Month: September 2020

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Betting Strategy & Tips

Which are the safest online betting sites in SA?

Which are the safest online betting sites in SA?

Safest online betting sites

We have already covered safety when it comes to choosing the safest online betting sites. For your peace of mind, read our article on why we believe betting online is completely safe. Now, let us look at some of the betting sites we consider to be the safest for online betting and why.
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The first safety aspect is without a doubt a betting site that has an operating license for South Africa. This means that the operator has undertaken the process of acquiring a South African betting license.

What is the purpose of a South African betting license?

With the license being granted, the provincial gambling board considers the online betting site compliant to operate in the country. The operator’s gambling system, including the online betting site and all products on offer, complies with technical requirements. The operator has the necessary processes and controls in place to operate within the set regulations and to ensure:

  • Protection of minors.
  • Processes to prevent fraud and money laundering.
  • Consumer protection through the promotion of responsible gambling.

What else is expected from a licensed betting operator?

As part of the license conditions, operators have to undergo regular audits to ensure their continued compliance with gambling regulations. If anything is found to be out of order, the operator will have a limited time to correct the problem. Depending on the magnitude of the problem, the operator may also receive a fine, have their license suspended or revoked. You can therefore rest easy knowing that locally licensed online betting sites operate under a strict set of rules. These rules are there to protect you, the consumer and ensure that online betting is enjoyed in a safe environment.

How about a bookmaker’s reputation?

What has the bookmaker done to establish a positive reputation in South Africa? Does the brand have retail outlets in at least one of the South African provinces? For how long has the brand been operational? What have others said about their interactions with the brand?

These are just some of the questions that come to mind when considering a brand’s reputation. We should of course not be deterred by brands with only an online presence. Some of these brands may have a well-established international reputation. So, they have entered into South Africa as part of their expansion strategy. A quick search for the brand name will usually answer this question.

You have arrived at the right place

We have already done all of the homework for you. Our listing of what we consider to be the safest online betting sites does not mean the others are not safe. Here at betandwin.co.za we only list legitimate and fully licensed online betting operators. Even with several safeguards in place, disagreements sometimes happen. If it so happens that things don’t quite go your way, first try to resolve the case with the bookmaker. If that fails, you can lodge a complaint with the applicable provincial gambling board. See our article on making a complaint against a bookmaker to learn more about how this process is handled.

Some other aspects to consider are customer service and banking options. Try a quick check-in with the customer service team by either email or live chat. This will usually give a good indication of the future experience you could expect from the bookmaker.

A few more checks in the right boxes

It is important to have a clear understanding of the available banking options, withdrawal conditions and withdrawal methods. This will surely avoid any surprises when it comes to collecting your winnings. Different bookmakers generally make use of similar banking options. Make sure you are aware of the available options to make all parts of the payment process as easy as possible for you. Know which methods you will use to fund your online betting account and which you will use to withdraw. Look at the time it will take for you to get money from your sports betting account. A few days is not uncommon considering the process followed in handling these payments.

Last but not least is online betting security

Make sure to check that the website you are logging into, is actually the bookmaker’s online betting website. You can easily do this by clicking in the address bar of your internet browser. While there, also make sure that the part before the website address, has HTTPS included. The “S” is for secure and most browsers will also display a padlock symbol indicating this. Seeing the padlock means the betting site has a security certificate in place. And it specifically ensures encryption of information transferred to the bookmaker’s website. This is also especially important when registering your payment information with the bookmaker. We have covered many other ways to ensure your safety when it comes to betting online.

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Betting Strategy & Tips

Responsible Gambling and safe online betting

Responsible Gambling and safe online betting

Responsible gambling and online betting safety

Betting and gambling are and should remain a form of entertainment. Unfortunately, a fine line exists between the entertainment aspect and being irresponsible, due to its addictive nature. Winners know when to stop, is the slogan of an initiative by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF). The foundation exists to help ensure a safe environment and to promote responsible gambling. In addition to providing a support programme for those affected by problem gambling, they also facilitate training for industry employees. Even with industry safeguards, it is ultimately down to you to ensure you gamble within your means. There are a few precautions you can take to ensure that you gamble responsibly, and we will explore some of these here.

