Tips and Rules of Online Gambling for Beginners

South Africans love to gamble. That explains why Mzansi has the highest number of land-based casinos on the African continent. Many South African gamblers want to explore SA online casino i-games, and it’s easy to see why.

Online gambling sites allow people without access to traditional casinos to explore a wide variety of betting options and increase their opportunities to win anywhere they are. In addition, online gambling websites are constantly rolling out new games that simulate the real-time experiences of traditional casinos as much as possible. Then there are the loads of mouthwatering bonuses and promotions that are constantly available to old and new customers.

That said, it can be daunting to be a greenhorn online gambler. With so many gaming sites and games to choose from, different ways to bet, and many other factors, it is easy for one’s first online gaming experience to become a horror show.

That is why the rest of this article will describe the five most critical tips and rules that newbie gamers playing at online gambling sites South Africa need to know to make their first gaming experiences worthwhile. These beginner gambling tips include:

• Knowing your country’s gambling regulations
• Choosing a reputable and secure online gambling site
• Learning the rules of various casino games and playing the right one
• Taking advantage of welcome bonuses
• Using safe and swift payment methods

Keep reading as we dive deeper into what each of the tips entails.

1. Get Acquainted With Your Country’s Online Gambling Regulations

The first step to succeeding in online gambling in South Africa is to grasp the local online gambling laws. Gambling legislation in South Africa has been hostile to the South African online gambling industry and has illegalized the existence and operations of online casinos in South Africa. However, online sportsbooks are legal in SA. Thus, most gamers in South Africa depend on offshore online operators to meet their gaming needs.

However, the harsh online gambling laws have not prevented players from patronizing online casinos. If anything, the online SA gaming space keeps growing despite the restrictions. And that’s because offshore online casinos offer native South African players platforms to catch some fun and possibly bag huge winnings while at it.

To simplify, SA players can bet on licensed online gambling sites in South Africa without consequences. However, bettors from other countries must first ascertain that online casinos and sports betting is legal in their country before they gamble. Online gambling is typically authorized in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, etc.

Now, knowing the status of gambling legalization in your country is one. Punters must also get acquainted with the rules and regulations of the online gambling site they wish to register as this arms them with the following information:

• List of authorized countries
• Age requirement
• Account creation details
• Deposit and withdrawal procedures
• Bonus wagering conditions
• Privacy and data security information

2. Find Reputable Gambling Sites In South Africa

Once a newbie gamer ascertains that their country approves online gambling, the next step in their journey to gambling online should be to find suitable gambling sites. Online gambling in South Africa is tricky enough with the grey gambling laws. However, it becomes worse if you fall prey to rogue operators that don’t pay players’ earnings.
Punters must know what sites to play at and what to avoid. So here are some features that the best online gambling sites South Africa must possess.

Positive Online Reviews

The best online gambling sites South Africa are sought by many players. But the visitors’ volume differs from what makes them great casino sites. Neither are their attempts at promoting their strengths and making bold claims about the benefits of patronizing them.

Instead, one thing that sets them apart from other gambling sites is their excellent gaming experience which often culminates in positive social proofs by satisfied players.

So start your search by running an internet search with the phrase “best online gambling sites South Africa”, then run a quick check on the sites that the search engine turns up. Then run another search for online reviews written by verified gaming experts. It is also essential to look up the reviews from players who have used these sites. Reputable online gaming sites understand the importance of getting positive reviews, so they always want to satisfy their players.

Avoid gambling sites that have negative reviews. By all means, steer clear of gaming websites that have no reviews.

Gaming Licenses and Seals

It is vital to research the online casino’s licensing and registration information. Pay particular attention to the foot of the gaming website, where most sites display the logo of the regulatory authority under whose license it operates. Some of the most trusted logos of gambling regulatory bodies to look out for are:

• MGA (Malta Gaming Authority),
• UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission),
• CGA (Curacao Gaming Authority)
• eCOGRA, etc.

Gaming beginners should always steer clear of gambling sites in South Africa that do not provide enough information about their registration and licensing.

