Best Live Betting Sites in South Africa (July, 2024)

Live betting sites like Betway, Hollywoodbets and Betfred are becoming popular in South Africa. The feature is on the rise in the country, with many online bookmakers now focusing on in-play bets.

Being able to bet on the live action is a major plus for SA sports fans, but what are the best live betting sites to use?

Our complete guide to the best live betting sites in SA has the answers.

Live Betting Explained
Written by James Mwaura
Verified by BettingGuide team
Last updated 2024/07/09

Live Betting Sites in South Africa - Recommended (2024)

Affiliate Disclosure
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Betway
Our score: 9/10
100% match up to R1000.00 as a Free Bet
  • Mastercard
  • VISA
  • iPay
  • +
  • Build Custom Soccer Bets!
  • Great Range of Betting Markets!
  • Fantastic Betting Apps for Android, iOS and Huawei!
Betfred
Our score: 9/10
100% Deposit Match up to R5,000
  • Neteller
  • Skrill
  • Mastercard
  • VISA
  • Fastest Payments in South Africa!
  • Great Range of Betting Promotions for All Customers
  • High Betting Odds
Paripesa
Our score: 8/10
100% Bonus on the First Deposit up to 1715 ZAR
  • Skrill
  • Neteller
  • Bitcoin
  • Fast Withdrawals within 15 minutes with Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin and more!
  • Great Android Betting App!
  • Low Deposits of just R20
Hollywoodbets
Our score: 8/10
R25 Free Bet No Deposit Bonus + 50 Free Spins on Habanero Games
  • Mastercard
  • VISA
  • SID Secure EFT
  • +
  • Best for Horse Racing Betting
  • Racing Live Streams
  • High Odds
Terms and conditions apply.
World Sports Betting
Our score: 8/10
R50 No Deposit Bonus
  • SID Secure EFT
  • OTT Voucher
  • MTN
  • +
  • Safe & Trusted Betting Site since 2002
  • Great Android Betting App
  • Data Free Mobile Betting!
Terms and conditions apply.
10Bet
Our score: 7/10
50% up to R500 sports Free bet
  • MTN
  • VISA
  • Mastercard
  • +
  • Awesome Welcome Bonuses
  • Live streaming
  • 20+ Sports
Playa Bets
Our score: 8/10
100% First Deposit Match up to R2000
  • VISA
  • Mastercard
  • EasyEFT
  • +
  • Trusted South African Brand
  • 30+ Sports
  • 1000's of Betting Markets
Live Betting

Learn everything about in-play betting and find your best live betting site today!

What is the Best Betting Site for Live Betting?

Below, we have curated a list of the best betting sites for live betting in South Africa based on our highly relevant standards. Live streaming, great odds, fast payouts, valuable statistics, and seamless software describe the best live betting platforms. Let's get to know the champions of in-play betting now, shall we?

  1. 1
    Betway:

    Best Live Sports Betting Site

  2. 2
    Hollywoodbets:

    Best Live In-Play Betting Site

Betway

#1 Best Live Sports Betting Site: Betway

Betway is the best live sports betting site in South Africa, offering live betting on various sports like soccer, cricket, tennis, basketball, tennis and Esports—You'll feel right at home betting at Betway if generous soccer odds are your forty. According to our Betway review, the generosity doesn't end with the round leather game, with attractive numbers featuring other popular sports such as super rugby, tennis, golf, and horse racing. 

Betway Live Betting

The Super Group, Betway's owner, holds South African punters in high esteem, featuring multiple of our favourite local leagues.

Many of its bonuses are playable on regular and live sports betting, giving you an extra boost should the odds on a game fail to hit the mark for you. 

Pros

  • Build Custom Soccer Bets!
  • Great Range of Betting Markets!
  • Fantastic Betting Apps for Android, iOS and Huawei!

100% match up to R1000.00 as a Free Bet

Min. Deposit R100
Max. Amount R1000
Turnover 3x
Expiration 30 Days
Hollywoodbets

#2 Best Live In-Play Betting Site: Hollywoodbets

Hollywoodbets is also an excellent betting site for live in-play betting in South Africa. Their live betting includes soccer, tennis, basketball, cricket, rugby union, table tennis, baseball and volleyball. Horse Racing fans can also enjoy in-play betting on Hollywoodbets, with live streaming partnered with and provided by GallopTV.

