Sports betting is very popular in South Africa, especially soccer betting, which attracts millions of punters every day. Soccer’s popularity makes sense as it is the world’s biggest sport, with hundreds of leagues available.As a football fan, it is important to find a bookmaker that provides both optimal experience and huge returns. In this article, we will explore the best sites for soccer punters in the country.
A list of the Best Betting sites in South Africa
These are the 10 best betting sites in South Africa along with their welcome bonus offer for new customers.
- Betway– First deposit match up to R1000 in free bets
- Playabets– Sign Up and bet Risk free up to R1 000
- Hollywoodbets– R25 Sign up bonus plus 50 Free Spins
- 1xBet– 200% First deposit bonus up to R3 000
- 10Bet– Up to R3 000 First deposit bonus
- Sunbet- 100% First deposit match up to R1 000
- WSB- First deposit match up to R15 000
- EasyBet- 150% First deposit match up to R1 000
- Supabets- Welcome Package up to R5 000 on first three deposits
- Betfred- First deposit match up to R5 000
Review of the Best Soccer Betting Sites
Betway Review
Betway is one of the premier betting sites in the country and has an extensive range of sports and live games offerings like Betgames, casino and Virtual sports.
The Betway welcome bonus offers new customers a first Deposit match of up to R1 000 in free bets. To qualify, new players must place bets totalling three times their deposit amount on odds of 3.0 or greater. Once these wagering requirements are met, the free bet will be credited to their account.
Most punters favour popular sports like football, rugby, tennis, and cricket although Betway caters to all preferences by offering betting options on over 30 different sports.There is also an extensive range of live betting options which is an appealing choice for any sports punter. Betway casino also features a variety of games, including crash games like aviator, slots, live dealer games and more. Betway also provides virtual sports such as virtual football, esports which is even more reasons to sign up now.
Depositing funds into your Betway account is simple with a large variety of options. Payment methods include credit cards, MasterCard, Visa, EFT, Ozow and Pay U. All these methods require a minimum deposit of R50. Betway also offers the voucher method for topping up your account which is instant with a minimum deposit of R10. For those with a banking app, OZOW is a great instant option. The only currency available for betting is the South African Rand (R).
Betway has an excellent mobile app that is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and can be downloaded directly from the main site.
Pros
- Excellent soccer odds
- Live streaming is available
- The welcome bonus is easy to claim
- Bet Builder feature
Cons
- App can be slow at times
Hollywoodbets Soccer Betting: Pros, Cons and Features
Hollywoodbets is the largest and most popular betting site in south africa with millions of players registered on the site. They welcome new players with a R25 sign up bonus and 50 free spins on selected slot games. The bonus may not be the largest but it is one of the few that does require the new player to make a deposit.
Hollywoodbets boasts the highest number of players on their site with an incredible 9 million visits per month which is more than double the next biggest bookie. Their popularity is due to having over 30 sports to bet on and offering live betting on hundreds of games daily. All of the major sports like football, rugby, tennis and cricket have extensive markets available at with very competitive odds. The Spina Zonke range of casino games at Hollywoodbets is what makes them the leading betting site as there are over 500 different games to choose from.
Punters are spoilt for choice when they want to fund their account as there are loads of Deposit options available. The Hollywoodbets deposit methods include Ozow, Zapper, PayU, Peach Payments, SiD EFT, Direct EFT, OWNPAY, PayFast, Spot Money and the various different vouchers.
Hollywoodbets have a mobile app that can be downloaded only on Android devices. iOS users can use the mobile site which is excellent and has great speed, making it perfect for live betting.
Pros
- Bet Builder feature
- Soccer Bonus Bonanza
- Cash Back Soccer Promotion
- Largest betting site in the country
Cons
- Poor welcome bonus
Related Article: Register Hollywoodbets
1xBet Review
1xBet is an overseas betting site that entered the local market thanks mainly to the multitude of promotions and bonus offers.
