Offshore Online Casinos in South Africa

Author: Michael J. Lawson

Updated: 07/11/2024 11:21 AM

Find the best offshore online casinos in South Africa on this page. Offshore online casinos are becoming more and more popular for many South African players because they are a convenient alternative to land-based casinos. In this guide, we’ll explore the key aspects of these sites and provide you with all the essential information you need.

Table of Contents

What Is an Offshore Online Casino in South Africa?

Offshore casino sites are internationally licenced casinos available in many countries, including South Africa. They are incredibly popular in SA, and before we delve into the why, you need to understand a few things about the legality of online gambling in the country.

The South African government has made several attempts to regulate online gaming, but it remains illegal under the National Gambling Act, despite land-based casinos being legal. The National Gambling Board actively monitors and enforces restrictions on online gambling, aiming to block online casinos that target South African players and penalise those who engage with them. As a result, no online casinos can legally operate within South Africa. This leaves offshore sites as the only alternative, though technically, playing at these sites is also illegal for South African players. However, the enforcement of these laws is rare.

For those of legal gambling age, offshore casinos offer access to thousands of games. These sites operate outside South Africa's jurisdiction, which is why they're referred to as "offshore" casinos."

Pros and Cons of Offshore South African Online Casino Sites

Offshore online casinos offer South African players many advantages. However, it's essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks.

Pros

Thousands of casino games
Available in almost all jurisdictions
Generous bonuses and promotions
Accept modern payment solutions including crypto
Fewer restrictions for players

Cons

High risk of scams
No legal protection for players
Suspicious licences

How We List Offshore Casinos in South Africa

The number of offshore online gambling sites in South Africa has tripled in the past decade. There are hundreds of options to choose from, and that makes listing these sites on our pages a challenge. Gambling online should be safe, and we always aim to recommend the safest possible offshore site to our readers. Here are some factors that we consider the most important when we list the best online casinos that accept South African players.

Licencing and Security

The first thing we check for is the licence. Our recommended offshore casinos are licenced by leading authorities, and also use cutting-edge security features that'll make you feel safe.

Bonuses and Promotions

Another important factor are the bonuses and promotions. The top offshore casinos that operate in the African continent feature generous casino bonuses starting with welcome offers. They also have plenty of deals for returning players which every South African player hopes for.

Game Variety

When you're looking at new online casinos to join, you should always go for the options with the most diverse game lobby. The best offshore casinos pack a punch with thousands of slot machines, table games, and live dealer games as well. We only feature offshore casinos with great game variety powered by the top game studios.

Online Reputation

The last thing we check for after the previous factors is the online reputation of the casinos in question. We go online to take a look what other players are saying, and compare those opinions with our own. If they align, the casinos deserves a spot on our offshore sites page.

Top 5 Offshore Casinos for South African Players

There are hundreds of online casinos that operate outside of the South African borders. They fly under the radar of local gambling regulators, while freely offering their services to Mzansi players. Of course, not all of them are worth a mention, but there are dozens that deserve your attention. If you don't want to do research on your own, here are the top 5 offshore casinos for South Africans.

Bonuses at Offshore Online Casinos for South African Players

One of the major reasons why South Africans prefer offshore casino sites are the generous bonuses. The top offshore casinos will have a wide range of promos for all players. Most start with a rewarding welcome bonus, which is usually followed by deposit match bonuses for returning customers. We'll break down the most popular bonuses at offshore casinos in South Africa below.

Welcome Bonus: The welcome bonus is the most common type of offer at offshore casinos. It's available to new players only. Most bonuses of this type cover 100% of your first deposit and may come with or without free spins. Of course, this extra money's never free. Make sure to check the terms to see the qualifying games, wagering requirements, and other important terms you may need to complete.
Deposit Match Bonuses: Deposit match offers are similar to welcome offers, except they're for returning players. Continue making deposits and playing at an offshore casino and you will qualify for such offers (if any). This type of bonus will cover a certain percentage of your deposits. It can be 100% like with sign up offers or something below.
No Deposit Bonuses: no deposit bonuses don't need you to make a deposit in order to claim them. Since you're not spending any money to get some, they are also smaller than deposit bonuses. Still, a handful of free spins or a small no deposit bonus are a great way to check a new casino out.
Free Spins: Free spins are the most popular type of casino bonus for slot fans. They typically come in big bunches, and are often attached to deposit bonuses. Keep in mind that you'll need to go through the free spins terms in detail. Some of these T&Cs may be tricky and that's why you need to go through them slowly.
VIP Programs: as a regular depositor and player at South Africa offshore casinos, you may get a chance to become a member of the elite club. Most VIP programs are point-based. You'll earn points for every deposit and bet, and get to spend the loyalty points on exclusive rewards. VIP bonuses are larger and usually have better terms.