Hollywoodbets In-play Betting

Our Hollywoodbets review reveals that headquartered in Durban, it ranks among the top 10 gaming sites globally as per iGaming Business Magazine. Known for its fantasy soccer game and horse racing analysis and tips, Hollywoodbets operates numerous traditional shops across South Africa and also offers mobile betting.

Pros

  • Best for Horse Racing Betting
  • Racing Live Streams
  • High Odds

R25 Free Bet No Deposit Bonus + 50 Free Spins on Habanero Games

Min. Deposit No deposit
Max. Amount R25
Turnover 5x on winnings
Expiration 24 hours
Terms and conditions apply.

Cannot decide?

Check out our guide, where our team has analysed the two most popular betting sites in South Africa—Betway vs. Hollywdoobets. Which bookie is better?

Popular Sports for Live In-Play Betting

  • Cricket: Live cricket betting in South Africa is engaging and dynamic, with platforms like Betway and Hollywoodbets offering various real-time options. Bettors can make informed decisions by watching the game. However, due to its fast pace, it requires quick decisions and disciplined bankroll management.

  • Soccer: Live soccer betting is prevalent in South Africa, with fans engaging in real-time wagers on local leagues like the PSL and international competitions. Soccer's dynamic nature, with frequent goals and momentum shifts, makes it exciting for live betting enthusiasts.

  • Horse Racing: Live horse racing betting holds a long-standing tradition in South Africa, drawing in crowds for its thrilling and fast-paced nature. Bettors enjoy the excitement of placing wagers as races unfold, often in prestigious events like the Durban July.

  • Rugby: Live rugby betting is a favourite among South Africans, especially during Super Rugby and international matches featuring the Springboks. The sport's physicality and unpredictable turns make live betting particularly exhilarating for fans.

  • Tennis: Live tennis betting is popular among South African sports enthusiasts, offering numerous opportunities to bet on various aspects of the game. The frequent changes in momentum and set dynamics make it an engaging and strategic betting experience.

Why Choose Live Betting?

Live betting offers several advantages over traditional pre-match betting. Here are some of the key benefits:

  1. Enhanced Engagement
  2. Better Odds Opportunities
  3. Informed Betting
  4. Variety of Betting Markets
  5. Risk Management
  6. Increased Profit Potential
  7. Flexibility and Control
  • 1

    Enhanced Engagement:

    • Interactive Experience: Live betting makes watching sports more engaging, as you can place bets based on the ongoing action.
    • Real-Time Decision Making: You can make decisions based on how the game unfolds, reacting to events as they happen.
  • 2

    Better Odds Opportunities:

    • Fluctuating Odds: Odds can change rapidly during a game, sometimes providing better value than pre-match odds.
    • Exploiting Momentum: By observing the game's momentum, you can spot opportunities to place favourable bets.
  • 3

    Informed Betting:

    • Observation: You can watch part of the game before placing a bet, giving you more information to make an informed decision.
    • Team Form and Performance: Real-time insights into how teams and players are performing can guide your betting strategy.
  • 4

    Variety of Betting Markets:

    • Diverse Options: Live betting offers a wide range of markets, such as next goal scorer, number of corners, or the result of the next set in tennis.
    • Specialised Bets: Unique betting opportunities that are not available before the game starts.
  • 5

    Risk Management:

    • Hedging Bets: You can place bets during the game to hedge your pre-match bets, reducing potential losses.
    • Minimising Losses: If your pre-match bet looks unlikely to win, you can place live bets to offset some of the potential losses.
  • 6

    Increased Profit Potential:

    • Capitalising on Mistakes: Sometimes bookmakers may be slower to adjust odds to real-time events, allowing astute bettors to capitalise on these discrepancies.
    • Leveraging Knowledge: Experienced bettors who understand the sport well can use their knowledge to identify profitable opportunities that are not obvious pre-match.
  • 7

    Flexibility and Control:

    • Adjusting Bets: Live betting allows you to adapt your strategy as the game progresses, rather than being locked into pre-match bets.
    • Partial Cash Out: Some bookmakers offer the option to partially cash out your bet during the game, providing more control over your bets.

