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If you have always wanted to place a bet on the next Rugby game or World Cup event, but became too overwhelmed by all the talk of odds, point spreads and sports books, take a breath because we are going to break everything down for you. Online sports betting can appear complex, but with a quick brief on how everything works, you’ll find it is not nearly as daunting as it seems.
By the time you’re finished reading this page, you’ll be ready to join on the action. We’re going to show you:
- Easy ways to read and understand the odds
- Get a grasp of the different bets
- How to get started in gambling online sportsbetting
- The best sportsbetting sites for South Africans
The basics of sports betting
Sports betting has been around for 100s, even 1000s of years. Betting real money on sports can be a thrilling experience for SA punters. It can also be very lucrative if you know what you’re doing.
As a form of gambling, sports betting involves placing a wager or bet on the outcome of a sporting event. Apart from spread betting or draw no bet wagers, a bet will have 2 outcomes. You win or you lose. Sports betting include wagers on sports like football, rugby and cricket. It also includes betting on entertainment such as the winner of a hit reality shows.
Sports betting is widely supported in South Africa and that’s why there are so many native online casinos and bookmakers that are willing to deal in Rand and are very simple to use.
Wagers can be based on fixed or overall tournament results. They can also be on events or situations that occur. For example, in a football game between Barcelona and Arsenal, possible bets may include Barcelona to beat Arsenal, Barcelona to win 3-1, Arsenal to win by 1 goal, Barcelona to be leading at half time or a specific player to score a goal.
A company, both online or offline, which offers sports betting services, is called a bookmaker, bookie, betting agency or sportsbook. Services that offer a marketplace where the odds are set are known as a betting exchange. If you’re placing a bet, you’re known as a bettor or punter. When you place a bet on an outcome, you are ‘backing’ that outcome. Betting against an outcome it called a lay bet. Bookmakers only allow you to back an outcome; whereas betting exchanges allow you to bet for and against outcomes.
The difference between sports betting and casino gambling
The main difference between gambling at a casino versus sports betting is the probabilities of winning are not known with the latter. They are only estimated. With a casino, the house edge is known. Sports’ betting involves guesswork against the true probability of any outcome.
Where to bet
Sports betting punters in SA have a wide range of online and offline options. South Africa gamblers looking to place a bet at brick and mortar establishments can legally place a bet on sports at local, regulated shop. Alternatively, you can legally sign up to an offshore gambling online sportsbetting site to place real money bets. The latter option gives people in SA the chance to place wagers at many internationally recognized bookmakers, including the online gambling sportsbetting sites listed here.
Of course, during an intermission, you can always throw a few rounds of dice or take a spin on the latest slot machines at your favourite online casino.
Different ways to read the odds
As a South Africa sports better, you have the option to use an online sportsbook to place a bet on any event around the world. One disadvantage of this is that the odds may be presented in an unfamiliar format. The following is the different odd formats used in sports betting.
Decimal Odds: Used in South Africa, Australia, Canada and Europe. Also known as European or International odds. Details the total return from a winning bet. Ex. 2.00
Fractional Odds: Used in Ireland and the UK. Details the net return, in fractional form, from a winning bet. Ex. 2/1
American: Used in the United States. A negative number indicates the dollar amount that would need to be wagered in order to win. A positive number indicates the amount that would be won from a wager. Ex. +300/-300
Hong Kong: Used in Hong Kong. Details the net return from a winning bet. Ex. 1.00
Many popular online gambling bookmakers who offer services to South Africans will post the different types of formats on their website. There are also special calculators and mobile apps to determine or convert your odds.
Our SA Sports betting sites will give you:
- Free Rand bonus money
- Live betting options
- Special betting promos
- 24/7 support
- A selection of hundreds of sports to bet on
Understanding the various wagers
Internet sportsbooks for South Africans offer a wide variety of different bet types on a multitude of different sports. You will see these at every online SA sports book that you visit. These are the ones that really matter when you’re making a wager on sports. Keep in mind that these terms will vary from country to country.
The single wager (moneyline): This is a bet on who will win the event out right with no point spreads or other variables. You pick the team you believe will win and place your real cash bet.
Fixed odds bet: You know the exact odds you will receive when you place a bet. The odds are fixed once the wager has been placed.
Multi bet (parlay, all-up): A wager that includes multiple selections on two or more outcomes for two or more events. If at least one outcome does not occur, the bet is lost.
Tote betting: Popular at racetracks. All bets of a particular type are placed together in a pool. The “house-take” is removed, and the payoff odds are calculated by sharing the pool amongst all winning bets.
The point spread: The most popular bet for online gambling sportsbetting in Canada and the US. It allows you to wager on the difference in score between the two teams. For example, if the spread is 5 and you pick the favourite to win, that team will have to win by 5 to push or 6 to win.
The over/under: Based n the total score of over/under, this line allows you to wager whether or not the total score between the competitors will go above or below a predetermined amount. You review what the over/under is and then bet on what you think it will be.
Leading sports betting providers allow bets on all the major sporting events and some of the lesser-known events as well.
Head to head: In this bet, you will wager on one competitor to beat another in an event with two or more participants. This bet is common in the UFC, golf or running events.
We’ve found the top sites for sportsbetting in South Africa
Now that you’ve grasped the basics of sportsbetting, it’s time to give it a try. We’ve have found the best online gambling SA sports betting sites to try your luck at in 2015. There are hundreds of betting operators on the web, but we have listed only the ones that we personally reviewed and felt they were the highest level of quality.
The internet sports booking sites listed here offer the highest paying odds to South Africa punters as well as, the most diverse set of betting types on a variety of sports. Coupled with easy transfer methods and enticing bonuses, you’re going to be in for some adrenaline pumping excitement.
Read our reviews and sign up for exclusive promotions. As soon as you're done, you’ll be off to the races.
Ready. Set. Go!
Is sports betting legal?
Sports betting is completely legal in South Africa and there are plenty of online sites dedicated to sports betting.
What sports can I bet on?
You can bet on sporting events from around the world when playing at one of these sites. Not only can you bet on match outcomes, but you can bet while a game is going on as well.
Where can I find a good welcome bonus?
Look around at top sports betting sites for a good welcome bonus, often newer sites have the most favourable bonuses.
Can betting be profitable?
Betting can be profitable with a bit of luck and a well-timed bet, but it’s generally unprofitable over the long-term.
How do the odds work?
If you’re betting on a team with 1:20 odds during a set match, you would receive 20x your bet if that team managed to win the match.
Can they change?
Odds change constantly depending on the match and the teams or players involved. That’s why it’s important to make yourself aware of the odds before placing any bet.
Should I use a system?
It’s always best to do some research and use a system to help improve your chances of picking the winning team, but many players win without a system at all.