South Africa’s mobile gambling industry has experienced a boom in the last decade in part due to the increased use of smartphones in the country. The increased use of smartphones opened a flood of opportunities for mobile casino operators and sportsbooks looking to expand in South Africa.
More than 300 million Africans use smartphones in 2019, representing a market worth $15 billion. The last decade has seen a 400% increase in mobile internet subscriptions in the sub-Saharan region. And now, 5G smartphone use is on the rise across Africa.
Moreover, most of the African population is young, accounting for the rise of mobile gambling in the country. Experts estimate that Africa’s youth population will grow in the coming years, creating a consumer base of more than 200 million mobile gamblers. All these factors point to a bright future for the African online gambling industry.
Why mobile gambling skyrocketed in South Africa
Mobile casinos and sportsbooks have taken a large part of the African gambling market. According to Statista.com, Africans account for 11% of internet users worldwide. The number of Africans accessing the internet via smartphones, mobile phones and tablets is increasing as mobile devices and broadband internet subscriptions become affordable and accessible to more Africans.
The largest African gambling markets are Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. According to the Pocket Gamer Summary of 2021, gamblers wagered $290 million on mobile casino games in South Africa alone.
Here are some reasons for the growth of mobile gambling in South Africa:
South Africans like to bet: South Africa’s love for betting is the number one reason for the mobile gambling boom in the country. Betting has long been a part of South African lifestyle and culture. South Africans are not only looking for entertainment but also to earn income and support their families.
Over 50% of South Africans gamble regularly, and the rest place occasional bets. Using mobile devices to place bets on sporting events and casino games is convenient for most South Africans.
covid19 pandemic: Mobile gambling and online betting applications are experiencing a boost due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions it has placed on people around the world. Many South Africans are unemployed and confined to their homes at this time.
Young people take sports bets on their mobile devices to pass the time and earn money. During the lock, they get more time to learn betting strategies and ways to predict game results.
Betting culture: Playing online casino games, watching sporting events and betting are part of the South African lifestyle and culture. Popular sports in South Africa include horse racing, rugby, soccer, and golf, to name just a few. As the use of smartphones increased in South Africa, locals naturally began to bet and enjoy online casino games on the move.
Here are some facts and figures that show the popularity of mobile betting and mobile gambling apps in South Africa:
- 71% of adults in South Africa play mobile casino games.
- Mobile gamblers in South Africa spend 4+ hours a day on smartphones and tablets.
- Genres like sports, racing, action and adventure are popular in South Africa.
- While watching TV, more than 50% of South Africans play games.
How to choose a South African mobile gambling site
You don’t have to choose your own mobile casino in South Africa, because our experts have selected the best mobile casinos in South Africa. We recommend that you choose a mobile casino from the full list.
Here are some criteria to consider when choosing a mobile casino in South Africa:
Games and software: Enter a mobile casino that includes a Sportsbook and offers games from a variety of software providers.
Security and safety: Play only in licensed online casinos because they use the latest digital encryption technology and implement the latest anti-fraud measures to keep the mobile gambling environment safe and secure.
Online reputation: Discuss mobile casino with players on social networking sites and online gambling forums to find out what other players think about it.
Bonuses and promotions: Registering in a mobile casino offers big bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements, lucrative promotions and tournaments with big prize pools.
Customer support: Make sure the mobile casino has 24/7 support and free telephone support for South African players.
South Africa’s mobile gaming industry – challenges
While South Africa’s mobile gaming industry has seen bright futures, it also faces a number of challenges that could hinder growth.
In the first place, most South African gamblers do not have the latest smartphones. Many are still using Android Edge, 2G, and 3G phones which slow down the game speed and cause frustration.
Operators must consider factors such as low internet speed if they want to provide South African players with a good mobile gaming experience with increased user engagement.
Conclusion – start playing on the move now
SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za is one of the top South African online gambling site guides. We went online in 2003, and today, we are among the largest and most reputable online guides for online and mobile casino games and sports betting.
Our website and its content are designed for South African players. We recommend most online casinos and mobile casinos that support playing in ZAR, offer exclusive free casino no deposit and accept deposits through South African banking methods.
If you are looking for the best South African mobile casino or mobile betting app for 2023, your search ends here. We use a 10-step evaluation procedure to vet and rank South African mobile casinos and Sportsbooks. We list only the best mobile casinos.
In addition to listing casinos and mobile apps, we review and rate them. You will find comprehensive, unbiased and honest South African mobile casino reviews. Don’t waste time looking for South African Mobile Casinos on your own. Allow our team of qualified experts to guide you to the best mobile casinos 2022. For a full list of approved casinos, visit https://www.southafricancasinos.co.za/online-casinos/casino-list.html
South African mobile casino FAQs
Q: Is online gambling legal in South Africa?
There are many types of online gambling options available to South African players. According to South African gambling laws, online casinos are not allowed to be located within South African borders. However, most mobile casinos are located offshore and millions of players frequent this site every month without worry. Read more about South African Online Gambling Laws.
Q: Can I play in online casinos in rands (ZAR)?
A: Yes you can. Playing in rands means you avoid expensive conversion fees. You play in a currency you know and you can make deposits and withdraw funds without any hassle.