Online Sports Betting Trends In South Africa

Online sports betting in South Africa has far in a way become one of the more popular forms of gambling in the country. The reasons for this are multifaceted but one explanation could be that sports betting offers an air of legitimacy to online casinos and as such, those gambling sites invest in it in a big way. This then creates a self-fulfilling cycle where, because online sports betting has become so big it has become popular which further leads to more investment.

Sport is also a unifying entity within South Africa, it plays a huge role in our culture and habits. It’s become so ingrained in our society that it makes sense that the industry has seen massive growth in this regard.

Let’s take a holistic look at the growth of online sports betting in the country, take a look at some of its growth factors, some of the more popular sports to bet on, emergent trends in the space and more.

The Rise Of Online Sports Betting In South Africa

As we mentioned already, there are several reasons why online sports betting has boomed as it has. It’s now at the point where you can look out the window while driving down the highway and you’ll see a massive banner ad for an online sportsbook service or you’ll hear an ad for it on the radio. Let’s unpack the growth a little further and pinpoint some key areas.

If you’re looking to try out sports betting for yourself, be sure to visit a reputable and regulated platform and learn to avoid rogue casinos. 

Key Drivers Of Growth

1. 1. Technological Advancements: As technology advances so too do the services offered by companies in the tech space. With the advancements made in the fields of personal computing and mobile cellphone technology, logging into a sports betting website has literally never been easier. Take into account that the majority of online casinos now develop their experiences with mobile use in mind and you can understand why and how the convenience of the experience has increased dramatically.
      Internet connectivity has become more widespread across the country, what was once seen as a luxury is now commonplace within South Africa. With the ease of access to the internet coupled with readily available and more affordable smartphone options, you can see how the lack of accessibility is largely no longer a factor for those looking to place bets on their favourite sports.
      
      

      Lastly, online sports betting providers want to offer their own bespoke experience to customers and guests and to do this they have created apps which make navigating the intricacies of sports betting doable in a few simple taps. The apps, which are downloaded onto smartphones via the internet, allow players to place bets on the fly without the need to go the mobile browser route should you not want to go that way. Convenience is the name of the game.

1. 1. Regulatory Environment: While the waters around online gambling using interactive games remain somewhat murky when it comes to legality and regulation, the world of online sports betting is in a better position. This is due to the fact that sports bets can be placed online through provincially licensed operators. Since online sports betting is legal in the country, they hold the lion’s share when it comes to marketing and advertising which is why it seems as though the only ads you ever see for online gambling are specifically for online sports betting.

1. Economic Factors: It’s no secret that South Africa has one of the largest unequal economies on Earth, it might be because of this that online sports betting has taken off in such a big way. Unemployment in the country is high which means that many look toward methods of earning money that seem quick and easy. Online gambling and sports betting can unfortunately be viewed as ways to get money quickly, earn an income, or provide for families. It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort from the user and the potential to win big does exist but it is always risky.
   
   Entertainment also plays a factor here. As we mentioned earlier, sports are ingrained in our society, it’s a pastime that is enjoyed by those across the economic spectrum and so sports betting can be viewed as a form of entertainment as people try to get the most out of their love of the game.

Popular Sports In South Africa

South Africa has a rich and diverse history when it comes to the most popular sports played in the country. We have various teams which compete at the highest level and if you had to ask every person in the country which sport they follow, they’d be able to give you an answer.

1. 1. Football: Soccer is one of the most enjoyed sports in the country to date. It’s played, watched, and breathed by most of the population with one of the biggest entities in the space being the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Various tournaments are held each year such as the MTN 8, the Nedbank Cup, the Diski Challenge, and the DStv Premiership, each drawing in millions of viewers.
      
      Looking further than the local level there is also the English Premier League, which sees teams such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea, compete at the highest level of play. In addition to the Premier League, there is also the UEFA Champions League which also pulls in millions of viewers whenever it’s on.
      

1. 1. Rugby: Rugby has a special place in the hearts of all South Africans, as the current world champions (and the holder of the most titles) we take the game quite seriously. While the World Cup is only held every four years, the Super Rugby tournament is what stokes the braais most weekends. Watching storied teams such as the Sharks, Blue Bulls, Stormers, and the Lions battle it out is what powers the collective gees of the country.

