How to Bet Soccer on Betway South Africa
Your complete guide to online soccer betting in South Africa
Last updated: November 2024
Quick Facts
- Minimum deposit: R10
- Minimum bet: R1 per bet
- Must be 18 years or older
- FICA verification required for withdrawals
- Licensed by Western Cape Gambling Board
Table of Contents
1. What is Betway?
Betway is a legal online sports betting company in South Africa. You can bet on soccer and other sports using their website or mobile app. They have been operating since 2006 and serve over 30 million people worldwide.
Betway is licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. Their license number is 10181496-010. This means they must follow South African laws to keep your money safe.
The company sponsors major soccer teams like West Ham United in England. In South Africa, you can bet on local leagues like the PSL and international competitions like the English Premier League, Champions League, and World Cup.
2. Requirements to Start Betting
To create a Betway account, you must have:
- Be 18 years old or older
- Be a South African resident
- A valid South African ID, passport, or driver’s license
- A working cellphone number
- An email address
- Proof of address (for withdrawals)
- At least R10 to deposit
✅ 3. How to Register on Betway (Step-by-Step)
Registration takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit Betway Website
Go to www.betway.co.za on your phone or computer. Look for the green “Register” or “Sign Up” button at the top right corner.
Step 2: Enter Your Phone Number and Personal Details
The registration form asks for:
- Your mobile phone number
- First name and surname (exactly as on your ID)
- Email address
- Create a password (make it strong)
Step 3: Enter Your ID Details
On the next page, you must provide:
- Your South African ID number
- Date of birth
- Source of funds (salary, business, etc.)
- Preferred language (English or Afrikaans)
Step 4: Accept Terms and Complete
Tick the box to confirm you are 18+ and agree to the terms. Click “Register” to finish. Betway will automatically verify your identity using your ID number.
⚠️ 4. FICA Verification Process
FICA stands for Financial Intelligence Centre Act. This is a South African law from 2001. All betting companies must verify your identity to prevent money laundering.
When Do You Need FICA?
You can deposit money and bet without FICA. However, you CANNOT withdraw any winnings until your account is FICA verified. This usually happens when you request your first withdrawal.
Documents You Need:
Proof of Identity (choose one):
- Green South African ID book (barcoded)
- South African Smart ID card
- South African passport
- South African driver’s license
Proof of Address (choose one):
- Bank statement (less than 3 months old)
- Utility bill – electricity, water, rates (less than 3 months old)
- Municipal account (less than 3 months old)
- Telephone or cellphone account (less than 3 months old)
How to Submit FICA Documents:
Option 1: Through Website
- Log into your Betway account
- Click “Upload Now” when the FICA pop-up appears
- Upload clear photos or scans of both documents
- Click submit
Option 2: Email
Send clear photos to: fica@betway.co.za
- Take photos in good lighting
- All four corners must be visible
- Documents must be in colour
- For ID cards and licenses, photograph both sides
- Text must be clear and readable
FICA verification takes 24 to 48 hours. Betway will send you an email when your account is verified. Some lucky users are automatically verified during registration.
5. How to Deposit Money
You need money in your Betway account before you can place bets. The minimum deposit is R10.
Deposit Methods Available:
| Payment Method | Minimum | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Card (Visa, Mastercard) | R10 | Instant |
| Ozow (Instant EFT) | R10 | Instant |
| 1Voucher | R10 | Instant |
| Kazang Voucher | R10 | Instant |
| FNB/ABSA EFT | R10 | Instant |
How to Make a Deposit:
- Log into your Betway account
- Click the green “Deposit” button at the top
- Choose your payment method from the list
- Enter the amount you want to deposit (minimum R10)
- Follow the payment instructions for your chosen method
- Confirm the payment
Most deposits appear in your account immediately. You will receive an SMS confirmation when your deposit is successful.
✅ 6. How to Place Soccer Bets (Step-by-Step)
For Website Users:
- Find Soccer Section: On the homepage, click on “Soccer” or “Football” in the sports menu. You can also use the search bar to find specific teams.
- Choose a League: Click “Choose League” to see available competitions. You can select Premier Soccer League, English Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and many others.
- Pick Your Match: Scroll through the list of upcoming matches. Matches are shown in order of kick-off time.
- Select Your Bet Type: Click on the odds for your chosen bet. The most common is “Match Result” (who will win). For more options, click “More Bets”.
- Check Your Betslip: Your selection appears in the betslip on the right side of the screen. Enter how much you want to bet (minimum R1).
