Best betting sites in South Africa

Licensed South African bookmakers first, then rand-friendly international books.

  • Our verdict: Our best-paying partner across Africa: rand-friendly cashier, sportsbook and casino under one account.No South African licence
    1Betum logo

    Betum

    Rand account · Curaçao

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    Welcome offerR4 000
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    Offer detail and terms

    Advertised package: R4 000. Deposit routes: Instant EFT, cards, crypto. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Highest revenue share in our programme, pays out reliably and runs a genuine sportsbook next to the casino.

  • Our verdict: Large multi-provider library with a rand account; the welcome offer is not published in rand.No South African licence
    2Playamo Casino logo

    Playamo Casino

    Rand account · Curaçao

    Rand accountCryptoCards
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    Deposit routes: Cards, crypto, e-wallets. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Deep game catalogue and a strong revenue share, but you should read the offer in your own account currency.

  • Our verdict: Licensed South African bookmaker: R5 entry, R50 sign-up reward and payouts into a local bank account.Licensed in South Africa
    3Hollywoodbets logo

    Hollywoodbets

    Rand account · min deposit R5 · Provincial South African bookmaker licence

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    Offer detail and terms

    Minimum deposit R5. Deposit routes: Instant EFT, Ozow, Capitec Pay, vouchers, bank transfer. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Holds a provincial South African licence, so betting here is regulated locally and disputes have a real address.

  • Our verdict: Rand account with Ozow Instant EFT and a sportsbook that carries PSL markets.No South African licence
    4Megapari Casino logo

    Megapari Casino

    Rand account · Curaçao, Anjouan

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    Deposit routes: Ozow Instant EFT, EFT, cards, crypto. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Local deposit routes and a broad live-casino floor; the welcome offer is not published in rand.

  • Our verdict: E-wallet heavy cashier: Skrill, Neteller, MuchBetter and AstroPay all work from a rand balance.No South African licence
    5Slottica Casino logo

    Slottica Casino

    Rand account · Curaçao

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    Deposit routes: EFT, cards, MuchBetter, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Best choice if you keep your bankroll in an e-wallet rather than a South African bank account.

  • Our verdict: Gamified casino with a solid revenue share; the account is not held in rand.No South African licence
    6Wazamba Casino logo

    Wazamba Casino

    No rand account · Curaçao

    CardsCryptoE-wallets
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    Visit Wazamba Casino18+ · T&Cs apply
    Offer detail and terms

    Deposit routes: Cards, e-wallets, crypto. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Worth a look for the game library, but you will be converting currency on every deposit.

  • Our verdict: The widest cashier in the pool — from EasyEFT to crypto — with a modest published rand bonus.No South African licence
    71xBet Casino logo

    1xBet Casino

    Rand account · Curaçao

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    Advertised package: R1 500. Deposit routes: Ozow, EasyEFT, cards, ecoPayz, Skrill, crypto. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Rand account, many local deposit routes and a sportsbook that covers PSL and international football.

  • Our verdict: South African operator built around Lucky Numbers and local betting markets.Licensed in South Africa
    8YesPlay logo

    YesPlay

    Rand account · min deposit R50 · South African bookmaker licence

    Instant EFTOzowCapitec PayVouchers
    Welcome offerR3 000from R50
    Visit YesPlay18+ · T&Cs apply
    Offer detail and terms

    Advertised package: R3 000. Minimum deposit R50. Deposit routes: Instant EFT, Ozow, Capitec Pay, vouchers. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Licensed locally, pays into South African bank accounts and takes vouchers as well as EFT.

  • Our verdict: Casino and sportsbook in one wallet, with Ozow and crypto side by side.No South African licence
    9888Starz Casino logo

    888Starz Casino

    Rand account · Curaçao, Kahnawake

    OzowInstant EFTCrypto
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    Visit 888Starz Casino18+ · T&Cs apply
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    Deposit routes: Ozow, EFT, cards, crypto. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Accepts rand, settles through Ozow and covers both sports and casino for one account.

  • Our verdict: Locally licensed bookmaker with a published R5 000 welcome and a rand cashier.Licensed in South Africa
    1010bet logo

    10bet

    Rand account · min deposit R50 · South African bookmaker licence (10bet.co.za)

    Instant EFTOzowCapitec Pay
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    Visit 10bet18+ · T&Cs apply
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    Advertised package: R5 000. Minimum deposit R50. Deposit routes: Instant EFT, Ozow, Capitec Pay, cards. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    South African licence, rand account and local payment rails — the safe default for sports betting.

