Ready to explore the world of online casinos in South Africa? Our experts have analysed over 100 sites to bring you the top real money casinos in the Rainbow Nation.
From ZAR-friendly payment methods to safety, mobile casino apps to free games, and everything in between — we understand the unique requirements of SA casino players. To get you started, we’ll also help you find the most generous casino bonuses.
Online casinos: | Yes ✅ |
Retail casinos: | Yes ✅ |
Taxable winnings: | No ❌ |
Gambling licences: | Malta Gaming Authority, Government of Curacao, United Kingdom Gambling Commission, + more |
Legal age for gambling: | 18+ |
Popular payment methods: | Visa, EasyEFT, Neteller |
Online casino games: | Slots, Blackjack, Poker, + more |
Top slots: | Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, Money Train 3 |
Best online casino: | Casino Tropez ⭐ |
When it comes to finding the best South Africa online casinos, we work hard so you don’t have to. Jump straight into your favourite games by picking one of the top-rated online casinos featured in our guide. Each of the casino brands we list has met Covers’ strict review standards while welcoming ZA players:
Online casino | Bonus offer | Best for |
---|---|---|
1. Casino Tropez |
100% match up to R1,000 + R30,000 bonus | Overall |
2. Europa Casino |
100% match up to R1,000 + R24,000 bonus | Payment methods |
3. Springbok Casino |
R250 free, 100% match up to R1,500 + 50% match up to R10,000 | Localisation |
4. Yeti Casino |
100% match up to R3,333 + 100 free spins on Book of Dead | Progressive jackpots |
5. Yako Casino |
100% match up to R999 + 99 Free Spins on Book of Dead | Promotions |
Casino Tropez has been in business since 2001, making it one of the most established online casinos in South Africa. There are over 400 slots, casino games, and live casino games from Playtech, one of the leading software providers in the industry. Navigating this collection is relatively straightforward, as the site boasts several handy features that allow ZA players to locate their favourite games easily — including niche game category tabs.
South African players can also partake in Casino Tropez’s exciting daily leaderboards. Opt in, and you could be well on your way to cash prizes and free spins. In addition, the platform's exclusive VIP Club rewards frequent players with perks such as faster cashouts and personal account managers.
Holding a licence with the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Casino Tropez allows its games to be verified for fairness by GLI – Gaming Laboratories International. As such, the site is as trustworthy as it is fun. South Africans can also choose between convenient payment methods such as Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Maestro, Neteller, and Skrill.
Europa Casino is another Playtech site that delivers over 1,000 thrilling games. The South Africa casino site covers traditional fan favourites like slots, roulette, blackjack, and live casino options. Since launching in 2003, Europa holds a licence from the MGA and is on the whitelist of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
It is among the best real money casino sites for South Africans because it supports local payment options such as EasyEFT. Europa Casino works directly with GLI to independently test its games and guarantee fairness.
As another Universe Entertainment Services Malta Limited-operated casino, Europa Casino boasts many of the same features as Casino Tropez, such as the daily leaderboards and a VIP program. But that’s not all — the site features tons of lucrative promotions for new and existing users alike. Some of our favourites include the Friday Big Quiz, the daily Free Spins Hunt, Double Up Fridays, and Mystery Mondays.
Springbok Casino is unique because it is a South African-themed operator that caters specifically to customers in ZA. Named after the antelope found predominantly in South Africa, Springbok is also one of the top online casinos in the country because of its large game catalogue, varied payment methods, and exciting promotions. You can expect a generous welcome bonus, reload offers for existing players, and cashback.
The site features a dark green background adorned with silhouettes of springboks alongside several handy tabs for easy navigation. You can quickly find your way around the game lobby, locate the app download link, and uncover the site’s flexible banking options without scrolling for hours on end.
Springbok Casino is notable because it only accepts deposits and withdrawals in South African Rand (ZAR). You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, EasyEFT, and many other secure payment services. Known as a trustworthy and safe brand, Springbok Casino operates from and is licensed in Curacao.
