It’s one of the best South African bookies
Best betting sites in South Africa HOW WE'VE ESTIMATED SPORTPESA
3.7
Players' Rating
5.0
Bonuses
1.0
Mobile App
5.0
Odds
5.0
Payments methods
4.0
Markets Availability
2.0
Support
5.0
Advantages and disadvantages
- Excellent football betting markets
- Modern design on website
- Betgames and Lucky Numbers
- No welcome bonus
- Limited sportsbook
SportPesa reviews
Sportpesa is a betting site that was founded in 2014 although they only started their operations in South Africa in 2018. It is part of Sportpesa Holdings Limited which is a UK based company. They have built an excellent reputation overseas and there was much expectation when they reached our countries shores.
They have been largely disappointing with their promotions and limited sportsbook. The Sportpesa site in the UK and in Kenya is far more comprehensive in terms of sports and casino games compared to the local Sportpesa site. We will however review the site thoroughly so you can make up your own mind about the site.
Key Features
- Live betting
- Cash Out
- Competitive odds
Is a bookmaker legal in SA?
As mentioned before Sportpesa came into South Africa in 2018 with much expectation after their success in overseas markets. known for its innovation and local focus. The site is fully licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board ensuring it operates legally and abides by the regulations of the gambling authority. Security is a top priority with the site using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt personal and payment details. With millions of transactions processed each year, Sportpesa guarantees a safe and trustworthy betting experience for all punters.
Bonus program
This is an area that we find Sportpesa to be sadly lacking as they do not have a welcome bonus or a promotions page on their website. We then contacted the bookie directly to verify this information and we were informed that they do not have a promotions page. They do however run some promotions during major sport events like the European Championships so punters need to visit the site to view any of these offers. Sportpesa runs a Mega Football Jackpot that is a weekly competition. Here are the details of this offer.
Sportpesa Mega Jackpot 13
Players need to predict the results of all 13 of the selected football matches for the week in order to be declared the Jackpot winner. The payouts will be issued depending on the number of correct selections achieved.
- 13/13 correct predictions
- 12/13 correct predictions
- 11/13 correct predictions
- R5 is the minimum amount that can be bet.
- The cost of a permutation is calculated based on the number of selections, the number of outcomes, and the bet amount (R5).
- If there are no winners of the 13/13 Mega Jackpot guaranteed pool, there will be a carryover Jackpot the following week.
- There are a maximum number of selections allowed in each permutation. There is an upper limit of 5 trebles and doubles taken in combination.
- Once you select your predictions, a Bet slip will appear showing the predictions you have selected and the bet amount at the bottom of the bet slip.
- Note that you can edit your bets from the bet slip just to make sure that you have made the choices you want.
- If you would like to do away with the entire bet and start anew, then click on Remove All.
- Click on Place Bet to place your bet.
- A message requesting you to Confirm Your Bet will pop up at this point. You can click on Cancel and go back to your bet slip or click “OK”.
Sportpesa Mobile App
Sportpesa may lack in some areas but their mobile app is exceptional. The app offers a smooth, exciting online betting experience packed with convenient features. Its interface makes it easy for users to navigate between sports betting markets and a wide selection of Betgames and Lucky Numbers. Players can quickly check the latest odds and place their bets without hassle. The app also includes an exciting in-play betting feature, allowing users to bet on live sporting events in real time. The app is available for Android and Ios users and takes just a few minutes to download.
Line and betting options at Sportpesa
Sportpesa offers as many as 13 different sports that you can bet on and does have the extensive sportsbook that their competitors have. They do however make up for this by offering excellent odds on football in particular. Sportpesa will need to add to their current sport offerings as they don’t have Golf or Boxing which are both very popular sports in South Africa. Punters can bet on live in-play sports on the site as there are plenty of betting options for this type of betting.
Live betting
It is refreshing to see that Sportpesa has embraced the fact that Live In-Play Sports Betting is so popular as they cover matches every day. They currently focus their in-play betting on football, tennis and basketball but to be successful they will need to add other sports like rugby and cricket to their offerings. Sportpesa does have the Match Tracker feature where punters can follow their teams in real time.