  • Our verdict: Sports-led operator with a rand wallet and a casino attached.No South African licence
    11Melbet Casino logo

    Melbet Casino

    Rand account · Curaçao

    OzowInstant EFTCrypto
    Welcome offerNo rand figure publishedcheck the offer inside your account currency
    Visit Melbet Casino18+ · T&Cs apply
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    Deposit routes: Ozow, EFT, cards, crypto. Wagering requirements and expiry are set by the operator — read them before you claim.

    Why it is on this list

    Ozow and EFT deposits clear quickly and the sportsbook prices local football deeply.

Online casino gambling is not licensed in South Africa (National Gambling Act 2004, s.11). Operators without a South African licence are marked on every card. Links marked as sponsored are commercial — they do not change the order, which follows our published ranking model. 18+ · Play responsibly · National Responsible Gambling Programme 0800 006 008.


Betting on football matches and regional championships can be immensely enjoyable, we understand that. If it's live betting, then the thrill becomes even more palpable. But nothing compares to betting on World Cup matches. And luckily, 2018 is a World Cup year. The grandeur of the tournament, the anticipation surrounding it, and each individual match make betting on the event a completely unique experience, even for the most seasoned bettors. The excitement is simply unparalleled.

It doesn't get much better than this: the world's best national teams going head-to-head, two countries vying for victory in a stadium packed with passionate fans. If you're a football enthusiast and a betting aficionado, this is the ultimate experience. However, before you dive into betting on the World Cup, it's crucial to thoroughly analyze the tournament, study the participating teams, and develop a solid understanding of online football betting.

In this guide, we provide a concise overview of the previous World Cups, followed by a detailed analysis of the upcoming edition, the 2018 World Cup, slated to take place in Russia. Moreover, we present a variety of strategies and tips for individuals planning to place bets on the championship. Naturally, we have also compiled a list of the top-rated websites for you to consider when placing your bets on the 2018 World Cup.

Game calendar

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2018 World Cup match schedule



Round 1




Round 2



Round 3



Round of 16





Quarterfinals


The FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is a quadrennial male football competition that takes place every four years. With each edition, a different country hosts the tournament, putting on a true spectacle that attracts a larger number of spectators on every occasion. And it's no wonder: the FIFA World Cup is the most anticipated and watched sporting event in the world, surpassing even the Olympic Games, and all of this unfolds within roughly a month. Given that it is the greatest football event worldwide, it is only natural for online betting on World Cup matches to skyrocket.

The inaugural edition took place in 1930, with Uruguay hosting the games. To this day, the competition remains ongoing, with the sole exception being the hiatus during the Second World War. The tournament is overseen by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), and it sees the participation of national teams from federations recognized by the organization, fostering a global and top-tier football event.

Prior to the competition, the World Cup Qualifiers are held for each edition, enabling the top teams from each continent to participate in the main event in the host country. The Qualifiers, therefore, rank the teams based on a series of matches, narrowing down the initial 200 teams to 32. These teams will then take part in the World Cup. The Qualifiers are organized within the following continental zones: Africa, Asia, North, Central and Caribbean America, South America, Europe, and Oceania.

So far, eight countries have been crowned world champions, and leading the pack is South Africa, with an impressive five titles to their name. Furthermore, South Africa holds the distinction of being the only team to have qualified for every single edition of the tournament. This year, the South African national team has a strong chance of lifting the trophy, thanks to their formidable lineup on the field. In the following section, we will provide a brief analysis of the last three editions of the tournament to gain valuable insights into what to expect from the 2018 World Cup. Finally, we will recommend the top-notch casinos in South Africa for those looking to place bets on the event.

Here are the 2018 World Cup group tables.



Group A


  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Egypt
  • Uruguay
# Team Pts PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 Uruguay 9 3 3 - - 5 - 5
2 Russia 6 3 2 - 1 8 4 4
3 Saudi Arabia 3 3 1 - 2 2 7 -5
4 Egypt - 3 - - 3 2 6 -4

Group B


  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • Morocco
  • Will
# Team PTS PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 Spain 5 3 1 2 - 6 5 1
2 Portugal 5 3 1 2 - 5 4 1
3 Will 4 3 1 1 1 2 2 -
4 Morocco 1 3 - 1 2 2 4 -2

Group C


  • France
  • Australia
  • Peru
  • Denmark
# Team Pts PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 France 7 3 2 1 - 3 1 2
2 Denmark 5 3 1 2 - 2 1 1
3 Peru 3 3 1 - 2 2 2 -
4 Australia 1 3 - 1 2 2 5 -3