Sporting a Yeti mascot on a cool ice-blue colour scheme, Yeti Casino has an expertly curated game catalogue. There are over 800 slots and casino games available to play for real money, providing a broad selection of options across virtual and live games. Among these online casino games is a collection of the most iconic and lucrative jackpot slots, such as ‘Major Millions,’ ‘Mega Fortune,’ ‘Mega Moolah,’ ‘Arabian Nights,’ and ‘Hall of Gods.’ Yeti partners with leading software providers such as IGT, Microgaming, and Pragmatic Play.
The site even lets you filter titles through some pretty unique categories. For example, selecting “Something Fishy” will take you to Yeti Casino’s hottest fishing-themed slots and jackpots. On the other hand, hitting “Game Shows” will show you the casino’s most exciting live game show titles, such as Deal or No Deal Live and Monopoly Live.
Furthermore, South African players have no trouble managing funds thanks to a range of banking methods, such as debit cards and e-wallets, as well as InstantEFT. Extremely reputable, Yeti Casino holds licences with the MGA and the UKGC. Users in SA can take advantage of several exclusive promotions, including Wicked Wednesday Reload Offers, unlimited cashback, Weekly Random Reloads, and Yeti Casino slot tournaments.
Since launching in 2015, Yako Casino has become one of the best online gambling sites in South Africa. You can find some of the top online slots and casino games from reputable software developers like Microgaming (Games Global), Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and others. There is also a solid live dealer section, and Yako is the Slingo king of ZA online casinos. Here, you can find a bunch of options for the popular slot/bingo hybrid.
Featuring a regal purple colour scheme, Yako Casino is super organised and easy to navigate. You can use handy filters to browse your favourite games and scour the hottest Yako bonuses. The ZA online casino spoils its new and returning players with exclusive perks and prizes. For example, with Yako Casino’s “Superstar Tournament”, you’ll need to land the best multiplier win on a participating game to scoop your share of an incredible R25,000 prize pool.
Licences from authorities such as the MGA and the UKGC ensure Yako adheres to the strictest online gambling laws.
When reviewing South African online casinos, our Covers BetSmart Rating system leaves no stone unturned. We have identified the most important features of online gaming platforms, and ensured that all our recommended sites are fairly, impartially, and accurately rated on the following categories:
Online casino bonus offers are designed to entice players, but these promos differ greatly from casino to casino. While we love to see generous bonus amounts upwards of R2,000, we also expect fair terms and conditions. These include fewer payment restrictions, wagering requirements below the industry average of 35x, and game eligibility across slots, table games, and even live dealer games. Furthermore, we also give you a full lowdown on how much a bonus is worth, including welcome packages and ongoing promos.
South African online casino players value flexibility, security, and easy access when depositing and withdrawing funds. Top sites give players a range of payment methods to choose from, including debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrencies. We also expect swift withdrawal processing speeds of less than 48 hours and deposit and withdrawal limits to suit budget bettors and high rollers alike.
Some casino operators throw the kitchen sink at building their game portfolio, giving players access to thousands of titles. Others take a measured approach with fewer games and sometimes work with just a handful of software providers. We like quantity and quality, but the most important factor is a casino gives players access to top slots, table games, live casino games, instant win titles, and other options.
Your online safety is our number one concern and the first thing we check on each review. Simply put, if a casino is not licensed by a known authority like the MGA or UKGC, we will never recommend it to our readers. We also check if there are adequate security and privacy measures in place, such as SSL encryption and secure payments.
Many South African gamblers play exclusively on their smartphones and tablets. Online casino websites should meet this demand with mobile-friendly platforms. Our mobile rating covers compatibility, accessibility, and availability. Does a casino have a dedicated app, and how does the website perform on a mobile browser? Are there any mobile-specific bonuses, and is the mobile games library the same size as the desktop version?
Knowing a casino has your back if you have an issue is a benefit that helps you to trust the operator. Our reviewers connect with support agents and report how helpful the casino was, how detailed the FAQ section is, whether live chat is available 24/7 or time-limited, and how long contact waiting times are.
