FAQ's

BettingTop10 has gathered the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) punters send us most so you can find answers quickly. If your question isn’t covered below, drop us a mail at info@bettingtop10.com.

How To Use Betting Sites: The Basics

How do you place a bet?

Whichever operator you pick, the steps to bet online are much the same. Sign up with the bookmaker of your choice, fund your account and you can start betting straight away.

Most betting sites list a huge selection of sports betting markets and events, and plenty reward you with bonuses simply for funding your account and placing bets. Open the sportsbook menu, pick your sport and market, then click or tap the price you want so it drops onto your betting slip. For an accumulator, keep clicking the odds of each extra selection and they will stack up on the bet slip, which normally sits on the right side of the screen. Once you are satisfied with your pick(s), type in your stake and press the ‘Place Bet’ button to lock it in.

How do you deposit & withdraw from an online bookmaker?

Punters wanting to load real money into a betting account can choose from several payment options. Credit and debit cards remain a common choice, while e-Wallets have grown in popularity over the past few years. Banking works in much the same way at every online bookie, so the steps below should get you sorted.

Depositing:

• Sign in and head to the ‘My Account’ area, which you will usually find in the menu bar along the top
• Open the deposit page, often labelled banking, deposits or funding
• Pick your preferred method, then type in how much you want to deposit plus any details needed to process the payment
• Press submit and the money lands in your balance, normally instantly for most options

Withdrawing:

• Sign in, go to the banking area and find the ‘withdrawals’ option
• Select your withdrawal method, which is normally the same one you used to deposit
• Enter how much you want to cash out and press submit
• At this point you might be asked to provide some form of ID. This is standard and helps stop money laundering
• How long a payout takes depends on the operator and method, but 2/3 working days to reach your account is roughly the industry norm

How much can I bet?

Plenty of operators set minimum and maximum bet amounts, so read their terms and conditions before you stake anything. Some also cap the total amount they will pay out to a punter.

How do bookmakers set their odds?

Above all, a bookmaker wants to come out ahead on every event, whatever the result. Before pricing a market, bookies study recent form, statistics, past results, expert views and a host of other factors.

Every market carries a margin, built on the idea that punters will spread their money in line with the true chances the bookmaker has calculated for each outcome. Naturally, prices can move when the betting doesn’t follow that expected pattern. Adjusting odds to balance their exposure is the key reason prices shift once the opening lines are out.

Legal and safety questions for punters

Is online betting legal in South Africa?

Every one of South Africa’s nine provinces runs its own gambling and racing board. A bookie needs a licence from one of these boards before it can take bets online. At present the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) issues the most online bookmaker licences.

At what age can I legally use an online betting site?

All online betting sites in South Africa require you to be 18 or older before you can place a bet. Most bookies verify your identity at registration to make sure nobody is gambling illegally. Expect to send a copy of your South African ID document (or passport) plus a utility bill showing your full name and address, dated within the last three months.

Will my winnings be taxed?

As a rule, gambling winnings in South Africa are not taxed. Big wins might need to be declared to the South African Revenue Service, but they won’t attract capital gains taxes. Anyone gambling professionally may want to speak to an accountant about any financial duties that could apply.

What are wagering requirements?

The bulk of online sportsbooks run bonuses and promotions for new sign ups and loyal customers alike. Wagering requirements are the conditions you have to satisfy before you can cash out winnings tied to those deals. Every bonus comes with terms and conditions, and they spell out how much a punter needs to bet before bonus cash, or the winnings from it, can be withdrawn.

Is online betting safe?

A sportsbook can only be considered approved and secure if an accredited gambling authority has licensed it. Look for licence details on the site itself, shown with a logo and a clickable link confirming where it is licensed and its licence number. Trustworthy operators also follow strict privacy policies so your personal information stays safe and secure.

Where to bet?

Betting is a highly competitive industry, and every company wants you betting with them alone. Operators use bonuses, promotions and loyalty programmes to keep your business, yet there is nothing wrong with comparing offers and holding accounts at several sites.

Our team has put many hours into researching the leading bookies so we can give you in depth information on each one. Take a look at our reviews to know exactly what an operator offers before you open an account.