Best New Online Casinos: Brand New Players South Africa

Best New Online Casinos South Africa

Thunderbolt Casino

Thunderbolt Casino is first on our list of the best new South African online casinos. The operator accepts customers who are 18 years and above from South Africa. 

Thunderbolt is popular among players thanks to its games lobby. The casino provides over 300 games scheduled in various categories. Players can play slots, crash games, video poker, and progressives. Thunderbolt casino also has a wide range of table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.

The operator is big on bonuses with a R10,000 welcome bonus. Players may also use the comp points rewards program to claim various prizes.

Jackpot City Casino

Licensed by the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, Jackpot City recently launched operations in South Africa. The casino has a mobile app for Android, iOS and Huawei devices. Players may get it directly from the website. 

Jackpot City is home to over 20 providers. The top among them included Spribe, NetEnt, Red Tiger, Habanero, and Turbo Games. These providers present the 2000+ games on the platform. Like other leading casinos, slots have the most options, with over 1000 games. 

The live games section includes blackjack, roulette, baccarat, dice, poker, and Sicbo. Close to 300 games are available in this area.

Betway Casino

Betway is a household name in the gambling industry, having started operations in 2006. The casino entered the South African betting scene in 2017 but has remained relevant to this day.

Betway owns a licence with the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. It provides more than 5000 casino games from reputable providers. Crash Games, Slots, Game Shows, and Virtuals are a few of the top options.

In addition to table games like baccarat, poker, blackjack, and roulette, Betway offers sports betting. Players can wager on football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and horse racing.

The casino is accessible on desktop and via mobile. Players may get the Betway app on iOS, Android, and Huawei phones.

YesPlay Casino

The most appealing feature of YesPlay Casino is the user interface. Its beautiful design enhances players' experience. 

YesPlay owns a Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board license. Players 18 and above can join the platform.

New users are welcomed with a 100 deposit bonus of up to R3000. Other bonuses include a 10 Cashback and Drops and Wins promo. 

The casino offers 1,000+ game options, including slots, lucky numbers, Bet Games, baccarat, roulette, and blackjack. YesPlay also offers branded games exclusive to the platform. Some options here are Hot Hot Fruit, Starburst, and Skyward.

Easybet Casino

Last on our list is Easybet Casino. The casino stands out for its 150 first deposit match bonus. Players are spoiled for more bonuses. Aviator 10 Cash Back, 1 Million Easy Raffle, and Prize Drop Thursdays are some available options.

Easybet makes betting easy with an app accessible for Android, iOS, and Huawei phones. The wide range of payment methods also stands out. The top options are vouchers, Ozow, MasterCard, SnapScan, and Zapper.

The casino has two licenses to operate in South Africa. The Eastern Cape Gambling Board and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board enable Easybet to operate in South Africa.

Why South Africans Are Looking for New Online Casinos

South African players are always looking for features that enhance their gaming experience. However, these features can only be found on new online casinos. Here are some reasons players want to play at a new online casino.

• Fresh game selections: New casinos bring fresh games to their lobby. Whether slots, poker, or baccarat, players find new variants on newly launched platforms.

• Better bonuses and promotions: Most new casinos offer more attractive bonuses to draw new users to their sites. This is a strategic method to improve their customer base. 

• Modern technology: New online casinos adopt modern technology faster than older ones. They make their websites mobile-first to allow customers to play on the go. Most also have mobile apps for push notifications. Technology has also helped casinos present live dealer games. Players can now interact with real dealers directly from their convenience.

• South African Rand (ZAR) support: There is nothing better than betting with your local currency. Many new casinos allow customers to place bets using the South African Rand.

• Enhanced security and licensing: User safety is paramount. Hence, players look for casinos that have a licence from the appropriate regulatory body. They also register with a platform that uses the latest SSL encryption to protect users' data and financial information.