While the majority of South Africa casinos are completely safe and reputable, there is a small number that are not. These operators may not have valid licenses, fail to pay out winnings, or have unfair games. Our expert team highlights the best casinos available to ZA players, and only recommends licensed brands that use independent game testing labs and protect your personal and financial details.
If you’re new to South Africa casinos online, you can get started quickly by following the straightforward steps below:
Choose one of our recommended online casinos. Click the relevant link to go straight to the casino. Don’t forget that you can sign up for multiple online casino accounts if you prefer.
Register by providing your personal info (name, location, date of birth, address, email). Verify your details to open your casino account.
Head to the banking section of your account and choose a payment method. Set up a deposit, being sure to hit any minimum deposit amount required to trigger a welcome bonus.
With funds in your account, explore the game lobby and start playing casino games for real money.
If you win, you can withdraw from the banking section. First-time withdrawals require you to confirm your ID and address.
Bonuses are a great way to boost your bankroll when you sign up with a casino or to collect consistent rewards as an existing player.
Bonus warning: Read the terms and conditions of each bonus carefully before creating a new account and making a deposit at an online casino. Playthrough requirements are often attached to bonuses, meaning you must bet the full amount a specified number of times before withdrawing any winnings.
Below are some of the best South African online casino bonuses you can expect to come across:
A welcome bonus is an introductory offer for new players. It is usually the most lucrative offer available to entice players to register at the casino. Most welcome packages are deposit match offers, while some include free spins on the side.
Deposit bonuses are the most common form of promotions offered by most online casinos in South Africa, including Casino Tropez and Springbok Casino. A deposit match is when you deposit funds, and the casino matches the deposit by a percentage amount. For example, '200% up to R15,000' means that if you deposit R15,000, the casino will aware a R30,000 bonus, leaving you with R45,000 to play with.
While most casino promos require a player to make a deposit, some don’t. These are known as no-deposit bonuses and take the form of free credits, free bonus funds, or free spins. These are highly valued as you can maintain your bankroll and get a reward without depositing into your casino account.
A reload bonus rewards existing customers who make another deposit in addition to their original deposit. These bonuses are sometimes available as cash amounts or a percentage of the deposit amount.
Most ZA online casinos have a free spins offer, and often the casino will detail which slot you can redeem your free spins on. These are frequently new or popular titles. Free spins can be a part of a no-deposit bonus, but they often come as a deposit bonus.
Many casinos run loyalty programs where regular players can claim free spins or matched deposit bonuses. Some online casinos give out loyalty points when you deposit and wager, and you can cash them in for freebies like spins and bonuses.
Some casinos reward players for placing particularly high bets, often in excess of $100 per hand. These players are high rollers and enrolled in the casino’s VIP program. As part of the VIP club, online casinos provide high rollers with lots of free bets, spins, and a range of other exclusive promotions.
Cashback offers give players a percentage of losses back after a certain amount of time — usually a day or a week. You’ll usually be able to claim either 10% or 15% back on losses from certain games when you’re given one of these promos, and your cashback will be awarded in the form of a bonus, so you can use it to go off and keep playing on top games.
There are many types of casino games online, with most top sites offering hundreds and even thousands of options. Below are the most popular South Africa online casino game types:
Blackjack is the classic game of 21, where you compete against the dealer to get your hand of cards as close to 21 without going over. Simple but strategic, blackjack remains one of the most popular casino games online and in land-based casinos. At online casinos in South Africa, you can play virtual blackjack against a computer or immerse yourself in live blackjack against a human dealer.
Online casino games are available against a computer, known as a Random Number Generator (RNG). However, if you want something a little more realistic, you can try live dealer games. These versions of roulette, blackjack, poker, and other games use a human dealer. Live casino games stream to your device from a remote studio owned by the game developer. These games bring you the most authentic form of online casino gambling that closely mimics what you would find at a land-based casino.
How can a game where you listen to numbers being called before checking if you have those numbers be so much fun? Bingo is that game, one of the most dramatic in the betting industry. Not all online casinos offer online bingo, but when we spot a site that does, we’ll let you know in our reviews.
