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Beginner's Guide to Online Gambling in South Africa

Are you new to online gambling? Are you confused by the hundreds of online gaming sites offering you free money? Do you feel a little uneasy about using your credit card online? If the answer is yes, then our beginner’s guide to online gaming will put your mind at rest and explain how to avoid the pitfalls of gambling online and give you the confidence to play like a pro!!

The first thing you should know is that online casinos operate in a very similar way to regular casinos. You deposit your stake money either from your credit card or other e-wallets and the casino uses random number generators to determine the outcome of the casino games. Only players over the age of 18 are permitted to gamble.

Kelvin Jones
Kelvin JonesSenior Online Casino Expert
Fact checked by
Ilse Lotz
Ilse LotzHead of Editorial
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3 Ways to Play at Online Casinos

Once you've chosen a casino, you will be typically offered to play on either the:

  1. Instant Play Version (no download)

  2. Mobile Device Version

  3. Download Version

💻 Instant Play

Instant-play casinos or flash casinos allow you to play free and real-money casino games directly in your web browser; no software download is required! They may offer fewer titles than the download version of the same casino, but you can start playing at them easily and access them from any PC or laptop via your internet browser. Simply click on the “Instant-Play” option on the casino website and register an account!

📱 Mobile

Mobile casinos are the latest innovation in the online gaming industry. Being optimized for mobile play, casino games are now available on the go as long as you have a compatible mobile device and a stable internet connection that is Wifi/3G/4G enabled. All the casinos featured on our website can be instantly accessed from your mobile, with no download needed. Simply select a mobile casino of your choice and you will be redirected to the mobile version of the casino, where you will complete the registration process, log in and access a variety of real money casino games from your iOS iPhone, iPad, Android phone or even Blackberry!

⬇️ Download

As their name indicates, online casinos use software which should be downloaded onto your computer and installed, free of charge. Although it takes more time initially to access casino games this way, downloading casinos, in most cases, provides a better quality of graphics and a wider selection of games. If you are into slots, you should know that slot tournaments are available exclusively to download clients. Follow the easy steps below to download your favourite casino today!

How to Download a Casino

Here are the steps you need to take to start playing at a Download Casino.

1. Choose a casino

Choose an online casino from our website, click the “PLAY NOW” link, and we will redirect you to the casino.

2. Download the Casino

Once on the casino website, click the “Download” casino button and in the following pop-up, click “Save” and choose a location on your PC to save the file (preferably on your Desktop).

3. Install the Casino

Locate the SetupCasino.exe on your desktop and click “Install” after accepting the terms in the license agreement. The files will be saved to your desktop or saved location. Once the installation procedure is finished, double-click on the casino icon (on your Desktop or saved location) to begin the registration process.

Step 1

Step 2

5. Register a New Account

If you have never played at the casino before, click “Sign Up” or “Create Account” to register a new account and complete the registration form and submit. Then, check your email to verify your registration.

Step 3

7. Choose Your Deposit Method

Once logged in successfully, click “Cashier” and choose from a number of the safe and secure deposit options to fund your casino account. Making a first deposit will also ensure that you receive the welcome bonus offered by every casino on our website. Deposit options include debit and credit cards, e-wallets such as NETELLER, Skrill, SID Instant EFT, Easy EFT and bank transfers.

6. Start Playing

Choose Real Money Mode or Practice Mode (to play for fun) and log into your account with the username and password you chose during the registration process.

Best South African Online Casinos for Beginners

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Getting Started With Online Gambling

Follow these steps to make your online casino journey safe, exciting, and hopefully full of real money wins.

1. Know Your Online Gambling Laws

The first thing you should check before sitting in front of your computer and launching online casino software is whether or not online gambling is legal in your area or country. Contact your local authorities first if you’re not sure.

2. Learn About The Casino And Be Curious

Before downloading any online casino or deciding to play their Non Download/Flash version, do some research and ask yourself the following questions: Is it a newly opened casino or an old one? What is the company owning and running them? Where are they licensed? What are the rules and the different banking policies (deposits and withdrawals)? What is the policy concerning the use of bonuses? Can I contact someone if I need help? It’s a proof of good business practice.

3. Play For Free First

Whichever type of casino you find yourself playing, you will be given the option of playing for free or for real money. Play for free and get a feel for the casino games before playing for real. You may have to set up an account to play for real (don’t worry, they can’t debit your card if you don’t give them the details); this is standard and has more to do with the software than anything else.

4. Check Out Online Offers and Bonuses

Most online casinos today – if not all – give out huge bonuses to new and existing players. It’s not rare to see casinos giving out free bonus money of more than R1,000. It's important toread the terms and conditions mentioned on the website or included in your email offer since these bonuses are always subject to certain playing conditions before you can cash out.

5. Know Your Payout Options

It is very important to check out how the casino pays out winnings. How long will it take to get your winnings, what methods are available to receive your funds, and will you incur any charges or fees? You might get lucky and hit a Jackpot, so it would be wise to know beforehand what payout options are available to you, the costs to receive the funds (if any) and their time frames.

South African Banking Methods

6. Check Customer Support

It’s a very good idea to check first how the casino customer support works and how it handles problems before you sign up and deposit your money. Are they efficient, knowledgeable & helpful? When and how will they be available? You should be able to reach them by phone and email if the casino has live chat support offered, so much better. Do they provide a toll-free number to contact them? The casino’s website should have all this information. Most support centres do operate 24/7/365.

Our PlayCasino team has reviewed a number of online casinos, and we have compiled a complete South African Online Casino directory. All the information in the reviews is there to help you, so we suggest that you read the reviews for some pointers to help you decide which casino to join. Online casino gambling is here to stay — it’s fun, always available, and you have more of a chance of winning than you do at a land-based casino. Good Luck and remember, Winners Know When To Stop.

17+ Years Experience

Kelvin Jones is a seasoned professional in South Africa's online casino scene, boasting over a decade of expertise. He's your ultimate guide in selecting the finest online casinos, providing insights into local sites that offer both excitement and security. Kelvin's comprehensive reviews and strategies stem from a deep understanding of the industry's dynamics, ensuring players have access to top-notch gaming experiences.

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FactCheckIcon Fact-checked by: Ilse Lotz
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PlayCasino aims to provide our readers with clear and reliable information on the best online casinos and sportsbooks for South African players.

Although our reviews and articles are expertly written and regularly updated, they are here to provide information and are not applicable as legal advice.

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