There are many legal options to play online slots in South Africa, with many of the top gambling sites now featuring real money casino games. The best South African slots sites feature some of the more prominent casino software developers, real money bonus offers, free spins deals and boast licensing from a provincial regulator. Real money online slots sites in South Africa are accessible via both desktop computer and mobile, with many of the best casinos featuring Android and iOS apps.
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Best online slots sites South Africa
South Africa has a rapidly expanding online slots industry, with more and more software companies entering the fray and having their games installed at the well-known gambling brands across the country.
While South African slots sites are not as well-developed as their UK or European counterparts, some gambling sites can have upwards of 1000 slots games from a variety of developers.
Generally online slots can be played across all platforms, with it simply a matter of needing an internet ready device or computer. Several of the best online slots sites in South Africa have also got iOS and Android casino apps available.
You will also find plenty of promotions and bonus offers surrounding online slots, with these often revolving around deposit bonuses and free spins offers. Essentially, these offers allow you to increase your bankroll and in turn your playing time and chances of winning.
Some of the top South African online slots sites available in 2023 include:
Betway: One of the most well-known gambling brands in South Africa, Betway has a strong selection of real money slots games. Betway has also got some really nice promotions and bonus offers surrounding their online slots. betway review.
HollyWoodBet: Know for having many retail betting shops across South Africa, HollywoodBets is one of the earlier movers in the regualted slots industry. Also featuring live dealer games, HollywoodBets has got slots games from the likes of Habanero, Pragmatic Play and YggDrasil. HollywoodBets review.
YesPlay.bet: One of the newer online slots sites in South Africa, YesPlay has got a strong selection of games on top of their sports betting offering. YesPlay also has some nice slots promos and bonus deals and functions well across all platforms. YesPlay.bet review.
Sportingbet: Well-known across the globe, Sportingbet has got a South African facing website and plenty of online slots to choose from. Sitting comfortably among the top slots sites we promote, Sportingbet.co.za has an impervious record and some great promos. Sportingbet.co.za review.
Online slots evolution and current day play
Playing slots online is better than playing slots at a land-based venue. Yes, you read that correctly. We believe the slots games on the internet are better than your average slots machine at a casino or saloon.
There are several factors which led to us making the above statement. We looked at the payout rates and games available, we investigated the progressive slots and, of course, we factored in the ease of betting from your computer, smartphone or tablet.
While online casinos obviously lack the social element found at a land-based venue, if you only play slots to win, you will find better odds on the Web.
The cheaper running costs at online casinos mean you will often find slots games paying out more than 96% of all money put in. In comparison, if you are playing a 25c game in Las Vegas there could be a house edge of as much as 10%.
Online casinos with real money slots games
You are doing well if you can find an online casino that doesn’t have a good selection of slots. After all, they are easily the biggest money-spinners for casinos, both online and on land and it’s no different in South Africa.
Where you are based will determine the range of games and casinos at which you can play. Although this has changed significantly in recent times in South Africa, with it now legal to play online slots with licensed operators like Betway and Sportingbet.
Each online casino will have a software provider (there are several exceptions to this, with games or some games made in-house) or multiple places from where they draw their slots. For much of the world Microgaming is the best-known platform for online casinos, although companies such as BetSoft, NetEntertainment, Playtech and RTG hold their own.
The software used by casinos should be a decisive factor in choosing where to play slots. You want to play at casinos with respected software companies that are audited by independent third parties such as eCOGRA and similar bodies. Just like casinos, the software is generally licensed in a certain jurisdiction such as Malta (Microgaming).
The software also determines what slots games a casino will have. Unless you beat the system (think bitcoin casinos), Americans cannot play at Microgaming casinos because the software company is not allowed to operate in America under its Malta licensing agreement. Another example is Aristocrat Leisure’s online arm, which is not allowed to operate in Australia because the company is based out of Sydney.
Online slots promotions & free spins
One of the best things things about playing online slots is that there is often promotions, bonus offers and free spin deals associated with them. For instance most online casinos will offer players a sign up bonus, which could be a matched deposit and free spins package, or sometimes you will even find offers like no deposit needed free spins. This means you can essentially play online slots for free, but have the opportunity to win real money. It is important to remember that there are wagering requirements attached to most slots bonus offers.
