Soccer betting has become a massive industry in South Africa, with an estimated 49% of adult soccer fans placing wagers on matches. The convenience of online sportsbooks has made soccer betting more accessible than ever. Fans can now wager on their phones right from the stands!
With so many bookmakers to choose from though, finding the right one for your needs can be tricky. You want a sportsbook that has proven itself in a market with continued good reputation, plenty of staking options, and helpful customer service. This guide will break down exactly what to look for and reveal our top picks for soccer sportsbooks.
List of Best Soccer Betting Sites
When it comes to the best soccer sportsbook in South Africa, these 5 platforms stand out from the pack:
| Site | Markets | Odds | Pros | Cons |
| Betway | Massive range | Very competitive | Enormous soccer coverage, fast payouts | Slow support |
| Hollywoodbets | Extensive domestic and international | Competitive | Local brand, promotions | Fewer markets than some sites |
| Sportingbet | Good | Above average | Specialized soccer coverage, in-play focus | No other betting options apart from sports |
| Playabets | Extensive leagues | Competitive | Virtual soccer, cash out options | Lower odds than Betway |
| YesPlay | Diverse markets | Excellent odds | Best soccer odds in SA, live-streaming | Desktop site needs work |
Betway
Betway is our number one choice for football wagering. They have an enormous range of soccer markets, highly competitive odds, and one of the best mobile experiences out there. Their welcome bonus up to R1,000 is very attractive, and payouts are superfast.
Hollywoodbets
A trusted local brand, Hollywoodbets covers all domestic and international leagues extensively. Their website and betting app are slick and easy to use. Hollywoodbets is known for running frequent promotions like wager boosts for major tournaments.
Sportingbet
Despite the name, Sportingbet excels at soccer staking specifically. They have an impressive live betting suite for in-play wagers. Their desktop and mobile sites are clean and intuitive too. The deposit bonus at Sportingbet gives you extra value.
Playabets
Playabets secures its place as one of the top soccer bookmakers with a noteworthy offering. Their extensive league selection caters to soccer enthusiasts, and their virtual soccer betting suite stands out. While their odds may not surpass Betway, they remain competitive. Playabets impresses with a wide array of soccer betting markets, coupled with features like “edit my bet,” cash out options, and numerous promotions to elevate the wagering experience.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Bets
Not all sportsbooks are created equal when it comes to soccer coverage. Here are the key factors to evaluate when picking a sportsbook for football wagers:
- Trustworthiness – Make sure the site is licensed and regulated in your jurisdiction. Read reviews and check their reputation. You want to feel completely confident when depositing money.
- Betting options – The best bookmakers offer extensive markets on leagues, tournaments, and individual matches: Moneyline, Handicap, Total, Prop bets, Live betting
- Competitive odds – Compare odds across a few sites to find the best value prices on your wagers. Even small differences in odds can affect your long-term profits.
- Banking options – Look for variety in payment methods for deposits and fast payout speeds on winnings. The top sites provide multiple e-wallets, credit cards, bank transfers etc.
- Bonuses – Welcome bonuses, free bets, and odds boosts give you extra value. Be sure to understand rollover requirements before accepting bonuses.
- Mobile experience – Betting apps should be intuitive and easy to use. Layout, live-streaming, and wager placement on mobile are key.
- Live betting – For in-play wagers, there should be a wide selection of live betting markets with fast wager acceptance.
- Customer support – Check reviews of support responsiveness and availability across email, phone, live chat etc. This can make or break your experience.
Getting Started with Soccer Betting
Once you’ve chosen a top bookmaker, it’s time to dive in and start placing those wagers! Here’s a walkthrough of the quick and easy process to get up and running.
Registering an Account
The registration process only takes a few minutes. You’ll need to provide some personal details like name, email, date of birth, and mobile number. Choose a secure password. Accept the terms and conditions and you’re good to go.
Some sites may require ID verification before withdrawals. Upload a photo of a valid form of ID like your passport when prompted.
Making a Deposit
Most sportsbooks accept deposits through:
- Debit/Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard etc)
- E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, EcoPayz)
- Bank Transfer
- Voucher Codes
Deposits are instant with cards and e-wallets. Bank transfers take 1-3 days. Most methods incur no fees, besides the rare card issuer charges.
