South Africa has always been something of a gambling hub in a part of the world where casino culture has struggled to gain widespread appeal. Probably the best example is Sun City, which is like a little slice of Las Vegas, transported to the opposite side of the globe.
In recent years, the online gambling boom has also been felt here. The regulatory authorities have yet to warm to it, and as is the case in other countries like Australia, domestic casino operators are prohibited from providing online casino services, despite the evident demand. This has opened up the market to offshore providers, who target South African gamers through various means, for example by accepting South African currency or publishing content in Afrikaans.
No deposit bonuses for safer online play
Unfortunately, the lack of regulation means there is some risk attached, as not all offshore casino providers are as secure as they seem. The good news is that the disreputable ones are in the minority. What’s more, gamers can play with confidence by opting for casinos offering a no-deposit bonus, as it means they can get down to the gaming without having to stake any of their own money.
Even then, it pays to get some expert tips on which platforms are recommended and which to avoid. Zebras list of no deposit bonuses is a handy resource in this regard and is well worth consulting. Here, we have selected five of the best no deposit offers that are available to South Africans right now.
Zar Casino (ZAR 500)
This mobile-first casino has been around since 2006 and started offering its services to South African players in 2019. There’s a first-rate range of games, with an emphasis on tournament play, so if you’re into games like poker, this one will definitely appeal.
New players are currently being greeted with a no deposit bonus of ZAR 500, which they can claim with the bonus code BIGZAR. The casino takes customer service seriously, and if you need support, there’s always someone waiting to help on instant chat.
Bondibet Casino (ZAR 450 / 50 free spins)
Bondibet specializes in meeting the gambling needs of customers based in countries that do not have a domestic infrastructure of regulated online casinos. As the name suggests, there’s a big Australian theme going on, but there are also thousands of South African users, and they are actively welcomed.
The no deposit bonus on offer here is an impressive ZAR 450, and there’s also a 50 free spins promotion. Check the site for the latest information on these and the games on which they can be redeemed, as they change every few days to keep things fresh. Bondibet is a great choice for customers who like variation – there are more than 1 500 games to choose from and some fabulous special events.
Lucky Draw Casino (ZAR 450)
Here’s a brand new casino, launched just last year. It’s striving to make a name for itself and attract new customers, which is why it’s offering every new sign-up ZAR 450 straight into their gambling account.
There’s a vibrant VIP club with all sorts of other promos and weekly prizes that range from free spins to Rolex watches! The only real downside is that as a new platform, Lucky Draw has yet to get the big-name game providers on board – but that will come in due course.
Yebo Casino (ZAR 350)
If you can speak a smattering of Zulu, you will know that Yebo is the casino that likes to say “yes!” It’s been serving South African gamblers for five years now, and while the brand itself isn’t a household name, it is reputed to be owned by one of the larger groups. Understandably, it is a challenge to get definitive information on this due to the regulatory landscape mentioned earlier.
Yebo is currently offering a ZAR 350 no deposit bonus to new players, with a wagering requirement of just 40x, which is definitely on the generous side for a bonus of this type. There is also a good range of other promotions, such as matched bonuses for amounts you choose to deposit into your gaming account.
Springbok casino (ZAR 350)
You can’t get much more South African than Springbok. The Curacao-licensed casino launched almost 10 years ago and is unashamedly aimed squarely at the South African market. There’s a ZAR 350 no deposit bonus there for the taking, but this can increase to well over ZAR 1000 with 100% bonuses on your first three deposits.
Springbok is a “stick to the knitting” kind of site that provides all the classics. If you love slots, video poker, blackjack, and roulette, you’ll be very happy with what’s on offer. This was also one of the first casinos supporting the South African market to accept Bitcoin gamblers.
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