All you need to know about: Mobile Betting
Fancy a punt? Sports betting is hugely popular in South Africa, and it's all about predicting sports event outcomes. While many sports draw bets, football (soccer) reigns supreme for SA punters.
Leading online betting sites now offer slick mobile platforms. Mobile sports betting lets you wager on your favourite sports events using your smartphone or tablet – anytime, anywhere.
The majority of sports betting sites are mobile-friendly, meaning more and more SA players can enjoy placing bets on their Android or iOS devices from the comfort of their homes or while on the go. Find top South African sports betting sites, compare odds, claim exclusive bonuses, and get the inside track on secure, licensed mobile wagering.
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Mobile vs. Regular Sports Betting: Key Differences for South African Bettors
You'll notice several differences when switching from a desktop sports betting site to its mobile counterpart. Don't mistake mobile betting sites as secondary, though. Both versions are optimised for the device you're using, ensuring a seamless experience for South African players.
Here are the main areas where you can expect to see the biggest differences:
- User Interface: Designed for computer screens, the desktop version of a sports betting site often includes more features and can be simpler to navigate.
- Special Features: Some advanced features available on desktop might be streamlined or absent on mobile versions due to processing power limitations.
- Button/Text Size: Naturally, buttons and text are scaled down on mobile devices compared to their desktop counterparts for a better fit.
Top Sports to Bet on from Your Mobile in South Africa
Finding a mobile sports game to bet on in [%.:year] is easy, as nearly every sports betting site offers a mobile version. Here are some of the best mobile sports to bet on.
Football Betting
Football, or soccer as it's also known, is likely the first sport that comes to mind when thinking about betting. It's the most popular sport globally and is played year-round.
With major tournaments like the recent Euro Cup and ongoing seasons for the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and the Bundesliga, betting on football matches remains as exciting as ever.
Basketball Betting
Basketball secures the second spot on our list, recognised as the second most popular sport for betting globally. Despite being a relatively new sport, invented in 1891, it has quickly become a favourite for bettors.
Billions of Rands are wagered on the NBA alone each year. This figure swells significantly when considering major tournaments like the NCAA basketball tournament, famously known as March Madness.
Baseball Betting
Often called "America's Pastime," baseball is a deeply cherished sport, especially in the United States. Invented around the 1840s, it has a long-standing tradition. The premier baseball league globally is Major League Baseball (MLB), comprising 30 teams from the US and one from Canada.
Bets can be placed on numerous Major League Baseball games, with each team typically playing 162 matches in a regular season.
Horse Racing Betting
Horse racing is often called the "sport of kings" and involves jockeys riding horses over a set distance. While other animal races exist, horses are the undisputed leaders in the betting world.
It's rare to find a mobile sportsbook today that doesn't offer horse racing for betting.
Understanding Mobile Sports Betting Odds for South African Players
Understanding how to read betting odds is crucial for smart betting. It helps you gauge the probability of an outcome and the potential winnings.
While odds might seem complex initially, the following tips and tricks will simplify the process and give you an edge.
Remember that odds represent different values depending on the system used by the betting site. You'll typically encounter three main ways betting odds are presented: moneyline odds, fractional odds, and decimal odds.
Moneyline Odds
Commonly used in the United States, moneyline bets are straightforward: you simply pick the team you believe will win the game.
A number with a minus sign (-) indicates the amount you need to wager to win R100, while a number with a plus sign (+) shows the amount you will win if you stake R100.
Fractional Odds
These types of odds are commonly known as British odds. They are presented as fractions, hence the name - fractional odds. Examples could be 3-1 or 7-4.
You can count your profit by multiplying your bet amount by the fraction. For example, if you bet $10 with 3-1 odds you will receive a $30 profit plus your initial wager, $10 in this case.
Decimal Odds
These odds are displayed as one number, which is the sum you will receive if you wager $1. Let’s say you bet $1 on an odd listed as 6, you will receive $5 profit and your initial $1 bet.
How to Bet Using Apps
This section discusses how to get started with the best gambling apps. You'll learn to choose the correct operator, download a compatible app, and set up an account successfully.