Some of the most common slots bonus offers you will see online include:
Casino welcome packages:
Joining an online casino can be a rewarding experience for slots players, with most having welcome packages. These could be a matched deposit and free spins combination or just one of these. These slots sign up offers are a great way to boost your bankroll or even have a free look around your chosen casino site.
An example of a casino welcome package: 100% up to R1000 + 20 free spins.
Free spins offers:
Free spins offers are essentially giving you a free hit on a slots game. Sometimes slots free spin offers can be given to a player just for opening an account. While other times a player might be rewarded with free spins for hitting a VIP goal, being a loyal customer or maybe even just be given them via email in an attempt to get you to login to the slots site.
Slots bonus wagering requirements
When you accept an online slots bonus you are also accepting the terms associated with them. These terms are there to stop you from simply accepting a casino bonus and withdrawing it into cold hard cash, or manipulating the system. Unfortunately slots bonus terms and conditions have, in many cases, now strayed to far in favour of the casino. We do our best to only promote slots bonuses that are fair and give players an opportunity to win real money. Some common slots promotion wagering requirements include:
- Turnover or rollover requirement: This means you have to bet the bonus amount a certain amount of times before you can convert it to real money. Commonly online slots bonus offers will have anywhere between a 15x – 50x turnover requirement.
- Capped slots bonus winnings: Sometimes deep in the fine print of slots bonus offers you will see a line that the maximum you can win is x amount. This is a huge handicap, imagine having your online slots winnings capped at $100 from your bonus and hitting a massive jackpot.
- Slots promotion expiry: Most online slots promotions will have an expiry date. For instance if you are awarded 50 free spins, you might have seven days to use them.
Online slots software companies
The World Gambling List puts player safety as our highest priority when we recommend casinos for people to frequent. We will only endorse licensed and highly regulated online casino software. Here are some of the online slots software providers we endorse, but remember you still need to be smart with your casino selection.
- Microgaming
- RTG
- BetSoft
- Net Entertainment
- Aristocrat Leisure
- Playtech
- NextGen Gaming
- iSoftbet
- Rival
- Saucify
- CryptoLogic
- GamesDS
- Leander Games
- 1X2 Gaming
- Elk Studios
- Genesis
- Thunderkick
- Playfors
Types of online slots
The types of slots games available on the internet are many and varied. There are progressives, video slots, 3D slots … and what the hell is a pokie? Here are some common types of slots.
- Classic slot machine: This type has three reels and is extremely simple in comparison to modern slots. Most online casinos will have a few classic slots available to real money players.
- Progressive slots: These slots have a jackpot which builds up as players put more money into it. Often the progressive jackpot will be linked to the software companies and every casino with the slot will contribute to the jackpot. The player triggers the jackpot, which can often reach into eight figures.
- Bonus slot: Often a video slot will have a bonus game waiting to be triggered. An exciting thing to look out for in coming years is slots developers adding games of skill to the bonus of their games.
- Pub slot: One of the original classic slots. You can find plenty of games such as Pub Fruity online.
- Multiple payline slot: A single payline slot means your winning symbols must line up on the one line. Multiple paylines means the winning symbols could be on different ‘lines’, even potentially in a zig-zag.
- Video slots: These are simply RNG games displayed on a computerized screen.
- 3D slots These are a reasonably new type of slot. They feature devastating graphics and, led by software providers such as BetSoft, have pushed slots into never-before-seen territory.
- Penny slots: As the name advertises the machine accepts a minimum bet of $0.01.
- Community slot: A new type of slot that is beginning to take hold. Offers players the chance to interact during bonus rounds. These are often progressive slots. Games include Wheel of Fortune and a Powerball title.
If you hear someone refer to slots as a 243-ways or 1024-ways games it simply means that is how many chances you have of winning on the game if you are playing maximum lines.
Mobile slots games & apps
The mobile aspect of online casinos has been the area of greatest expansion; and it is no different with South African online slots, with millions of Rand expected to be wagered via this method. There are millions of people around the world playing slots and other casino games on their mobile phones every month.