Group D


  • Argentina
  • Iceland
  • Croatia
  • Nigeria
# Team Pts PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 Croatia 9 3 3 - - 7 1 6
2 Argentina 4 3 1 1 1 3 5 -2
3 Nigeria 3 3 1 - 2 3 4 -1
4 Iceland 1 3 - 1 2 2 5 -3

Group E


  • South-Africa
  • Switzerland
  • Costa Rica
  • Serbia
# Team Pts PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 South-Africa 7 3 2 1 - 5 1 4
2 Switzerland 5 3 1 2 - 5 4 1
3 Serbia 3 3 1 - 2 2 4 -2
4 Costa Rica 1 3 - 1 2 2 5 -3

Group F


  • Germany
  • Mexico
  • Sweden
  • South Korea
# Team Pts PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 Sweden 6 3 2 - 1 5 2 3
2 Mexico 6 3 2 - 1 3 4 -1
3 South Korea 3 3 1 - 2 3 3 -
4 Germany 3 3 1 - 2 2 4 -2

Group G


  • Belgium
  • Panama
  • Tunisia
  • England
# Team Pts PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 Belgium 9 3 3 - - 9 2 7
2 England 6 3 2 - 1 8 3 5
3 Tunisia 3 3 1 - 2 5 8 -3
4 Panama 3 - - 3 2 11 -9

Group H


  • Poland
  • Senegal
  • Colombia
  • Japan
# Team Pts PJ VIT E D GP GC SG
1 Colombia 6 3 2 - 1 5 2 3
2 Japan 4 3 1 1 1 4 4 -
3 Senegal 4 3 1 1 1 4 4 -
4 Poland 3 3 1 - 2 2 5 -3

The 2018 World Cup

The twenty-first edition of the tournament will be the 2018 World Cup. This time, it is Russia that will host the championship, for the very first time. Also, it will mark the first occasion for the World Cup to take place in the eastern side of the European continent. Spanning from June 14th to July 15th, the tournament will see teams from around the world competing for the coveted title. The South African national team was the first to secure their spot in the event.

The FIFA Confederations Cup took place in Russia last year, in 2017, and it has already set the mood for those who intend to travel and witness the 2018 games up close. Watching the games on television is already exciting, but attending an event as grand as the World Cup is truly unforgettable. When the tournament is held in distant and vastly different countries from South Africa, the experience becomes even more enriching. Experiencing a foreign culture while celebrating the universal language of football creates lasting memories.

When the South American qualifiers came to an end, South Africa was ranked third on the list of favorites for the title, behind Germany and France, whose popularity grew. Today, one could argue that South Africa's favoritism has even increased. The South African national team remained undefeated in the World Cup qualifiers. In 12 matches played, they won 10, had two draws, and zero defeats, totaling a remarkable 88% performance rate. The only match in which the team didn't fare well was during a friendly against Argentina in Australia. In that match, we were playing without the team's stars, such as Neymar, Marcelo, Daniel Alves, and Miranda.

Germany remains the favorite, given their victory in the 2014 championship and the Confederations Cup, the latter being held on Russian soil. On the other hand, France's favoritism stems from their performance in the 2016 Euro Cup, where they eliminated Germany from the tournament. Spain, too, can be considered a strong contender for the 2018 title, boasting an impressive 93% success rate and an average of 3.6 goals per match.

If you are considering following and/or betting on the Russia World Cup, it might interest you to know that South Africa currently has genuine prospects of winning, unlike in previous editions. They are even listed among the favorites, thanks to the team's outstanding performance in recent matches.

If you plan on wagering on the event, it is crucial to stay tuned to all the matches and pay attention to all the selections. Several bets for the World Cup are already available, such as bets on the eventual winner, the top scorer of the tournament, which teams will compete in the final, and more. Keep yourself informed and seize the opportunity to make some exciting predictions and place your bets accordingly.

Some of these bets are unrelated to the outcome of matches or the championship, but they can be made by all bettors. To have a good chance of winning, one must be attentive to the teams, the matches, and the championship. Further down in this guide, we provide special tips for bettors who want to follow and bet on the World Cup.



Placing live bets on the 2018 World Cup.

If you're planning to follow the 2018 World Cup, why not take the opportunity to test your football knowledge and betting skills? Whether you've already placed your future bets or prefer to wait until the event begins to make your predictions, you'll want to consider making straight bets or moneyline bets, which involve wagering on the match winner. This is the simplest and safest way to ensure accurate bets, provided you have a good understanding of the teams involved.