Wide Game Collection

Take a good look at the type of games that casinos offer. More importantly, take note of the software developers of these games. All established game developers have a name to protect, so they only work with reputable gambling sites in South Africa.

The leading industry developers to look for on the site’s game library include:

• Evolution Gaming
• Ezugi
• Microgaming
• Netent
• Play’n Go
• Playtech
• Realtime Gaming

Besides their reputation as genuine game developers who only service reputable gambling websites, these software developers provide some of the best online games with remarkable features.

Generous Bonuses and Promos

Many South African online gambling sites provide rich welcome bonuses to entice them to play on their sites. But one mistake that many beginners need to correct is that they jump on the first bonus offer that they see without reading the fine print in the Terms and Conditions of the site.

As enticing as bonuses and promotions can get, some are not worth taking up. The only way to avoid being trapped on a “bad” gaming website via the rewards is to thoroughly review the bonus conditions before signing up.

Safe and Swift Payment Options

Before signing up, it is essential to consider the payment methods available at online gambling sites in South Africa. Some things to look out for a while selecting a payment method include the following:

• Processing period: This is the time required to complete a deposit or withdrawal request. It varies from one gaming site to the other.
• Withdrawal limits: Some gaming websites limit the amount of money players can withdraw in a single transaction or over a specific period.
• Customer reviews: These provide an idea of how well these payment methods work
• Payment Method Fees: Online gambling sites almost always charge fees for using a payment method. This fee varies from site to site.
• Security: refers to the security protocols the site uses to protect its players’ funds.

3. Pick The Right Games At Online Gambling Sites

Once beginner online gamblers are assured of the site’s reputation, it is crucial to pick suitable games. That’s because the best South African gaming websites have an expansive portfolio of games available to players. But here’s the thing.

Not all of these games are suitable for beginners who are just cutting their teeth gambling online. It is essential to pick games that allow the players to build their gaming muscles. After getting the hang of these games and understanding how online gambling in South Africa works, they can move on to advanced games.

One way to go about this is to understand the odds of the games available because their chances of winning depend on the kind of games that they choose. Generally, newbies should start with games with moderate house edges.

Another way to pick suitable games is to play free games. Most of the best online gambling sites in South Africa allow beginners to play a few games for free so that they can decide whether or not to risk any money. Playing online games for free enables the newbies to study the games and develop some capability and confidence before placing real-time wagers.

The most famous and beginner-friendly casino games are slots, roulette, video poker, blackjack, and baccarat.

Slot Machines

One reason slot machines (classic slots, branded video slots, and fixed jackpot slots) are great for beginners exploring gambling sites in South Africa because they do not need experience or knowledge to master slots. Better still, South African gaming websites offer free casino games so gamers can hone their skills and master gambling strategies without fear of losing money.

A newbie gamer can start playing slot machines by initiating the basic three-reel format slot game that helps them get the hang of playing slots online. Over time, they can add additional features like multipliers and free spins.

Online slots are easy to play, and they have the potential for big winnings. The best part is that the best online gambling sites South Africa offer an impressive range of online slots with bonus rounds and several unique features. So playing online slot games is a win-win for beginner online gamblers.

Video Poker

Video poker is another great gaming option for beginners looking to start their journey into gambling online in South Africa. Players get five cards dealt and must choose how many to hold before drawing. The trick of the game is to make the best five-card poker hand possible, with winnings starting at a pair of jacks or more.

However, there are many variations (some of the more popular versions include “Let It Ride Poker” and “Texas Hold’em”) of video poker. Still, regardless of the type of video poker that a beginner opts for, they all have a low house edge. Plus, it is one of the simplest games to win on gambling sites in South Africa.

Roulette

Roulette is another online casino game found on most online gambling sites in South Africa. It is excellent for beginners because it is simple and free to play.

All a player has to do is bet on single numbers or group numbers, then spin the wheel and wait for the combination that lands on the paying line. Roulette also offers players the chance to win a considerable amount and very little in return. This makes it one of the best games for beginners to sharpen their skills when gambling online.

