It’s one of the best South African bookies
Best betting sites in SA HOW WE'VE ESTIMATED FIRSTBET
4.0
Players' Rating
4.4
Bonuses
3.0
Mobile App
4.0
Odds
5.0
Payments methods
5.0
Markets Availability
3.0
Support
4.0
Advantages and disadvantages
- R1 000 welcome bonus
- Early Cashout
- Android App
- No Live Streaming
Firstbet reviews
FirstBet, like many other betting sites, started their operations in 2016 with retail shops. They opened their first retail store in Cape Town and quickly found success, opening 15 more shops across the Western Cape and Gauteng. Firstbet then moved onto the online betting world with a world class site that has everything a punter could desire. There is a comprehensive selection of sports and casino games as well as Virtual games.
Firstbet offers new players a fantastic R1 000 welcome bonus which is easy to claim upon registration. The site has been designed to suit the local punter as it has all the favourites like Betgames and Lucky Numbers.
Key Features
- Multibet Odds boost
- Extensive range of sports and casino
- Sports Stat Centre
- Live Match Tracker
Is a bookmaker legal in SA
In the last decade, Firstbet has become known by punters as a reliable and honest bookie that honours all their promotions. They are licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board which is one of the gaming authorities in the country. This ensures that you are gambling on a safe platform and if you are unhappy with something you can contact the gambling board for assistance. All your personal information is protected by firewalls and the latest encryption software.
Bonus Program
South Africans punters love bonuses and promotions, Firstbet obviously did their research as they have enough great offers to keep all players happy. Online casinos have grown in leaps and bounds recently which has seen Firstbet offer sports and casino bonuses. There are plenty of Free Spin bonuses being offered daily on the site as well as sports promotions like the One Leg Out Refund and Odds Booster. We have identified the most popular promotions on the Firstbet site and listed them below along with the terms and conditions.
Welcome Bonus
First has excellent welcome package that comprises of a R1 000 deposit match and 50 Free Spins on Gates of Olympus. As with all welcome bonuses, it is important to be aware of the terms of the offer so you don’t run the risk of forfeiting the bonus.
- The value of the first deposit with FirstBet must be either R50 or more than that to qualify for the First deposit match.
- A customer who qualifies will automatically receive a matching bonus of 100% of the first deposit that they make, which can be a maximum of R1 000.00. For example, if the customer makes a deposit of R500.00 they will receive an equal bonus of R500.00.
- The customer can only withdraw the winnings from the matching bonus only when they wager an matching bonus received at least 3 times before they withdraw winnings.
- For example, the bonus funds will be transferred to the cash wallet if the deposit amount is R800.00 and receives a matching amount of R800.00 the customer will need to wager at least 3 times (R2 400) before the funds can be transferred to the cash wallet.
- Only if the bets that are placed at the total odds of 2.2 or greater will be counted towards the 3 times wagering requirement. The minimum odds per bet leg in a multibet that is allowed are 1.5.
- The maximum amount that you can win per bet in the bonus wallet is R3,000.00.
- Once the customer has done their first deposit that amount will remain in the cash wallet and the matching bonus amount will go to the bonus wallet
- The matching bonus can be used for various bets like sports, horse racing and numbers bets.
- Once the customer has made the deposit and he is provided with the matching bonus however if the customer does not meet the wagering requirement within the 7 days of the date that the bonus is provided to the customer, the whole bonus is forfeited by the customer.
One Leg Out Promotion
The worst feeling for any punter is one your multi bet loses by a single leg. Firstbet will soften the blow with their One Leg Out promotion. You can now receive your stake back times 10 if your accumulator misses by one leg. These are the rules of this offer.
- The One Leg Out Bonus only applies to accumulator sports bets with 7 or more selections, in all the games just 1 of the leg is resulted as a loss.
- The One Leg Out Bonus is only applicable to the bets that are made using the funds in the Cash Wallet, if the bets were made using a bonus or Promo Wallet then it will not be valid.
- The bonus is only applicable to the bets made on Sports Bets.
- For the One Leg Out Bonus only legs with odds of 1.3 or higher will be counted.
- The One Leg Out Bonus does not apply to any live in play or outright sports bets; it will only be applicable to pre-match Sports bets.
- Only valid resulted games will be counted towards the One Leg Out Bonus, in any leg if the game is scratched out or invalid would not count in the multiple bet.
The below mentioned table shows the calculation of the stake multiplier for the bonus
| # OF LEGS | Stake Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 7 | 0.5 |
| 8-12 | 1 |
| 13-16 | 2 |
| 17-20 | 4 |
| 21-25 | 6 |
| 26-29 | 8 |
| 30+ | 10 |
Multi Bet Boost
If you fancy a wager on a multi bet then Firstbet has a great promotion for you. They will give you an odds boost on all multi bets with two selections or more. The maximum odds boost is 150% for bets with 50 selections.