- Confirm Your Bet: Review your bet and potential winnings. Click “Place Bet” to confirm. You will receive an SMS verification code.
For Mobile App Users:
- Open the Betway app and log in
- Tap on “Sports” at the bottom menu
- Select “Soccer” from the sports list
- Choose your league and match
- Tap on the odds you want to bet on
- Enter your stake amount in the betslip
- Tap “Place Bet” and confirm with SMS code
7. Types of Soccer Bets Explained
Betway offers many different ways to bet on soccer. Here are the most popular types:
Match Result (1X2)
The simplest bet. You predict who will win the match or if it will be a draw.
- 1 = Home team wins
- X = Draw
- 2 = Away team wins
Example: If you bet on Kaizer Chiefs to beat Orlando Pirates and they win 2-1, you win your bet.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
You bet on whether both teams will score at least one goal each during the match.
Example: You bet “Yes” on both teams to score. The match ends 2-1. You win because both teams scored.
Over/Under Goals
You predict whether the total goals scored will be more or less than a specific number (usually 2.5 goals).
- Over 2.5 = 3 or more total goals
- Under 2.5 = 2 or fewer total goals
Example: You bet Over 2.5 goals. The match ends 2-1 (3 total goals). You win.
Double Chance
This covers two of the three possible outcomes. Safer but lower odds.
- 1X = Home win or draw
- 12 = Home win or away win (no draw)
- X2 = Draw or away win
Draw No Bet
You pick a winner, but if the match ends in a draw, you get your money back. This removes the draw option.
First Goalscorer
You bet on which player will score the first goal of the match. Higher odds but harder to predict.
Correct Score
You predict the exact final score. Very difficult but offers very high odds.
Multiple/Accumulator Bets
You combine multiple bets into one. All your selections must win for you to win. The odds multiply, giving you bigger potential winnings but higher risk.
⚠️ 8. Costs and Limits You Should Know
Betting Limits (as of 2024):
| Bet Type | Minimum | Maximum Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Single Bet | R1 | R500,000 |
| Multiple (2-5 selections) | R1 | R1,000,000 |
| Multiple (6-9 selections) | R1 | R2,000,000 |
| Multiple (10-19 selections) | R1 | R5,000,000 |
| Multiple (20-40 selections) | R1 | R10,000,000 |
Account Fees:
- Registration: FREE
- Deposits: FREE (no fees charged by Betway)
- Withdrawals: FREE
- Monthly maintenance: FREE
Note: Your bank may charge their own fees for transactions. Check with your bank for details.
9. How to Withdraw Your Winnings
IMPORTANT: You must complete FICA verification before you can withdraw money. See Section 4 above.
Withdrawal Methods:
| Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Bank Account (EFT) | 2-3 business days |
| Ozow | 2 hours to 24 hours |
Steps to Withdraw:
- Log into your Betway account
- Click on “Withdraw” button
- Choose your withdrawal method
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw
- Enter your bank account details (first time only)
- Confirm the withdrawal request
🚨 10. Safety Tips and Scam Warnings
How to Protect Yourself:
- Only use the official website: www.betway.co.za. Bookmark this page.
- Never share your password: Betway staff will NEVER ask for your password.
- Use a strong password: Mix letters, numbers, and symbols. Change it regularly.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Use SMS verification for extra security.
- Check your email: Betway sends confirmation for all transactions. Report anything suspicious immediately.
Common Scams to Avoid:
🚫 Fake Betting Tips Scams
The Scam: Someone contacts you on WhatsApp or Facebook offering “guaranteed winning tips” if you pay R500 or more.
Reality: No one can guarantee winning bets. These people take your money and disappear. Betway does not sell tips or have official tipsters.
🚫 Phishing SMS/Email Scams
The Scam: You receive an SMS or email saying “Your Betway account is suspended” or “You won R50,000!” with a link to click.
Reality: Scammers create fake websites that look like Betway to steal your login details. Always check the web address carefully. The real address is www.betway.co.za (with .co.za, not .com or anything else).
🚫 Fake Customer Service Scams
The Scam: Someone calls pretending to be Betway support and asks for your password or OTP code.
Reality: Real Betway staff will NEVER ask for your password or OTP codes. If someone asks for this, hang up immediately.