Set a budget and stick to it

This is for sure the most important precautionary measure you can take to avoid the risk of problem gambling. You know how much you can afford to spend on entertainment every month without getting into trouble. This applies to betting or responsible gambling just the same. Set yourself a weekly or monthly limit, or per visit to a casino or betting site and stick to it. It’s so easy to get distracted by the excitement of all the lights, the sounds and even the wins. Be in control at all times and be sure to monitor your spend.

Avoiding alcohol is also a top tip. Some of our team have played poker at some of the best world class casinos and the serious players drink coffee. They are alert and remain in complete control at all times. Some online betting sites have functionality that allows you to set deposit and spending limits. These tools are very useful to control your spend, especially online where there is no physical exchange of money. The tools are there for your protection, use them if available.

Never borrow money to bet or gamble

If you cannot afford to place a bet or gamble, however good the odds may seem, refrain from doing it. In the world today and especially online, it has become too easy to borrow money. The casino or online betting site is not going anywhere, wait until you can afford to place a bet. There will always be more opportunities for that special or seemingly unmissable bet to come along. It is in the betting sites’ interest to create these great offers to ensure your future custom. It is easier to manage your debts when you do not have to think about betting or gambling related debt.

Do not chase your losses

You may have heard this before, but what does it actually mean? So, you’ve placed a few losing bets and have an opportunity to make up the difference with a potential win. This is a very high-risk strategy since you also stand to lose that equalizer bet. A far safer and more responsible gambling strategy is to write off your losses. Provided you have stuck to your set budget and haven’t borrowed money to bet, you’ve had your fun. See how these different tips tie together? It is important to follow not just one, but all of these precautions in combination.

Quit while you are ahead

No doubt, the excitement of a win is a great feeling. This feeling comes about by endorphins being released into your body as a result of the winning event. If you’ve been lucky enough to win where either you have covered your losses or have a little extra, stop. Take the time to celebrate your win and walk away. It is too easy to chase that winning feeling, even if you are still within your budget. Err on the side of caution, you’ve had a good day and can return another time. It also helps being sensible about whether you have actually won. Ever had someone tell you that they keep winning when they completely discount their spend? Although winning events have occurred, in reality they may have lost more than they have won. You haven’t really won unless your net profit, winnings less spend, is a positive.

Safety in online betting

Now that you are equipped with some of the precautions to safeguard yourself from problem gambling, what other risks exist? The online gambling industry has unfortunately been somewhat tarnished by illegal and fly-by-night establishments that only exist to take your money. But what can you do to protect yourself against these criminals? Thankfully, there are several tell-tail signs to help you avoid betting sites that will only rip you off. The most important is to look for a site with a license by a South African Provincial Licensing Authority. If you steer clear of betting sites that do not hold a local operating license, you have virtually eradicated the safety risk already.

We have covered some of the finer details on online betting safety with another article. Have a read to get true peace of mind. To make things even easier for you, we have also shortlisted what we consider to be the safest online betting sites. Either way, you can rest easy knowing that all betting sites listed on betandwin.co.za are considered safe to join. They all hold South African operating licenses and have been tried-and-tested by our team prior to being listed.

Responsible Gambling Betting sites

On betandwin.co.za we only list betting and casino sites that have a SA license. Our top 10 go-to sites are the following, including Supabets, Hollywoodbets and Betway SA:

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Is online betting safe? How to protect your information online

Is online betting safe? How to protect your information online

Is online betting safe in South Africa?

The simple answer to this question is, yes. It is generally entirely safe to use your hard-earned money, and ensure you are betting safe online. There are a few key things to be conscious of and look out for, to properly answer this question. To better understand the meaning of safety as it concerns online betting, let us first look at physical security. What would tick this box in terms of controls implemented by online operators?