- The Multi Bets bonus does not apply to the bets that are made using the Bonus or Promo wallet; it only applies to the bets made using the Cash Wallet.
- Sports Bets is the only place where the bonus is applied
- To qualify for the Multi Bet Bonus only legs with odds of 1.2 or higher will qualify.
- The Multi Bet Bonus does not apply to any live in play or outright sports bets, it only applies to pre match sports bets.
- Of all the bets that you put towards Multi Bet Bonus only resulted bets will count, if a bet in a multiple bet that is scratched or invalid will not count towards the bonus.
Line and betting options at Firstbet
If you are looking for a betting site that has a plethora of sports and offers competitive odds, then Firstbet is for you. Firstbet sports betting has over 30 sports that you can bet on, making it one of the larger sportsbooks on the market. Firstbet has amazing coverage of all the popular sports like football, rugby, cricket and tennis. If you fancy some of the other smaller sports like biathlon and ice hockey, you will also find betting markets for them on the site.
Live betting
Firstbet have certainly pounced on the popularity of the live in play betting craze as they have in excess of 100 matches per day that they offer on their live betting section. You can bet on live betting on their main site or you can use the mobile app to place bets.
Firstbet also has the Live Match Tracker feature on all their live in play matches meaning you can follow the action in real time. One of the features of the site is that there is live in play betting available on a variety of sports not only on the so called major sports only.
Football betting at Firstbet
Football betting reaches new heights on the Firstbet site as they have close to a thousand football betting markets on any given day. There are football leagues from every conceivable part of the globe including Vietnam and Iceland that punters can bet on. Each match has hundreds of betting options where you can bet on every possible match event including the number of corners in a game or which player will be the first or last goal scorer.
The most comprehensive betting markets are reserved for the major leagues like the English Premiership, La Liga and Serie A. On the local front the PSL has a massive following with Firstbet offering loads of betting options at very competitive odds. There are also all the big competitions like the Nedbank Cup that you can bet on. Players that take football accumulators can take advantage of the Firstbet Odds Boost promotion.
Rugby betting at Firstbet
Rugby betting began in South Africa around 2014 and was initially not very popular as there were limited betting options on each match. All this changed drastically a few years later when more markets like handicap betting and anytime try scorer bets were introduced.
Firstbet is one of the better rugby betting sites we have encountered as they have a comprehensive selection of events from all over Europe, Australia and of course all the local competitions. There are over a hundred different match events that you can bet on in a single game.
Rugby following in the country has never been higher following on the Springboks winning back to back World Cups so having extensive rugby betting is a great boost for Firstbet. They also cover all the international tournaments as well as the Seven Series Tour. if you love rugby, then Firstbet is for you.
Cricket betting
South Africa has always had a rich cricket heritage with the country producing the likes of Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards during the apartheid days. Today, cricket betting has reached fever pitch because of the T20 format of the game. Firstbet has an excellent selection of cricket matches from the Test, ODI and of course the T20 format.
Their live betting coverage means that punters can literally place a bet on the outcome of every delivery. There are betting markets from all the major leagues like the IPL, CPL, BBL and the SAT20. If you still fancy Test and ODI cricket, then you can find plenty of betting markets for these formats too.
Horse Racing betting
Horse racing punters have taken to online betting in recent years compared to the past when they preferred retail betting shops. Firstbet has done a great job of offering horse racing betting markets on races from all over the world. Punters can now bet on horse racing from the comfort of their homes and even get exclusive promotional offers for the big events like the July handicap. Your Firstbet welcome bonus can also be used to bet on horse racing.
Casino at Firstbet
Online casino gambling has skyrocketed in South Africa since 2020 which has seen all the leading betting sites launch extensive casinos. Firstbet casino has one of the best online casino sites as they have hundreds of slots and table games which includes live dealers. The games give you the feel of a real casino without all the delays which is awesome. All your favorites games from Roulette to Blackjack and Poker can be played on the Firstbet main site or on the mobile app. These are the games listed as most popular on the site.
Lightning Roulette
Roulette has always been one of the most popular games at real life casinos and its popularity was again evident at online casinos but now there is a variation of the traditional game called Lightning Roulette. In this version of the game there are three or four special Lightning Numbers drawn before the wheel is spun. If the ball lands on one of these numbers the player can win anywhere between 50 and 500 times their stake amount. The potential to win big is what makes this game so popular.
