Traditional gambling establishments in South Africa are becoming increasingly nervous about their more convenient cousins: online casinos. iGaming now represents a sizable percentage of the overall industry, with analysts predicting an annual growth rate of 7.32% (CAGR 2022-27). 

For gamblers accustomed to land-based casinos, however, making the shift to an online alternative may not be quite so straightforward. The games are very similar, if not identical, but there are differences. And for new players, the sheer volume of options can be daunting. 

This best practice manual will give you the basics of what you need to be aware of before signing up and playing. Whether you’re a veteran of ‘real life’ casinos or if this is your first time playing, these are the essential must-knows. 

Try Before You Pay

In land-based casinos, you need to pay in order to play. There’s no newbie table, nowhere to tip your toe in the waters. You’re straight in there with the high-stakes players. 

This can be an expensive initiation, especially if you are not really aware of how casinos work. Online alternatives, however, offer games that are 100% free to try. No strings, no money down, just play. But it’s not always obvious, so plenty of players miss out. 

The clear advantage this gives the player is that you can try the games out without risking your own money. You will get to know how the betting works, and the different ways in which you can win, and you can try out strategies. 

Once you’ve had your fill of the freebies, you can move to the next level: online casinos with real money you can put on the (virtual) table. Here’s what you need to watch out for:  

Is the Casino Licensed? 

Before you even think about getting your debit card out, you want to ensure your casino of choice is 100% legit. Just like with anything in life, scams are something you need to be mindful of.

The best way to avoid this is by checking that the casino has a license from the government. Don’t just look at the fancy logos or claims on the site itself, but verify this by going to the country’s official site. 

For example, in the UK, the Gambling Commission has a public register that lists every gambling business that has a valid license. No license? Stay away from the site like the plague. 

Bonuses and Freebies 

New players are in a position most veterans envy. You have access to new player bonuses, which are amongst the most generous in the industry. Of course, go through the vetting process first, but once the casino passes the safety test, go for the bonuses. 

Sign up for different casinos, taking advantage of the different offers on the table. Some casinos are so desperate for your business, that they’ll offer free bets. You don’t even need to deposit real cash in order to take advantage. 

Of course, have a strategy in place. Don’t waste this opportunity to win some money just because the bonus is free. This is the perfect chance to try out your various ideas and strategies (e.g. the Martingale system) with little risk and the odds in your favour. 

Mobile Gaming 

You’d be surprised just how many casinos have not yet made the move to reliable online gaming. Their games will either not work at all, or the gameplay is clunky, stuttering, and with substandard graphics/effects. 

If you use your smartphone for pretty much everything, check whether the casino offers legit mobile gameplay. You can usually load the games without having to sign up, giving you the opportunity to check before creating an account and sharing your details.

Read Reviews 

We also highly recommend reading reviews from a variety of sources. Try and see what the pros and actual users are saying. Are there any issues with cash withdrawals, for example? Are players happy with the customer service? Ask questions that are relevant to you as a user; don’t just trust the overall star rating. 

Just think about it this way: before you go for a big ticket purchase on Amazon or elsewhere, you read reviews on sites like Wirecutter, right? The same should apply to online casinos; they’re not all created equal. They may look alike, but the differences can be staggering. 

South African Providers 

The final step we suggest is going for providers that cater specifically to South African clients. Instead of being penalized for depositing in dollars or sterling, you’ll be dealing with the familiar South African rand (ZAR). 

Not only that, customer service agents will be more accustomed to helping South African gamblers, rather than a generic customer from anywhere. When you have an issue or question, this makes a big difference. 

Now it’s your turn. We’ve given you the basics, but some things you can only learn by experience. Get out there, sign up for an online casino, and join that virtual blackjack or roulette table. Or perhaps try one of the thousands of slot games out there. The choice is entirely yours.