Betting on Football
Sportpesa has always been highly regarded when it comes to football betting as this was their main sport from their inception. There are more than 30 national football leagues that you can bet on. They have conveniently separated the major leagues from the smaller leagues under a TOP 5 leagues tab.
You will find the local PSL, English Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga in this section. Sportpesa has in excess of 100 different betting types for each match, with this number rising even higher on match days. When we compared the football odds at Sportpesa, they are very similar to the leading betting sites which is good.
They also have in-depth coverage of major football events like the World Cup and the European Championship.
Cricket betting
Cricket betting is hugely popular around the world and it is no different in our country. Sportpesa have identified this and offer a range of betting markets for all three formats of the game. They have neatly listed the cricket highlights under a separate tab with matches from the IPL featuring here.
Sportpesa has devoted much of their cricket coverage to the T20 format which is not surprising, considering the number of T20 competitions from around the world. Some of the leagues that they cover include the IPL, Pakistan Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, and of course the SAT20.
The other formats of the game namely the Test and ODI are also covered on the site.
Betting on Rugby
The success of the Springboks winning back to back World Cups has made rugby arguably the most popular current sport in the country, if not then it is only second to football. Sportpesa has better than expected coverage of rugby betting as they have matches from the leading competitions like Super Rugby, the URC and the Champions Cup available to bet on.
They have competitive odds which can match their competitors and have various types of bets like Handicap and Total Points in the game. One aspect of their rugby betting that can improve is to have live in play betting as there is a huge market for this type of bets.
Horse Racing betting
There is currently no horse racing available on the Sportpesa which is disappointing as there are millions of punters that enjoy betting on horses. It is hoped that horse racing will be available at some time in the future.
eSports betting
After thoroughly researching the Sportpesa site, the only form of esport that we found was e-soccer. Players can bet on the GT Nations League and the Adriatic League.
Esports has really taken off in the country so Sportpesa can look at adding more esports for players.
Betgames at Sportpesa
Betgames has proven to be one of the most popular online games since its introduction in South Africa. You can now play any of the 20 games in the Betgames range available on the Sportpesa site. Some of the most played games are the following.
Lucky 5
The World Lucky 5 is an exciting lottery-style betting game that offers fast-paced action and big potential rewards. Five numbers are drawn from a set of 36 and players can place bets on various outcomes, such as the exact numbers drawn, the total sum or other combinations. You can win up to 1000 times your stake.
Dice Duel
Dice Duel is one of the newer Betgames. It is a simple and fast dice game that you can play live, any time of the day. It’s based on luck and offers many different ways to bet. Two dice are used in the game: one red and one blue. A dealer places both dice in a box, shakes them and rolls them onto a table. When the dice stop rolling, the result is shown on the left side of the screen. Each dice must land clearly on one of its sides for the result to count. The final outcome is based on the color and the number showing on each die. A new round is played every four minutes 24/7 so the action never stops.
Wheel of Fortune
The Betgames Wheel of Fortune has 19 numbers that players can bet on. When the wheel is spun, the winning number is decided by where the clapper will stop. The wheel is divided into 19 segments, numbered from 1 to 18, with the 19th segment featuring a cup and star symbol which is known as the Jackpot Number. The segments are also coloured in three categories: Red, Black and Grey. To win, the wheel must land on the exact number or segment you selected. There is only one betting round per draw, during which players can place bets on any of the available outcomes.
Skyward Crash Game
For those punters that fancy the crash games, you are in luck as Betgames also has Skyward which is one of the latest crash games. The objective of the game is to cash out your bet before the plane takes off and disappears off the screen. The game multiplier begins at 1.00 and climbs higher the longer the plane stays in flight. The higher the plane goes, the larger your potential payout.
Your winnings are calculated by multiplying your original stake by the multiplier value at the exact moment you cash out. Remember the policy of the higher the risk the higher the return. If you wait too long, you run the risk of the plane flying off and leaving you high and dry. The maximum possible payout is a jaw dropping R5 million per bet so the sky’s the limit.