Aviator
Aviator continues leaving a massive mark in the world of online gaming and remains a firm favorite among punters. On the FirstBet site it consistently ranks as one of the top games. What makes Aviator stand out is its simple, user-friendly gameplay that appeals to both beginners and experienced punters. The excitement builds as players watch the plane soar, trying to cash out at just the right moment before it flies away. Players can win up to 100 000 times their stake amount which is truly incredible.
Dream Catcher
Dream Catcher is another exciting game currently listed under the Hot Category of games on the Firstbet site. This game is very similar to the TV show with the same and features a large, vertically mounted spinning wheel that adds a unique and interactive twist to traditional betting. The wheel is divided into 54 segments—52 of these are numbered, while the remaining two are special multiplier segments. Players simply place their bets on the number they believe the wheel will stop on. If the wheel’s clapper lands on the number you selected, you win. The addition of the Multiplier segments adds extra thrill as landing on one can boost potential payouts significantly.
Gates of Olympus 1000
The exciting Gates of Olympus 1000 game promises thrill a minute gameplay and the potential for huge wins as you join the search for crowns and golden goblets. The aim of the game is to match eight symbols, this can be across any of the grids. You can win anywhere between 2 and 1000 times your stake.
Lucky Numbers
Firstbet has one of the most in depth markets of the ever popular Lucky Numbers. There are hundreds of Lotto draws from around the world that you can bet on every day. The draws are taking place every few hours so you are never far away from the action. The most popular draws are the UK Lotto which has a Lunchtime and TeaTime draw daily. The SA Lotto is of course very famous with local players. There is potential to win huge payouts which is why Lucky Numbers is so popular.
Firstbet Registration
The first step to enjoy all the benefits of the Firstbet site is to complete your registration. You can register on the main site or on the mobile app for further convenience. To make the process hassle free and easy, please have all your personal information on hand. We have designed a guide to assist you with your registration.
- Go to the official Firstbet site :Visit the Firstbet site from the app or your computer. 1
- Click on Join: The first step is to click on the Black Join button. 2
- Fill in all the required fields: Complete the registration form by filling in all the required fields. Make certain not to leave any section incomplete. 3
- Choose a password: Choose a password that you will not forget and never share this password with anyone. 4
You are now ready to complete your Firstbet login
How to verify your account
All licensed betting sites in South Africa are legally required to conduct FICA verification for every new player who registers. This process is required by the government to help combat illegal activities such as fraud, identity theft and money laundering. You will need to submit a clear copy of your ID or passport along with a recent proof of residence. The proof of address document must be no older than three months and can include items like a utility bill, bank statement or any official letter showing your residential address. It’s important to note that you won’t be able to make any withdrawals from your betting account until the FICA verification is successfully completed.
These are the steps to follow to complete your FICA verification on the Firstbet site.
- Lon onto your Firstbet account
- Click on the Account tab on the home page
- Click on the My Information tab
- Choose the Verification tab
- You can now upload your ID copy and proof of residence on this page
The FICA verification is usually a quick process at Firstbet and takes just a few hours.
Payments Methods
If you are looking to fund your Firstbet account, there are a plethora of options available to you. Most of the options instantly reflect in your account but we will discuss the processing times for each deposit method later in this review.
Making a deposit at Firstbet
Firstbet shows it can compete with any of the leading betting sites with its payment options. All the most popular options such as OZOW and the various voucher methods are available on the site. The table below shows the available deposit methods at Firstbet and how long each one takes to process.
| Payment Method | Minimum Deposit | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| OZOW | R10 | Instant |
| SID Payments | R20 | Instant |
| 1Voucher | R5 | Instant |
| Card Transactions | R20 | Immediate to 24 hours |
| Debit Cards | R20 | Immediate to 24 hours |
| OTT Vouchers | R5 | Instant |
| Easy Load | R10 | Instant |
| Wallet Doc | R50 | Instant |
The majority of the deposit options at Firstbet are instantly reflected in your betting account although some debit cards may take up to 24 hours to reflect in your account. The most convenient method is OZOW if you have a banking app or else the voucher method is most simple.
How to make a deposit at Firstbet?
Once you have decided which option you will like to use to fund your account, simply follow this guide to make your deposit.
