Despite many South African players turning to the Internet to play blackjack and other casino games for real money, they do so at their own risk, as South Africa has some of the strictest online gambling laws in the world. We take a look at the laws of online gambling in South Africa and what this means for online blackjack players. The top ZA online blackjack sites for July, 2024 are:
Best online blackjack casino sites for South Africa
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Top South African blackjack sites 2024
There are many different online casinos that will accept South Africans, with almost all boasting online blackjack. While there is regulated blackjack sites in South Africa, the laws also do not stop players from accessing offshore online gambling sites.
The top South African blackjack sites have got both random number generated and live dealer blackjack available. These work across all platforms, although in our opinion, live dealer blackjack is better played on desktop computer and bigger screens. Having said this, mobile live dealer is improving all the time.
Online blackjack sites have got a plethora of real money deposit options, including popular ones like Visa, Mastercard and web wallets like Ozow, that are popular in African countries. Casino payments are generally instant, although some like bank transfers can take 24-48 hours to process.
Some of the top South African blackjack sites we promote include:
Is online blackjack legal in South Africa?
All facets of gambling in South Africa are governed by the laws of the National Gambling Act 2004, which has undergone several changes over recent years to stay up to date with emerging technologies. In 2004, the National Gambling Act first prohibited operators from offering interactive gambling services, as well as player from engaging in interactive (online) games. However, the restrictions only apply to casino games, bingo and poker, while online sports betting, bookmaking, horse racing and authorised lotteries are all completely legal, provided the operator has obtained a legal license from South Africa.
An amendment to the National Gambling Act was introduced in 2008, aiming to legalise online gambling and regulate the market. It received heavy criticism from various political and community groups and was never passed.
In 2010, a Northern Gauteng High Court ruling made it illegal for offshore online casinos to offer their services to South African players, despite their servers being located outside of the country. Even some interactive auction websites have been deemed to be forms of online gambling and were subsequently banned.
South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) has made it clear that online gambling will not be tolerated. In a press release following the 2010 amendments, the NBG stated, “Unlicensed operators are encouraged to use readily available technology and block their domains from being accessed in South Africa. Unlicensed suppliers of online gambling software and related products to operators who target RSA residents are encouraged to cease operations [development, supply, and maintenance of online gambling software] forthwith.”
Under South Africa’s gambling laws, casino sites, individual users, internet service providers and banks that process payments to gambling sites can be subject to prosecutions of up to R 10 million, 10 years imprisonment, or both. Any media channels advertising online gambling are also held accountable.
These days many online bookmakers in South Africa also have live casino games, with this because of recent changes to iGaming laws. These regulated bookmakers that have live games include Betway.co.za. Sportingbet.co.za and SupaBets.co.za.
Real money blackjack at offshore casinos
Despite South Africa’s strict anti-online gambling laws, many players continue to turn to the Internet to try their luck at casino games, with many offshore casinos still offering services to South African players. As there have been no recorded prosecutions against players to date, we can only assume that some South African punters don’t take the laws all that seriously. Take heed that if you choose to play for real money online, you do so at your own risk and it’s up to you to be aware of the laws that apply to you.
