One of the most important aspects of gambling online for any South African player is having the ability to fund their accounts quickly, safely, easily and reliably - every time. The ease with which they can get their playing funds in and out of a casino or any other online gaming site they choose to play at will often determine whether a site is worthwhile or not.
This is why most South African online gambling sites bend over backwards to accommodate players in terms of providing them with the biggest and broadest choice of payment or banking options. The quicker and more an efficient a method of payment, the greater the likelihood players from South Africa will return to a gaming site and make repeat deposits.
Every South African online gambling site featured on Gambling Africa uses the latest and most high-tech encryption software and processes when it comes to player deposits and withdrawals. This means if you’re a South African online gambler you can rest assured that all of your payments are safe and secure, as is your personal and financial information.
South African online casino payment methods typically cover three main categories - credit / debit cards, bank transfers (EFTs) and e-wallets. As you’ll see below, each of these various banking methods has their own set of benefits, but what they all have in common is that they’re tried and tested and underwritten by reputable banks and financial institutions.
Here is a list of the most common and popular casino payment methods available to South African online gambling fans:
Visa / MasterCard (credit / debit cards)
Credit cards and debit cards are arguably the most popular form of payment amongst South African gambling fans because they’re so convenient, quick and easy to use, and most South Africans own at least one card or type of ‘plastic.’
Although the most common cards in South Africa are Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club, most online casinos only accept MasterCard and Visa. Many also accept Maestro, but this is not a common card in South Africa.
To make a deposit with a card, select the credit card option in the casino’s banking page choose the card type (Visa or MasterCard) then enter your name (as appears on the card), the 16 digit card number, the card expiry date, the CVV number (the 3 digits printed on the card’s signature strip) and the amount you want to deposit.
As long as you have available funds on your card, your deposit should reflect in your online casino account instantly. Making a withdrawal to a credit card can take up to 72 hours to clear.
EasyEFT (bank transfer)
EasyEFT is a popular online casino payment solution that was developed especially for South Africans as an alternative to debit or credit cards. It’s a Rand (ZAR) based electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking option that acts like a ‘middleman’ between your regular bank account and your SA online casino account.
To make a deposit or withdraw using EasyEFT, simply select it from the banking options on offer and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you’ve selected your South African bank – Nedbank, FNB, ABSA, Capitec, Investec or Standard Bank - you’ll be directed to your regular online banking profile where you can complete your deposit or withdrawal.
The biggest advantages of EasyEFT is that it is a safe, convenient and credit card-free online payment solution which is why it’s ideal for many South African online gambling fans.
Internet Bank Transfers / EFTs (bank transfer)
Most South African online casinos process payments via regular internet bank transfers or EFTs. Just login to your regular online banking app (ABSA, Nedbank, Investec FNB, Standard Bank or Capitec), add the casino as a beneficiary and make payment. With this banking method, however, it may take up to 48 hours for your deposits or withdrawals to clear.
You will likely be required to email and/or fax proof of payment confirmation to the Rand online casino (with your casino username) before your funds are cleared and reflect in your account. Although bank transfers are not the fastest of payment options, they’re one of the safest as you alone can access your bank account and control what goes in and out of it.
SID Instant EFT (bank transfer)
SID Instant EFT is another South African online payment method aimed at South Africans which is why so many gamblers make withdrawals and deposits using it. As an electronic funds transfer option, it facilitates a direct payment between your regular bank account and your preferred online casino account which alleviates the need to have a credit card.
For South African players who don’t have or want to use a credit or debit card to fund their casino accounts, SID Instant EFT is a great alternative. Add to that, it’s supported by all of South Africa’s major banks like Nedbank, ABSA, FNB, Capitec, Investec and Standard Bank. All you have to do is select SID Instant EFT at your casinos and follow the instructions.
What it does is create a safe, secure and encrypted ‘bridge’ between your everyday SA bank account and your casino account in ZAR. In fact, your bank will issue you with a one-time unique PIN every time you transact with SID to ensure that you, and only you, may transact on your account. This level of security and privacy is highly sought after by gamblers.
Entropay (virtual credit card)
Entropay is a virtual credit card issued by Visa that works exactly the same way as a regular debit card except it’s 100% virtual i.e. can be used online but not in the physical world. As such, when you sign up for Entropay card, you’ll unlock a virtual card that has your name on it, a 16-digit number, an expiry date and even a CVV security number.
You can only add funds to your Entropay account with a bank transfer and once you’ve done that you’re ready to use it to fund your favourite South African online casino accounts. All you have to do is select Entropay from your casino’s banking page and fill out the required information as if you were paying with a regular Visa debit card.
Entropay payments are processed instantly while withdrawals can take up to 24 hours to reflect in your account. A big benefit of Entropay is that it is a ‘buffer’ between your regular bank accounts and your online casino account. This is especially useful if you want to keep your online casino accounts as private and discreet as possible.
Skrill (e-wallet)
Formerly known as Moneybookers, Skrill is one of the world’s most popular and discreet e-wallets (electronic wallets), especially at online casinos including those frequented by South African players. A big drawcard of Skrill is how fast and simple it is to use, which is why it has become the banking method of choice amongst so many South African gamblers.
To use Skrill as an online casino deposit and withdrawal method, you need to have your own Skrill account which is quick and free to open. You will then need to add funds to your Skrill account using a debit or credit card. Once funded, you’re ready to make a deposit into your ZAR casino account and watch the funds instantly reflect, ready for you to use.
All you have to do is choose Skrill from the payment options in the casino cashier and enter the amount you want to deposit before being directed to your online Skrill account where you must enter your Skrill account email address and password to finalise payment.
If successful, the payment will appear in your casino account instantly. Withdrawals to your Skrill account can take up to 24 hours to reflect.
Neteller (e-wallet)
When Neteller started it was just another e-wallet but then it aligned itself with the world of online gambling and today is one of the largest and most successful e-wallets in operation. Being that it became the first ‘go to’ online casino payment option, it’s widely supported and used by online gamblers all over the world, South Africa included.
To use Neteller as a South African mobile or online casino payment method, you’ll first need to open a free Neteller account. Next, using a bank transfer, credit card or a host of other tried and trusted payment options, you must add funds to your Neteller account before you can use it to fund your various Rand virtual casino accounts.
The best thing about Neteller is that its payments reflect instantly. All you have to do is pick Neteller in your casino’s banking page, enter your unique Neteller ID or associated email address and the amount you want to deposit. As long as you have funds in your Neteller account, the transfer into your casino account will be instant.
EcoPayz (e-wallet)
Although ecoPayz (formerly called EcoCard) is a UK-based e-wallet, it’s a widely accepted form of payment at online casinos that welcome South Africans. Like its rival Neteller, ecoPayz has made its mark in the global online gambling industry which is how it has come to be a tried and trusted banking method at so many South African casinos online.
To use this banking method you need to open a free ecoPayz account, add funds to it and you’re ready to go. Like all e-wallets, ecoPayz has no credit facility which means you can only ever use funds that you have in your account i.e. no funds, no use. This makes it a safer form of payment than some other methods as there’s no risk of you overspending.
To fund your account with ecoPayz, select it from the list in your online casino’s cashier or banking page and fill out the required information including the sum you want to deposit. Being an e-wallet, your payment should reflect instantly in your account. When you make a withdrawal, however, you may have to wait up to 72 hours for your funds to clear.