HTTP versus HTTPS, the first step to betting safe online

Probably the most important check is whether the online sports betting website is secured with HTTPS. This essentially means that the data or information communicated between your computer and the website is encrypted. This makes it far more difficult for hackers to intercept or access your valuable information. Consider things like passwords, banking details, your home address, credit card information and this quickly becomes very important. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) means that the sports betting website owner has had to acquire an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate. Trusted certificate authorities take care of issuing these certificates. Most websites today, are available over HTTPS. Especially those that interact with information where there is a back-and-forth transfer of data between the visitor computer and the website.

There are a few ways to check for website security

  1. Does the website address include “HTTPS”? A quick indicator is to look at the website address. This is usually visible along the very top of the internet browser. Or you may have found a website through a search engine (like Google), which clearly displays the website address in search results.
  2. Does your internet browser display a padlock? Most modern internet browsers (like Google Chrome) would then also display a padlock symbol. This indicates that the website is secure and that the certificate itself is, in fact valid.
  3. Don’t see any certificate errors? If there is a fault with the certificate, the browser would normally display some sort of error indicating this. To see what the problem is, one could click on the error to understand more. In most cases, the problem may simply be that the website owner forgot to renew the certificate on expiry. It is similar in concept as an insurance policy, which someone forgot to renew. Reporting such faults to the website’s customer service team will likely have it resolved within a day.

Have you answered yes to all or at least questions 1 and 3, or 2 and 3? Then the sports betting website is secure and you can safely continue.

Sports betting license

Next, we will take a quick look at licensing. There are probably several thousands of online sports betting websites globally. But not all operators have a South African betting license. Many online betting operators will go as far as restricting access to their website from jurisdictions where betting online is outright illegal. That or they are not licensed to offer their services.

It is therefore no indicator that simply because a website is available in South Africa, it is also licensed. Gambling and sports betting licensing in South Africa is controlled on a provincial level. Each province having its own gambling board. For a bookmaker to offer its services, they have to hold a valid and current license with such an authority. A reference to a sports betting license is usually clearly displayed on the betting operator website. It appears at or near the bottom of the home page. More extensive information on licensing and government bodies can be found on our betting law page. Feel free to have a browse and broaden your knowledge.

Available payment methods

Nowadays, there are several ways to fund your online sports betting account and be on your way to betting safe. Depending on your personal preference, some of these methods offer more security than others. Vouchers are a very common purchase method. But as it requires planning, may be less convenient. Vouchers are generally available at supermarket chains. Some, for online purchase also, you can buy while shopping for groceries. In this sense, it also promotes responsible gambling by allowing you to plan your spend and to achieve increased control. Read more on the different payment methods accepted by online betting operators on our payment methods page.

Reputation

This may well go a long way, to help you make up your mind. But be wary. The popular saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” comes to mind. A fancy and modern website design does not necessarily point to a safe environment. Likewise, an old and dated design does not indicate the contrary. A website’s look and feel, is generally more of an indicator of the potential audience the operator is trying to appeal to. We have seen some pretty rough looking websites, that still tick all the other boxes along the lines of safety.

Instead, think of physical presence or sports betting sponsorships. Although this is not an indicator that can be used in isolation, it is for the most part a good one. Having physical betting shops create somewhat of an advantage for bookmakers in terms of licensing for online operation. The latter being an extension of the overall business. Likewise, sports betting sponsorships create a positive reputation. And operators have to comply with many conditions before the sponsorship takes effect. All being part of a vetting process to ensure good business relationships. See here a short list of bookmakers with land based betting shops.
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See here some of the international football sponsorships Betway have entered into.

How can I be sure I will get my winnings?

By using a combination of the indicators listed above. You have already made the best starting point to ensure your winnings will be paid by the sports betting operator. There is simply no guarantee that unlicensed operators will honor payment of legitimate winnings. Plus, you will have no avenues to launch complaints, should this be the case.

This sums up safety in online sports betting in a nutshell. We hope that this information serves you well. Remember that you can in most cases contact a betting operator’s support team in case you have any questions. If in doubt, do so before registering an account with them.

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Is sports betting in South Africa legal?

Is sports betting in South Africa legal?

