I’ve tested dozens of Esports betting sites in South Africa, and the difference between great and mediocre often comes down to a few major things, such as whether I can bet in rand or how easy it is to deposit. As a huge fan of Esports, another major factor is how deep their markets go for big games like CS2, Dota 2, and League of Legends.
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In this review, I share the five Esports betting sites that gave me the best overall experience, including strong odds, generous bonuses, and helpful support. Keep reading to see what each bookmaker does well and where they fall short, so you can save yourself some time and frustration. You’ll also get a look into Betzillion’s expert rating methodology, plus the best apps for wagering on Esports in ZA.
List of Esports Betting Sites in South Africa
Esports betting is on the rise in South Africa, and many top bookmakers have taken notice. Still, only a handful of them offer the right mix of games and features that local punters actually need. Check out Betzillon’s expert-vetted list of Esports betting sites in South Africa in the table below.
All our recommended bookmakers are licensed and safe.
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Best Esports Betting Sites in South Africa – Betzillion Review
Despite the increasing number of Esports bookies, not every platform guarantees a reliable experience wagering on your favorite games. That’s why our experts thoroughly reviewed dozens of sites to find the ones that deliver the most value for South African punters. Below, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the top five Esports sportsbooks, starting with Betwinner.
Betwinner
Betwinner stands out with its extensive markets, covering up to 14 Esports events, a selection that puts it ahead of most South African bookies. I appreciate how competitively they price their odds, especially on their biggest titles, including CS2, LoL, and Valorant.
You can expect to receive a generous welcome bonus after registering here, up to 100% on the first deposit. Plus, the bookmaker’s top-class mobile app makes it fairly simple to wager in-play on popular Esports games.
betwinner.com
PROS
CONS
PROS
Fast registration and withdrawal processing
User-friendly interface on desktop & mobile
Fast-loading betting app with in-play features
Cash out and live streaming options on many matches
Megapari is a sportsbook that catches the eye with its modern approach to Esports and crypto betting. The bookmaker’s lineup covers a wide range of niches, from combat games to sports like E-basketball and E-football.
Deposits on Megapari are fast, and there’s an option to pay using crypto, making it easy for South African bettors to jump into action. The sportsbook also offers a welcome bonus for two deposits, plus you’ll find the odds here to be sharp and competitive, especially in in-play markets.
megapari.com
PROS
CONS
PROS
Covers a variety of Esports titles
Live streaming built into the in-play section
Licensed and secure betting platform
Quick deposits using crypto and traditional methods
Paripesa is a popular choice among ZA punters because it offers a safe and enjoyable betting experience. It has a strong live betting setup, which lists plenty of in-play Esports events with fast odds updates and accurate statistics trackers.
You can make deposits instantly, while withdrawals typically clear in under 24 hours. What’s more, Paripesa delivers a generous mix of promotions to newcomers, with the 100% welcome bonus notably offering good value.
paripesa.com
PROS
CONS
PROS
Extensive live Esports market coverage
Fast deposit & withdrawal timeframes
Quick customer support response times
Generous welcome bonus and ongoing promotions
CONS
Interface can sometimes feel clunky, with too many selections
Betbeast offers a modern sportsbook with strong coverage of niche Esports championships. Their payout rates are quite impressive, hovering around 95%+ on top leagues like CS2 and LoL.
The bookmaker also operates a great mobile platform that supports both crypto and ZAR payments, so it’s easy to get involved even on the go. Customer support is available 24/7 via chat or email, though response times are not as quick when multiple games are played simultaneously.
888Starz stands out for its mobile-first design and fast-loading pages, both of which are ideal for live Esports gaming. The sportsbook’s support for both traditional fiat and crypto deposits also makes it an attractive option for younger gamers.
New bettors here can look forward to a standard 100% first deposit bonus, followed by a 50% boost awarded on the second top-up. That said, the conditions of these offers can sometimes favor more high-rolling customers, so ensure to read and understand the terms before claiming.
888starz.bet
PROS
CONS
PROS
Optimized mobile experience with quick in-play navigation
Stylish desktop & mobile interface design
Accepts both crypto and fiat banking methods
Generous welcome bonuses on two deposits
CONS
Bonus terms and conditions are relatively restrictive
Find the details you need in the comparison table below:
Casinos
In Play Mode
Live Streaming
Cash Out
Mobile Application
Bookmaker Payout
96%
96%
98%
95%
95%
Min Deposit
€1
$1
€1
€10
€1
Min Bet
€0.20
$0.10
€0.20
€0.10
Max Profit
Unlimited
€50000
Unlimited
€100000
Unlimited
Min Withdrawal
€1.50
$1.50
€1
€20
€5
Withdrawal Time
Up to 7 working days
Up to 7 working days
Up to 3 working days
Up to 5 working days
Up to 24 hours
Rating
4.7
4.7
4.5
4.4
4.3
Best Esports Games for Betting in South Africa
The Esports betting market began rising in the early 2010s and has enjoyed steady growth ever since. This is mostly supported by the increasing number of live streamed events and global tournaments. Since more and more people in South Africa are placing bets on Esports, bookmakers have responded by providing bigger markets and improved features.
CS2 (Counter‑Strike 2)
Counter‑Strike 2 is the upgraded version of CS:GO, and it remains one of the most popular Esports for betting. Players enjoy fast-paced rounds and iconic teams, leading to a compelling betting experience. Local punters love how CS2 bets can be both high-stakes and rapid-fire, especially during major ESL or PGL events.