New players on the 1xbet site are welcomed with an excellent first deposit match offer. The bonus is divided into two parts, each worth 100% of your deposit. You need to deposit at least R20 to qualify for the bonus. The total bonus from both parts can be up to R3000.
Related Article: 1xBet Promo Code
1xBet offers punters a wide range of choices with over 35 sports to bet on, providing extensive betting markets for major sports such as football, cricket, tennis, and basketball. Their highly competitive odds can rival many established local betting sites with hundreds of betting options available for both pre-match and live betting. The 1xbet casino site has one of the widest ranges of live games that include slots, table games and crash games like Aviator.
There are well over 40 payment options available on the 1xbet site but unfortunately for local players the only deposit options available in South Africa are Credit Cards, bank transfers and Skrill.
1xBet has an excellent mobile app that replicates the main site, offering the same speed and ease of use. It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. 1xBet is one of the few bookies that also provides an app for desktop computers. The app can be downloaded directly from the 1xBet site in just a few minutes.
Pros
- Excellent Welcome Bonus
- Live streaming available
- Odds boost on selected soccer matches
- Great mobile app
Cons
- Navigation on the site could use some work
Sportingbet Soccer Betting: Pros, Cons and Features
This bookie has the largest sportsbook on the local betting scene, but it is their soccer markets and coverage that make them stand out. Sportingbet leads the way with innovative features like ‘Build A Bet. They also pioneered features like “Edit My Bet,” which allowed punters to add or remove existing bets without cashing in. Initially limited to soccer, these options are now available on any multi-bet. New players on Sportingbet can get a head start with a first-deposit match offer up to R1,000. Plus, look out for their daily odds boosts on select soccer matches and weekly promotions for major European leagues. Ready to up your betting game? .
Pros
- Largest sportsbook
- Edit My Bet feature
- Excellent mobile app
- Partial Cash Out feature
Cons
- Delayed withdrawal process
- Poor customer service
10bet Review
10BET is new betting site to South African punters but they have been praised for its overall excellent platform. They offer impressive promotions for both new and existing players and have recently introduced a Loyalty program to their services.
10Bet offers an exciting welcome offer for new players joining their site. New players can receive a first deposit match bonus of up to R3000 which can be used on sports, games, live games or a combination of these options. The bonus is credited immediately after the player places a qualifying bet..
10bet has hundreds of diverse betting options with major sports like football, rugby, and cricket receiving significant attention. Punters have a wide array of choices and can enjoy various betting options that cater to their preferences. 10Bet offers excellent odds, particularly for football punters. Additionally, there’s a Live casino section for players who enjoy live games and other options like Betgames.
Read more about 10Bet registration
Some of the deposit options available at 10bet are the voucher methods that include 1Voucher, BLU Voucher and OTT. The most popular method for players is OZOW Instant EFT as the funds are immediately credited to your account. This option is only available to players that have a banking app.
Having a mobile app is essential for bookies nowadays and 10Bet understands this well. They’ve developed a betting app that punters will find easy to use and efficient. The app is available only for Android devices at this stage. iOS users can make use of the mobile site instead.
Pros
- Excellent Welcome Bonus
- Cash Out feature
- Odds boost on selected soccer matches
- Great mobile app
Cons
- No live streaming feature
Playabets Review
Playabets is one of the oldest betting sites in South Africa as they ran retail betting shops from the 1990s when horse racing was the only legal form of gambling in the country. They have come on in leaps and bounds since they joined the online betting market. It is clear that Playabets has an excellent knowledge of local punters as their promotions and site design reflects this.
New players signing up on the Playabets site need to make a deposit between R50 and a R1000 and they will receive a free bet. If your first bet loses, you’ll be refunded up to R1000 in bonus credits which must be rolled over three times on bets with odds of 2.0 or greater to qualify for a withdrawal.
Playabets has one of the most comprehensive sports betting markets with over 25 sports to bet on. Their football odds are among the best and they offer an odds boost on football multi bets. Players looking to bet on casino games are in for a treat as all types of games from slots to table games and crash games are all available on the Playabets site.