Yes, sports betting in South Africa is indeed legal. There are however a few additional aspects to explore or understand on this subject. Let us look at a few of these, as the legality of online sports betting in SA is concerned. First and foremost is the regulatory regime and the requirement for sportsbooks, whether land based or online, to be duly licensed. Local provincial regulatory authorities grant betting licenses to operators. Since there are nine provinces in South Africa, there are also nine regulatory authorities, one per province. You can read more specifics on the South African provincial gambling and betting regulators on our betting law page. This page covers several different aspects of betting law as it applies in the country.

Be aware, be wary of false representation

As it stands, the placing of a bet based on the outcome of an event is entirely legal. Sports betting is the only form of gambling currently permitted on the internet in South Africa. Several sportsbooks are licensed to offer betting services. Be it land based or online, they would generally include a reference to this fact on their website. To the contrary, there are also several unlicensed online operators that offer their services in the country. Such operators might hold a license in Europe. But to operate legally in the country, the operator requires a South African issued betting license.

The proof is in the pudding

Through our research we had established contact with a non-licensed sportsbook. The support representative went as far as to say that the European authority, that issued their license, also covers South Africa. This is true in part. However, ignoring the most crucial aspect. This specific operator does not hold a license specifically in South Africa. So, if it accepts business from South African residents, it is doing so illegally. As a consequence, any potential complaints related to misconduct, cannot be heard in South Africa. In plain English, should you win with such an operator, you might not get paid. Then even if you do get paid your winnings, you run the risk of prosecution for doing business with a non-licensed entity in South Africa.

“A fool and his money are easily parted” – do not be fooled into spending your hard-earned income with non-licensed operators. See our ten best online betting sites page for a list of at least 10 of the best legally licensed sportsbooks in South Africa.

What can unlicensed operators do to help protect South African residents from participation?

A few ways exist for non-licensed operators to completely exclude South Africans from their business. One of which and probably the most effective, is exclusion based on the website visitor’s IP (Internet Protocol) address. When you are connected to the internet your IP address is your unique identifier. Devices such as a personal computer, mobile phone, tablet or other internet enabled device use IP addresses. Your IP address plays host to several pieces of information. Thereby identifying you, such as country of origin, locality and your ISP (Internet Service Provider). It can even be determined if you are connecting to the internet or visiting a website through a proxy or VPN (Virtual Private Network). It does so by running comparisons against known supplier databases.

Non-licensed online betting or gambling operators could therefore block incoming traffic based solely on country of origin. They can display a message stating their reasons for doing so. Usually, larger, more established and reputable internationally licensed operators would do exactly this. Operators are subject to audit in the jurisdiction(s) where they are licensed. And operating in clearly illegal jurisdictions may result in an operator’s license being revoked. The licensing authority could also issue fines to operators accepting business from countries that require specific licensing. Hence licensed betting and gambling operators are very careful to do what is required to ensure business continuity.

Could the government step in to offer additional protection?

Another method used in some countries, is for the government to apply law enforcement. So, protecting their residents, by working with ISPs in the country to block access to clearly illegal websites. One could of course argue that this is a double-edged sword. Since there is a very fine line between freedom of information and being subject to this form of law enforcement. In other words, the ability to access any website one would want to. South African lawmakers do not restrict access to websites. It is down to consumers to do their homework before establishing a relationship with an unknown business entity. We are here to help!

A key question to ask

So you want to be sure you are not breaking the law by betting online. Also, to ensure your own safety as your money is concerned. Is this betting website licensed in South Africa? You would usually be able to answer this fundamental question with relative ease. Follow our very basic guide on licensed betting websites in South Africa.

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Is online lotto legal in SA? Lotto betting online

Is online lotto legal in SA? Lotto betting online

Lotto or lottery as a concept is entirely legal in South Africa, but this raises another question. Is online lotto legal in the country? The answer however depends on the context in which the lottery is offered. Participation in online lotteries, whether domestic or international, through locally licensed bookmakers is legal. This is because these are a form of betting offered by the bookmaker under their sports betting license. Overall online lotto in its traditional form, where participants purchase tickets to enter the lottery draw, is currently illegal.

Under South African law and per the Lotteries Act, a lottery is defined as a competition for distributing prizes by lot. Specifically such that the Minister (of Trade and Industry) may by notice in the Gazette declare to be a lottery.

