Top Online Betting Apps in South Africa – Best Bookmaker Apps

Our betting experts tried several South African online betting sites. Based on the results; the best sports betting apps in South Africa are Betway, Gbets, and Playabets, offering top odds, big bonuses & secure betting. Download & bet with confidence! We are living in brilliant times reader, absolutely brilliant! Online betting has evolved incredibly over the past few years and ensuring you have a little skin in the game has never been easier. Access to sports betting apps in South Africa requires nothing more than your smartphone, now anyone can wield the power of an almost personalized bookmaker in the palm of their hand.

Ryan Liberty
Ryan Liberty

Last Updated: 2025-02-14

Chad Nagel

10 minutes read

Top 3 Sports Betting Apps in South Africa Tested by Experts 

With so many options on the market, how does one know which apps are the best? SportsBoom has you covered! We have expertly tested some top betting apps and whittled the list down to just three. All for you!

100% Up To R1000
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betway logo
Sportsboom Logo
OVERALL RATING
4.2/5
Promotions & VIP
4/5
Odds & Markets
4/5
Mobile
4/5
Customer Service
4.3/5
Deposit & Withdrawal
4.5/5

Key Features

  • Support:Sportsboom Email iconSportsboom live chat support icon
  • Licenses: UK, Malta, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, South Africa, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, France, Argentina, USA
100% Up To R1000
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Payment Methods
payment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logo

Hang on, you mean to say that you don’t currently have the Betway app downloaded on your phone or tablet! What are you waiting for!? 

The entertainment value alone is unbridled!

Betway boasts, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best mobile betting apps on the market. 

New customers registering with them can receive a welcome bonus of up to R1000.

See it is a gift of sorts, but if you haven’t already, sign up! 

A bookmaker with the most recognizable branding, they boast incredibly competitive odds, in-depth markets on a host of sporting events and fixtures as well as a full functional online casino. 

Offering sport enthusiasts, a range of markets from football, cricket, rugby and darts to horse racing and tennis, their options extend well past just a match winner. 

Enter overs/unders, to win a set, last team to score and more! 

Pros

  • Leading betting brand
  • Incredible user interface
  • Cons

  • Limited cash out options
  • 18+ · 100% first deposit match · Up to R1,000 Extra Bet · New customers only · One claim per customer · FICA verification required · 3x deposit bet at 3.0+ odds · 30 days to meet criteria · Extra Bet for sports only · R1,000 max Extra Bet · Standard terms apply · Withdraw winnings minus stake · Suspicious activity reported · Non-refundable Extra Bet

    Get 100% Up To R2000
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    Playa Bets
    Sportsboom Logo
    OVERALL RATING
    4/5
    Promotions & VIP
    3.5/5
    Odds & Markets
    3.5/5
    Mobile
    4/5
    Customer Service
    4.5/5
    Deposit & Withdrawal
    4.5/5

    Key Features

    • Support:Sportsboom Email iconSportsboom phone support icon
    • Licenses: South Africa
    Get 100% Up To R2000
    Bet Now!
    Payment Methods
    payment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logo

    New members also receive a welcome bonus. 

    It’s a 100% match of your first deposit, up to a maximum of R2000. 

    Furthermore, new users receive a R50 free bonus and 5- free spins just for signing up – no need to deposit!

    Downloading their app certainly enhances the enjoyment of the site. 

    Yes, the app essentially replicates the website, but the experience is slick and simple. 

    Their markets are brilliant and with competitive odds they satisfy the needs of pretty much every bettor. 

    As is the case with all apps, the Playabets app is often updated. 

    This shouldn’t be seen as bad news though. 

    The updates bring with them bug fixes, new features and improved security. Just another great offering by the site! 

