A complete beginner's guide to sports betting in South Africa. Learn everything you need to know to place your first bet with confidence.
Before you can place bets online in South Africa, you need to register with a licensed bookmaker. Here's how to set up your account:
Only bet with bookmakers licensed by South African gambling boards. Betfred is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling Board, ensuring your funds are protected and games are fair.
You'll need to provide personal details including your full name, ID number, email address, phone number, and physical address. This takes about 5 minutes.
South African law requires all bookmakers to verify your identity (FICA compliance). You'll need to upload:
FICA verification protects you from fraud and ensures you can withdraw your winnings without issues. Complete it early - your account may be limited until verified.
Once verified, deposit funds using your preferred payment method. Minimum deposits are typically R20-R50.
Odds tell you two things: the probability of an outcome and how much you'll win if your bet is successful. In South Africa, decimal odds are most common.
Decimal odds show your total return (stake + profit) for every R1 bet. To calculate your potential winnings:
Kaizer Chiefs to beat Orlando Pirates
Odds: 2.50
| Odds | Implied Probability | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | 66.7% | Strong favourite - likely to win |
| 2.00 | 50% | Even chance - could go either way |
| 3.00 | 33.3% | Underdog - less likely but better payout |
| 5.00 | 20% | Long shot - unlikely but big payout if it wins |
| 10.00 | 10% | Big outsider - very unlikely |
To convert odds to probability: (1 ÷ odds) × 100. For odds of 2.50: (1 ÷ 2.50) × 100 = 40% implied probability.
Understanding different bet types helps you make smarter betting decisions. Start with simple bets and progress to more complex ones as you gain experience.
One bet on one outcome. The simplest type - your stake goes on a single selection. If it wins, you win.
Multiple selections combined into one bet. All selections must win for the bet to pay out, but odds multiply for bigger returns.
Popular in horse racing. Half your stake goes on the win, half on a place (top 2, 3, or 4 depending on field size).
Bet on whether a statistic (goals, points, tries) will be over or under a specified number. E.g., Over 2.5 goals.
One team gets a virtual advantage/disadvantage. Useful when there's a clear favourite - evens up the odds.
Bet on whether both teams will score at least one goal each, regardless of the final result.
Start with single bets on markets you understand. Match winners in soccer or rugby are straightforward. Avoid complex accumulators until you're more experienced - while the potential returns look attractive, the chances of winning drop significantly with each added selection.
Ready to place your first bet? Here's a step-by-step walkthrough:
Open the Betfred website or app and log in with your username and password.
Use the menu to find your sport (Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, etc.), then select the competition and match you want to bet on.
Click on the odds for your selection. For example, click "2.50" next to "Kaizer Chiefs" to back them to win. Your selection appears in the bet slip.
In the bet slip, enter how much you want to bet (e.g., R50). The potential return will be calculated automatically.
Double-check your selection and stake, then click "Place Bet" to confirm. You'll receive a confirmation message.
Once confirmed, bets cannot be cancelled. Always double-check your selections and stake before clicking "Place Bet".
Managing your betting funds is easy with multiple payment options available.
Withdrawals are processed via bank transfer (EFT). Betfred typically processes withdrawals within 24 hours, though your bank may take 1-3 business days to credit the funds.
Complete FICA verification before your first withdrawal to avoid delays. The account holder name must match your betting account name.
Set yourself up for a positive betting experience with these essential tips:
Don't bet blindly. Check team news, form, head-to-head records, and conditions before placing a bet. Informed bets have better chances than random ones.
Stick to sports and leagues you follow and understand. If you watch the PSL every week, you'll have better insight than betting on obscure European leagues you know nothing about.
Begin with small stakes while you learn. It's better to make mistakes with R20 bets than R500 bets. Increase stakes gradually as you gain experience.
Decide how much you can afford to lose and stick to it. Never chase losses by betting more than you planned. Betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money.
Track your bets - what you bet on, stakes, odds, and results. This helps you identify what's working and what isn't.
Gambling should be fun, not a source of stress or financial problems. Please keep these guidelines in mind:
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, free help is available:
📞 NRGP Helpline: 0800 006 008
Confidential support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.