The Pros and Cons of In-Person vs Online Gambling in South Africa
With an estimation of over 70% of South Africans currently engaged in physical and online gambling, it’s clear that staking has always been a shared pastime of the nation. From the earliest renditions of wager games to regulated betting that started around the 1700s, the country has made a huge jump in recent years compared to the days of equestrian gambling.
Tusk Mmabatho Casino in Northern Province was established in 1977 and made history as the first land-based casino in SA. The resort’s amenities are quite substantial and include a luxury hotel, wellness spa, bar area, and golf course. The casino area currently hosts over 150 slots and an assortment of table games.
With over 40 successful land-based casinos in operation, locals and visitors can enjoy the euphoric atmosphere and nightlife that reflects the country’s natural beauty. Grand West, a subsidiary of Sun International, paid out over R1,2 million to a very lucky patron in 2020. This example shows that you don’t need to have a large selection of games to hit it big in one of SA’s brick & mortar establishments
As Real Money South African Casinos, what are some of the major differences? Is having the choice of thousands of slots a better alternative, or is there more to it? We’ll answer these questions and more as we break down the pros and cons between physical and online gambling.
The Current Gambling Landscape in South Africa
The rules that govern betting in the country have evolved alongside the push for an improved online presence and GDP. With the National Gambling Policy of 2016 currently in place, users have the responsibility of reading and understanding what’s allowed within the act of staking. While Belgium and Greece require a minimum betting age of 21, South Africans can legally gamble from 18.
Much of SA’s culture has developed around staking and that can be seen in examples like the National Lottery and equestrian betting that still continues today. It’s been recorded that more than 80% of locals play the National Lottery at least four times a month. With a total population of over 62 million, the result is a healthy income source that promotes growth in the economy. This begs the question: how is the online gambling sector faring in terms of profit?
It’s quite tough to say since locations like Montecasino in Johannesburg make a strong statement by having generated more than R11 billion in profit for 2024. For the same year, Super Group (Owner of the well-known Betway casino site) ended with a revenue of over R23 billion, more than double that of one of the best physical casinos. This is partly due to the fact that online casinos are incredibly convenient, easy to register and play games on.
What You Get from In-Person Gambling
There are many defining reasons why players still make regular trips to their favorite brick & mortar casinos. For some, being in a physical venue forms part of their identity as a gambler. Being there might also help players get into game mode and focus on all the strategies they would like to implement. Here are a couple of pros and cons of in-person betting.
Pros
- An unforgettable session filled with plenty of social interactions awaits those who play at a brick-and-mortar venue.
- Physical casinos like hosting live events with local and international musicians. Sing along, be part of the action, and make your evening a memorable one.
- In-person poker games allow you to shine with the added ability of picking out players who sport a weak poker face.
- Take advantage of all the loyalty benefits given to members and increase your points with every visit.
Cons
- While some players like making use of paper notes, it might not be the safest way to gamble since you’re always carrying cash.
- You have to drive to the casino, which is cumbersome and could lead to unexpected delays like traffic jams.
- Even at the cheapest options, food and drink at a land-based casino can at times be quite pricey.
The Online Casino Experience in South Africa
The modern flair that online gambling presents is filled with features that promote ease of use. Since its early inception in the mid-90s, which involved sports betting and basic slot titles, the online gambling scene has expanded greatly when compared to the high-quality casino sites we have today. Names like Betway and Jackpot City have already cemented themselves as respected franchises.
Pros
- Picking out the best welcome offers and signing up to use them happens in a snap and gets you straight into a gaming session.
- Get access to a bright collection of casino games made by the most popular software studios that include Pragmatic Play, Booming Games, Play’n Go, and many more.
- Flipping between desktop and mobile is easy through the web browser and allows you to continue your game from where you left off.
- Loyalty schemes through online casinos only focus on the betting aspect and do not spread incentives to other services like land-based establishments do.
Cons
- While it’s designed to be user-friendly, learning how to use modern tech just to gamble may be cumbersome to some.
- You cannot play safely unless your web browser, anti-virus, and/or casino app is updated to the latest version.
- Live dealers try to emulate the atmosphere and social interaction, however, it doesn’t compare to being in an actual venue.
How Online Gambling Offers More Flexibility for South Africans
Besides internationally supported sites, there are over 50 licensed online casinos currently running in South Africa. With so many options available, newcomers can have a tailored choice when selecting a welcome bonus. SportingBet delivers the right formula for players wanting to start slow with minimum deposits of R10. This includes having the ability to comfortably set your pace with promo offers that only require a deposit of R50 or R100 to qualify.
It’s amazing that all these features can be loaded up in the palm of your hand with a mobile phone. Surprisingly enough, most modern devices have the software and hardware needed to run online casinos without issue. This streamlined design provides the same facilities you would find on a desktop computer. Besides exclusive mobile promotions, you get additional payment options like Google Pay(Google Wallet) for Android and Apple Pay for iOS.
Which Option Offers Better Bonuses and Promotions?
Land-based casinos are usually coupled with additions like a hotel, pool area, high-class restaurants, and more. Their promotions are different from online ones and focus on giving benefits to all the different amenities they host. Brick & mortar establishments are also big on membership levels and shape their bonuses and incentives around them. Levels increase discounts you would get in restaurants, or earn free chips you can play with.
Online casinos have the huge benefit of being web or app-based and do not have to deal with additional expenses like physical venues do. Gambling sites also have the advantage of being able to push out more bonuses set at much better odds. Online casinos can facilitate daily tournaments with big prizes, generous cash back perks, and a far superior loyalty program (in terms of casino offerings) that’s designed to reward you every step of the way.
Safety, Regulation, and Trustworthiness
South Africa hosts some of the best land-based casinos, like the SiGMA award winning Sun City Resort in Rustenburg. As the winner of Best Integrated Resort for 2024, Sun City is praised for their high standards and consistency in delivering quality entertainment. Licensed and regulated under The National Gambling Board(NGB), the casino reinforces trust with fair gaming, multiple surveillance systems, emergency protocols and security guards.
Online casinos hosted on Minimum Deposit Casinos (MDC) are also managed under their respective governing bodies. With 24/7 support through channels like live chat, players can take immediate action if anything seems suspicious. This is almost a non-existent concern since licensed gambling sites operate within several layers of security, get patched regularly, and have the watchful eye of employees keeping the site running optimally.
Gambling the Way That Suits You
If you want an evening surrounded by luxury decor and social splendour, brick & mortar casinos are the way to go. Experience your favorite betting games with friends and have a drink while you’re at it. Whether you win or lose, the journey will make a great story to tell and a fond memory to keep. Best of all, your membership tier provides incentives like complimentary beverages.
Gambling sites provide an abundance of choice from games, promotions, payment methods, and more. As a business that’s fully invested in betting operations, you’ll get more opportunities to use exclusive bonuses. Slot games are also plentiful and offer additional settings like muting the sound, a feature you wouldn’t get in a land-based venue.
Grabbing poker chips after hitting a nice win on the table is an experience that can only be appreciated in person. For a quick spin without the tux, online sites take the win for their convenience. Find the most sought-after SA casinos right on MDC, an online destination for great beginnings.
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