Candy Coins Slot
For all of you that love playing the Slots, Betgames have recently added the Candy Coins Slot game. Candy Coins is a vibrant, candy-themed slot game that brings the sweetness of your favorite treats to every spin. It has colourful visuals and animations as it delivers an engaging and visually delightful experience. Punters can enjoy a smooth slot designed for low data usage with multiple win lines, thrilling Wilds and bonus rounds including Free Spins. Designed for fast-paced fun and frequent rewards, Candy Coins offers a burst of sugary excitement and entertainment with every play.
Lucky Numbers
Sportpesa makeup for not having a live casino by offering a full range of 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.
Sportpesa Registration
Signing up for sports betting at Sportpesa is quick and hassle-free, taking just a few minutes. You can create your account on either the desktop version or on the mobile app. Follow these easy steps to get started and become a registered Sportpesa player.
- Go to the Sportpesa website: Access the Sportpesa site using your mobile device or computer. 1
- Select ‘Register’: Click on the White Register Now button to begin creating your account. 2
- Fill in your personal information: Provide all required personal details in the registration form. 3
- Set your password and address: Choose a secure password and enter your physical address. Keep your password safe and never give it to anyone. 4
- Complete registration: You’re now ready to log in and start using your Sportpesa account. 5
How to verify your account
All new players on South African betting sites have to verify their identification and proof of residence by passing the FICA verification. All that the new player has to do is submit a copy of their ID or passport and a utility or bank statement in their name. The document must be dated within the last three months. Sportpesa has made the process of uploading these documents super easy. Simply follow this guide.
- Access your Sportpesa account by using your login details.
- Click on the Edit Account Info tab on the top right of the home page.
- Navigate to the Profile Verification section
- You can now upload your ID and proof of residence in this section
- It is easiest to upload if your documents are in PDF format.
The FICA Verification process at Sportpesa takes under a day and is usually completed within a few hours. Submission of documents on a weekend could result in delays.
Payments Methods
Sportpesa has all the most popular payment methods on their site although they do not have the variety like some of their competitors.
Making a deposit at Sportpesa
Looking at first glance at the Sportpesa deposit options, it does look very limited but this is misleading. Under the Capitec, Cards and Other tab, there are plenty of more deposit options available. Below in the table we list all the deposit options on the Sportpesa site.
| Payment Method | Minimum Deposit | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Card Transactions | R20 | Immediate to 24 hours |
| Debit Cards | R20 | Immediate to 24 hours |
| Apple Pay | R20 | Instant |
| OZOW | R10 | Instant |
| 1Voucher | R5 | Instant |
| USSD Masterpass | R50 | Instant |
Voucher deposit methods require a minimum of R10 which is why they are so popular. wEFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) deposits must start at R50.
How to make a deposit at Sportpesa ?
It is important to note the different deposit options at Sportpesa as all the options are not visible at first glance. Check the table above for the option most suitable for you and follow these steps to make your deposit.
- Complete Sportpesa Account Login: Complete your Sportpesa Login to start the deposit process. 1
- Enter LogIn details: Enter your registered mobile number and password. 2
- Deposit Tab: Click on the Brown Deposit notice at the top right of the page. 3
- Deposit method: On the deposit screen it will give you a choice of different methods of deposit. 4
- Deposit Amount: Choose an amount that you want to deposit. 5
Some of the debit card payments could take a few hours to reflect in your account.
Requesting a Withdrawal at Sportpesa
If you are looking to make a withdrawal at Sportpesa, then you will have to settle for one Instant Cash option or a bank transfer. The FNB Ewallet is the quickest way to receive your winnings and usually takes 60 minutes or less to process. The bank transfer processing time is largely dependent on the bank that you use. These are the withdrawal options at Sportpesa.
| Withdrawal Method | Minimum Withdrawal | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| EFT | R50 | Between 2-24 hours |
| FNB Ewallet | R100 | Within an hour |
How to withdraw at Sportpesa?