There are several ways to deposit funds into your Playabets account which include the traditional banking options such as credit or debit cards. For instant deposits, using Ozow through your banking app is recommended. Another popular method is using vouchers like 1Voucher and OTT Vouchers which are available for purchase starting from R10 at retail stores with funds reflecting instantly in your account.
Related Article: How to register Playabets
Pros
- Great welcome bonus
- Fully functional mobile app
- Cash out feature
- Extensive markets for local soccer
Cons
- No live streaming
Comparison on the best soccer betting sites
Here is a comparison among the leading soccer betting sites in South Africa.
| Bookmaker | Bet builder | Live Streaming | Cash out | Live betting | Match statistics |
| 1xBet | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Betway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hollywoodbets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Playabets | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 10Bet | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What is the best soccer betting site in South Africa
Betway
From our extensive research, we have identified Betway to be the best soccer betting site in the country. A number of factors were taken into consideration before Betway was chosen as the best soccer betting site. Here are some of the reasons that Betway come out on top.
Soccer betting odds – Betway has the best odds for football betting in the country. There is not a huge difference between their odds and other bookies but the payouts are much higher especially in accumulator bets.
Soccer betting markets- They have in depth betting markets for pre match and live in play betting. Betway also have live streaming available on selected football matches which means you can follow the action in real time.
Soccer betting coverage- There are soccer leagues from across the globe that are covered by Betway with the European leagues like the EPL, LA Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A having the most in-depth markets available.
Soccer Betting Features/Promotions- Betway was one of the first bookies to offer the Bet Builder feature which allows players to make multiple bets from one soccer match. They also offer an Odds Boost promotion that increases your odds on multi bets. The more selections you have on a ticket the higher the boost. You can receive up to a massive 300% boost on a ticket with 40 selections.
How we ranked the best online soccer betting sites
The ranking of online soccer betting sites was no easy task, as we considered various factors that make a site a viable option for soccer punters. We have listed some of the main criteria we used below in more detail:
Odds
The odds that a bookie offers are the most important factor in our rating, as they directly affect payouts. We found that Betway has the best odds on the market. To sweeten the deal, they offer a Multibet Odds Boost feature that can increase your payout by up to 300% for tickets with 40 selections or more. This is by far the best Odds boost on the local betting market.
Coverage
The coverage of soccer leagues and competitions is excellent among most of the bookies we ranked, with Betway and Hollywoodbets having the best coverage. They have all the major leagues like the EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A covered in depth, with hundreds of betting options on a single match. Hollywoodbets takes it a step further by offering betting options on a remarkable 72 national soccer leagues.
Cash Out
The Cash Out feature is increasingly popular, but its importance is particularly felt in multi-bets where the outcome of the remaining selections might be uncertain. Sportingbet offers punters a partial Cash out, where you can cash out only a portion of your bet while the balance will still be in play.
Bet Builder
This feature has transformed the online betting market with Hollywoodbets, Betway, and Sportingbet among the first bookies to offer it to local punters. Bet builder allows you to combine multiple bets, such as the number of goals, first goalscorer, and both teams to score, all within a single match. Some bookmakers even allow up to 10 unique selections in one match, dramatically elevating the odds and potential payouts.
Accumulator Bonus
For those looking to score big, accumulator bets are the perfect choice in soccer betting. These multi-selection bets can dramatically increase your potential earnings. Some bookies sweeten the deal by offering an odds boost on all multi bets with two or more selections. The more selections on your ticket, the higher the boost. Betway leads the way in this regard, with the Odds Booster going as high as 300%.
Promotions
Most bookies use their promotions to attract new players and keep their existing players satisfied. Betway and Playabets have very good welcome bonuses, while Hollywoodbets has the best promotions for existing players on their site. It is important to research the best bonuses along with the wagering requirements, as these could make it difficult to access the bonus.
Betting App
The vast majority of punters are using their mobiles to bet, so it’s only natural that betting sites develop mobile apps that take your betting experience to a new level. Betway has been the market leader with their mobile app, as they also have a Data Free version.
