear of unlicensed casinos at all costs.
Look out for SSL encryption. This ensures all your personal details are safe. The lock icon should be in your browser bar, and the web address must start with “https”.
Browse through genuine?online casino reviews?and player forums. Are good things being said about the casino in question? Avoid reviews that are too salesy in tone, and that gloss over the negatives.
If a casino bonus appears too good to be true, then it probably is. Read the terms and conditions behind the promotion. Everything should be clear, and it needs to be a bonus that you’ll enjoy.
Take your time when it comes to browsing through the games lobby. See if there are any free casino games online you can try before depositing any cash. The games should load up fast and not glitch repeatedly.
Where can I find the best online casinos in South Africa?
You’ll find trusted online casinos right here on this page. We’ve evaluated hundreds of gambling sites on the market to bring you the perfect ones for South Africans. They are licensed, secure, and fun.
Why should I trust your online casino recommendations?
Combined, our team has decades of experience in the casino gaming sector, so we know which sites are a cut above the rest. We are passionate about online gambling ourselves and bring that passion to our work on VegasSlotsOnline.
What kind of casino bonuses can I get at trusted casino sites?
The best online casino bonuses include deposit match bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and free spins. Other promos you may come across include cashback deals, reload bonuses, and high roller offers.
Will it take long for me to receive my winnings from the casino?
If you sign up with a reputable online casino, then no, it won’t take long for you to receive your winnings. This does vary from site to site, however. The timeframe also depends on which withdrawal method you use.
What real money casino games can I play at the top online casinos in SA?
You can play different kinds of slot machines, such as video slots or jackpot games. Table games, live dealer games, sports betting, horse racing and video poker are also available at leading SA gambling sites.