National Lotteries Commission

Firstly the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) regulates lotteries in South Africa. This includes the National Lottery, Sports Pools and also other lotteries. Read more on the different types of lotteries available in South Africa below. Further, any type of lottery run in the country, must be registered with the NLC to operate within the law. The NLC is also the only license holder and National Lottery Regulator in South Africa. Additionally as part of the NLC’s mission, they provide registered Non-Profit Organizations with fund raising avenues for established projects. Thus to improve the everyday lives of under privileged or ordinary South Africans. The National Lotteries Board was consequently established under the Lotteries Act No 57 of 1997. It also brought forth the establishment of the NLC, under the Lotteries Amendment Act No 32 of 2013. Explore the background and mission of the NLC as a lotteries regulator in South Africa.

Types of lotteries in South Africa

  • The National Lottery
  • Private Lotteries
  • Sports Pools
  • Raffles
  • Promotional Competitions
  • Society Lotteries

Functions of the NLC

  • Advising the Minister of Trade and Industry on issuance of the National Lottery.
  • Ensuring the operation of the National Lottery and other lotteries according to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.
  • Protection of interests of participants in the National Lottery.
  • Ensure maximum net proceeds of the National Lottery.
  • Administer and hold in trust the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).
  • Police, regulate and monitor accompanying exempt entertainment, any competition as defined under section 54, society and private lotteries.
  • Advise the Minister of Trade and Industry on the contribution and allocation of monetary percentages under section 26(3).
  • Advising the Minister on the intended result of lotteries and supporting legislation.
  • Advise to the Minister on the establishment and implementation of a social responsibility program as it relates to lotteries.

General guidelines for the running of private lotteries in South Africa

  • A single ticket value may not exceed R10.
  • The combined ticket sale value for a single lottery may not exceed R10,000.
  • The total lottery prize pool may not exceed R10,000.
  • Limiting of advertising to the club or sports premises running the lottery, participants residence or place of work and on the actual lottery tickets.
  • The sale and purchase of tickets in person as opposed to distribution by post.
  • Due authorization in writing by a government body to lottery organizers, who have to be members of the club or society, to operate the lottery.
  • Management fees or expense allowances may not be deducted from proceeds of lotteries, the only allowable expense deduction from the amount raised by the running of the lottery, is the printing of the tickets, notices and stationery.
  • Using all income in its entirety for prizes or dividing between the club fund and prizes.
  • The running of maximum 12 lotteries per annum by any residential entity, workplace or club.

What about online lottery participation in South Africa?

Overall online lottery participation is becoming more popular in the country. But what makes online lotto legal? This is mostly down to the availability of locally licensed online bookmakers offering entry to popular local and international lotteries. It therefore works by creating bets against these lotteries and you have the opportunity to take part through lotto betting. Participation in international lotteries in this way, is therefore totally legal.

How it works for international lotteries

But how can prizes in these international lotteries be guaranteed? Well, the model is slightly different to that of a traditional lottery ticket purchase. Several lotteries throughout the world, require you to be a resident in the country running the lottery. Two ways exist in overcoming this challenge. One way is for the bookmaker to take out insurance against possible wins. Non-winning bets then fund the insurance premiums required to guarantee usually the larger winning payments. Paying smaller wins out of pocket helps in reducing insurance premiums.

Some bookmakers offering lotto bets have local offices in countries with their own lotteries. Since they have local presence, they can purchase physical lottery tickets in the country’s locally run lotteries. Meaning that drawing your chosen numbers, will see the prize claimed from the actual lottery and paid out to you.

Where can I play lotto online?

In conclusion, there are a few clever tricks of the trade making online lotto legal. While not all South African licensed bookmakers offer lotto betting, we have compiled a list of those that do. Have a look at our best bookmakers for playing lotto online and be on your way to taking part for huge international prizes.

