A quick Google search for ‘Best Online Casinos’ sends you on a wild goose chase to literally thousands of sites. They all claim to have the secret to finding the ultimate online casinos out there and all you have to do is click and play. We’re here to burst that bubble. Just because online casinos claim to be the best, it doesn’t mean that they are the best. There is so much that determines the standard of a good online casino and there is so much that you need to take into account – software providers, bonuses, promotions, banking methods, safety, games, and much, much more.
So, with so many online casinos out there, are you expected to visit each and every site to find the very best ones? Clearly that would be an impossible task. But here’s the good news. We’ve done all the hard graft for you and found what we consider to be the best online casinos for South African players. We make absolutely no apologies for having one of the toughest sets of criteria in the business when looking to add an online casino to our list of reviewed and rated sites. Our logic is simple: With so many online casinos out there, there is no reason whatsoever that South Africans need to compromise on a safe, unique, entertaining and rewarding gaming experience.
You know what they say about one man’s treasure being another one’s poison? The same can be said about online casinos. For the guy sitting in Lisbon, an online casino that offers him the opportunity to pay in Euros and enjoy customer support in Portuguese, is a great find. But it would be a lame choice for South African players.
South Africans need online casinos that are tailored exactly for their particular needs. We’re not saying that the best South African online casinos are those that are exclusively SA-facing. What we are saying is that the site has to offer the minimum to make South Africans feel comfortable – payment in ZAR, SA-friendly banking methods, customer support that’s reachable during local hours, English support and so on.
After we determine that an online casino is suitable for the South African market, we look at other criteria – the games offered, the privacy and safety standards and more.
Once it is clear that the online casino is potentially a great choice for South African players, we start going down a list of must-haves at online casino. It’s no use if the site takes ZAR but withdrawals take weeks. Nor is it a good choice if the bonuses are generous but it would take forever to meet the wagering requirements.
We have compiled a list of the best online casinos that we are proud of, based on our strict criteria so that you have nothing less than a safe, rewarding and highly entertaining gaming experience.
So, which questions do we ask?
Is the software company a reputable one (such as Playtech, Realtime Gaming or NetEnt?) Besides the cool visuals and design, do the games function well? Do they offer a good range of bonus features that are hit relatively regularly for the chance to win as well? Are there other games besides the fantastic slots on offer so that table game and video poker fans are well catered for? Do the betting limits suit all types of players – from newbie amateurs looking to play with just a few Rands to experienced highrollers and VIP online casino players?
Does the online casino do everything in its power to make sure that the player’s private and financial information is always kept safe and secure? Does the online casino use the last word in online security features to keep away spammers and online fraudsters? Can players enjoy their sessions with complete peace of mind?
Is the welcome bonus a generous one? Does it stand out from other online casinos by incorporating other features (such as match bonuses AND free spins)? Are players who return to the gaming platform kept rewarded through loyalty points, VIP programs, Game of the Month offers and cashback bonuses? Are the wagering conditions of all the rewards understandable, fair and achievable?
Are players made to feel welcome at the site? Is the customer support team skilled, polite and willing to assist at all times? Can customer support be reached at all hours of the day and night, 365 days a year? Is there a comprehensive FAQ section for players to find answers to their most common questions quickly?
Is there a range of methods that suits all types of South African gamblers, from credit and debit card users to those who prefer using ewallets? Are their any hidden fees linked to deposit methods that players should be made aware of? Are the withdrawal methods safe and discreet? Are players expected to go through the hoops every time they want to withdraw their money? On the other hand, is the withdrawal process secure enough?
Our promise to you is that we will not add a gaming site to our list of Best Online Casinos unless we feel that it meets our highest levels of standard!
Yes, generally you can have more than one method with which to deposit funds and withdraw your winnings. A rule of thumb at the majority of online casinos is that you have to withdraw your money using the same method that you deposited with. You can’t, for example, deposit with a credit card and request withdrawal to an e-wallet.
Online casinos will sometimes offer you free casino money to play with before making a deposit. You can use the free casino cash to play at the casino and you can even win real money. Before you ask to withdraw the winnings, however, you need to meet the wagering requirements which usually include a maximum withdrawal amount.
The best online casinos are those that offer you a wide range of games that you can play for free or for real money. Most online casinos carry a huge number of online slots, including slot games – from classic 3 reel slots the latest in video slots. You can also play progressive jackpot slot games that offer prizes amounting to literally millions of Rands! A good online casino has a great range of card and table games, including Roulette, Blackjack, Craps and Baccarat. Look out for different variations of video poker, including multi hand video poker. For quick, instant games try keno, scratch cards and online bingo.