How We Select the Best New Online Casinos in South Africa

We considered a range of criteria before adding any casino to our list of the top new online casinos. Our team of experts checked for the following features.

Licensing and Regulation

More than anything, we first checked for licensing and regulations. We expect players to only play at a casino with the appropriate license. 

Each province in South Africa has its own regulatory body. A top online casino must own a licence from at least one of these bodies. The most common ones include the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board, Northern Cape Gambling Board, and Gauteng Gambling Board.

Most casinos display their licensing details at the footer of their site. To guarantee their safety, we advise players to play only at a casino with a reputable license.

Bonuses and Promotions

Bonuses are essential parts of a player's gaming journey. It enhances their overall experience.

With promotions, players can play more games without spending their own money. They are safety nets for new players to try out new games.

We only added casinos with a wide range of bonuses. We were particular about welcome bonuses, free spins, and cash back. 

It is also crucial to check the terms and conditions of the offers. The best bonuses have fair wagering requirements, low minimum deposits and long validity dates.

Game Selection

What is a casino without an array of game options? Players should be spoilt for choice when choosing a new online casino.

Our experts included casinos with a wide range of game selections. All our selected casinos offered slots, blackjack, poker, baccarat, and roulette. We also considered crash games like Aviator and TV games like Plinko. In addition, new online casinos have live dealers, so players get the same experience as in a physical casino.

The best online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to generate outcomes and keep the games fair. We also checked that top providers like Evolution and Pragmatic Play present games.

Payment Methods

We also consider an online casino's payment section. It's one thing to win a game; it's another to withdraw your funds without hassles.

The best new online casinos enable customers to deposit and withdraw within minutes. Deposits are usually processed within 30 minutes, while withdrawals shouldn't take more than 1 hour. However, using bank transfers could take up to 5 days.

We looked for the most common payment options, including MasterCard, Visa Card, Ozow, EFT, and bank transfers. We ensured that only casinos that process transactions for free are listed. 

Mobile Compatibility

Everyone wants convenience. That's what you get when you play at an online casino that is compatible with mobile. 

Gone are the days when you had to sit in front of your computer to play games. Mobile compatibility has enabled players to wager on the go.

Some betting sites even have mobile apps to enhance players' experiences. Most apps work well with iOS, Huawei, and Android devices. 

Players can register an account, play games, claim bonuses, and make payments using mobile devices. They may also receive push notifications to stay updated on the latest promotions.

Customer Support

It's normal for players to need some sort of help when playing at a casino. They may face issues with registration, delayed withdrawal, or failed deposits. Bonus issues and technical glitches could also occur. This is where customer support comes in.

A safe casino must provide solutions to customers' problems. Usually, they have a dedicated FAQ page with answers to all possible problems. 

But it goes beyond this. Players must test other support methods, including phone, email, and live chat. Representatives should be available 24/7. Responses should be prompt and professional. In summary, customers should feel happy with the resolution.

User Experience and Site Design

Last on our list of considered criteria is user experience and site design. The ease of navigating a platform also influences the player's overall gaming experience. 

We checked the casino's responsiveness to determine its performance. Players generally prefer a platform with a fast loading time. 

The best online casinos are also visually appealing. They should have a clean layout, high-quality graphics, and clearly presented information. 

Some casinos have search and filtering tools that help players find games according to providers, types, and themes. Overall, a casino should have a clear design that promotes trustworthiness.

Bonuses Offered by New Online Casinos

One of the ways to spot a new online casino is through its bonuses. Below are some of the promos you may find.

Welcome Bonuses

Most casinos offer a welcome bonus as the first bonus to new users. They use it to thank newly registered customers for signing up.

Welcome bonuses can take various forms. They could be deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback, or no-deposit bonuses. For instance, Betway Casino offers new users a 100% bonus of up to R2,000 on their first deposit. 

Getting a welcome bonus helps customers settle in quickly and enables them to explore more game options. Players may also use these bonuses to try out the latest game variants at new online casinos.

