Football gets most of the attention when people talk about betting in South Africa, and for good reason: the Premier Soccer League, European leagues and the World Cup all draw heavy interest. But the country’s betting culture is broader and older than any one sport. Horse racing, rugby, cricket and a growing appetite for mobile slot-style games all sit alongside the football coupon, and each has its own rhythm, its own events and its own rules.
Horse racing: the original foundation
Racing is arguably where organised betting in South Africa began, and it still has a formal place in the system. The National Gambling Board (NGB) describes racing and betting as an integral part of gambling activity in the country, with Gold Circle operating as the totalisator in KwaZulu-Natal and 4Racing having taken over the business operations of Phumelela across several other provinces. Licensed bookmakers operate in every province, and bets can be placed on horse racing and sport, on and off course.
The calendar still revolves around a handful of big days. The Durban July, in particular, has grown into a social event as much as a race, with organisers reporting that it brings more than R1 billion into the Durban economy. For anyone new to racing markets, one useful concept is the each-way bet, which splits a stake between a horse winning and finishing in the places. Our own guide to each-way betting explains how place terms and payouts are calculated, although the examples there use UK racing conventions, so check the terms your South African bookmaker applies.
How big is betting beyond football?
The official figures show how central betting is to the wider industry. In the NGB’s data for the 2023/24 financial year, betting on horse racing and sport generated R36.5 billion in gross gambling revenue, which was 61% of the total across all gambling modes, and an increase of 53.7% on the year before. The same data counts 349 licensed operational bookmakers, with 594 bookmaker outlets and 366 totalisator outlets by the end of March 2024.
One caveat matters here. The NGB groups racing and sport together, so there is no official breakdown showing how much of that revenue comes from football compared with racing, rugby or cricket. Claims about the relative popularity of each sport are best treated as estimates unless they cite the regulator’s own reports. The NGB publishes its betting sector statistics for anyone who wants the primary figures.
Rugby and cricket: national passions, national markets
Rugby and cricket are the obvious counterweights to football. Springbok Tests, the United Rugby Championship and Proteas fixtures all produce heavy betting interest around match results, handicaps and player performances. These are the same kinds of markets punters will recognise from football, but the games unfold differently: rugby scoring is built around tries, penalties and conversions, so handicap lines can look unfamiliar, while cricket offers long-running markets such as top batter or series winner that reward patience rather than quick reaction.
Because the sports run on international calendars that rarely line up with domestic football, they also spread betting activity across the year rather than concentrating it in a single season.
The rise of slot-style games
Alongside sport, one of the more visible shifts is the popularity of slot-style games on mobile. Spina Zonke, the name most closely associated with Hollywoodbets, refers to a branded lobby of video slots from international providers rather than to a single game. The name comes from Zulu and roughly means “spin everything”. If you are curious about the mechanics, ToffeeWeb’s explainer on how Spina Zonke games work covers volatility, return-to-player figures and bonus features.
A word of caution applies, though. In South Africa, betting on racing and sport is licensed provincially, whereas online casino-style games are treated differently under the National Gambling Act, and ToffeeWeb’s own pages note that interactive casino gambling is prohibited under Section 11 of that Act. Before using any operator’s slot lobby, it is worth confirming what its provincial licence actually covers.
What a welcome offer looks like in practice
Mobile sign-up offers are part of how the market competes. As one example, a look at Betway’s offer in South Africa shows a welcome pack built around a R10 free bet, bonus spins and free flights, with no promo code required. Betway is licensed by the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, one of the provincial bodies that oversees operators, and as always, wagering conditions, minimum odds and expiry dates apply, so read the terms before opting in.
Who regulates what
South Africa’s system is split between the national and provincial levels. The NGB oversees the sector nationally and coordinates norms and standards, while provincial licensing authorities issue and monitor individual licences. The Western Cape is a good example: the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board controls and regulates gambling and racing within its province, and in the NGB’s data the Western Cape accounted for 43.1% of betting GGR in 2023/24, followed by Mpumalanga at 32.9% and Gauteng at 10.5%.
South African betting at a glance
| Segment | What defines it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Football | Largest single draw: PSL, European leagues, World Cup | Market range and odds |
| Horse racing | Historic base, tote and bookmakers, major race days | Place terms, tote vs fixed odds |
| Rugby and cricket | International fixtures, handicaps, long-running outrights | Market rules and settlement |
| Slot-style games | Branded lobbies such as Spina Zonke | Licence coverage, RTP, wagering terms |
Staying in control
Whatever you bet on, the same principles apply: set a budget before you start, never chase losses and treat any bonus as extra playtime rather than free money. Betting is only for adults aged 18 or over. In South Africa, the National Responsible Gambling Programme offers a free 24-hour helpline on 0800 006 008, and you can also reach it by sending HELP to 076 675 0710 on WhatsApp or SMS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is football the only sport South Africans bet on?
No. Horse racing, rugby and cricket all have established betting markets, and racing in particular has a long history in the country.
How much of the market is betting on racing and sport?
In the NGB’s 2023/24 data, betting on horse racing and sport generated R36.5 billion in gross gambling revenue, or 61% of the total across all gambling modes.
What is Spina Zonke?
A branded lobby of online slots most closely linked with Hollywoodbets, not a single game. Check what an operator’s licence covers before playing.
Who licenses betting operators in South Africa?
Provincial licensing authorities issue licences, while the National Gambling Board oversees the sector nationally.
Where can I get help with gambling problems?
Call the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline on 0800 006 008, free and available 24 hours a day.
18+. Gambling can be addictive and harmful. Winners know when to stop. Please gamble responsibly. This article is for information only and is not an invitation to gamble. T&Cs apply to any offer.