How We Review Betting Sites: every betting site on SA Casino Rank is reviewed through our own research. We don’t copy bonus lists or rewrite other sites’ reviews. This page explains exactly what we check and how we score each site, so you can judge our rankings for yourself.
8 things we check for every betting site
- 1SA licence
- 2Full T&Cs
- 3Deposits
- 4Withdrawals
- 5Bonus terms
- 6Mobile & apps
- 7Support
- 8Player feedback
Every review is based on our own research · 18+ only
On this page
- Step 1: We check the licence
- Step 2: We read the full terms and conditions
- Step 3: We research deposits and withdrawals
- Step 4: We read the bonus terms in full
- Step 5: We check mobile and apps
- Step 6: We check customer support
- Step 7: We check responsible gambling tools
- Step 8: We read player feedback
- How we score each site
- What we check for every site
- When we won’t list a site
- How we keep reviews up to date
- Commissions never change our scores
- Who writes our reviews
- Spotted something out of date?
Step 1: We check the licence
Before anything else, we confirm the site is licensed by a South African provincial gambling board, such as the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. We note the licence number, the board and the company that runs the site, and we show them in every review. If a site isn’t licensed in South Africa, we don’t review it or list it.
Step 2: We read the full terms and conditions
We read the site’s general terms, not just the summary. That’s where the rules on account closures, withdrawal limits, dormant accounts and disputes are.
Step 3: We research deposits and withdrawals
We check which payment methods South Africans can use, such as Ozow, EFT, card and vouchers, along with minimum amounts, fees, withdrawal limits and the published processing times. Fast, reliable payouts matter more than any bonus.
Step 4: We read the bonus terms in full
A big bonus isn’t worth much if the terms make it almost impossible to withdraw. We read the full bonus terms and explain the wagering, minimum odds, time limits and restrictions in plain language, with worked examples.
Step 5: We check mobile and apps
Most South Africans bet on their phones, so we check whether a site has Android and iPhone apps, how its mobile site works, and whether it offers data-free options.
Step 6: We check customer support
We note which support channels a site offers, such as live chat, phone, WhatsApp or email, and when they’re available.
Step 7: We check responsible gambling tools
We check whether the site offers deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and whether these are easy to find.
Step 8: We read player feedback
We read what South African players say on review sites such as Hellopeter, looking for patterns in payout delays, account problems and support complaints.
How we score each site
Each site is rated on these categories:
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Payout speed and reliability | 25% |
| Deposits and payment methods | 15% |
| Bonus value and fairness of terms | 15% |
| Betting markets and odds | 15% |
| Mobile experience | 10% |
| Customer support | 10% |
| Responsible gambling tools | 10% |
A valid South African licence isn’t part of the score. It’s a requirement. Without one, a site isn’t ranked at all.
What we check for every site
| Area | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Licence | Board, licence number, operating company and registration number |
| FICA | Which documents are asked for and how verification works |
| Deposits | Methods, minimum amounts and fees |
| Withdrawals | Methods, minimums and maximums, fees and published processing times |
| Bonus | Full terms, rollover, minimum odds, time limit, maximum win and any deposit needed to withdraw |
| Mobile | Apps, mobile site and data-free options |
| Support | Channels and opening hours |
| Responsible gambling | Which limits and exclusion tools exist, and how easy they are to find |
| Player feedback | Patterns in reviews from South African players |
When we won’t list a site
- It has no valid South African provincial licence.
- It doesn’t verify players’ age and identity.
- Players consistently report unpaid or unreasonably delayed withdrawals.
- Its bonus terms are misleading or change after you’ve claimed.
- It targets under-18s or promotes gambling as a way to make money.
If a site we list crosses one of these lines, we update the review straight away and remove it from our rankings.
How we keep reviews up to date
Bonuses, terms and payout times change. We re-check licences, bonuses and key details every month, and every review shows the date it was last checked.
Commissions never change our scores
SA Casino Rank earns a commission from some of the sites we list when you sign up through our links. This is how we pay for our research. It never affects how we score or rank a site, and we’ll always tell you about a site’s weaknesses, even if it pays us a commission. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Who writes our reviews
Our reviews are researched and written by Ruan Muller, the editor of SA Casino Rank, from Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. Read more about us and our editorial guidelines, which explain how we research, fact-check and correct our content.
Spotted something out of date?
If you notice a mistake or a change we’ve missed, please email support@sacasinorank.co.za and we’ll check it and update the review.
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive; please play responsibly. Free confidential help is available from the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008.