Choose a Provider with the Best Betting App
Below are a few things to consider when choosing a top gambling app:
- Legality: This refers to the reliability of the betting platform. The best sports betting apps must be licensed and regulated by a legal body to guarantee fairness and safety. For example, if you're living in the UK, anything not approved by the UKGC isn't an option to consider.
- Available odds: The juicier the odds, the better the sportsbook. But first, learn how to read the odds. For instance, most European sportsbooks use Decimal odds while US sportsbooks use American odds. Whichever the case, don't settle for less.
- Live betting: If a sportsbook app doesn't offer live betting and streaming services, skip it altogether. As said at the beginning, live betting is the real deal in the modern sports betting industry. In this type of gambling, players can see how the odds fluctuate during gameplay and make accurate decisions.
- Betting limits: The maximum and minimum betting limits vary depending on sportsbooks. Standard sportsbooks allow players to stake as little as $0.50 and as much as $10,000. However, the betting limits for in-play betting are always different. Additionally, some jurisdictions, such as Germany, impose a cap on the maximum stake a bettor can place.
- Customer support: Many bettors encounter issues such as late withdrawals, ID verification problems, and suspended betting accounts. In that case, the betting app's support should provide fast 24/7 service. If possible, live chat support not managed by bots is a must.
How to Download a Betting App
After identifying the perfect betting app, it's time to install it. However, the experience can vary slightly depending on the betting device and bookmaker. So, below is what to keep in mind when betting on Android and iPhones:
Android Sports Betting Apps
Android is indeed the most widely used mobile phone operating system. As such, it's evident that most mobile betting apps are tailored for Android. But surprisingly, most sports betting apps aren't available on the Google Play Store. In 2013, Google banned all real money gambling apps on Play Store, claiming there was no system to verify users' age.
Fortunately, the blanket ban was lifted in 2017, although it was limited to users in the UK, France, and Ireland only. Earlier this year, the company added 15 more countries (including the US) to the list. While this is a significant step, most users are still stuck outside. However, don't worry, as bettors can still install APK apps directly from the sportsbook's website.
iOS Sports Betting Apps
Unlike Google, Apple has been a more gambler-friendly platform. As a result, the chances of directly downloading those legal sportsbooks on iPhone or iPad from the App Store are pretty high. Even better, downloading and installing iPhone betting apps is free, just like with Android.
To install the sports betting app on an iPhone, follow these steps:
- Visit the App Store and search for the sportsbook's name.
- Tap the name of the gambling app you wish to download.
- Click GET and then hit INSTALL.
How to Set Up a Bookmaker App Account
Creating a sports betting account is pretty straightforward once the app is installed. Note that the process is quite the same, whether you're using an iPhone or Android gambling app. Locate the Sign Up, Join, or Register button and click it.
Then, an electronic form will be launched to enter your name, gender, date of birth, social security number, and address. Most gambling apps also require new players to provide their mobile numbers and answer security questions. Finally, enter an email address and password.
Once you're in, go ahead and link a banking method supported by the sportsbook. Then, if prompted, make a minimum deposit before claiming the welcome reward using a promo code. Lastly, add your match selection to the betslip and place a bet. Congratulations!
Best Mobile Bookmakers
In [%.:year], it is very rare to find a bookmaker sports betting that does not offer some type of mobile-friendly alternative. Although many bookmakers do not provide players with dedicated sports betting apps, almost every online mobile bookmaker makes sure that they have a mobile compatible website.
Below, we have listed the best mobile betting sites that offer their players a wide range of promotional deals and bonuses:
- 22Bet: Mobile users can have access to the mobile-optimized form of 22Bet’s online sports betting site or they can download the 22Bet app on Apple iOS or Android which includes the full functionality of the site.
- Betsson: Betsson offers a seamless mobile betting experience that is an excellent substitute for their website for desktops. You can also enjoy amazing visuals and sophisticated functionality if you download the app.
- Casumo: Casumo is one of the best options if you are looking for placing sports bets on the go. It is easy to bet on sports via your mobile phone or tablet thanks to Casumo’s great mobile-friendly website. You also have the opportunity to download the app from App Store or Google Play.
- ComeOn: You don’t have a downloadable app provided by ComeOn, but as the website is fully mobile-optimized you find all the features the main desktop website includes.
- Betsafe: Betsafe offers both a mobile-friendly website and a mobile app that performs flawlessly. On the mobile app, you will find the same betting options and tools as you have on the desktop version.