A few popular betting lines for this game include:
Match Winner: It’s a simple and common bet on the match outcome.
Map Handicap: This wagering type is ideal for underdog spotting in a multimap series.
Total Rounds: Like with classic Over/Under betting, punters predict whether a game will go over or under a set number of rounds.
First Blood / First Kill: Many bettors consider this a thrilling micro-market bet, especially for CS2’s early action.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is one of the most popular Esports games for betting in South Africa, and its betting market has grown steadily since the early 2010s. One of the major appeals is that it’s one of the top team-focused MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) titles. This means that each game involves two teams of five competing to destroy the opponent’s Ancient – a structure at the heart of their base.
The following popular betting lines give punters plenty of ways to engage with Dota 2:
Moneyline: Like the match winner, it’s the simplest and most common market.
Map Winner & Handicap: This line allows users to bet on individual maps, often with a +1.5 advantage line.
Total Maps: These are simple wagers on whether a series will go over or under a set number of games.
First Blood/First Roshan: They are popular micro-markets on key early objectives in every Dota 2 clash.
League of Legends (Lol)
LoL is the most-watched Esports title globally. It’s also very widespread in South Africa, with several punters betting on LoL events like the LCK, LEC, LCS, MSI, and Worlds. The excitement comes from the variety of markets, which means bettors aren’t limited to just picking match winners.
Some League of Legends betting lines to look forward to include:
Map Winner: These are bets on the victor of an individual game in a series.
Total Maps (Over/Under): It allows you to predict how many games the series will last.
First Blood: This simple wager lets you call who scores the first kill during gameplay.
First Tower/First Baron: These lines allow punters to bet on which team gets early objectives.
How We Rate Esports Betting Sites in South Africa
When testing different Esports betting sites in South Africa, we don’t just look at how stylish the homepage is. While that’s definitely a factor, we also paid close attention to qualities that actually matter to South African punters, including bonus value, ease of deposits, and proper regulation. Check out two important factors we considered while rating different Esports bookies.
Bonus Programs for South African Bettors
Everyone loves a good bonus, but not all of them are worth claiming. Here are the bonus types I regularly encountered while reviewing top Esports betting sites:
No-deposit free bets, usually around R25–R50, are freebies awarded just for signing up. They are perfect if you just want to test a platform with zero risk.
Welcome offers are a common type of deposit bonus, where the sportsbook matches your first deposit by 100%, sometimes up to R1,000 or more.
Cashback offers on losing bets are not super common, but they are great when available.
Reload bonuses and loyalty points rank as the most popular rewards for regular Esports punters.
Local South African Deposit Methods
Having access to ZAR-friendly banking options is a big deal for many bettors. This is why we made sure each site on our list supports fast and secure deposit methods that South Africans actually use. Here are the most common ones I tested:
Ozow: A fast and reliable EFT method linked to your bank account.
1Voucher: A common prepaid voucher you can purchase at local stores, then redeem online.
Bank transfers: A little old school, but still widely accepted.
Airtel & M-Pesa: This is especially useful for mobile-first users or punters in neighboring regions.
Credit/debit cards: VISA and Mastercard still work just fine on most platforms.
Cryptocurrency: Many South African bettors prefer crypto payments due to their privacy and speed.
Best Esports Betting Apps in South Africa
In South Africa, Esports betting apps are more popular than websites because most punters prefer placing wagers on their phones instead of logging into a desktop. It’s a lot more convenient and allows you to bet while on the move.
During this review, I evaluated different mobile apps to see how well they handled in-play betting, live streaming, and other key features. The best apps were fast, easy to navigate, and performed well even with limited connection or slower devices. If you’re just getting started, these are some of the best-performing apps we tested for Esports betting.
Esports Betting Sites in South Africa – Betzillion Overview
The Esports betting scene is growing quickly in South Africa, and at Betzillion, we totally get the hype. The excitement of live CS2 showdowns or Dota 2 team fights makes for an enjoyable punting experience.
More importantly, many bookmakers now cover a diverse range of markets, with sharp odds, quality bonuses, and support for local-friendly payment options. As always, we recommend sticking with licensed bookmakers that have been rated highly by experts and users alike.
One final bit of advice: remember to bet smart. Use deposit limits, take breaks, and only stake what you’re okay with losing. And, if Esports betting starts to feel more stressful than enjoyable, don’t hesitate to take a step back. Best of luck with your wagers!
You can stake on widely known titles like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and League of Legends. Alternatively, titles such as FIFA, NBA 2K, and Valorant remain hugely popular among bettors.
What makes Esports betting sites better than betting on classic sports?
It all depends on your preferences, as both Esports and classic sports have their advantages. What makes Esports stand out is that games are highly unpredictable, and there are various wagering opportunities with more flexible schedules.
Are Esports betting sites legal in South Africa?
Yes, they are legal, as long as you stick to licensed platforms. The National Gambling Act allows Esports betting through sites approved by provincial gambling boards like the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board.
Tim is our betting guru. Every gaming site needs one, and Tim’s our guy. He has plenty of experience in betting online and is quite successful at it. Tim’s favorite sports are hockey, baseball, and Esports. Tim believes the latter to be the future of betting.
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