How to Choose the Best Offshore South African Online Casinos

Choosing one out of hundreds or thousands of offshore casino sites for South African gamblers isn't an easy task. With so many gambling options for you, choosing the first casino you come across would be a mistake. You may miss out on better welcome bonuses, or you might not get to play your favourite games. That's where we come in. In the following paragraphs, we'll share a few helpful tips that will help you determine how to choose the best offshore South African online casinos.

Step 1

Check Betpack Recommendations

Checking out the licence, security measures, and other important factors when looking at the best online casinos can be hard. Luckily for you, we've done the research so you don't have to. Before you start your quest, you'd do well to read our recommendations. We've filtered the top offshore casinos for your convenience so you can have an easier time when making a pick.

Step 2

Check Out the Bonuses and Promotions

Once you've jolted down a few casino sites that fit your preferences, you can start looking at their features. Start with the casino bonuses and promotions. The top offshore casinos have strong welcome bonuses that you can unlock with an initial deposit. You should also ensure there are bonuses for returning customers, just in case you register and love the casino.

Step 3

See the Variety of Games Available

It certainly is. When choosing an offshore casino, make sure it has thousands of games, including the most popular slot games and live casino titles. You don't want to be stuck at a casino site that only features games by a few software providers. Go for offshore casinos with as many games as possible, and make sure it features dozens of game studios too.

Step 4

Ensure Your Payment Method Is There

If you're planning on playing for real money returns, it makes perfect sense to choose an offshore casino with great payment method variety. Make sure your payment method is there. For example, if you use e-wallets, you should only pick a casino that accepts them. Before you forget, check that the casino accepts the South African Rand too, and the transaction speeds and fees.

Online Casino Games You Can Find at Offshore Casinos in SA

The best offshore online casinos are packed to the brim with thousands of casino games. Their variety is unmatched and beats any local casino site in any jurisdiction. These sites are doing their best to appeal to new players, partnering up with dozens of game studios for thousands of interactive games. Read on to learn more about the most popular games at offshore casinos.

Online Slots: Online slots are the most varied casino game type and the most popular one at the same time. Players love the fact they're easy to play and rewarding. Unlike blackjack or poker, you don't need any particular skills to play classic slots or modern titles. Simply bet and click on spin, then watch the action begin. Modern online slots offer great graphics and animations and bonus features that play like video games. Plus, they're as diverse as can be thematically, meaning there's a slot for every type of player.
Table Games: Slots are great and fun to play, but when anyone even thinks about a casino, they think of classics such as blackjack or roulette. Classic blackjack is paired with numerous exotic variants at the top offshore casinos for everyone looking for some card action. Poker games can be found too, and so can baccarat and roulette titles. All these games come in RNG variety, which means you can practice for free without spending a cent.
Live Dealer Games: Live casino games are the most advanced type of game at offshore casinos. They're played against live dealers and streamed in real-time to your desktop browser or mobile device. The most popular live casino adaptations are table games including live blackjack and live roulette. Many of them come with new features and gameplay mechanics that make for a more immersive experience. You can only play these games for free, so make sure you know the rules before you start.

Key Benefits of Choosing Offshore South African Casino Sites

Offshore casinos have loads of benefits for South African players. First and foremost, they're the only way to access casino games, since the SA government doesn't legalize online gambling. They're also convenient to use and access, while offering numerous other advantages for all types of players.

Conveniency

Payment Methods

Game Selection

Mobile Apps

Offshore casino sites are very convenient for South African players. They are legal to use since the country doesn't allow local online casinos. They also accept the native currency, so you can play your favourite games without paying currency conversion fees.

