Trying to find genuine online casinos often feels dizzying. There are hundreds of online casinos, each with flashy offers. Learning to look beyond the glitzy graphics is the best way to identify which establishments are safe for you. Exploring the online casino landscape requires a little more discernment since legalities can often be implied. All in all, there are several factors to look for in the best, fair, and licensed online casino South Africa.
The Gambling Legality Landscape in South Africa
As early as 1673, South Africa had banned all forms of gambling and only changed rules for horse gambling in 1965. However, attitudes changed, and by 1996, more forms of gambling activity, including the national lottery and physical casinos, were legal in South Africa.
The National Gambling Act of 1996 was enforced to increase regulation of illegal casinos outside more expensive and luxurious licensed physical casinos. The act also created the National Gambling Board, charged with overseeing the licensing and gambling activities at the national level. The Act was later repealed by the 2004 Act, which was also amended in 2008.
Currently, gambling is regulated at the national and provincial levels. The national board creates standard regulation for all, while provincial boards oversee the licensing and regulation of casinos and bookmakers in their regions.
Thanks to the internet, anyone with a smartphone can access online casinos in South Africa. For this reason, in 2008, a new National Gambling Act came into force. The main updates reflected the current interactive gambling scene. The current laws allow bookmakers to acquire licenses and accept bets online.
For example, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) is known as the biggest provider of online bookmaker licenses. If you want to check the licensing of a bookmaker or casino, simply find the board in your region and check the licensed operators.
Unfortunately, the latest amendment calls for the banning of interactive gaming. However, there is an acknowledgment that due to the ease of access to online gambling sites in South Africa, it cannot be stopped entirely. Therefore, South African gamblers access online casinos regulated by other international bodies.
How to Determine that an Online Casino Is Safe
Due to the nature of gambling in South Africa, the best way to check if a casino is safe is to look for features such as licensing, fair gaming, payment methods, customer support, and reputation.
Licensing and Regulation
Given the backdrop of online gambling in South Africa, it’s wise to always check the licensing of a casino before making a deposit. Start with the provincial licensing boards in South Africa to find bookmakers, casinos, limited payout machine operators, and game manufacturers.
The best part about working with licensed operators is that you can find their addresses and also file complaints against them for violating your consumer rights. Operating within South Africa’s jurisdiction provides a sense of risk assurance for gamblers.
However, if you’re seeking to explore further, then internationally regulated casinos may be your jam. For example, the Curacao Gaming Control Board licenses hundreds of online casinos which are available in South Africa.
You’ll often find the licensing certificate attached at the website footer or mentioned in the “About Us” or “Terms and Conditions”.
Online Security
Another safety feature to look for immediately when you find an online casino in South Africa is the safety of the website. Ideally, there should be an https prefix and a lock sign to ensure you’re interacting with encrypted protection to back you up.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption on a site ensures your information, including personal identifying details, is only collected by the casino within the agreed privacy policy. Always heed your browser’s warning if the site isn’t secure, and don’t give your contacts.
Safe online casinos are always ahead with the latest website security and straightforward with their privacy and data handling policies.
Game Fairness
When choosing an online casino in South Africa, look for one with renowned game providers who use third-party testers to review their games. Genuine game developers also share their game details, such as RTP, to help gamblers choose the best games for them.
Third party laboratories such as eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) and iTech Labs offer testing and certification.
Many online casinos also offer game analysis and announce winners from their community. If this information is unavailable, be cautious about that casino.
Customer Support
Customer support is a huge part of any online business. When you’re interacting with an operator online, you’ll naturally have questions that are unanswered on the website. In such moments, talking to an agent, whether on live chat, email, or phone support helps.
Consult customer support through all available channels to see if they treat their queries seriously. It’s best to talk to customer support before making a financial transaction to get a sense of professionalism available. If an online casino leaves emails unanswered, you’re better off elsewhere.
Reliable Payment Methods
A legitimate and licensed online casino in South Africa should offer a variety of recognized payment methods. Most online casinos share their payment methods in the “Banking” section. Look for casinos that support card payments, bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, and e-wallets. More importantly, find online casinos that support the South African rand to avoid exchange costs.
Licensed casinos will also require players to provide supporting documentation to prove their identity before withdrawing amounts. These details may include utility bills, home addresses, and approved bank statements. If a casino doesn’t take identity verification seriously, it’s probably unlicensed.
Also, check the terms and conditions for payment windows. If a casino promises to process withdrawals within seven days and doesn’t deliver, what does that mean for your future there?
Reviews and Community
Any online casino in operation eventually grows a community of repeat clients. Look for casino reviews and interactions from other gamblers, especially on table games.
Check gaming forums and casino reviews. Find out if the casino pays on time or if there are concerns over withholding wins. Look for any complaints about customer service. If they’re responsive and helpful, go ahead and develop a relationship with the online casino.
Bonuses and Promotions
Fair and licensed casinos offer welcome bonuses and promotions for existing players to incentivize them to come back. Promotions are a positive sign because it means the business is willing to take a risk to draw you in. Furthermore, some of the promotions are usually collaborations between licensed online casinos and game developers. Promotions are an opportunity for players to discover the relationship between the two businesses and take advantage of free casino credits.
Find a Fair and Licensed Online Casino Near You
Thanks to the internet and smart devices, gambling from the comfort of your home is now easier than ever. However, before you invest your money and time in an online casino, it’s essential to check if they’re licensed and offer fair games. Ensure the license on the casino site is valid by checking the licensing board’s end.
Also, compare online casinos to others to get the best deal, especially when there are welcome offers. While it’s easy to postpone it, don’t forget to read the terms and conditions because if anything is unclear, you can consult customer support for clarification.