stub 6 Best "South African" Online Blackjack Sites (April 2024)
Connect with us

Blackjack

6 Best “South African” Online Blackjack Sites (April 2024)

Updated on

Movies usually feature blackjack as the game of choice for the main protagonist, and that’s not coincidental. Blackjack is a popular card game, in large part because of the simple rules. Learning how to play blackjack is not complex – players beat the dealer when the total of the cards dealt is near or exactly 21.

Some South African bettors believe that all blackjack games are similar, yet, while the rules are typically the same, the way an online casino is structured influences the player’s experience. After legalizing gambling in South Africa in 1996, multiple platforms started offering this card game, and our guide filters the best online blackjack sites.

How We Identify The Best South African Online Blackjack Sites

Choosing an online blackjack site may seem like an easy task, but rushing through the process can potentially rob you of lucrative promotions and immersive games. Investing the time when researching options will pay dividends in the long run, and South African players can benefit from our in-depth study of blackjack sites.

  • Safety & Trustworthiness: Gambling is legal in South Africa, but the question is, are sites abiding by the rules? Reviews from players, the history of the online casino, and game developers associated with the platform all speak volumes about a gambling sites’ reputability.
  • Legitimacy: When a player deposits hard-earned rands, some assurance is expected that the funds get entrusted to an online casino with oversight from government institutions, and licenses signal industry standards are respected.
  • Finding diverse payment options: Having fun is one aspect, but the main point of gambling is to make a profit, and payment providers dictate deposit and payout options. The priority is to focus on a diverse cashier section that adapts to current trends.
  • Blackjack Bonuses: Promotions are the key recruiting tool for betting sites, with blackjack players benefiting from sign-up bonuses and various reload and cryptocurrency promotions. This motivates bettors to stay at the table and play a few more hands.

Top 6 South African Blackjack Sites

The guiding principle in selecting an online casino is to know what games you want to play. For blackjack punters, there is no dilemma, and our research has narrowed the choice to the most appropriate platforms.

1.  YesPlay

Originally established as a Lucky Numbers lottery in South Africa in 2002, YesPlay expanded its offerings in 2016 by launching an online casino and sportsbook. This expansion broadened its range to encompass a wide variety of casino games and fixed-odds betting options for various sports. Alongside these new additions, YesPlay continues to offer an extensive selection of Lucky Number lotto games from around the world. Based in the Western Cape, YesPlay primarily caters to the South African betting market.

The YesPlay platform boasts a comprehensive collection of casino games, ensuring that there's something for every type of player. This includes a diverse array of slots, and a wide range of table games like baccarat, blackjack, and roulette, along with live game options. For blackjack enthusiasts, the platform offers numerous variants, including live dealer blackjack, providing an experience of playing against a real dealer. Those looking for a faster pace can try Speed Blackjack, designed for quick and dynamic play.

They are fully regulated, the parent company is SA Sportsbook (Pty) Ltd trading as YesPlay, a licensed betting operator as registered by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board with Bookmaker license: 10180204-010.

Read our YesPlay Review or visit YesPlay.

2.  Bet.co.za

Established in 2011, Bet.co.za is an online casino and sportsbook renowned for its impressive selection of fixed-odds sports betting and casino games, with a special emphasis on blackjack.

The platform features over 30 live dealer games, predominantly supplied by Evolution, a leading name in live dealer game development. Bet.co.za excels in providing high-definition, immersive casino experiences. Among its offerings, blackjack takes center stage, with multiple variants available for enthusiasts of this classic card game. From traditional blackjack tables to innovative versions, the casino ensures a diverse and thrilling blackjack experience. Besides blackjack, players can also enjoy other classic games like Roulette, as well as unique titles such as Mega Ball, Crazy Time, Dreamcatcher, and Fan Tan.

While blackjack is a key focus, slot game enthusiasts are not left behind. Bet.co.za offers over 90 carefully curated slots from top developers like Red Tiger and NetEnt. Though the selection may not be vast, each game, including popular titles like Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Cash Volt, Rainbow Jackpots Power lines, and Starburst, is chosen for its playability and appeal.

