Foreign Betting Sites 2025: Top International Bookmakers for South African Punters

The best international betting sites in South Africa are licensed by local regulators, which means you get the best of both worlds in terms of safety and service.

Stick around, and we’ll also show you how to get bigger bonuses, better odds, and access to unique features at the top foreign bookies in SA.

List of foreign betting sites that accept South Africans

Found: 5 Bookmakers

Rank Bookmaker Bonus Claim
1 Easybet

150% Deposit Match up to R1,500 in Bonus Bets

18+ T&C apply, GambleAware.org

 BET HERE Go to Easybet website
2 Betway

Welcome pack: 10 FS + 10 Flights + R10 Free Bets

18+ T&C apply, GambleAware.org

 BET HERE Go to Betway website
3 YesPlay

100% Welcome bonus up to R3,000

18+ T&C apply, GambleAware.org

 BET HERE Go to YesPlay website
4 Gbets

100% Welcome bonus up to R1000

18+ T&C apply, GambleAware.org

 BET HERE Go to Gbets website
5 10bet

Welcome bonus up to R3,000

18+ T&C apply, GambleAware.org

 BET HERE Go to 10bet website

Table of contents

Top 5 international betting sites accessible from South Africa

We recommend international betting sites that are strong in these areas:

  • Security and safety
  • Bonuses and promotions
  • Market coverage and odds
  • Deposits and withdrawals
  • Help and support

SA betting sites that score highly in the above areas make it onto our shortlist. However, we don’t take anything for granted. Our experts use their 15+ years of experience to test every shortlisted site. 

These are the five best foreign bookmakers:

Table with the best international bookmaker for South Africa
Sportsbook License ZAR-Friendly Payments Bonus
MegaPari Curaçao Gaming Authority Yes 2X 100% deposit bonuses worth up to R3,900 (combined)
Betway WCGRB/UKGC/MGA Yes 100% first deposit match up to R1,000
Paripesa Curaçao Gaming Authority Yes 100% deposit match bonus up to R2,000
1xBet Curaçao Gaming Authority Yes 100% first deposit match up to R3,000
10bet Mpumalanga Economic Regulator/Curaçao Gaming Authority Yes 100% sports welcome bonus up to R3,000

Why do South African bettors choose foreign betting sites?

Image for the "Why SA bettors choose foreign sites" block

Savvy punters use foreign bookmakers licensed in South Africa for these reasons:

  1. Reputable and safe: Licensed bookies comply with international safety standards set by regulators such as the Curaçao Gaming Authority.
  2. Better bonuses: The newest SA betting sites often provide the most generous promotions, including free bets, payout boosts, and cashback for regular players.
  3. More Betting Markets: foreign betting companies in South Africa cover a wide variety of sports, including rare niches such as lacrosse and skiing.
  4. Slick Software: Modern SA betting apps from international bookmakers provide smooth navigation, fast load times, and advanced features like live streaming and in-play statistics.
  5. Hassle-Free Payments: Licensed international betting sites in South Africa allow you to make ZAR payments.

Regulation of foreign bookmakers for South African players

As per the National Gambling Act 2004, online sports betting is legal in South Africa under a clear regulatory framework. This allows foreign betting sites in South Africa to obtain licenses from local authorities such as the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB). 

At the same time, many of these international companies also hold offshore licenses from regulators like the Curaçao Gaming Authority and the Union of the Comoros. For South African players, this dual regulation provides extra assurance of fairness and security.

How to register and bet on foreign sites from South Africa

The benefit of using foreign betting sites licensed in South Africa is that they have strict safety standards covering payments, fraud, and data protection.

Here’s how to register with international betting sites in South Africa and the information you have to provide:

Use our secure links to open the registration page of your chosen betting site.

  1. Tap “Join Now” to start the process.
  2. Enter your name, mobile number, email, password, and your SA ID number or Passport number.
  3. Confirm you’re 18 or older and accept the betting site’s terms.
  4. Verify your email (if required) and log in.
  5. Make a deposit to claim your welcome bonus and start betting.