Official Betway contacts:
- Phone: 086 011 7711
- WhatsApp: +27 60 671 6982
- Email: support@betway.co.za
🚫 Account Hacking Warning
If someone knows your password, they can steal your winnings. Signs your account may be compromised:
- Bets you didn’t place
- Withdrawals you didn’t request
- Your email or phone number changed
- Can’t log in with your usual password
If this happens: Immediately contact Betway at 086 011 7711 to freeze your account.
11. Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: “I can’t register because my ID number is invalid”
Solutions:
- Check you typed your ID number correctly (13 digits)
- Make sure your name matches your ID exactly
- Your date of birth must match your ID
- Contact Betway support if problem continues
Problem: “My deposit didn’t show in my account”
Solutions:
- Wait 15 minutes – sometimes there’s a delay
- Check if money was deducted from your bank
- Contact your bank to confirm payment was successful
- Contact Betway with your transaction reference number
Problem: “I can’t withdraw my winnings”
Most Common Reasons:
- Your account is not FICA verified (see Section 4)
- You have an active bonus with wagering requirements
- Your bank details are incorrect
- You’re trying to withdraw less than the minimum amount
Problem: “My bet was marked as void”
Common Reasons:
- The match was postponed or cancelled
- A player you bet on didn’t play
- Technical error in the betting system
- Your stake is refunded when a bet is void
How to Contact Betway Support:
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 086 011 7711 (24/7) |
| +27 60 671 6982 | |
| Email (General) | support@betway.co.za |
| Email (FICA) | fica@betway.co.za |
| Live Chat | Available on website (24/7) |
⚠️ 12. Responsible Gambling – Very Important
Betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money. Many people lose more than they win. Only bet what you can afford to lose.
Signs You May Have a Gambling Problem:
- Betting money you need for rent, food, or bills
- Borrowing money to gamble
- Lying to family about how much you bet
- Thinking about betting all the time
- Betting more to win back losses
- Feeling anxious or depressed about betting
- Unable to stop even when you want to
How to Bet Responsibly:
- Set a budget: Decide how much you can afford to lose before you start
- Set time limits: Don’t spend hours betting every day
- Never chase losses: If you lose, accept it and stop. Don’t try to win it back
- Don’t bet when emotional: Avoid betting when angry, sad, or drunk
- Take regular breaks: Step away from betting for days or weeks
- Use Betway’s limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits on your account
Free Help Available:
National Responsible Gambling Programme
- Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 006 008 (24 hours, 7 days)
- WhatsApp: 076 675 0710
- SMS: Send “HELP” to 076 675 0710
- Email: helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za
All calls are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. Professional counsellors are available to help. Treatment is also FREE.
Self-Exclusion Option:
If you need to stop gambling, you can ask Betway to close your account. This is called self-exclusion. Contact Betway support to request this. They will block your account for a minimum of 6 months.
After self-exclusion, call the National Responsible Gambling Programme for free counselling support.
Our Final Recommendations
Betway is a legal and licensed betting platform in South Africa. However, betting always carries risk. Most people lose money when they bet on sports.
Before you start betting:
- Only bet money you can afford to lose completely
- Never bet money needed for rent, food, or bills
- Set strict limits and stick to them
- Complete FICA verification before depositing large amounts
- Read all terms and conditions carefully
- Save the responsible gambling helpline number: 0800 006 008
Red flags to watch for: If you’re betting more than you planned, lying about losses, or feeling anxious about money, stop immediately and call the helpline.
Remember: Betting should be fun entertainment, not a way to make money or solve financial problems. If it’s not fun anymore, it’s time to stop.
Regulatory Information
Betway Operator: Raging River Trading (Pty) Ltd (Company Number: 2011/134505/07)
License: Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board – Bookmaker License Number: 10181496-010 (Issued: 1 December 2016)
Registered Office: 3rd Floor, Waterview 2, Waterview Park, Century City, Cape Town, 7441
Consumer Protection Contacts:
- Western Cape Gambling Board: For complaints about Betway
- National Gambling Board: www.ngb.org.za
- National Consumer Commission: 0860 003 600
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and was last updated in November 2024. Betting regulations, fees, odds, and requirements may change. Always verify current information with Betway directly before making any financial decisions. CodeCash is not affiliated with Betway.
Legal Notice: No persons under 18 years are permitted to gamble. Gambling involves risk and you may lose money. Winners know when to stop. National Responsible Gambling Programme: 0800 006 008.
For complaints or disputes with any financial service provider, contact the National Consumer Commission at 0860 003 600 or visit www.thencc.gov.za