Unlicensed 1xBet and Stake Top South Africa’s Online Betting Traffic

Unlicensed gambling operators account for around 62% of South Africa’s betting market, costing the country over $2.9 billion annually in lost tax revenue, Daily Investor reports, citing the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA). According to SABA, more than 2,000 offshore betting sites are actively targeting South African users, with roughly 16 million residents visiting such platforms over the past year.

A joint study by Yield Sec and the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) revealed that in 2023–2024, the top five websites by online gambling traffic in South Africa were:
1xBet (17.46%), Stake.com (17.17%), Hollywoodbets (16.26%), Betway (13.61%), and Europa Casino (3.29%).

Among these, only Hollywoodbets and Betway are locally licensed. 1xBet, Stake.com, and Europa Casino operate under offshore jurisdictions.

The report notes that offshore platforms aggressively promote their services through digital marketing, affiliate programs, and influencer partnerships. These sites offer no guarantees of payouts or data protection and pay no taxes or mandatory levies to the South African government.

SABA CEO Shaun Coleman highlighted that the fragmented regulatory system — where licensing and enforcement are handled at the provincial level — further complicates oversight.

According to the National Gambling Board (NGB), the total betting turnover in South Africa reached $86.9 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) estimated at $4.35 billion, a 26% increase year-on-year. The online segment continues to show steady growth but remains vulnerable to offshore operators.