Livescores
Most bookies have a feature that allows you to follow soccer matches live with their Match Tracker feature, while some sites like Betway have live streaming available for selected matches.
Results
The results page is very helpful to punters as they can keep up to date with their multi bets and fortunately, most of the sites that made it onto our top betting sites have comprehensive result pages for soccer matches.
What to look for in Soccer Betting Sites
Choosing a soccer betting site is not the easiest task due to the number of betting sites in South Africa. There are however some factors that you should consider before making a decision. We have discussed these factors in more detail below.
Soccer betting odds: The odds you get on your soccer bets significantly impact your potential winnings. Betway offers the best odds on both international and local soccer matches. With their odds booster on multi bets, they are ranked number one in this category for maximising potential winnings.
Soccer betting markets: Hollywoodbets offers the most extensive soccer betting markets, covering nearly every possible match outcome including specific events like red cards or penalties. Their variety of betting options for each match ensures that you have plenty of choices to explore.
Soccer betting coverage: With football being the world’s most popular sport, it’s no surprise that there are over a thousand matches daily. Betway stands out by covering soccer from at least 60 different countries at any given time which places them at the forefront in this category.
Soccer betting features/promotions: Betway leads the way with soccer promotions with their Odds Boost promotion and they also have great features like Bet Builder.
Best Football leagues to bet online
We will be in more detail at the best football leagues to bet on from Europe and South Africa.
Premier League
The Premier League is famous for its thrilling football and intense competition. It attracts some of the world’s best players each season and is known for surprises, where any team can beat another. One popular bet in this league is both teams scoring as most of the matches in the 2023/24 season saw the BTTS bet being a winner. Betting on the Premier League also involves studying stats such as team form and player performances which can improve your chances of winning.
La Liga
The popularity of La Liga is that you can follow legendary teams like Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, known for their iconic anthem and exceptional style of play. The Spanish league is perfect for football betting as it offers spectacular and magical goals. Before placing bets, punters must consider factors such as team form, player performances and home-field advantage. Keep track of injuries, suspensions and transfer news as these can significantly influence match results.
Bundesliga
The Bundesliga features European giants Bayern Munich who have dominated the league in the last decade until Bayer Leverkusen broke their winning streak last season. In this league, there are generally high scoring matches as 85% of matches have seen more than 1.5 goals scored. As a result, you’ll find that the odds are indeed very low. The odds will be around 1.10 – 1.15 which is very poor. The wisest choice is therefore to play for more than 2.5 goals as this bet wins in 65% of matches and has much better odds.
Premier Soccer League (PSL)
It comes as no surprise that the local PSL is a huge favourite among punters as they bet on the likes of Sundowns, Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. The league has been dominated by Sundowns who won their 7th consecutive title. The domination of “The Brazilians” is not reflected in the rest of the league as there are plenty of tightly contested matches which produce low scoring affairs. The most productive bet in recent seasons has been the under 2.5 goals.
International tournaments
The pinnacle of the soccer calendar is the World Cup, with the global showpiece taking place every four years. The next tournament is due to be played in 2026 and be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The outright winner is the most sought-after bet, as there are usually excellent odds if the bet is placed well in advance of the tournament. Other international competitions that attract huge interest from punters include the European Championship, which is due to take place in 2024 in Germany. The African Cup Of Nations always creates a stir within the country for punters, as most of the players ply their trade for local PSL clubs.
How to bet on Soccer
Betting on soccer is generally quiet easy but if are new to betting we have designed a step by step guide to assist you
- Select the bookmaker that fits your betting preferences.
- Register at your chosen bookmaker and submit your FICA documents for verification.
- Log in to your betting account using your username and password.
- Navigate to the soccer/football section in the bookmaker’s sports menu.
- Choose the specific league or competition you wish to bet on.
- Pick the team you want to bet on, or select all teams for an accumulator bet.
- Enter the amount you wish to bet and click ‘submit’ to place your bet.