- Go to the official Firstbet website: Go to the Firstbet South Africa official site to start 1
- Locate the Firstbet login: Click on the Firstbet Login button on the right of the screen. 2
- Locate Blue deposit Tab: Click on the Blue Deposit tab at the top of the page. 3
- Choose Deposit method: You will be directed to the deposit page. Choose the method that best suits you. 4
- Enter Deposit Amount: Enter the amount that you would like to deposit. 5
Requesting a Withdrawal at Firstbet
Firstbet provides punters with several easy ways to withdraw their winnings. The quickest option is Instant Cash which lets you get your winnings in under an hour. Bank transfers are also available but they can take a few hours to process. If you request a withdrawal over the weekend, it might take up to 24 hours. Below is a list of the withdrawal methods available at Firstbet.
| Withdrawal Method | Minimum Withdrawal | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| EFT | R50 | Between 2-24 hours |
| STD Bank Instant Cash | R100 | Within an hour |
| FNB Ewallet | R100 | Within an hour |
How to withdraw at Firstbet?
One of the most frustrating things about a new bookie is when they have a complicated withdrawal process. We can confidently say that you will not experience any difficulty in processing a withdrawal at Firstbet. The most important consideration when making your first withdrawal is to make certain that all wagering requirements related to the welcome bonus are fulfilled. This is our withdrawal guide to help you.
- Log onto the official Firstbet site: Visit the Firstbet site from your PC or the mobile app. 1
- Enter login credentials: Enter your username and password to gain entry into your Firstbet account. 2
- Click on Account Icon : Оnсе yоu аrе logged in tо yоur Firsbet ассоunt, gо tо My Account icon on the top right of the page 3
- Click on Transactions: Select the transactions button from the drop-down menu. 4
- Select Method of Withdrawal: Choose if you would like to use the bank transfer or Instant Cash method. 5
- Enter Amount: Enter the amount you would like to withdraw. 6
No withdrawals will be permitted until you pass your FICA verification.
Website usability
The Firstbet site will grab your attention the moment you log on with its blue and black theme. The home page is driven towards their online casino as the progressive jackpot of the different games are running through on the header of the page. There are tabs on the top of the page that have all the offerings of the bookie from sports, Betgames, Lucky Numbers and even Virtual Games.
The sports page has all the sports listed on the left side of the page while the major sports like football, rugby and tennis can also be accessed from tabs in the centre of the page. The overall design of the Firstbet site is excellent and is one of the more appealing websites on the South African betting scene.
Firstbet Customer Support
The Firstbet customer support was friendly and efficient on their Live Chat and telephonic support. On both occasions we were assisted with agents that were knowledgeable and answered our queries within minutes. If we could fault Firstbet with regards to their customer support, it is because they have limited hours. Agents are only available from 8.30am to 6pm. This can be frustrating if you encounter a problem outside of these hours. We recommend viewing their FAQ page as this could help. These are the contact details for Firstbet customer service
- Telephone 021 300 6856
- Email: [email protected]
- Live chat on the site
- WhatsApp: 068 323 3139
Conclusion
The Firstbet site covers all bases with regards to being a site that punters will enjoy. They have an easy to claim welcome bonus of R1 000 which has very low wagering requirements which is great. There are also a host of other promotions for sport and casino. An area that was most impressive was Firstbet offerings which included sports, casino games, Betgames, Lucky Numbers and even Virtual Sports. Players can use the Firstbet mobile app which is fantastic although the app is currently only compatible on Android devices. The odds on all the major sports were also impressive with the Odds Booster on multi bets the real icing on the proverbial cake. Firstbet is among the very best of the newer betting sites in South Africa with their popularity set to grow as more punters join this site. We will gladly recommend any punter, new or experienced, to complete your Firstbet sign up today.
FAQ
Yes, Firstbet is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board which is one of the provincial gambling authorities in the country. In order for a betting site to receive this licence they have to pass a stringent quality control process so you can be certain that the site is fully legal and all your personal information is safe.
The withdrawal process at Firstbet takes just a minute. Click on the Account icon and select Transactions from the list. You will then click on the Withdraw option on the left side of the page.
You will need to first log onto your Firstbet and fund your account. Select the sport and then the teams you want to wager on. Enter a stake amount and click on the submit button to place your bet.
You will see how much is in your Bonus account before placing your bet. Select the Bonus Account option when placing your bet.
Expert's Thoughts
I am not very often surprised by a betting site as I have personally used most of the sites in South Africa but the Firstbet site was a very pleasant surprise. It was my first experience using the site and I honestly could not find too many negatives except for the fact that they don't have an iOS app. This was more an observation rather than a con as their mobile version worked perfectly on my iOS device. Firstbet has an easy to claim welcome bonus with the best part being the 3 times wagering requirement which is arguably the lowest on the market. They also offer a host of other great promotions for sports and casino punters. There is a superb range of sports available on the site, not to mention one of the best selection of casino games featuring slots, tables and crash games. I have no doubt in recommending you to register and try out the Firstbet site if you are looking for a complete bookie.