Popular Payment Methods for Mobile Betting
As a new gambler, you obviously can't wait to deposit and withdraw money from the sportsbook account. But before making a pick, ensure that the payment method is convenient and comfortable to use. Below is a list of some standard banking options to consider:
- Credit/Debit card: Almost all gambling apps accept payments via Visa and MasterCard. But although deposits can be instant, withdrawals can take up to 5 business days, depending on the sportsbook and the bank.
- Prepaid card: If you're conscious about security, then banking methods like PayNearMe should be attractive. With this method, punters can deposit cash at a gas station or grocery store using a barcode generated on the gambling app.
- Bank wire or checks: This traditional banking method can also be useful at the best gambling apps. In fact, it's one of the best options when depositing/withdrawing significant amounts.
- E-wallets: Services like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller allow bettors to deposit and withdraw instantly without entering card details on every transaction.
- Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency betting is becoming trendy nowadays. Besides offering unmatched anonymity, crypto betting also comes with instant transactions. And that's without mentioning the high value of digital coins.
Pros and Cons of Betting Apps
There are so many reasons to use the best online sports betting apps.
Pros
- Convenience: Just like it saves time to make calls using a mobile phone instead of a static landline, the same applies to mobile betting. In other words, players don't need to find a desktop or an in-person betting shop to place bets. Instead, pull out your phone, create a betslip, and win some money.
- Best odds and bonuses: Many land-based betting shop customers will agree that there are no free lunches here. Betting at one of these shops without a minimum deposit amount is near impossible. Conversely, bonuses and free bets are the order of the day at the best betting apps. Often, new players receive free bets as a reward for successfully creating an account.
- Easy cash out: Easy cashing out is a significant selling point for betting apps. To withdraw winnings, players simply need to visit the cashier and select a withdrawal method linked to their account. And that's without forgetting fast deposits via Pay by Phone bill.
Cons
- Betting addiction: Bettors who can't control their betting thirst may find themselves sinking deeper into addiction. The fact that gambling apps take bets anywhere, anytime, doesn't mean betting should replace other pastime activities in your life.
- Limited features: As good as they come, betting apps are somehow limited compared to instant web apps. In many cases, the website versions contain more features like additional payment methods, more bonus information, and more.
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FAQ
What is the difference between mobile and regular sports betting?
Mobile sports betting sites are designed for smaller screens, so the layout, buttons, and text sizes are different from desktop versions. Desktop sites might have more features, but mobile platforms are all about convenience and portability, giving you almost the same functionality.
Do mobile betting apps offer the same features as desktop versions?
Not always. While most mobile apps cover the main betting options, some of the more advanced tools or stats you find on desktops might be limited on mobile because of processing power and screen size.
What are the best sports to bet on using mobile apps in South Africa?
Popular mobile betting markets include football (soccer), rugby, cricket, and horse racing. These sports are big in South Africa and are widely available on mobile sites and apps.
How do mobile betting odds work?
Odds on mobile betting sites work the same way as on desktop sites. They can be shown as decimal odds, fractional odds, or moneyline odds. Each one tells you how much you could win and the chance of something happening.
Are betting apps legal to use in South Africa?
Yes, as long as you use a licensed and regulated operator. Always make sure the sportsbook is approved by a recognised regulator like the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board or similar provincial authorities.
How do I download a sports betting app?
If you have an iPhone, you can usually download straight from the App Store. For Android, many apps are in the Google Play Store, but some you might need to get as APK files from the sportsbook’s website.
What payment methods can I use for mobile betting in South Africa?
Most apps take credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, bank transfers (EFTs), e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, and sometimes even cryptocurrency. E-wallets and crypto are popular for quick and safe transactions.
Are mobile betting apps safe to use?
Yes, if you pick regulated apps that use encryption and have responsible gambling tools. Safety depends on having a license, secure payments, and good customer support.
What are the pros of using mobile betting apps?
They’re convenient, offer fast deposits and withdrawals, give you access to special mobile bonuses, and have live betting options. Many also let you cash out with one tap.
What are the cons of using mobile betting apps?
You might find fewer features than on desktop versions, and there’s a risk of gambling too much since betting is available anytime, anywhere.