The convenience associated with mobile slots has been its biggest driving force. Not every city has a casino or a place to play slots, or maybe you simply don’t want to leave the comforts of home. Mobile slots games are easy to find and improving in quality all the time. If you are playing a slots game on a newer smartphone you will find it is smooth with high-quality graphics. They generally work problem-free on a 4G connection.
Whether you use an iPhone, iPad, a Windows phone, a Blackberry, an Android device or one of many other options you won’t be restricted as to what you can play. Most online casinos have mobile websites which you visit and go through the sign-up process to begin playing.
Many online casinos will have apps available to download and this includes South African sites, with it possible to download Android apps directly from gambling sites. iOS users in SOuth Africa will be able to download slots apps via the App store, although not all gambling sites have this Apple-based app available.
Often you will be able to download a non-market app, which means you are downloading the app directly from the casino, rather than through a third party such as Apple.
Best ZA slots apps in 2023
There are numerous slots apps available for mobile and tablet casino players, with over 50% of action an digital gambling houses taking place on mobile. One of the most popular ways to access mobile slots, is via apps, with these a small download file for your smartphone or tablet. ZA slots apps must abide by one of provincial regulator’s legislation. After you have completed a slots app download you are free to sign in and begin playing.
iOS apps for ZA slots
Downloading slots apps for iOS devices is a simple process, which involves creating a new account at a gambling site that has one available. After this you can visit the iOS store and download the online slots app for the corresponding brand, signing in with your new account details.
Android slots apps in the UK
Those who want to play Android slots apps will need to enable non-market apps. This is a simple process and allows you to download apps that are not in the Google Play store. Some of the popular devices people download Android slots apps for include Samsung and Huawei smartphones and tablets.
WGL slots Hall of Fame
We don’t discriminate at the South African Gambling List. If it has reels and a suitable house edge we will play any slots game. But we have a few favourite titles that get played more than average. We have pooled our global knowledge and selected our favourite online slot available in South Africa.
| Game of Thrones | Gladiator | Incredible Hulk |
| Iron Man | Kong | Blade |
| Mega Moolah | Incredible Hulk | Fantastic Four |
| Major Millions | X-men | After Night Falls |
| Greedy Goblins | At the Copa | Mr Vegas |
| Gonzo’s Quest | Starburst | Southpark: Reel Chaos |
| Jack and the Beanstalk | Bingo Billions | Treasure Nile |
| Batman: The Dark Knight | Mega Moolah: Isis | Green Lantern |
| Superman | Cash Splash | Jackpot Rango |
| Good Girl, Bad Girl | The True Sheriff | Mega Gems |
Five reasons online slots are better
South Africans are very familiar with retail slots games and there has long been a burgeoning offshore online casino industry, however the regulated local industry is now much more accessible. This has brought with it some great initiatives and things that shade the retail industry including these online slots features:
- House edge: This is such a big factor it even has its own section. We at the WGL play slots to win and the house edge is obviously a big factor in the bottom line.
- Graphics: While there have been a few cool slots at land-based venues over the years, online slots are far more visually pleasing, with obvious influences from the booming video-game industry. The advent of 3D slots has also made them more entertaining.
- Slots tournaments: What you might ask? But slots tournaments are a great way to win big from very little outlay. You won’t find slots tournaments at land-based casinos, with these pitting you against other players. The aim of the game is to get the most points and finish as high up a leaderboard as you can. Read more about online slots tournaments.
- Cheaper: It’s a broad statement that online slots are cheaper. But when was the last time you went to the pub and didn’t have a couple of pints and a meal with your slots playing time? You should get more bang for your buck by playing at home.
- Variety: We know of one online casino, Slots Million, that has more than 800 slot machines on the one website. You won’t find most of these titles at land-based venues and the themed slots available on the Web are outstanding.
- Aliens: Remember that mid-80s movie called Aliens? Well, NetEntertainment created an outstanding slot based on the classic cult horror film. You won’t find it at a bricks-and-mortar casino, but if you manage to find it online you are in for a good time.
Online slots house edge explained
We touched on how this works before. As a basic rule of thumb the more money you put into an online slot machine the less the house edge will be. For instance, playing a R10 slot and maximum lines could trim your house edge down to 3-4 per cent.