    Pros

  • Unique welcome bonus
  • Leading live betting site in South Africa
  • Cons

  • Limited deposit method
  • Sportingbet only have 6 deposit options
  • 18+• First deposit of R50 to R1000• Max bonus is R1000• Full terms and conditions apply

    R25 no deposit bonus
    Bet Now!
    GBets
    Sportsboom Logo
    OVERALL RATING
    4.1/5
    Promotions & VIP
    4/5
    Odds & Markets
    4/5
    Mobile
    3.5/5
    Customer Service
    4.5/5
    Deposit & Withdrawal
    4.5/5

    Key Features

    • Support:Sportsboom Email iconSportsboom phone support iconSportsboom live chat support iconSportsboom 24/7 support icon
    • Licenses: South Africa
    R25 no deposit bonus
    Bet Now!
    Payment Methods
    payment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logopayment logo

    Since its 2005 inception, Gbets has quickly become a big player on the South African market. 

    An app with extensive sport market coverage and an easy-to-use interface, it is no surprise to see them become the household name for South African punters. 

    In our opinion, Gbets has the best cash-out feature on the market. 

    Their feature allows players to initiate a full or partial payout on ongoing bets! 

    Whilst they have a wide variety of sport markets, their South African football betting market coverage is one of the most extensive on the market. 

    Another unique offering by the bookmaker is their ‘Gift My Bet’ option. 

    This option allows you to place a wager for another user on your account, but once you have paid for the bet, it is uploaded to the users account as a betslip! 

    All-in-all, the app is modern and relevant. 

    Easy to use and even easier to understand. 

    This statement is relevant to both the novice punter and the most experienced alike. 

    The app can be downloaded through the App Store, Play Store or online and registering is incredibly convenient.

    Pros

  • Plethora of bonuses and promotions
  • Cons

  • Web design and layout
  • The writing on the site is quite small and seemingly bunched together.
  • #ad• 18+• max R1000 winnings• R25 min deposit• 1x wagering• bonus expires 48 hours• odds and bet requirements

    Sports Betting App in SA with Best Bonuses/Offers

    So, you are interested in finding a bonus that suits your every need? – perfect! SportsBoom has you covered with our complete guide. 

    Sportingbet.io

    A popular sports betting site in the South African market, Sportingbet offers players a wide range of sporting options to bet on. From darts to football and everything in-between, Sportingbet offer customers a premium service. 

    Their welcome bonus for new players includes a R3000 deposit match and a bonus 300 free spins in their casino games. That means that were you to deposit R3000 into your new account, they would give you R3000 credit, allowing you to play with R6000! 

    Betway

    Betway is possibly the betting site in South Africa which caters for the widest audience and the most complete list of options. Offering new clients a 100% free bet, up to R1000, it is no surprise they have such an incredible foothold in the South African market. 

    Betway also offer bonuses on around particular sporting events. For instance, if you take a bet on the Springboks, you get paid out should they lead by seven points at any given time. Another example could be the Soweto Derby, the biggest event on the African football calendar, Betway offers a 100% odds boost on certain wagers on the match itself.

    Gbets

    When you first engage with the platform you immediately notice that they offer such a wide range of bonusses and promotions. Their welcome bonus is a 100% deposit match up to R1000 alongside a R25 free sports bet. Furthermore, they offer customers live games bonuses and birthday bonuses – it really is a bonus for almost anything!

    Best Sports Bookmaker App for Market Coverage 

    Hollywoodbets is arguably one of the best in South Africa for market coverage. They have a plethora of betting opportunities, incredible options to enhance the betting experience and wonderfully progressive with options such as their build-a-bet feature. 

    Punters in South Africa are able to consult an array of pundits from around the world and see pretty much all of the betting suggestions from both local and international sites available on the Hollywoodbets platform. 

    SA Betting App for Live Betting 

    The Sportingbet app is simply an elite betting experience at your fingertips. They have the widest range of betting opportunities in the country and this is all brought to you in real time. Together with their live streaming options, live betting relies on quick and effective updates with slick interpretations of the happenings of the game. Sportingbet strive in this category! 

    Their live markets allow punters to live in the moment, engage with hotly contested encounters and feel the adrenaline of their favourite sporting moments. 

    Best SA Sports Betting App with Best Odds 

    1xBet might take the cake for the best betting odds on the market. A bookmaker who continues to grow within the South African market, their odds are continuously generous, and this generosity extends past just certain markets. Be it horseracing, football or tennis, our expert engagement with the sportsbook yields the same results. 