Withdrawing your winnings from Sportpesa is a straightforward process designed to be user-friendly even if you are new to online betting. Players must be aware that no withdrawal will be permitted until their FICA verification is passed. Follow these steps to complete your Sportpesa withdrawal.
- Login onto the Sportpesa site: Visit the official Sportpesa South Africa site. 1
- Enter username and password: Complete your Sportpesa login by clicking the login buttоn аt thе tор right соrnеr. 2
- Click Edit Account info : Click on the Edit Account Info tab on the top right of the home page. 3
- Click the Withdraw tab: Сlісk оn thе Withdrawal tab that appears on the left of the page. 4
- Method of Withdrawal: Сhооsе yоur рrеfеrrеd withdrаwаl mеthоd. 5
- Enter Amount: Drор dоwn tо thе аmоunt sрасе аnd еntеr thе аmоunt yоu wаnt tо withdraw. 6
You must pass your FICA verification before attempting to make a withdrawal.
Website usability
The Sportpesa site does not have all the frills of some other sites but its design makes it easy for players to use. There is a modern theme as you enter the site where all the offerings of the bookies are easily accessible.You have all the sports conveniently listed on the left of the home page while the Lucky Numbers and Betgames are situated in the header of the home page.
There is also a Blog where you can find all the latest sports news including previews of upcoming matches which is very handy. Punters can easily access the Results page where they can view all completed matches. The website is certainly one of the better betting platforms although the selection of sports can be increased to accommodate all punters.
Sportpesa Customer Support
This is an area that Sportpesa has certainly excelled as their customer support was exceptional on both their telephonic support and their Whatsapp line. In both cases the agent was well trained and dealt with our queries very timeously. We were a little surprised as there was no Live Chat facility but the other forms of communication more than made up for this. These are the different communication channels for Sportpesa.
- Telephone: 013 492 7773
- Email: [email protected]
- WhatsApp number: 074 00 47773
Conclusion
Sportpesa created a huge buzz when they first came into South Africa as they had an excellent reputation especially for football betting. They did not disappoint football punters as their odds were competitive and there were ample betting markets for football matches across the globe. One of the initial drawbacks of Sportpesa was that they did not have a welcome bonus. Local punters choose their betting sites mainly because of an attractive welcome bonus so Sportpesa struggled to get new players to register on their site. The problem was further amplified as they did not offer sports like Golf, Boxing and Horse Racing which has a huge following in the country.
It is hoped that these sports are added to their offerings as they have added rugby and cricket after they came into the country. One of the most pleasing aspects of Sportpesa is their mobile apps which have excellent speed and usability. Overall, we can say that despite some drawbacks Sportpesa does have some unique features like the Mega Jackpot that pays at least 3 million rands weekly so they are certainly worth joining and experiencing this site.
FAQ
Yes, Sportpesa started their operations way back 2014 but only joined the South African betting scene in 2018. They are licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board which is one of the provincial gambling authorities. This ensures that the site is fully legal.
Log into your account and click on the Edit Account Info tab. You will find the withdrawal option on the left side of this page.
You will need to first log onto your Sportpesa account and have funds for betting. 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.
Unfortunately at this stage, Sportpesa does not have a welcome bonus for new players. When this situation changes, we will inform players timeously.
Expert's Thoughts
I have been betting on most of the betting sites in South Africa over the past decade and was very intrigued when Sportpesa entered the local betting scene. The first thing that caught my attention was they seemed only focused on football and did not even offer rugby and cricket. This was a major red flag as these two sports are only behind football in terms of popularity and any site offering it would be losing out on a massive market. To Sportpesa credit they quickly added these sports but they still don’t offer live in play betting for rugby and cricket. They only offer live betting on Football, tennis and basketball. The lack of promotions on the site was a huge disappointment and no welcome bonus means they will struggle to compete with other betting sites. It is clear that Sportpesa has extensive knowledge in the online betting world as their mobile app is truly exceptional but they need to offer more promotions to attract more punters.