Placing Bets
Navigate to the soccer section and find the match you want to stake on. Select your wager type like moneyline, spread, totals etc and enter your stake amount. The potential returns are automatically calculated.
Review and confirm your wager in the slip before submitting. Once accepted, the wager will show in your account history.
Withdrawing Winnings
Most sites process payouts within 1-3 days. E-wallets are fastest, cards and bank transfers take longer. Some processing fees may apply.
Check the cashier section for withdrawal limits, but most sites allow tens of thousands in payouts monthly. Be sure to provide all required documents.
Soccer Specifics
When it comes to staking on soccer, there are various wager types and markets to explore. Here’s a primer on understanding odds, popular wagering markets, and live betting:
Odds and Lines
The most common soccer stake is the moneyline, where you simply pick a team to win. Odds are adjusted based on the perceived probability of each outcome. Favourites have shorter odds (e.g. -200) while underdogs have longer odds (e.g. +150).
Point spreads and game totals (over/under) are also very popular. Spreads set a margin of victory margin and totals predict the combined goals scored.
Betting Markets
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Both Teams to Score | Bet on whether both teams will score a goal in the match. Considers attacking abilities and defensive vulnerabilities of both sides. |
| Correct Score | Predict the exact final score at the end of regular time. Requires analysing teams’ current form and match-up dynamics to determine probable goal totals. |
| Half Time/Full Time | Pick the team that is winning at half-time as well as the team that is winning at the end of regular time. Adds importance to analysing which team starts matches stronger. |
| Player Props | Wager on outcomes like an individual player scoring a goal, registering an assist, or reaching a shot on target threshold. Useful for betting on star players in matches between uneven teams. |
| Corners Totals | Bet on the total number of corner kicks awarded in the match. Valuable for matches between defensive-minded teams where scoring is less likely. |
In-Play Betting
Live betting allows you to wager on markets throughout the match. Odds shift in real-time based on the action and it can be more exciting and fast-paced compared to prematch stakes.
Some strategies for live bets include:
- Fading teams after they score and their odds improve
- Jumping on odds mistakes and delays
- Staking under after a flurry of goals
Major Soccer Leagues and Events
| Tournament | Details | Betting Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| World Cup | Occurs every 4 years Soccer’s biggest event Next one in 2026 in USA/Canada/Mexico | Futures betting on winners / top scorers Heavy betting on each match Lot of promotional bonuses |
| Champions League | Top European Clubs Group and knockout rounds | Betting interest on fixtures Injuries / rotations / form are key |
| Domestic Leagues | Premier League (England) La Liga (Spain) Bundesliga (Germany) Serie A (Italy) Ligue 1 (France) | Heavy match schedule Specific team dynamics are important |
FAQs
Is live betting a good idea for soccer?
Absolutely! In-play wagering allows you to capitalize on odds shifts and momentum changes throughout matches. Just be sure the site has robust live betting capabilities before signing up.
What are the best prop bets for soccer matches?
Popular player prop stakes include shots on goal, corners, cards, fouls committed, and anytime goalscorer. Team props could be total corners, bookings, or goals scored in a half.
How important are bonuses and promotions?
Extremely! Signup bonuses, free bets, and odds boosts give you extra value. Just be sure to understand the rollover requirements before accepting. Ongoing promos provide long-term upside too.
Is it better to make pre-match or live bets?
We recommend a mix. Pre-match lets you benefit from early value, while live betting allows you to capitalize on shifting dynamics. Combining both approaches is ideal.
How quickly do odds change before matches?
Odds can fluctuate rapidly in the hours leading up to kick-off as news breaks regarding injuries, line-ups, and staking action comes in. Keep monitoring.
What factors affect soccer betting odds?
Team form, injuries/suspensions, home field advantage, weather, situational context, public betting trends, and bookmakers’ profit margins all impact the odds.
Is it possible to make consistent money betting on soccer?
Yes, but it requires great discipline, bankroll management, extensive research, analysis, exploiting soft lines, and taking advantage of bonuses and promos. Success takes time.
Can I use wagering strategies across all leagues?
Tailor your approach to each league. Strategies should account for differences in quality, play-style, schedules, and traits across various domestic leagues and tournaments.
What are the most important stats for soccer betting?
Shots on target, possession, passing accuracy, fouls, corners, cards, goals conceded, goals from set pieces, and recent form are crucial indicators of how teams may perform.