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Gambling complaint resolution

Gambling complaint resolution

Make a complaint against a bookmaker

Unfortunately, the online betting process does not always go as smooth as it could. If you find yourself in a situation of a dispute with a bookmaker, you may wish to submit a complaint against them. In the first instance you should always try to resolve the dispute directly with the bookmaker. Should that not get you a satisfactory result, you can then lodge a complaint with the applicable provincial gambling board. It is the duty of the regulator, among their other responsibilities, to ensure consumer protection.

Do arbitration services exist?

Some betting review websites offer to handle a gambling complaint with bookmakers on your behalf, as a form of arbitration. It is however best to follow the formal dispute resolution process as outlined by the bookmaker concerned. Such review websites are not officially appointed arbitrators and so cannot act on your behalf. While some will attempt to do so, you should not expect a better outcome than dealing with the matter yourself. We do not offer to handle disputes on your behalf. Instead we offer some advice on the official process to be followed.

Ensure that you have acted correctly

A betting site would usually include information on their complaint or dispute resolution process in the terms and conditions found on their website. This is, as mentioned, the first step in the dispute resolution process. Before starting the process, be certain that you have done everything correctly from your side, including:

  • You have submitted all requested information and supporting documentation required under the FICA process.
  • You haven’t breached any of the general betting conditions or those associated with promotional offers.
  • Your bets have not been affected by any technical errors or systemic failures.
  • You have acted only according to the rules of the betting site.
  • The rules are not in breach of general betting and gambling regulations.

For an interesting read, have a look at our article on the High Court case of a South African player’s winning dispute with Sportingbet.

Contact the provincial gambling board

If you are unable to resolve the gambling complaint with the bookmaker, you will need to contact the provincial gambling board. They will seek information on your case with the bookmaker. They may also contact you for additional information on the case. Once they have obtained all information required, they will decide on the resolution. They will then contact both you and the bookmaker with their proposed solution.

Is the process the same for every bookmaker?

Different bookmakers may be licensed by different Provincial Licensing Authorities (PLA). Since license conditions may differ from one province to another, each PLA follows their own dispute resolution process. Some PLAs require the bookmaker to submit a dispute resolution process to the PLA board. An official is then appointed to oversee the process. Some PLAs handle the gambling complaint directly. It is therefore difficult to provide one standard process for all bookmakers.

Stick to the facts and be patient

In most cases, simply believing that you are not at fault, will unfortunately not get you very far. Try to reach a solution amicably, even though you may have been inconvenienced by the situation. Also, be patient – sometimes a gambling complaint could take some time to resolve. There may be a lot of information that has to be reviewed. State your case clearly and concisely, stick to the facts. If your case relates to a dispute of winnings of a sizable sum, it may also be worth involving an independent lawyer. Of course, this would usually involve a cost. If the size of the prize is large enough, this remains a viable option.

Report unlicensed gambling activities

Although they exist for your protection, it usually does not help reporting your dispute to the police. Instead take your case to a provincial gambling board, officially responsible for dispute resolution. Reporting your case to the police can help if you believe you have been affected by criminal events. Do note that the NGB (National Gambling Board) assists the provincial licensing authorities in the handling of unlicensed gambling activities. If you have information on such activities, contact the provincial gambling board and they will take the matter further. Our page on betting law lists the websites of the gambling regulatory bodies in South Africa. Follow these website links to get contact information for the provincial gambling boards.

Online betting should be fun and entertaining. So, you should not start your betting experience thinking about possible differences. To avoid any negativity from the start we recommend playing with one of our reviewed bookmakers. We have tested these thoroughly and from our experience they are excellent in dealing with possible disagreements.

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FICA meaning , documents requirements and FICA bonuses

FICA meaning , documents requirements and FICA bonuses

FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) explained

Above all, FICA helps create complete transparency in the flow of money and bringing to light unlawful financial activities. FICA in South Africa is also in line with similar legislation in other leading world countries. It thus allows for the creation of a paper trail as it concerns monetary transactions, even on an international level.

FICA has since become a standard in the customer due diligence process as part of new customer onboarding. Also, maintenance through the continued due diligence process over the entire customer lifetime. As individuals our circumstances evolve on a continuous basis, so creating the need for ongoing due diligence. Hence for people operating within the law, FICA is simply an exchange of information to aid lawful business conduct.