Best Soccer betting markets
The popularity of soccer betting is reflected in the betting markets available to soccer punters. There are hundreds of different bets on each match but we selected some of the most popular bets namely the three-way bet, the Over/Under bet, Both Teams To Score (BTTS) and Accumulator bet.
Three-way bet(1×2): This classic bet used to be the most popular when soccer betting started as there were limited betting options: picking Team 1 (Home), Team 2 (Away) or the draw (X). This gave players a 33.3% chance of winning with is not great odds. Nowadays, you can choose a double chance bet (1X), (X2) or (1/2) which increases your chances to 66.7%, though the odds for this type of bet are usually lower.
Accumulator bet: The accumulator or multi bet is highly popular because punters can win large amounts of money from a small initial bet. It follows the principle of high risk and high reward, which appeals to many. Most bookmakers encourage this type of bet with promotions such as Odds Booster and refunding your stake if the accumulator misses by one leg.
Both teams to score (BTTS): Punters often favour the Both Teams to Score (BTTS) bet, especially when teams known for scoring many goals and having weak defences are playing. This type of bet is commonly included in football accumulators. The BTTS bet is most often a winner in the EPL.
Over/Under bet: In this type of bet, the bookmaker sets a goal total like 2.5 goals and the punter decides if the total goals scored in the match will be over or under that number. It’s a great bet when two attacking teams play as the over bet tends to win. Conversely, when teams struggle to score, the under bet is a smart choice.
Football Betting Tips
We often hear stories of punters winning life-changing amounts on soccer bets but these big payouts are rare. Don’t chase the BIG win as it will usually lead to disappointment. Set a budget and be happy with any win as anything over your initial investment is a profit. Here are some soccer betting strategies and tips to help you win.
Take the small wins: You can achieve higher returns in soccer betting without needing to place large bets. Small bets, despite their limited payouts and options can be profitable when managed effectively. They are more affordable and involve lower risks which makes them a safer choice.
Familiarise yourself with the betting markets: Many new punters make the mistake of not understanding the betting markets. For example, if you bet on Team A to win in a three-way bet and they win in a penalty shootout, your bet is a loss because the three-way bet only counts the result after 90 minutes excluding extra time and penalties. Some bets can be complicated so it’s best to avoid them if you are new to betting.
Bet on Goal-Based Markets: Goals markets are often overlooked but have great potential for profit. Like betting on corners, the game’s outcome doesn’t matter for this type of bet which makes it easier to predict and offers better odds than match outcomes. A goal bet is based on the total goals in a game, so you need to analyse a team’s average goals per match, their current form and the types of goals they concede.
Never bet with your heart: If you are serious about winning your soccer bets, you need to bet with your head and not your heart. It’s wise to monitor the form of the team you want to back and their performance in home and away matches. Some teams consistently do well against specific opponents and you can find this information by checking the head-to-head records.
FAQ
Why do South Africans bet on soccer?
South Africa is soccer crazy with fans willing to splash their cash on their favourite teams while testing their soccer knowledge. The other reason is of course they are trying to win big money payouts.
What are the top 3 most popular betting sites for Soccer?
The top 3 soccer betting sites in the country are Betway, Hollywoodbets, and Sportingbet. Betway offers a Multibet Odds boost of up to 300%, making it appealing for those looking to maximize payouts. Hollywoodbets offers extensive soccer coverage, including over 72 national soccer leagues. Sportingbet allows innovative features like ‘Edit My Bet,’ where you can change your bet after placing it.
What is the best betting strategy for soccer?
The best strategy is to do thorough research on the teams by looking at the past results and form of the teams.
What is the best betting site for soccer?
The best soccer betting site is Betway thanks to their excellent odds and great soccer promotions
How to watch soccer games online?
Some of the betting sites like Betway and Hollywoodbets offer live streaming on selected soccer matches.
What is the best soccer betting app in South Africa?
The Betway app is the best app for soccer punters, as it has great speed and offers a live streaming service as well. This bookie also has a Data Free version for times when you may be out of data.
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