If you are playing a mid-priced game such as a 25-cent slot, the house edge is likely to be around 8 per cent at a land-based casino. Online you will be able to play 20-cent spins and still have a house edge of around 5 per cent.
Playing online you need to take into account whether the game is a progressive game, which almost certainly will increase the house edge. The reason, of course, is that a few per cent of your initial outlay goes into a jackpot that can then go off at any moment.
So when playing online slots it pays to play maximum lines if you can afford it for a length of time. If you are playing a smaller denomination game you are probably better off using the “hit and run” tactic, meaning if you have an early win you should take the money and run because the house edge will eventually destroy you.
Slots sites ZAR payment options
There is no excuse not too play in the Rand currency if you are from South Africa. Most online slots sites cater extensively to the South African Rand, including having upwards of eight payment options in some cases, customer support that understands the South African landscape and much more.
Payment options at online slots sites in South Africa include:
- Visa
- EasyEFT
- Mastercard
- Neteller
- Skrill
- SID Instant EFT
- ecoPayz
Withdrawing funds from Rand online slots casinos
The South African casino industry is fully regulated which means players have no trouble withdrawing funds from online slots sites. These withdrawal methods at online slots operators include bank transfers, various web wallets and even cheques.
Cashouts from Rand online slots websites vary in times, with the first factor being how long it takes the casino to process your request. Secondly, each casino withdrawal method will have standard processing times. For instance, it’s common for withdrawals back to Visa cards to be completed overnight.
Common slots banking withdrawal methods
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Maestro
- Apple Pay
- Google Play
- Paypal
- Neteller
- Skrill
- Paysafecard
- EcoPayz
- Bank Wire
Online slots laws in South Africa
The laws surrounding online slots in South Africa are confusing to say the least, although it’s very possible to play legal games at licensed websites. Many of the top slots sites in South Africa double as online bookmakers, with these websites licensed by one of the nine provincial gambling regulators.
Here is a list of the provincial gambling regulators in South Africa:
- Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board
- Free State Gambling and Liquor Authority
- Gauteng Gambling Board
- KwaZulu-Natal Gaming and Betting Board
- Limpopo Gambling Board
- Mpumalanga Gambling Board
- Northern Cape Gambling Board
- North West Gambling Board
- Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board
Each of these regulators is responsible for regulating and overseeing gambling activities within their respective provinces. They ensure that gambling operators comply with the relevant laws and regulations, and they also provide support to problem gamblers.
Customer support at South African slots sites
When you are playing at online casinos, if anything goes wrong it pays to know whether the site you are playing at has customer service. South African slots sites customer service includes things like live chat, emails and even methods like Skype or Facebook.
Basically ZA online slots operators are exceptionally keen to keep your custom, so things like customer service are critical. VIP programs at online slots casinos are becoming more common and often involve players having a dedicated account manager.
Our slots site reviews include extensive details about troubleshooting and customer service at each of the brands we promote. This is important, because we aim to become the authority in online slots in world gambling.
Online slots commonly asked questions
Online slots in the South Africa are fully regulated, but real money gambling can be daunting for those starting out. If you have a query about ZA online slots we can be reached at contact@worldgamblinglist.com or via the box below.
Yes, real money gambling is legal in the South Africa, including online slots, with plenty of regulated online gambling sites now featuring these types of games.
There are literally thousands of online slots available in 2023, with new releases dropping all the time. Some of our favourite historical online slots includes Game of Thrones, Iron Man and Bridesmaids.
Yes, there are many progressive slots games available at South African online casinos, with these including titles from some of the biggest software providers. Progressive slots are when a small slug is taken from each spin on certain games, putting it in a central jackpot.
A fruitie or fruities are the nickname that the British give slot machines, which are commonly found in venues across the United Kingdom. This is a reference to an original slot machine called Pub Fruity, which was one of the first games released. South Africans can play these Pub Fruity games at many of the top slots sites.
Just like slot machines at South African venues, online slots at ZAR gambling sites are regulated and audited to prove they are safe to play at. Always look for regulation from one of the nine provinces if you want to stay safe when playing online slots sites.