However, new players should not know that all roulette variations are not straightforward. Some of the roulette variants are:

• American Roulette: Comes with a wheel with 38 divisions and a double zero, which means that the odds are stacked against the player.
• European Roulette: Has 38 divisions and one zero option, giving players more chances to win.
• French Roulette: Comes with 38 divisions, one zero, and simple rules that allow players to get half of their bets when the ball doesn’t fall on the numbers they bet. For these reasons, French Roulette is arguably the best Roulette option for beginners.

Blackjack

Blackjack is popular on South African gambling websites because it is easy to learn and offers players a significant opportunity to win using the right gaming strategy. It is perfect for beginners because it is straightforward.

After a player joins the blackjack table, they have to decide if they will hit or stand. The idea of the game is for the value of the player’s hand to be as close as possible to 21 but not over it. Players who want a hit ask the dealer for a new card. Opting to stand means the player foregoes getting any card from the dealer. After the players at the table have made their choices, the dealer reveals the card, and the winner becomes the player with the value closest to 21.

A beginner online gambler can get successful at blackjack by learning how to calculate the current value of the cards on the table. Over time, they can get good at it and increase their chances of huge winnings.

Baccarat

Baccarat is yet another casino game that could work great for beginners because there is no need to have any specific information before playing.

Baccarat is about understanding which cards run between players’ and bankers’ hands. A player places a bet on a Player, Banker, or Tie. Two cards are dealt to the banker, and two are to the player. The game’s winner is the hand with a total closet of 9 wins.

It is a good choice for beginners because it has a low house edge. It is also easy to learn and has the potential for big payouts. Beginners can learn how to count the total to know when to take another card. Their chances of winning increase as they get better at reading the cards.

4. Opt-in For Bonus and Promo Codes Given by South Africa Gambling Websites

Gambling sites in South Africa use bonuses to attract beginner online gamblers and get them to start playing once they register on the online gambling site. Some of these sites offer new gamblers a signup bonus without making any financial commitments. They also often give new players a deposit bonus that matches the first amount they transfer into their accounts on the site. In other instances, the bonuses can come as a certain amount of free spins.

Bonuses and promotions are features that gamers new to the South African online gambling space can explore to enhance their gaming experience. Depending on the gaming website, these bonuses and promotions come in USD, EUR, ZAR, etc.

Owing to the number of online gambling sites in South Africa that are looking to win new gamers every day, several welcome bonuses are available for new players in South Africa. Here are some of them:

Matched First Deposit Bonus

This is the most popular welcome bonus that beginners can take advantage of. It is often credited to a new punter’s account after signing up at the site and making their first deposit. The size of this bonus mostly equals the value of the gamer’s first deposit up to an amount specified on the site. In some cases, the size of matched bonuses is 100% (that’s double the deposit made).

So, for instance, if a player claims a welcome bonus with a 100% first deposit match up to R1000, the player receives double their deposit up to a maximum of R1000. Therefore, the bonus amount depends on how much the player opts to deposit the first time. In this case, to get the maximum bonus, the player must deposit R1000 and get a total of R2000 (R1000 Deposit + R1000 Bonus) to bet on the site.

Sign Up for Free Bet

This kind of bonus is straightforward and is usually a small amount like R50, which a new player gets as soon as they successfully register an online betting account. Players who claim a Sign Up Free Bet are often required to deposit to withdraw their winnings. However, deposits are optional to get this kind of bonus.

Risk-Free Bet

This kind of promotion allows a player’s bet to be protected and their stakes refunded as a free bet in case they lose. That said, two instances can occur when claiming a Risk-Free Bet.
In the first instance, if a player loses a bet, they get up to a specified amount refunded as a free bet. In the second instance, if they win their bets, they get their payout and forfeit the bonus, even though it was never used.

As mentioned earlier, it is crucial to read the terms and conditions on South Africa gambling sites accepting any bonus offers.

