Casinos in South Africa

Introduction

In this country review, we'll take a look at some of the history of gambling in South Africa and report some of the most important details about the current gaming situation. Join us as we dig in and expose the good and the not-so-good elements of this huge and magnificent country to help you decide if it’s a place you want to plan a trip to, take some time out of a planned trip to play, or simply to learn more about gambling in South Africa.

But first…

…some background and details about the country sometimes referred to as the Rainbow Nation.

South Africa sits at the lower end of the African continent, as can be divined by the country’s name. It has officially been a republic since 1961 (The Republic of South Africa). It is a land of contradictions and agreement with what is morally right and wrong and striving to become more perfect all the time. The country is surrounded by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), and it has coastlines along the Indian as well as the Atlantic Oceans. From high to low the geology and geography show us the Drakensberg Mountain peaks and the lowlands of the Kalahari Desert and they run the length of the coastal Garden Route.

The history is full of pain and joy, struggles and achievements, with a mix of European colonization, the era of apartheid, and finally a full transition to a democratic republic in 1994. The economy is one of the largest in Africa and is fed by mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Wine connoisseurs sing the praises of its varietals and men of industry and wealth are attracted to its gold, platinum, and diamonds.

South Africa sees millions of visitors a year. Tourists come to enjoy places like Kruger National Park and Table Mountain and others are drawn like a moth to a light and visit the cultural cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town with thriving nightlife.

Politically, the country has seen progress since the end of apartheid, although challenges like economic inequality and corruption remain. Despite the struggles, South Africa still plays an outsized role on the African continent, with its “freedom index” reflecting a mix of liberties with plenty of room for improvement.

Gambling Legal History in South Africa

Gambling in South Africa has a long history that runs alongside the country’s social and political evolution. Gambling was heavily restricted for centuries, going clear back to 1673. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that the industry began to coalesce however, gambling was still a segregated activity. Casinos popped up and did well in the “homelands” like Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda - places where Black South Africans were authorized to have communities. The casinos were still off-limits to most of the population.

Things changed in 1994 when democracy for all became the political system and the National Gambling Act of 1996 was passed. The legislation legalized all forms of gambling and created a regulated system for land casinos, the national lottery, and horse racing. The act brought gambling to the entire population and put it under government oversight. The National Gambling Board was formed.

Since the Gambling Act came about just before the advent of online gambling and nothing much changed over the decades, South Africa is still a grey area when it comes to gambling online. The National Gambling Amendment Act of 2008 was designed to regulate the online space but it was never passed into law. The Remote Gambling Bill (B11-2024), introduced in April 2024, puts forth a new framework for licensing and regulating online gambling, but as of this writing it hasn’t been signed into law either, so currently the industry is still in a state of uncertainty.

Casinos of South Africa

Sun City: Sun City is located in the North West Province near Pilanesberg National Park, and is one of South Africa’s most famous resort casinos. Surrounded by natural beauty and situated between the Elands River and the Pilanesberg, the casino offers action to both the casual gambler and the high roller on crowded slots floors, hopping table areas, and private rooms.

Along with the casino, Sun City has golf courses, the Valley of Waves water park, and plenty of restaurants and bars. The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is a big tourist draw for the resort where guests get a chance to see the Big Five on safari. “Big Five” refers to the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo.

Sun Boardwalk: Situated in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), the Sun Boardwalk Casino is an entertainment complex on the coast of the Eastern Cape. The casino has a relaxed atmosphere and features slots and table games. The Boardwalk also has a newer hotel, several dining options, and a full convention center. It’s a go-to spot for tourists and business travelers. Beaches are nearby and so is the Addo Elephant National Park.

Gold Reef City: Gold Reef City is located in Johannesburg and offers a unique blend of entertainment and history. It was built around a gold mine that operated in the 1800s. The casino has a mining theme but not to the extent a Las Vegas Strip casino might, it is more nuanced. There is a theme park with rides and historical exhibits, which helps make Gold Reef City a family vacation destination. Other local attractions include the Apartheid Museum, always a reminder of the recent past and the progress the country has made socially and politically.

Permanent Covid Casino Closures

The South African gambling industry has always faced obstacles, but never so much as fairly recently. Sun International announced that two of its properties, the Naledi Casino in the Free State and the Carousel Casino in the North West, would not reopen after the national lockdown restrictions were lifted. While life can seem to have returned to normal for most of us, it’s closures like this that remind all of us that the pandemic really did change almost everything in one way or another.

Banking in South African Casinos

When visiting South Africa’s casinos, just like those in any modern country, players will find all the banking options they need. South Africa’s banking sector is now fully developed. Casinos generally accept cash, credit and debit cards, and bank transfers. E-wallets and mobile payments like Tap to Pay are becoming increasingly popular and are often the easiest way to pay and manage personal finances like a gambling budget. While we haven’t seen them go into any casinos yet, the country’s first cryptocurrency ATM was installed at Northwold Spar in the same town as Gold Reef City. Spar is an international brand and one of South Africa’s major retailers.

Casino transactions are typically conducted in South African Rand (ZAR), with on-site fiat currency ATMs and currency exchange services available in most casinos. South Africa’s banking infrastructure is secure so international travelers can simply enjoy their gambling rather than need to worry about financial transactions.

Conclusion

South Africa is a great place for visitors and locals to gamble with a wide variety of gaming establishments available to those who can get around the country, and enough nearby major population centers like Johannesburg to take care of the local trade. We still don’t know what will shake out in terms of online gambling law but you can check our jurisdictions pages, bookmark the South African News page at World Casino News, or stay on top of our news here.