1. 1. Cricket: South Africans have had a long history with cricket, it’s up there with the most popular sports in the country for a reason. It’s a game that most of us have played at some point or another and can be exciting to experience in person. The leagues and tournaments which pull in the largest viewership is definitely the Indian Premier League (IPL). Whenever the Proteas go up to bat you can rest assured that millions of South African televisions are going to be tuning in as well.

1. Horse Racing: While horse racing has been in the country for centuries, it’s events like the Durban July and Cape Town Met which really steal the show. Each year the Durban July draws a massive audience and even bigger betting volumes. There are different factors which make the sport so well-loved from the performance of the horses and their jockeys to the status and spectacle that is associated with the sport. Either way, it has become a mainstay in the country.

Emerging Trends In Online Sports Betting

Technology is ever-evolving and with it comes new ways to place sports bets or even the types of sports to bet on. No longer is sports betting exclusive to traditional sports, there are other avenues for people to further engage with the games that they love.

1. 1. Live Betting: Online casinos and betting apps offer live score tracking and performance indicators so that you can make the most informed decision when placing your sports bet. This has led to the rise of live betting. Unlike previous methods of sports betting where bets needed to be placed before a game, live betting allows punters to place bets during a live game. This is a way in which you can use the most information available to you to place your bets. It might affect the value of your bet in the end, but you can at least make the most informed decision possible.

1. 1. Esports Betting: While it might seem fairly obvious that traditional sports are the kingpins when it comes to online sports betting, what might not be so obvious is the emergence of esports in the scene. Esports, or electronic sports, is the act of playing a competitive video game at the highest level of competition. Just like with competitive sports, esports have their own leagues and teams which form around different games. As connectivity improves in South Africa, so too does the interest in playing games online and watching the upper echelon compete on the world stage. Games which are considered esports are the Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBAs) like Dota 2 and League of Legends and the first-person shooter Counter-Strike Global Offensive.

1. Virtual Sports: Not to be confused with esports and video games, virtual sports are real-world games which have been digitised and are determined by RNG (random number generation). These sports can include tennis, horse racing, darts, football, and so much more. As the technology around these virtual sports progresses, they will offer people seeking specific sports an opportunity to bet on their schedule rather than wait for leagues or tournaments to start up.

User Demographics & Behaviour

We’re noticing a shift in the demographics and betting behaviour of those in South Africa, from age and gender to the areas in which bets are being placed. The data paints an interesting picture of the nature of sports bettors in the country.

1. 1. Age & Gender: What was once considered a mostly male-dominated space has seen an influx of female participants. In addition to this, we have seen that the majority of those placing online bets are aged between 18-35. These statistics are interesting as sports betting has traditionally been viewed as a pastime for mostly the older generation but as the technology that enables these bets to be made, we see the widespread adoption of online sports betting by a younger generation.
      

1. 1. Income Levels: We see a significant portion of middle-class people placing sports bets online. This makes sense for many reasons. They have the means to be connected and interact with the providers, they have some disposable income which they don’t mind using to further engage with their favourite games, and they might be seeking an opportunity to further their own personal wealth.

1. Regional Distribution: It might not surprise you to learn that the highest distribution of online sports bettors comes from the CBDs and market capitols of the country. Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban see the highest volume of people placing bets online for their preferred sports. We can attribute this to the vastly accessible internet connectivity and the sheer population density of those cities.

The Future Of Online Sports Betting In South Africa

Online sports betting is already a multi-billion Rand industry that has shown no signs of slowing down. Thanks to investments from well-established companies like MultiChoice, which have added further credibility and validation to the industry, online sports betting’s future has been cemented in the country.

As connectivity improves in South Africa, more people will be swept up in the hype and excitement of this industry. As revenue continues to grow, more money will be pumped into advertising, further expanding reach and impressions.

We are at the precipice of an online gambling boom. Thanks to laws and regulations allowing this type of gambling, there is no reason why the industry should slow down right now.

We believe that more innovations will come from the space, which will hopefully influence policy changes which will allow other forms of online gambling in South Africa.