Popular payment methods for South African bettors

Licensed international betting sites in South Africa process ZAR payments. Cryptocurrency payments are common in certain parts of the world, but they’re limited in South Africa. 
However, you can make ZAR deposits and withdrawals using popular methods such as debit card, OTT Voucher and EasyLoad. The table below shows the main ways to make betting site payments in South Africa:

Table of payment methods for South Africa
Banking Method Deposit Speed Withdrawal Speed Processing Fees Best For
Visa/MasterCard Instant 3-5 days Card provider fees Easy to use and very safe.
OTT Voucher Instant N/A No fees Use cash to make online voucher deposits.
Blu Voucher Instant N/A No fees Great for bettors who want to make online deposits without a debit card.
EasyLoad Instant N/A No fees Can be purchased in stores or online and used for deposits from R5.
Ozow Instant <60 minutes At least R1 or 1.5% A pay-by-bank system that allows you to make instant payments.
SnapScan Instant Instant 2.55%-2.95% Make mobile deposits and withdrawals by scanning QR codes.
Zapper Instant N/A No fees Add funds to Zapper so you can make instant sportsbook deposits by scanning QR codes.
Apple Pay Instant <24 hours No fees Make iOS mobile payments to/from your Apple wallet.
Samsung Pay Instant <24 hours No fees Make Android payments to/from your Samsung wallet.

Advantages and risks of using foreign betting sites

Image for advantages and disadvantages of foreign sites

Here are the pros and cons to consider before you start using international betting sites in SA:

  • Limitations
  • Licensed bookies are legally required to withhold tax on winnings over R25,000.
  • Some payment methods, such as SnapScan, have processing fees.

Bonuses offered by international betting sites

The leading international bookies in South Africa offer these popular promotions:

  • Welcome Bonuses

    New customers get free bets and bonus credit when they join an international online betting site in South Africa. Some welcome bonuses are credited to your account after registering (no deposit bonuses). Other offers are unlocked by making an initial deposit (first deposit bonuses).

  • Odds Boosts

    Odds boosts are among the most common bookmaker bonuses in South Africa. The odds for selected events are lengthened, e.g., from 2/1 to 3/1.

  • Free Sports Bets

    All of the top international bookmakers in South Africa give you free bets that are unlocked by making deposits, betting on events and completing challenges.

  • Multi-Bet Boosts

    These bonuses boost your payouts for successful multi-way (aka parlay) bets.

  • Cashback and Insurance

    The best foreign bookies in South Africa give you cashback on specific bets as well as losses accrued over the course of a week.

Top tips for choosing a foreign betting site

Here are three top tips for getting the best experience at South Africa’s best international betting sites:

  • Stick to licensed betting sites because they’re legal and safe. They also offer reliable products and high-quality services.
  • Use a mixture of foreign betting sites in SA to get the best odds and access to more promotions.
  • Reduce your risk by using responsible gambling tools, such as personalised loss limits.

Use these tips in conjunction with our recommendations to get the most from your time using foreign betting sites in South Africa. 

FAQs

? Is online sports betting legal in South Africa?

Yes, online sports betting is legal in South Africa, which means international bookies are licensed by local regulators. The benefit of using international betting sites licensed in South Africa is that they’re safe, comply with local gambling laws, and process ZAR payments.

? Can I win real money at betting sites in South Africa?

Foreign bookmakers licensed in South Africa can legally process real-money payments and, in turn, pay winning bets in cash via debit cards, eWallets, or bank transfers.

? Are sports betting winnings taxable in South Africa?

Gambling winnings, including money from licensed foreign betting sites in South Africa, aren’t taxed. There are some requirements for professional bettors, but not recreational bettors.

? Why are foreign betting sites in SA better?

The top international bookies in South Africa typically have better odds, more features and a better selection of free bet bonuses than their local counterparts. 

? Can I get free bets when I use South African betting sites?

You can get free bets, cashback on losses, and prize multipliers at the best foreign betting sites in South Africa. Top bookies in SA also boost the odds for selected bets each day.

Review Author

Daniel Smyth

Daniel Smyth

Daniel Smyth is a gambling expert with 15+ years in the game. A poker player turned writer, he’s interviewed top pros, edited WPT Poker Magazine, and now crafts content on poker, casino games, and sports betting for sites like MightyTips.com