Top Online Casino Reviews and Expert Advice 2023

One of the most critical years for online gambling in South Africa is 2004. This was when the National Gambling Act of 2004 was introduced. Simply put, online casino gambling became illegal.

The change didn't affect most online players because gambling websites from other countries kept accepting South African players. In 2014, the government prepared a draft law that would allow this activity and regulates it. However, the draft version is still not turned into a law.

Meanwhile, players in South Africa were taking advantage of the bonus offers and playing casino games in foreign online casinos. Interestingly, some started accepting deposits and bets in South African rands.

One of the best ways to stay safe is to read the terms and conditions of the online casino. If South Africa is not on the list of countries that are banned from joining the site, everything should be fine.

Once again, you can rely on this guide because it highlights the best online casinos for South African players. These are licensed websites with a strong reputation.

Online casinos would not thrive without their continuous effort to use new technology on their platforms. They were one of the first sites that included HTML, JavaScript, and Flash technology when it became available online. Also, they were the first to ditch these technologies when they became outdated. Nowadays, they use HTML5 and other modern solutions.

Furthermore, almost all gambling websites today let players try their favorite games from a web browser. In other words, there's no need to download software to get into action. Another thing that confirms our claims is the mobile-friendliness of almost all leading online casinos. These sites are available through famous mobile web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.) on tablets and smartphones powered by Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems. Some brands have developed mobile apps for a more advanced mobile experience.

AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) are two other technologies already implemented by some online casinos. In addition, live game streaming is something players can enjoy for over a decade. These high-definition streams provide an experience that gets users closer to real-life activity in brick-and-mortar casinos.

We never recommended online casinos in South Africa with limited gaming options. The best gambling websites should include dozens, if not hundreds, of titles designed and released by well-known, reliable software developers.

Video Slots

Video slots, also known as online slots, are the most played casino games. No need to get special training or learn strategies to play these games. On top of that, every player can choose from thousands of titles.

Most slots come with a standard gameboard consisting of 5 reels, 3 or 4 rows, and 10 to 30 paylines. Still, users can expect releases with different layouts and scatter pays mechanic, cluster pays mechanic, or winning wats in the place of paylines.

Multipliers, re-spins, free spins, mini-games, and reel expansion are some of the extras found in slots that contribute to their popularity. Let's not forget that most have advanced graphics, nice music, and exciting stories and themes.

Table and Card Games

Table and card games made casinos famous in the past. Today, they are still one of the most exciting games you can play in online casinos. We're talking about well-known casino games like poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, etc. We also have some less-known options like dragon tiger. The good thing is that you can find various variants of each table or card game.

Other Casino Games

Of course, the offer doesn't stop with the slots and table and card games. Modern gambling platforms have other games you can try, like live casino games streamed from unique studios, crash games, bingo, keno, sic bo, etc.

Unique Features

Even though there are many differences between different types of casino games, there are things that make them similar. Some of the unique features that often can't be found in their land-based counterparts are bringing them closer. For starters, players can launch titles with an auto-play feature. When this feature is active, the rounds are conducted automatically without the player's interference allowing them to do something else on their device.

Some games like baccarat and blackjack have a MultiHand feature. This feature allows players to wager money on more than one hand in one turn. One of the latest industry trends is providing multiplayer games that add a social dimension to this activity through live chats and interactive leaderboards.

Last but not least, we have progressive jackpots. They are usually associated with video slots, but you can also find them in other casino games. What makes these releases notable are the whopping amounts players can win.

It would be a huge mistake to create a guide to online casino reviews and ratings without mentioning the bonuses and promos that South African players can use. They act like rewards created to get new users and keep the old ones happy.

The welcome bonus is the bonus you will find most often on these sites. Every newly-registered player can grab such a bonus in most online casinos. Generally, you'll get a match deposit bonus with an upper limit. Something like a 100% match deposit bonus of up to 3,500 rands.

Even existing players can benefit from these offers. For example, they can opt for reload bonuses. Then we have free play bonuses, free spins, and no deposit bonuses. You will win bonus money without placing a deposit, thanks to no deposit deals. Furthermore, a cashback deal will help you cover a percentage of your losses daily or weekly.

Some categories of players can take advantage of bonuses tailored to their preferences. For example, mobile bonuses are designed for tablet and smartphone users. On the other hand, crypto players can count on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency bonuses available on some gambling websites.

Lastly, we should mention the bonus codes. They are unavailable on all sites, but some casinos ask users to use codes in specific places to claim bonuses. Usually, they send them in email messages, highlight them on their homepages, or share them through review websites as exclusive deals.

Every time players load a gambling website, they will see giant animated banners highlighting information about attractive bonuses, promotions, and special deals. The operators make them look irresistible. Still, players should find out how they work before using these offers.

The (bonus) terms and conditions section available on the homepage of every reliable online casino is the first place you should check. By reading the T&Cs, you will get a better picture of the value of these bonuses. For instance, you can read about the wagering requirements linked to these deals.

The wagering requirements mentioned above indicate the number of playthroughs you should conduct to make the winnings based on the bonus money cashable. Another vital piece of information is the winning limits because there's a maximum win cap set by every casino.

In addition, we have a few other things in the T&Cs and casino policies that can help you determine the value of each bonus. We're talking about game contribution to the requirements, countries excluded from bonus offers, minimum deposit limits, maximum withdrawals, timeframes, etc.