Lotteries are great games for playing swiftly and trying to win quickly. Since lotteries are completely random, all you need to do is pick a series of numbers. When the lottery is drawn, you will win if you match your numbers to those that are drawn.
Poker comes in many varieties, including the hugely popular Texas Hold’em. You aim to build a better hand than your opponents by betting and assessing your hand. There are numerous hand rankings, and poker is a game that promotes strategic betting as well as the art of bluffing.
One of the most celebrated gambling games, roulette involves the player predicting where a metal ball will land when the roulette wheel stops spinning. Available as a live dealer or virtual option, roulette comes in many variants at the best online casino sites. The most common are European and American roulette. Most players prefer European games because of the superior house edge to American tables.
Slots are the most popular casino games of all time. There are tens of thousands of different online slot machines, and many are available at the top South Africa online casinos. While slots are games of pure chance, players love them because of their variety. Available in a range of themes, genres, gameplay mechanics, jackpot types, and betting levels, slots are the versatile video games of the casino industry.
Other traditional casino games — in addition to blackjack, poker, and roulette — are available as live and virtual options at South Africa online casinos. For example, craps is the ultimate dice-throwing game that brings fast-paced action as you predict the outcome of two dice. On the other hand, baccarat – the game made famous by James Bond – sees you wager if the banker or player will win a two-card hand by getting closer to nine without going over.
Casino games with the lowest house edge
Casino game | House edge |
---|---|
10. Backgammon |
From 6.39% to 4.82% |
9. Caribbean Stud Poker |
From 5% |
8. Pai Gow Poker |
From 2.5% |
7. Roulette (single zero) |
From 2.5% |
6. Slots |
From 10% to 2% |
5. Video Poker |
From 5% to 0.5% |
4. Three Card Poker |
From 1.5% |
3. Baccarat |
From 1.5% |
2. Craps |
From 5% to 1.4% |
1. Blackjack (single deck) |
From 1.5% |
Many online casinos for real money also feature online sportsbooks, allowing users to place wagers like moneylines, point spreads, and Over/Unders (totals) on their favourite sports and teams without leaving the platform.
All the South Africa online casino operators we recommend are internationally licensed, providing payment methods for many markets. This level of flexibility means many popular and secure banking options are available to South Africans, including Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Maestro, Paysafecard, and Neteller. However, you will find that the best ZA casino sites we recommend also have local payment options methods.
Covers tip: Funding your online casino account is required before placing any wagers. In most cases, players are expected to use the same method for withdrawals and deposits.
EFT – or electronic funds transfer – is a way for people to send money electronically. EasyEFT expands on this by providing a more seamless and efficient EFT system. It allows quick bank-to-bank/service electronic transactions. It is secure because money never leaves the system. Importantly, EasyEFT is a service built specifically for individuals in South Africa.
Instant EFT takes the principles of EFT and EasyEFT and accelerates the process further. Just like it says in the name, the service allows for real-time transactions. It is worth noting that withdrawal times from casinos will still depend on the processing time the site states.
Decentralised currencies, or cryptocurrencies, are becoming increasingly common at South African online casinos. Bitcoin is the most common crypto, providing a way to conduct anonymous deposits and withdrawals. It also offers robust security because there is no intermediate service, and you don’t share any banking details.
Pay by Phone is a service where you call your financial institution and have them set up a transaction. Some casino brands in South Africa support this method. However, it may be worth checking with your bank regarding their rules, as some financial institutes may refuse to set up transactions to international online casinos.
We cover the best all-around casino online gambling brands in South Africa on this page. These operators excel in all areas, but some casinos focus on a particular specialty or possess a unique selling point:
We’re all about the latest and the greatest. Our team of industry experts is constantly checking for new online casinos that meet our strict review criteria. As soon as the hottest new reputable casino is live for South African players, we will list it right here.
If you don’t have a high bankroll but still want to play for real money, minimum deposit online casinos are fantastic. These online casinos have a low minimum deposit level, allowing you to start playing real money games for as low as R100 ($5).