Popular Payment Methods at South African Offshore Casinos

South Africans can choose from a number of payment methods when playing at offshore casino sites. Many online casinos will have a full range of payment methods from bank transfers to cryptocurrencies. That's the beauty of these casino sites. They accept payments that are otherwise unavailable in South Africa, so you can pay and play the way you want. Here are the most popular payment methods at South African offshore casinos:

Credit and Debit Cards

There's no law preventing South Africans from using their cards abroad. This means that players use credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) to deposit and bet at offshore casinos without any issues. The transaction times are fast, security is top-notch, and there are no fees when you use cards at these casinos. Plus, they're available in any offshore casino, making them the perfect pick for most Mzansi players.

E-Wallets

E-wallets may be even more popular than cards for South African players. The reason for this is because they don't leave the same trail behind as cards. Players can fund their Neteller or Skrill e-wallets in different ways, so they're not necessarily linked to bank accounts or cards. This provides a more anonymous way to play casino games. On top of that, e-wallet transactions are fast, fees are non-existent, and they're easy to use overall. On the negative side, Neteller and Skrill rarely qualify for bonus offers.

Prepaid Vouchers

South African players who like to stay anonymous at offshore casinos often use prepaid vouchers. Options such as Paysafecard are a great way to pay and play, no questions asked. This prepaid voucher can be bought in stores or online, and can be used for deposits only. If you're looking for an anonymous option to play your favourite games, it's a great choice.

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are an even better option for full anonymity at offshore casinos. Compared to prepaid vouchers, they can be used for withdrawals too. Crypto transactions are fee-free and lightning-fast, outpacing any other payment solution. They're a very popular option among South African players at offshore casino sites, and one that'll gain even more traction in the future.

Casino Payment	Details	Deposit	Withdrawal
Visa & Mastercard	Safe and secure way to deposit that can be linked to your bank account.	Instant	1-3 days
Neteller & Skrill	Secure e-wallets for instant and fee-free transactions.	Instant	Instant
Paysafecard	Anonymous prepaid voucher bought digitally or in stores.	Instant	/
Cryptocurrencies	Lightning-fast, anonyumous, and decentralized offshore casino deposits and withdrawals.	Instant	Instant

Best Offshore Casinos with Customer Support Service in SA

When playing at offshore casinos, proper customer support is very important. As a new player, you're bound to have many questions, and it's vital for the casino site to be able to answer them quickly and appropriately. If you're looking for offshore casino sites with top-notch support, we can recommend a few in the table below.

Casino	CS Services	Response Time
10bet	Email, live chat	Up to 5 minutes
Cobra Casino	Email, live chat	Up to 5 minutes
Hollywoodbets	Email, live chat, phone	Up to 5 minutes
Fafabet	Email, live chat	Up to 5 minutes

Final Thoughts on Offshore Casinos in South Africa

With no options available locally, South African players can only turn to offshore casino sites for online casino gambling. The great news is that they offer their services to players in this market. These online casinos have all the elements for a fun time, including thousands of games, great bonus offers, and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to play games.

If you're looking to join an offshore casino, don't look further than our page. Join one of our recommended options and have fun with your favourite games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Online Gambling Legal in South Africa?

No, it isn't. The South African government has been hesitant to legalise online gambling, even though land based casinos and online sports betting are legal. Playing at offshore casinos is a punishable offense, but one that's rarely enacted.

Are Offshore Casinos Safe to Join?

The offshore online casinos we have on this page are safe and secure to join. They are licenced by leading offshore authorities, and use cutting-edge security mechanisms to keep your private info safe.

Can I Play Games for Free at Offshore Casinos?

Of course. The best offshore casino sites offer thousands of games, many of which you can play for free. If given the option, always try games for free before you play for real money.

Are Online Slots Popular at Offshore Casino Sites?

Yes, they are. Offshore casinos feature the latest and greatest slot games from top providers. You can try all of them for free, with some casinos letting you play for fun without an account.

How Do I Claim a Bonus at Offshore Casinos in South Africa?

It depends on the type of bonus you're looking at. Deposit bonuses will require you to cover the minimum deposit to claim it. No deposit bonuses can be claimed without a deposit. Read the terms to understand how to claim each bonus individually.