    Pound for pound, they are by far South Africa’s best betting app for competitive odds.

    SportsBoom Tips for Using South African Sports Betting Apps 

    Fortunately, you don’t have to waste too much time scouring through the web in search of tips for using betting apps in South Africa – SportsBoom betting experts have done it for you!

    Checking the rating of the sportsbook online is usually a great place to start. Websites and apps allow customers to write comments and leave feedback on their platform. There is usually a lot of negativities left here, but there will no doubt be a handful of useful information left for your benefit. 

    The next bit of advice would be to make sure that all advertised features are available in South Africa. Gambling platforms will always publish and promote many different features and benefits. That doesn’t always mean they are available in South Africa.

    Finally, if the payment process is not recognizable we would advise that you stay away! it’s a simple rule of thumb which can be largely beneficial and incredibly handy.

    How to Bet via Sports Betting Apps in South Africa?

    Ready to place a bet on a sportsbook’s app? Follow these simple steps! 

    1. 1

      Open or join a reputable bookmaker 

    2. 2

      Complete the registration form with all of your personal details

    3. 3

      Sign in with your username and password 

    4. 4

      Enter a promo code if necessary (we recommend making use of this)

    5. 5

      Make a 1st deposit. This will activate the account. 

    6. 6

      Place your bet!

    How SportsBoom Rate & Review Betting Apps in South Africa

    At SportsBoom, our experts engage with the best betting sites and apps to establish a leader in competitive odds, payment options and customer bonuses. 

    1. Overall Betting Markets: We look at pre-match odds and outright markets on various sport matches to ensure that a bookmaker is both relevant and competitive. 

    2. Live-in-Play Options: On websites and app platforms, bookmakers should be able to offer in-running options while following every moment of the game. 

    3. Competitive Welcome Bonus: The generosity of the welcome bonus is considered for punters. The higher the bonus and the lower the wagering requirements always translate into a happy punter.

    4. Retention Bonuses for Punters: Every betting platform has ongoing promotions and enticing welcome bonuses. Regular retention bonuses include free bets and early payouts for punters taking their weekly wagers. 

    5. Banking Options: Does the bookmaker allow for free and easy deposits? Are the options for the deposit varied so as to cater to the masses and are the withdrawal processes streamlined and easy?

    Are Mobile Apps Safe for Sports Betting in South Africa?

    As a point of departure, South African punters must ensure that betting apps are licensed and regulated with the appropriate gaming authorities before engaging with them. No, not all sites are legal, and players should register at our recommended betting sites to ensure a safe and secure experience. 

    With that being said, sites which do comply with necessary licenses and authorities are safe to engage with in South Africa. 

    Are Sports Betting Apps Free in South Africa?

    Most sports betting apps are downloadable from your phone’s app store. They can be downloaded quickly and securely from these app stores and shouldn’t require any sort of financial involvement from your side. 

    In truth, the only time you should be faced with a financial aspect is where you are making your first deposit and begin placing bets. Another rule of thumb for your every-growing collection is this – if you are asked to pay for the app after downloading it, delete it!

    Final Verdict 

    The purpose of our ‘Sports Betting Apps’ article is to provide you with a comprehensive detailing of the various aspects which go into engaging with these platforms. We certainly hope we have done this reader.

    Getting some skin in the game is never a bad option, it enhances your sport viewing ten-fold – however, ensure you are educated on the topic to ensure a truly enjoyable experience. 

    Well, go on then, getting betting!

    FAQs

    What is the best SA sports betting app to use?

    There are so many options to choose from and many have unique strengths. However, for us the best betting app on the South African market is Betway. 

    How to sports bet in South Africa?

    Follow our step-by-step guide earlier in this article to ensure you get your best bets on timeously. 

    What South African sports betting app pays the most?

    There is no set bookmaker which necessarily pays out the most, however, some bookmakers have better or more generous odds than others. We suggest consulting with our list before making your pick! 

    SportsBoom offers honest and impartial bookmaker reviews to help you make informed choices. While we may earn commissions through affiliate links, our content remains independent and free from promotional influence.