Some specialist internet casinos focus on mobile players only. While this may seem restrictive, evidence shows that most people now play online casino games only on their mobile devices. Many casino operators are now looking to tap into this trend with exclusive mobile options.
When you win, you want to get your hands on your profits as soon as possible. Most casinos will approve withdrawals in around 48 hours, and then you need to wait for your financial institution to receive the payment. That can take days. Fast payout casinos speed up the process, approving withdrawals within hours and offering instant cash out for certain payment methods.
Our top-rated high-paying casinos boast the greatest RTP (Return to Player) rate alongside plenty of games and generous bonuses. The RTP tells you how much you can expect to win back from a casino game on average. The figure comes from a massive sample of gamblers and millions of spins or rounds. It’s a great indicator of how much a game can pay out over time.
One of the most niche categories, this type of casino will cater directly to South African players by supporting ZA Rand. Being able to deposit and withdraw using ZAR means that you won't need to pay exchange rate fees. Additionally, it's always easier to compare offers in a familiar currency.
Both real-money casino games and free games have their benefits. Let’s take a look:
While many people in South Africa love gambling, the country’s laws are fairly restrictive. The National Gambling Act was passed in 2004, and in 2010, lawmakers extended this to relate to online gambling. Online casino operators are not permitted to host their operations in South Africa. However, there are no laws to stop South African players from accessing internationally licensed casino brands.
Online casinos may not be present directly in South Africa, but the country does have a thriving land-based casino industry. Many players prefer the thrill and atmosphere of brick-and-mortar gambling venues instead of playing on their desktop or mobile devices.
There are currently over 20 brick-and-mortar casinos in the country. Below are three of our favourites:
Casino name | Casino address | Phone number |
---|---|---|
Sun City Casino | R556, Sun City, 0316, Northwest Province, South Africa | +27 14 557 1000 |
Tusk Rio Casino | Rio Boulevard, Freemanville, Klerksdorp, 2571, South Africa | +27 18 469 9100 |
Frontier Inn and Casino | Johan Blignaut Drive N5, Panorama, Bethlehem, 9700, South Africa | +27 58 307 6000 |
At Covers, we believe that gambling is fun and should always be that way. However, casino games do include risk and involve using your own money to try and make a profit. We therefore encourage responsible gambling and betting within your means.
Set your budget based on money you can afford to lose, and stick to it. This should be disposable income that does not come from your living expenses. Online casinos should have responsible gambling resources available to players, such as bet limits, deposit limits, time limits, self-exclusion, and general advice.
If you feel you are struggling with problem gambling, the Responsible Gambling Foundation is a national group located in Johannesburg that provides advice, helplines, courses and self-checking. The National Gambling Board also provides a toll-free helpline, offering confidential support from treatment professionals.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers boasts more than 25 years of sports betting experience. Our long-standing relationship with regulated, licensed, and legal gaming sites allows our active community of 20-million users to access expert analysis and recommendations. Covers may receive an advertising commission if you visit a sportsbook or casino betting site via select affiliate links across our site, create an account, and make a deposit. However, no amount of money ensures that an operator will get listed.
Casino Tropez is currently our top pick as the best online casino in South Africa. It provides an all-around experience covering game selection, lucrative bonuses, excellent support, and flexible payment methods.
Casino Tropez, Europa Casino, Springbok Casino, Yeti Casino, and Yako Casino are currently our top casino sites for South African players.
All games at the online casinos we recommend are real money games, including slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, bingo, lotteries, craps, baccarat, game shows, live dealer, and more.
Yes, you can gamble online in South Africa. Sports betting is fully regulated in the Rainbow Nation, while South African players can visit and access offshore regulated casino operators to participate in iGaming. However, hosting online casinos in South Africa is illegal.
At the time of writing, our most trustworthy South Africa online casino is Casino Tropez. However, all the online casinos we recommend hold licences with reputable international gambling bodies and operate fairly.
Ben started his career in sports journalism and motorsport PR before switching to the online casino arena in 2021. The UK native is committed to giving Covers' players the edge through iGaming tips and reviews, while he's still waiting to land that big Cheltenham Festival parlay which dreams are made of.
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