No Deposit Bonuses

How about getting bonuses without needing to spend a dime? Some casinos offer players free funds without the need to first make a deposit. Most no-deposit bonuses include free spins, free bets, and free play bonuses.

Casinos give users these types of offers to stand out among competitors. They use it to attract more customers and build trust. 

The offer helps players try more game selections. For instance, Thunderbolt Casino welcomes new customers with 50 free spins to explore Plentiful Treasure. The bonus is automatic after signing up, and no deposits are required. 

Free Spins

Don't you want to spin that slot for free? Casinos offer free spins for players to try out different types of slots. It's risk-free and gives users a chance to explore new slot variants.

Free spins could be offered as a no-deposit bonus or as part of a deposit bonus. For instance, Jackpot City casino gives new users a 100% bonus of up to R4,000 + 10 free spins on Hot Hot Jackpot City as part of a first-deposit bonus.

Most casinos give free spins on a specific game to promote it. There is no risk involved. It's free spins for a reason!

Cashback and Loyalty Rewards 

Last on our list of bonuses are cashback and loyalty rewards. These are attached to a player's spending at a casino over time.

Casinos offer cashback as a percentage of a customer's net losses over a specific period, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. For example, Easybet gives users 15% daily cashback on Skyward. 

Loyalty rewards are accumulated over time. Many casinos give comp points to users for every wager on their site. Players can collect these points to claim various perks. It could be free spins, birthday gifts, and lower wagering requirements. 

Some casinos also have VIP programs that give users preferential treatment. High rollers can get a personal account manager.

For further information on the best online casino bonuses in South Africa, head over to our dedicated page here.

Mobile Compatibility and App Availability

The rise in mobile usage in South Africa means most users wager on their mobile devices. Hence, all new online casinos must offer a mobile-first design.

Some casinos offer mobile apps to enhance users' experiences. Most apps are compatible with Android and iOS devices. 

Casinos that have yet to provide an app must be accessible via mobile browsers. While this still allows customers to wager on the go, having a mobile app offers more security to users. It also keeps players logged in without inputting their login details whenever they want to access their accounts.

Mobile apps also offer personalised play with push notifications. Players can easily track their bets with an app and get the latest updates on promotions. 

Pros and Cons of Playing at New Online Casinos

As beautiful as playing at new South African online casinos is, certain risks could be involved. We've outlined some of the advantages and downsides below.

Tips for Choosing the Right New Casino

The first step in having a swell time at an online casino is choosing the right one. It's crucial to spot the red flags to avoid regrets later. Here are tips that can help you.

• Verify licensing: A top new casino must own the appropriate license to operate in South Africa. We recommend a casino that is licensed by a provincial regulator.

• Check bonus terms: While a bonus may look attractive, many online casinos have hidden terms. Check for the validity date, minimum deposits, and wagering requirements.

• Read player reviews: The best way to discover the truth about a casino is to read reviews from current and previous players. They give an unbiased opinion about the casino's quality, fairness, payments, and bonuses.

• Test customer support: Before signing up, check the casino's customer support section to test their responsiveness and overall approach. The best casinos offer live chat, email, and phone customer service.

• Local banking options: For convenience, play at casinos that support the South African Rand. This prevents the stress of having to convert to and from other currencies. Also, the best casinos allow payment methods like EFT, Ozow, and debit/credit cards.

Responsible Gambling 

By all means, casinos are mandated to promote responsible gambling. Some have deposit and time limits to help players control their habits. They also have self-exclusion for players to take some time off from gambling.

All casinos must confirm a player's identity and age. Players must undergo FICA verification by uploading a government-issued ID and proof of residence. All players must be 18+ and residents of South Africa.

If you need help to stop betting, sign up for the National Responsible Gambling Programme. You can reach out via a counselling line (0800 006 008) and WhatsApp (076 675 0710).