Disadvantages of Live Betting

While live betting offers several advantages, it also comes with a set of disadvantages that bettors should be aware of. Here are some key drawbacks:

  1. Increased Risk of Impulsive Decisions
  2. Time Pressure
  3. Complexity
  4. Higher Vig/Margin
  5. Technological Reliance
  6. Betting Limits
  7. Emotional Stress
  8. Information Lag
  9. Complex Market Movements
  • 1

    Increased Risk of Impulsive Decisions:

    • Emotional Betting: The fast-paced nature of live betting can lead to impulsive decisions driven by emotions rather than rational analysis.
    • Chasing Losses: Bettors might be tempted to chase losses by placing additional bets in an attempt to recover money quickly.
  • 2

    Time Pressure:

    • Quick Decisions: The need to make rapid decisions can lead to mistakes and poorly thought-out bets.
    • Limited Analysis: There's often little time to thoroughly analyse the situation before placing a bet.
  • 3

    Complexity:

    • Overwhelming Options: The sheer number of live betting markets and options can be overwhelming, especially for novice bettors.
    • Understanding Dynamics: It requires a deep understanding of the game and the ability to interpret rapidly changing situations.
  • 4

    Higher Vig/Margin:

    • Increased Odds Margins: Bookmakers might set higher margins on live bets compared to pre-match bets to account for the increased risk and volatility.
    • Less Value: This can result in less favourable odds and reduced value for the bettor.
  • 5

    Technological Reliance:

    • Internet Connection: A stable and fast internet connection is crucial for live betting. Any delay can result in missed opportunities or unfavourable odds changes.
    • Platform Performance: Betting platforms might experience delays or technical issues, impacting the betting experience.
  • 6

    Betting Limits:

    • Lower Limits: Some bookmakers impose lower betting limits on live bets compared to pre-match bets, restricting the amount you can wager.
    • Frequent Limit Changes: Limits might change frequently during live events, making it harder to place the desired bet.
  • 7

    Emotional Stress:

    • Stressful Environment: The need to constantly monitor the game and make quick decisions can be stressful and mentally exhausting.
    • Risk of Addiction: The fast pace and excitement of live betting can increase the risk of developing a gambling addiction.
  • 8

    Information Lag:

    • Broadcast Delays: Live broadcasts might have a slight delay compared to the actual event, putting bettors at a disadvantage.
    • Bookmaker Delay: Bookmakers might also delay updates to odds and markets to protect themselves against fast-changing events, further complicating the betting process.
  • 9

    Complex Market Movements:

    • Rapid Odds Changes: Odds can change rapidly based on real-time events, making it difficult to secure the best value.
    • Market Suspensions: Bookmakers might temporarily suspend markets to adjust odds, preventing bets from being placed at critical moments.

Live Betting App in South Africa

Betway is one of the best live sports betting apps for South African users. The app is available for both Android and iOS users. The process of downloading the Betway betting app differs depending on the operating system.

How to Download Betway Live Betting App for Android:

  1. Visit Betway South Africa
  2. Create an account
  3. Open their app page from the menu
  4. Tap the Android icon
  5. Download the APK file
  6. Authorise app installation
  7. App installed!

How to Download Betway Live Betting App for iOS:

  1. Visit Betway South Africa
  2. Create an account
  3. Open their app page from the menu
  4. Tap the iOS icon or open the App Store
  5. Search for "Betway - Sports Betting"
  6. Tap install
  7. Done!

For Huawei: Open the AppGallery on your Huawei device and search for “Betway”. Tap “Install” to download the app. Alternatively, you can click on the Huawei image above to install it directly.

FAQs

James is responsible for the South African market on BettingGuide. He has a keen interest in sports betting and Gambling laws in particular. James is a Lawyer practising in East Africa, loves writing, and has a Law Degree from Makerere University, Uganda and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law, Kenya.