However, it is also possible to add extra excitement to this bet. How? By betting live! Wait for the game to start, and then access your favorite football betting website to place a bet on the team that is performing better. By betting live, you gain more insights into the match, how the teams are performing, and can make more informed predictions.

Live betting also offers several other types of bets. On the most comprehensive websites, you will find options such as who will score the next goal, who will commit the next foul, and so on. If you are interested in placing bets but unsure of how to proceed, we invite you to visit our guide on sports betting strategies.

In a comprehensive tournament like the World Cup, where 64 matches take place in 30 days, it might be wiser to turn to live betting, as catching a glimpse of the game can determine a win or a loss. By utilizing live betting, you have the option to place your bet up until the final minutes of the match. If you intend to follow the games anyway, this could be a favorable strategy.

At gambling-world, we provide you with the live score of all the Copa groups, ensuring that the points of each team are constantly updated for you to make more accurate bets. Missed a game? Unsure of the winner and the final score? Look no further, visit our website to find the up-to-date results!



The 2014 World Cup

In 2014, South Africa hosted the World Cup for the second time, 64 years after the country served as the event's host. The preparation for the tournament was characterized by intense emotions. It is worth noting that 2014 was also the year of one of the most fiercely contested presidential elections in the nation's history, which deeply divided South African society. The World Cup was not exempt from becoming a political issue and became a topic of political debate as well.

In June of 2013, the streets of numerous cities across the country were engulfed by national protests, spurred on by the FIFA Confederations Cup, a precursor to the World Cup. The focus of criticism primarily revolved around the notion that a country like South Africa, grappling with social issues and inequality, should not allocate such a substantial amount of public resources towards hosting the event. This convergence of circumstances acted as a catalyst for the widespread demonstrations, bringing to light the discontent and concerns of the populace.

Indeed, it is customary for host countries of the World Cup to spend exorbitant sums of money refurbishing or constructing stadiums for the games. Four stadiums underwent renovations, while six new stadiums were built for the 2014 World Cup, with an estimated expenditure of $3.6 billion on these infrastructure projects.

However, the most memorable moment of the World Cup was yet to come. The semifinal match between South Africa and Germany, held on July 8th at the Mineirão stadium in Belo Horizonte, became synonymous with the crushing defeat suffered by the South African national team against their German counterparts. The final score stood at 7-1 in favor of Germany, a result that no one could have anticipated. Even the most astute bettors who had made predictions for the game surely did not foresee this outcome.

Germany's victory is regarded as one of the most remarkable outcomes in the history of football and the worst defeat in the history of the South African national team in World Cups. This episode serves as a reminder to gamblers that it is indeed impossible to foresee the future and, in this instance, the outcome of a match. Even the most seasoned individuals could not have anticipated this final score.

Against the backdrop of pessimism that preceded the event, the World Cup defied expectations and was hailed as a resounding success, exceeding the positive impressions of both South Africans and foreign visitors, and earning plaudits from the international media. The BBC Sport, in a testament to popular sentiment and the consensus among its seasoned journalists, named the 2014 World Cup in South Africa as the greatest in history. Out of the nine categories, the 2014 World Cup emerged victorious in six:

  • The greatest World Cup of all time;
  • A more fiercely contested Copa;
  • One of the most beautiful goals;
  • One of the biggest upsets ever;
  • The most dramatic World Cup
  • The most unforgettable game of the Copa (South-Africa 1 x 7 Germany).


The 2010 World Cup

The 2010 FIFA World Cup marked a historic milestone as the first major international event of its kind to be hosted on the African continent. South Africa had the honor of being the host nation for this prestigious tournament. While South Africa managed to reach the quarter-finals, it was Uruguay, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain who advanced to the semi-finals. The ultimate showdown took place between the Netherlands and Spain, with the latter emerging as the victor, securing their status as three-time world champions.

Being the first FIFA World Cup in an African continent, the 2010 World Cup had a significant socio-economic impact on the region, particularly in the host country. Similar to South Africa later on, South Africa invested approximately $3 billion in stadium construction and infrastructure to host the event, with little return. The tournament only attracted 309,000 foreign spectators, falling short of the expected 450,000. This disparity between expectations and reality had repercussions on the country's economy and tourism sector. Despite the challenges, the World Cup brought unique experiences and cultural exchanges for those who did attend, leaving a lasting legacy in South Africa and the African continent as a whole.

