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By the South Africa Casinos Online editorial team Updated 8 min read

South Africa Casinos Online FAQs

QWhat is the legal age to gamble in South Africa?

The legal age for gambling in South Africa is 18. Persons under the age of eighteen can, however, purchase lottery tickets and scratchcards.

QWhat makes a good online casino?

Good online casinos will offer high levels of security through their licencing, have a wide range of games from top providers and offer lucrative bonuses and promotions.

QHow do I sign up at an online casino?

To sign up to an online casino you will need to input your name, date of birth, address and email address in order to prove you live within the casino’s jurisdiction and are of an age to play.

QDo I need to provide ID when playing at a casino online?

Yes, you will need ID particularly when it comes to cashing out any wins that you may have scored during your time playing.

QHow do I send copies of my ID to online casinos?

Scan the required ID and upload a copy of it for your reference, then send it to the casino you wish to register at through live chat or email.

QHow long does verification take at an online casino?

The length of time it takes to verify your ID will vary between casinos. South African Players can expect this to take up to 72 hours.

QHow much can I win at online casinos?

With some maximum wins for jackpout slots and casino games in the millions, players can win a lot at online casinos, but different casinos will have various withdrawal amount limits at any one time.

QCan I use more than one payment method at a casino?

Yes.It is perfectly acceptable to use multiple South African payment methods at online casinos – just select them in the payment section.

To find out which are are accepted at the casino you can check in their sign up process or by asking customer support. Don’t forget South Africa Casinos Online has listed available payment options at casinos in our reviews.

QCan I refuse casino bonuses?

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to refuse a casino bonus and simply play with your own money.

QHow do I refuse casino bonuses?

In some cases, refusing a bonus is easy as it is an opt-in option – simply choose not to click the opt-in when signing up. In other cases, the bonus is applied automatically. In these instances simply get in contact with the support staff to make your request known.

QAre online casinos rigged?

No. Reputable casinos like the ones listed on South Africa Casinos Online are not rigged. Gambling operators in South Africa are licensed by the provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Act 2004, with the National Gambling Board overseeing the system. This means they undergo stringent third party auditing by companies such as iTechlabs to ensure that all gaming is fair and unbiased.

QWhat currencies can I use to play at online casinos?

Depending on the casino and country you are playing in there are a wide range of different currency options. In general, South African players should expect to play in ZAR.

QCan I use my casino account when I’m not in South Africa?

This will depend on the casino and the licencing it is under. Players going abroad for holidays or extended trips should check with the casino and take a look at local laws to make sure online betting is allowed.

QWhat casino games can I play for free?

Virtual tables games: If you’re looking to play classic table games like blackjack or roulette then you’re in luck. Just head on over to the “classic” or “table game” section” to play these games for free. However, it’s not possible to play a live dealer game for free due to the nature of the game play.

Slots: in the UK, free-to-play slot games have been restricted, so demo modes vary from site to site. Progressive jackpots are also not available in free play mode.

QDo I have to download software to play at online casinos?

No, most casinos are now instant-play.

QHow do I contact a casino's customer support ?

The most common options to contact customer support at an online casino are live chat, email and telephone. Live chat is usually the quickest way to reach a customer service representative, while an email reply can take a few days.

To find the support options available at a casino, look for a ‘support’ or ‘contact’ button, or a live chat icon on the home page.

QCan I keep my winnings?

Yes, you can. Though this will depend on whether these winnings have been gained via a bonus and whether any wagering requirements have been met.

In this case, in order to withdraw your money, simply head over to the casino’s banking section and follow the withdrawal process.

QDo I have to pay tax on my gambling winnings?

Casual players in South Africa generally don’t pay tax on gambling winnings. If gambling is part of how you earn a living, speak to a tax practitioner or SARS about your own situation.

QAre lottery winnings taxed in South Africa?

In South Africa, National Lottery winnings are paid out without tax deductions. This covers whether you win by playing the lottery online or in person.

However, any income earned from lottery winnings is taxable.(The same goes for scratchcards)

QDo I have to pay VAT at online casinos?

No, VAT is not placed on online casinos or online betting sites. This means that players will not pay VAT when betting online.

QWhat is the house edge?

The house edge is the term used to explain the mathematical advantage that a casino has over the player.

It is related to the expression ” The house always wins”. This phrase is used to describe how casinos always profit from players regardless of wins or losses.

QShould I tip live casino dealers?

You can if you want but it is not necessary. Unlike croupiers at a land based casino like the Hippodrome in London, live dealers do not expect tips from players. This is because they are not physically near the players and therefore, players cannot easily tip them. If you can, however, speak to the live casino dealer and ask how you can go about tipping them.

QIs online gambling expensive?

Playing at an online casino for real money can become very expensive if you are not careful with your bankroll. If you choose to gamble online regularly, South Africa Casinos Online recommends making a budget and sticking to it. This way you can stay in control of your spending and enjoy gambling online responsibly.

QShould I use a betting system?

Using a betting system really only works on certain casino games, and even then it’s no guarantee. If using a betting system helps you keep an eye on your bankroll, then go right ahead.

QIs it legal to gamble online in South Africa?

Sports betting with a provincially licensed bookmaker is legal, online and in retail shops; online casino games are not licensed under the National Gambling Act 2004. Players wishing to play at an online casino or place a sports bet, should not worry that they are doing anything illegal.

QIs there a limit on how many casinos players can sign-up at?

Players can sign-up at numerous online casinos, provided they accept the rules laid out by each one. What usually makes players look for a new online casino is : casino bonuses, sign-up offers, more games variety, or they are unhappy with customer support at their current casino.

QHow can I stop gambling online?

In South Africa, the National Responsible Gambling Programme offers free counselling and treatment – call the toll-free helpline 0800 006 008.

You can also ask the casino’s customer support for deposit limits, a time-out or self-exclusion.

QCan I take a break from gambling?

Yes, if you feel like it’s all getting a bit much, then you can, and should, take a break. It’s very easy to do – simply stop signing in to the online casino, or put a self-exclusion in place to completely prevent you playing at the casino.

QWhat is a cooling-off period?

A cooling-off period is a time that a casino account is closed, thus preventing the player from accessing the casino. If you are looking to take a break from online gambling speak to the online casino to set up a time-out or break.

QWhat limits can I set on my casino account?

Players are able to set a number of different limits on their casino accounts. Some of the most common limits include:

Loss limits – Limits on the amount of money a player can lose online

Session limit – Puts a limit on the amount of time that can be spent gambling at a betting site

Deposit limits – Sets a limit on the amount of money you can deposit

Time outs– Allows a player to “freeze” their account for 24 hours, a week, or longer so they can take a break. During this time a player cannot access their online casino account.

QHow can I gamble online in South Africa safely?

Choose a safe, secure and reputable casino like the ones recommended by South Africa Casinos Online, and be mindful of your bankroll and how much time you spend online. By staying in control players can enjoying online gambling safely.

QCan professional football players gamble?

Yes, but they are not allowed to place bets on any football sporting events on which they might have some influence. Players caught breaking the rules can be fined or disqualified from their respective sports and clubs.

QCan I check how much money I spend on a casino site?

Yes. Your casino account shows your deposit and withdrawal history, and customer support can send you a statement. Many casinos also let you set deposit limits so your spending stays where you want it.

Our team has been around the gambling scene for a long time but still understands that playing at an online casino might be an overwhelming experience. Especially for new players who might be left with a tonne of questions. South Africa Casinos Online is here to help you out by answering the most frequently asked questions.