South Africa Brand Rating: Popularity Analysis for October 2025

In October 2025, around 7 million search queries were recorded for the ten leading gambling brands in South Africa. The market is stable, and player loyalty to trusted brands is very high.

TOP 10 Most Popular Brands in South Africa (October 2025):

The Rating Leaders

1. Hollywoodbets: A local giant that has grown from a chain of betting shops into a full-fledged online gambling leader. Hollywoodbets is known for sponsoring horse racing (the Durban July) and cricket, as well as for its broad offering that includes betting, live dealer games, and slots from Habanero and Pragmatic Play, which are legalized as "betting on spins."
2. Betway: The main international competitor in the South African market. Betway offers one of the most technologically advanced and user-friendly products, especially in the online casino space. Their success is driven by a wide selection of legal games, including exclusive slots and the popular crash game Aviator.
3. Lottostar: A unique brand in South Africa that specializes in lottery products. Lottostar allows players to bet on the outcomes of the world's largest lotteries. The simplicity of the concept and the huge potential winnings have secured its place in the top three.

Gambling Regulation in South Africa

Regulation in South Africa is very strict and segmented. Each of the 9 provinces has its own gambling board (e.g., the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board). At the national level, the National Gambling Board (NGB) operates. Online casinos (slots, roulette) in their classic form are prohibited. Only online betting on sports, horse racing, and "outcome-based betting" on games like live dealer slots are legal.

Key Market News in 2025

• iGaming Legalization Postponed: The bill to fully legalize online casinos, which was discussed in 2024, has been postponed again indefinitely, maintaining the current market status quo. Details
• Growth in Habanero's Popularity: Slots from Habanero, especially Hot Hot Fruit, which are legalized as "betting on spins," are showing record popularity on all leading platforms. Read the overview