What does FICA achieve and is it effective?

All in all FICA requires you to provide personal information identifying yourself. In addition, to fulfill the requirement of official documentary evidence serving as proof of the information supplied. FICA is therefore effective in that it aids various governmental law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute criminals. It does so by effectively detecting criminal proceeds. Consequently you are thereby helping the government prevent crime through the supply of relevant information. In other words you essentially become a crime-fighting hero in your own right as part of this process.

What information are you expected to provide?

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Country of citizenship or also nationality
  • Identity number
  • Current residential or also physical address
  • Contact details (verification not required)
  • South African income tax registration number (even so verification is not required)

What documentation is accepted under FICA?

You would not necessarily be expected to submit all of the following documents. Rather usually a combination of different documents as supporting evidence for different bits of related information as applicable. You may also be requested to provide additional documentation in case any questions remain unanswered.

  • Usually only original documents as well as certified copies of such documents are accepted. Some business entities also offer electronic submission of documents.
  • Government issued Identity Document, such as a green bar-coded ID (identification document) book. Or the new credit card style Smart Identity Card (also known as the Smart ID Card). Or a valid passport also. Some establishments will also accept a valid South African driver’s license.
  • Proof of residential address, issued within the last three (3) months. For example a utility bill, including electricity, water, gas, telephone, internet, television, or a store account statement. Thus any physical statement from an officially registered services supplier sent by post to your home address.
  • Bank document also showing your residential address.
  • Municipal letter.
  • Copy of SARS (South African Revenue Service) document also confirming your South African income tax registration number.
  • In case you cannot prove your residential address, a third party’s declaration that you reside at their address. The third party’s proof of ID and residential address issued within the last three (3) months, must accompany such declaration.
  • Copy of bank document confirming your banking details issued within the last three (3) months.

How long does the FICA process take?

This very much depends firstly on the business entity you are engaging with. It also helps being a little patient as it may take some time for your supplied documentation to be reviewed. For example some businesses commit to process FICA documentation within 30 minutes. Others could take as long as 24 hours for instance. Needless to say, if additional documentation is required however, the process could be delayed and might take slightly longer. Some sports betting operators will also award you with an incentive to complete FICA for your account.

At what point is FICA required?

As a matter of fact the FICA process has to be completed to allow consumer engagement with a business entity. Some businesses may prefer to handle the process at different stages of customer onboarding however. Consequently FICA checks are usually carried out immediately following account registration or alternatively before your first deposit. Although some bookmakers require you to complete the process only before withdrawing funds from your account.

What is my ongoing responsibility?

In particular ensuring to keep your contact information up to date and comply with relevant requests for information or documentation.

Did you know that some online betting sites offer a FICA bonus for completing this process?

Finally we have shortlisted some of the online betting sites that offer a bonus for you to complete the FICA process. Moreover for some of these, you do not even have to make a deposit to receive the bonus. Given these points, have a browse and start your betting journey with limited risk.

R100 FICA Bonus
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R100 FICA Bonus
South Africa’s premier online sports book since 2002 with a massive sports betting and lotto offering and best bonuses
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R30 FICA Bonus
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R50 FICA Bonus
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The FICA progress is quite standardised across all South African betting sites and also mandatory to comply with gambling regulation. Therefore, just go with the flow and make the most of it by claiming a free FICA bonus for submitting your documents.

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Winnings dispute – Sportingbet versus player

Winnings dispute – Sportingbet versus player

Dispute of maximum payable amount

South African betting punter, Mr. D. Ward, opened a betting account with SA licensed online sportsbook, Sportingbet, in March 2014. Mr. Ward, a regular Sportingbet customer, placed several bets with Sportingbet over the life of his account. On 31st October 2014, luck favoured Mr. Ward and he finally hit it lucky with a dream win. Mr. Ward correctly picked eight winning horses across eight different races on two different tracks. Both racing events took place on the same day. But what led to this winnings dispute?