5. Use The Right Payment Methods When Playing At South Africa Gambling Sites

All the best online gambling sites in South Africa offer some of the best payment methods. Players deposit and withdraw in rands, pounds, euros, or dollars, depending on the site. Here are some payment methods provided on gambling sites in South Africa:

Visa/MasterCard (Credit/Debit cards)

Credit and debit cards are convenient, quick, and easy to use. Most online casinos in South Africa only accept MasterCard and Visa.

Depositing with this payment method requires selecting the credit card option on the site’s banking page and choosing the card type (Visa or MasterCard). The player then enters the name that appears on the card, the 16-digit card number, the card expiry date, and the 3 digits printed on the card’s signature strip) and the amount they want to deposit. Withdrawals to a credit card can take up to 72 hours to clear.

EasyEFT (Bank Transfer)

This payment method is a safe and convenient, Rand-based electronic funds transfer option developed as a substitute for debit or credit cards. To use EasyEFT, players must select it from the banking options on offer, choose their South African bank and follow the instructions.

Internet Bank Transfers / EFTs (Bank Transfer)

Internet bank transfers require players to log in to their online banking apps, add the casino as a beneficiary, and make payments. This payment method may take up to 48 hours for deposits or withdrawals to clear. They are incredibly safe as the player has all the control over their bank accounts.

SID Instant EFT (Bank Transfer)

SID Instant EFT is another popular payment method that caters to South African gamers. It facilitates direct payment between players’ bank accounts and their preferred online casino accounts by providing an encrypted link. Thus it eliminates the need for a credit card.

Entropay (Virtual Credit Card)

Visa issue the Entropay as a form of virtual credit card and works the same way as a regular debit card. Upon signing up for the Entropay card, the player unlocks a virtual card with their name, a 16-digit number, an expiry date, and a CVV security number.

Funds can be added to Entropay account with a bank transfer, and players fund their South African gaming site accounts by selecting “Entropay” from the casino’s banking page and filling out the required information. Entropay payments are processed swiftly. However, it can take as much as 24 hours before the withdrawn funds reflect in the player’s account.

Skrill (E-Wallet)

Skrill is fast and easy to use. Players must have a Skrill account where they add funds using a debit or credit card before using this cash withdrawal option. To fund their casino accounts, players must select Skrill from the payment options in the casino cashier. Afterward, they can enter the amount they wish to deposit and other account info on the cashier page to complete the fund transfer.

Payments to casinos are instant, while withdrawals to Skrill accounts can take up to 24 hours to reflect.

Neteller (E-Wallet)

Neteller is another popular payment method that South African online gamblers have used for quite a while. To use this payment method, South African gamers must open a free Neteller account before adding funds to the account via other tried and trusted payment options. They then have to pick Neteller on their casino’s banking page, enter their unique Neteller ID or associated email address, and the amount they want to deposit.

EcoPayz (E-Wallet)

Although ecoPayz is a UK-based e-wallet, it can be used at online gambling sites available to South Africans. Players need to open a free ecoPayz account and add funds to the account to use this banking method.

They can then fund their gaming accounts by selecting them from the site’s cashier or banking page list and filling out the required information. Withdrawals may take up to 72 hours to clear, but payments are instant.

Final Words For Online Gambling Newbies

Although playing on online gambling sites South Africa might be daunting the first time, it can become a great experience once a beginner has mastered the ropes of online gambling. There are several tips and rules you need to succeed when gambling online, and we have laid out the essential gambling regulations and tips above, which you can start applying right now. To reap, punters must reside in a country that legalizes online gambling and choose safe and credible gambling sites. In addition, they should take their time to master the rules of each casino game. We recommend starting with slot, baccarat, and online roulette due to its simplicity. Finally, Punters must also use safe payment methods and leverage casino bonus codes to play free games.

With these crucial tips, newbie online gamers can quickly get started with online gambling while avoiding rookie mistakes. As they master each strategy and learn the intricacies of online gambling, they can start placing real money bets to win cash.