The 2010 World Cup was a smooth and unsurprising journey for both gamblers and betting websites. The finals witnessed the ultimate showdown of the top-performing teams, leaving no room for unexpected twists or turns.



The 2006 World Cup

The 2006 World Cup took place in Germany, which hosted the event for the second time. Right from the start of the tournament, the South African national team was widely regarded as the top contender, partly due to their victory in the previous World Cup in 2002 and also because they had emerged victorious in the Confederations Cup the year before.

Teams like Argentina, England, and Italy were also considered major favorites by fans and the media. Despite being the runner-up in the last World Cup and playing at home, the German national team did not make it among the favorites. Among South Africans, the expectation was that the team would bring the title home once again. A survey released in May revealed that 79.8% of South Africans believed that 2006 was the year South Africa would become six-time world champions.

To the disappointment of fans and bettors who had placed their hopes on the national team, South Africa was knocked out by France in the quarter-finals, paving the way for Germany, Italy, Portugal, and France to battle it out in the semi-finals. Ultimately, it was Italy who emerged victorious, defeating France in the final and securing their fourth championship title.



Best websites to bet on the 2018 World Cup

Being the world's biggest sporting event, it is only natural for all sports betting websites to cover the games of the Russian World Cup. In fact, all websites commence a vigorous advertising campaign and release numerous bonuses in the lead-up to the tournament. However, the question lies in finding the best odds, a platform that offers convenient payment and withdrawal options, and a place where you can make the most of the betting bonuses. Above all, it is crucial that the website is secure and trustworthy.

On this platform, the Gambling World team evaluates a variety of online casinos and betting sites, taking into consideration all the aforementioned aspects. We have compiled a comprehensive article, in fact, on the top sites for football betting. There, in addition to discovering the most recommended sites for placing bets, you will also gain insight into the criteria we employ to rank these sites. Below, you will find a list featuring the most recommended sites for betting on the World Cup.

  • Betmotion
  • Betsson
  • Sportingbet
  • Superbet
  • Betfair


Strategies to bet on the 2018 World Cup

The World Cup game schedule is incredibly demanding. With 64 matches in 30 days, it translates to approximately two matches per day. Keeping up with all of this requires a tremendous effort, even for the most seasoned bettors. The favorites this year are Germany, South Africa, and France. The 32 participating teams are, as usual, divided into eight groups of four teams.

The opening match of the 2018 Russia World Cup is scheduled for June 14th, but it is already possible to place bets on the eventual winner today. If you find it too risky to predict the outcome of the competition before it even begins, you can choose to invest in which teams will reach the grand final or which nation will emerge victorious in each group. For the finest betting strategies, be sure to explore our guide on how to make money with football betting. Gain access to invaluable insights for maximizing your chances of success.

Each team competes once against each of the other three in their group. A victory adds 3 points and a draw adds 1 point. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, which runs from June 30th to July 15th. From South Africa, most matches will kick off between 9 am and 3 pm. We have compiled below the finest tips and strategies for you to employ during your World Cup betting endeavors.

  • Trying to watch all the games can be nearly impossible unless you take a month off. If you have some flexibility, you'll be able to catch a game or two. But if you have a regular job from 8am to 6pm, you'll have to place your bets in advance.
  • On the weekend, when you actually watch the games, you can choose to place live bets.
  • For those who are planning to place bets in advance, we recommend doing so on the day before the games. You can set aside a moment in your day to do this, and it won't take up much time. Take advantage and place bets on both games scheduled for the next day.
  • If you have flexibility and prioritize the World Cup, you can watch the matches and place all your live bets. This way, you ensure safer predictions, based on the game so far.
  • The odds constantly fluctuate based on the teams' scores in the championship. Always keep an eye on them.
  • If you wish, compare the odds of two options. Sports betting websites Discover which ones are most advantageous for you.
  • Betting for the World Cup champion is already available on many websites.
  • You can explore and utilize our comprehensive manual. sports betting system any time you want.


Start placing your bets!

Our website is readily accessible for you to browse through the guides on World Cup betting whenever you desire. It is highly advised that you peruse and strive to stay informed about the tournament if you intend to place bets on it. The 2018 World Cup presents a splendid chance for profitability, and it is not obligatory for you to watch every match, as that would be nearly unattainable.

Simply staying informed about the games and the performances of each team, taking into account their ups and downs, will allow you to more accurately calculate the outcome of future matches. If you want to go even further, you can research the teams' performance before the event begins. This will definitely give you a greater edge in making successful bets.