The bet that was potentially life changing

The winning stake of R100 consisted of two smaller bets of R50 each. One R50 bet was for all eight horses to win their races, the other for these horses to achieve top places. Potential winnings on this betting slip, was calculated to be R4,841,728.28 or nearly five million Rand. Mr. Ward must have been over the moon to learn that he had won such a sizable sum of money. His excitement was short lived as he was soon to find out that he would only be paid R1,000,000 in prize money. This being the cause of the winnings dispute and mr. Ward decided to pursue legal action.

The winnings dispute case as argued

Having hired a lawyer, the case was referred to the South African High Court, Western Cape Division, Cape Town. The basis for the case being that the player was due the balance of the “total possible payment” as indicated on the betting slip. The opposing argument was that due winnings of R1,000,000 had been paid in accordance with Sportingbet terms and conditions. Such conditions that the player had agreed to upon registering his betting account with Sportingbet.

Case progression and the finer details

There was no dispute that the win had occurred fairly. Mr. Ward did not contest having accepted the Sportingbet terms and conditions as part of his betting account registration. In fact, he’d admitted to not having read these. This being an important point often overlooked by players wanting to place their first bet. In addition, the betting slip displaying the total possible payment, also had a clear indication that winning amounts may be limited.

The winnings dispute should have been handled by the Provincial Licensing Authority

Sportingbet attempted to exclude the jurisdiction of the Court to hear this matter. In accordance with Section 78(1) of the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Act, Act 4 of 1996 (the Act). This essentially excludes the Court from hearing an alleged player winnings dispute where the licensee refused to make payment. Sportingbet further contended that in the event of an unsatisfactory dispute result, the matter must be referred to the provincial licensing authority. There is actually no agreement that excludes the Court’s jurisdiction in such matters. This argument was therefore dismissed from the case.

South Africans have a right to a fair public hearing

South African gambling regulations include guidelines for dispute resolution. If a dispute cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the player, the licensee must inform the player. It also has a responsibility to refer the matter to the gambling board within 48 hours. The player too was able to raise a dispute with the gambling board but was under no obligation to do so. In this instance, Sporting bet did not refer the winnings dispute to the gambling board. Furthermore, Section 34 of the Constitution states that everyone has the right to a fair public hearing. That or, if appropriate, an independent tribunal. The purpose of which, is to decide any dispute that can be resolved by the application of the law.

The player should have been aware of the maximum payment possible per the terms and conditions

As it regards the total possible payment as indicated on the betting slip, an amount of R4, 841,728.28. The player should have known that this winning amount was in fact not possible, under Sportingbet terms and conditions. It was suggested that the amount was a product of a computer-generated mathematical calculation. This was however dismissed by the player’s lawyer as an untenable basis for interpretation of the Sportingbet agreement. Since registering his betting account, the player placed at least 530 bets with Sportingbet. As such he should have been sufficiently familiar with standard Sportingbet terms and conditions, specifically as it relates to limits. Attention is also drawn to exactly this fact each time before a bet is actually placed.

Final judgement

The judge ruling the case, observed that there is no difference in standard terms and conditions and those applicable to each individual betting transaction. Further, that there was nothing specifically indicating that the player was explicitly entitled to the total possible payment. The maximum possible payment was therefore always R1,000,000 as indicated in the Sportingbet terms and conditions, accepted by the player. The player’s claim of his entitlement to the maximum possible payment, was as such artificial. As a result, and the final ruling for the case, the player’s claim was dismissed with costs.

What have we learnt from this winnings dispute case?

Nothing happens overnight

The winning event occurred on 31st October 2014 and the final ruling for the case was passed, over three years later, on 20th November 2017. Legal action takes time and so, if you should decide to go this route, be prepared to have plenty of patience.

Even an undesired outcome has a cost

Since the case was dismissed as an artificial claim, the player did not get the results he’d hoped for in the end. He was also expected to pay the costs associated with the trial, meaning he had ended up with even less than the maximum payment of R1,000,000.

Always read the fine print

A common phrase most of us are familiar with. In this instance however, the print, or in other words, the standard terms and conditions, were explicitly clear. The player was expected to have read and understood these with his acceptance of the same when registering his account. Furthermore, terms and conditions that do not infringe gambling law, human or other constitutional rights, are legally binding and upheld.