South Africa’s mobile gaming industry has experienced a boost in the last decade, partly due to the increased use of smartphones in the country. The increased use of smartphones opened a floodgate of opportunity for mobile casino and sports betting operators looking to expand in South Africa.
More than 300 million Africans used smartphones in 2019, representing a market valued at $15 billion. The last decade saw a 400% increase in mobile internet subscriptions in the sub-Saharan region. And today, the use of 5G smartphones is on the rise across Africa.
Furthermore, the majority of the African population is young, which explains the rise of mobile games in the country. Experts estimate that the population of young Africans will grow in the coming years, creating a consumer base that exceeds 200 million mobile gamers. All these factors indicate a bright future for the African online gambling industry.
Why mobile gambling skyrocketed in South Africa
Mobile casinos and sportsbooks have already captured a large part of the African gambling market. According to Statista.com, Africans make up 11% of Internet users worldwide. The number of Africans accessing the internet via smartphones, mobile phones and tablets is increasing as mobile devices and broadband internet subscriptions are becoming affordable and accessible to many more Africans.
The largest African gambling markets are Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. According to Pocket Gamer’s 2021 overview, players wagered $290 million on mobile casino games in South Africa alone.
Here are some of the reasons for the growth of mobile gambling in South Africa:
South Africans love to gamble: The South African love of gambling is the number one reason for the rise of mobile gambling in the country. Gambling has long been a part of the South African lifestyle and culture. South Africans are not just about entertainment but also about generating income and supporting their families.
More than 50% of South Africans gamble regularly and the rest place occasional bets. Using mobile devices to place bets on sporting events and casino games is convenient for most South Africans.
COVID-19 pandemic: Online betting and mobile gambling apps experienced a boost due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions it placed on people around the world. Many South Africans found themselves unemployed and restricted to their homes during this time.
Young people turned to sports betting on their mobile devices to pass the time and win some money. During lockdowns, they had more time to learn betting strategies and ways to predict game outcomes.
Betting culture: Playing casino games online, watching and betting on sporting events is part of the South African lifestyle and culture. Popular sports in South Africa include horse racing, rugby union, soccer, and golf, to name just a few. When the use of smartphones increased in South Africa, the locals naturally began to gamble and enjoy online casino games while on the go.
Here are some facts and figures indicating the growing popularity of mobile gambling apps and mobile gambling in South Africa:
- 71% of adults in South Africa play mobile casino games.
- Mobile gamers in South Africa spend more than 4 hours per day on their smartphones and tablets.
- Genres like sports, racing, action, and adventure are popular in South Africa.
- While they watch TV, more than 50% of South Africans play games.
How To Choose South Africa Mobile Gambling Sites
You don’t have to choose mobile casinos in South Africa on your own, because our experts have already chosen the best mobile casinos in South Africa. We recommend that you select a mobile casino from our exhaustive list.
Here are some criteria to consider when choosing mobile casinos in South Africa:
Games and software: Sign up to mobile casinos that include a sportsbook and offer games from various software providers.
Protection and security: Play only at licensed online casinos because they use the latest digital encryption technology and implement the latest anti-fraud measures to maintain a safe and secure mobile gaming environment.
Online reputation: Discuss mobile casino with your existing players on social networking sites and online gambling forums to find out what other players think about it.
Bonuses and promotions: Sign up for mobile casinos that offer great bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements, lucrative promotions and tournaments with big prizes.
Customer Support: Check if the mobile casino has 24/7 live support and free phone support for South African players.
South African Mobile Gaming Industry: Challenges
While the South African mobile gaming industry has a bright future, it also faces some challenges that may hinder its growth.
First of all, most of the South African gamers do not have the latest smartphones. Many still use Android Edge, 2G and 3G phones which slow down gaming speeds and lead to frustration.
Operators need to consider factors such as slow internet speeds if they want to provide South African players with a good mobile gaming experience with increased user engagement.
Conclusion: start gaming on the go now
SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za is one of the best online gambling site guides in South Africa. We started online in 2003, and today, we are among the largest and most reputable online guides for online and mobile casino gaming and sports betting.
Our website and its content are designed for South African players. We recommend the best online casinos and mobile casinos that support ZAR gaming, offer exclusive no deposit free casino and accept deposits via South African banking methods.
If you are looking for the best South African mobile casino or mobile gambling app for 2023, your search ends here. We use a 10-step evaluation procedure to review and rank mobile casinos and sportsbooks in South Africa. We list only the best mobile casinos.
In addition to listing mobile casinos and apps, we review and rate them. You will find our South Africa mobile casino reviews to be thorough, unbiased and honest. Don’t waste time searching for South African mobile casinos on your own. Let our qualified team of experts guide you to the best mobile casinos of 2022. For a full list of their approved casinos, visit https://www.southafricancasinos.co.za/online-casinos/casino-list.html
South Africa Mobile Casino FAQ
Q: Is online gambling legal in South Africa?
There are many types of online betting options available to South African players. In accordance with South African gambling legislation, online casinos are not allowed to be located within the borders of South Africa. However, most of the mobile casinos are located abroad and millions of players frequent these sites every month without worry. Read more about South Africa’s Online Gambling Act.
Q: Can I play at online casinos in rand (ZAR)?
A: Yes, you can. Playing in rand means you avoid expensive conversion fees. You play in a currency you are familiar with and can deposit and withdraw your funds without any hassle.