For lottery lovers, Bet.co.za offers an extensive range of over 160 Lucky Numbers games from across the globe, ensuring continuous and diverse lottery action.

Additionally, the sportsbook at Bet.co.za is comprehensive, covering 30 different sports, with a particular popularity in soccer and cricket betting. It features options like pulse bet, full and partial cash out, along with a robust in-play platform for live betting on sports like Soccer, Tennis, and Cricket, catering to a wide range of sports betting preferences.

They are fully regulated, the parent company is Betcoza Online (RF) (Pty) Ltd trading as Bet.co.za. They are licenced and regulated by the Western Cape Gambling & Racing Board. Registration Number: 2010/005430/07.

Read our Bet.co.za Review or visit Bet.co.za

3.  Fafabet Casino

Fafabet, a South African online casino and sportsbook established in 2022, has quickly become a favorite among local players, particularly for its blackjack offerings. As a proudly local company, Fafabet understands the preferences of South African gamers and caters to them excellently.

The platform shines in its table games selection, especially with blackjack. Fafabet features multiple variants of blackjack, including exciting live versions that bring the thrill of real casino play right to your screen. These blackjack games are designed to cater to both traditionalists and those seeking new twists on the classic game. Alongside blackjack, the casino also offers live versions of other popular table games like baccarat and roulette, providing a comprehensive table game experience.

While blackjack is a key highlight, Fafabet also offers a diverse range of slots and video poker games from renowned providers like Pragmatic Play and AGT. This includes a mix of classic slots, arcade games with complex gameplay, and popular slot titles such as Gates of Olympus, Big Bass Bonanza, Mustang Gold, Buffalo King Megaways, and others.

Licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Fafabet ensures a safe and secure gaming environment. Committed to responsible gaming, the company collaborates with the South African Responsible Gaming Foundation and offers tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion options to help players manage their gaming responsibly. This emphasis on safety, along with its impressive blackjack and game selection, makes Fafabet a top choice for South African online casino enthusiasts.

Read our Fafabet Casino Review or visit Fafabet Casino.

4.  Betshezi

Betshezi, a South African online casino and sportsbook launched in 2022, stands out for its exceptional blackjack offerings. Regulated by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and based in Cape Town, Betshezi has quickly made a name for itself in the industry, especially among blackjack enthusiasts.

The highlight of Betshezi is its live dealer games, with a particular focus on blackjack. The casino collaborates with CreedRoomz and Vision Casino to bring a variety of blackjack games, along with other major casino offerings such as Roulette, Poker, and Baccarat. The blackjack selection at Betshezi is particularly noteworthy, featuring numerous versions of the game with unique twists and special side bets. Titles like FreeBet Blackjack cater to players seeking a fresh take on the traditional game, adding variety and excitement to the classic blackjack experience.

In addition to blackjack, Betshezi's live dealer segment includes other engaging games like Dragon Tiger, Keno, Sic Bo, and various Lotto-styled games. These games add diversity to the casino's live game portfolio, ensuring there's something for every type of player.

For those interested in instant games and lotto-styled options, Betshezi also offers a selection of titles with free demos. This allows players to try games like Keno, Striker, Blast, Talisman, and Power Ball without any initial investment, providing a risk-free introduction to the games.

Overall, Betshezi's focus on providing a rich and varied blackjack experience, along with its range of other casino and lottery games, makes it a standout choice for players and punters in South Africa.

Read our Betshezi Review or visit Betshezi.

5.  Playgo

Playgo shines as a premier destination for South African casino enthusiasts, with its spotlight on offering a diverse and engaging collection of casino games. Among its standout offerings is blackjack, a classic favorite that attracts players with its strategic depth and potential for big wins.

Beyond blackjack, Playgo's casino suite includes a variety of slots, live games, and instant win games, all curated to deliver an immersive gaming experience. The platform's casino games are powered by reputable providers, ensuring high-quality gameplay across all devices.

Although Playgo also provides a comprehensive sports betting service, its casino segment, especially the blackjack tables, is where it truly excels, offering players a mix of excitement, strategy, and entertainment.

Operating under the regulation of the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Playgo ensures a secure and fair gaming environment, prioritizing the safety and satisfaction of its South African clientele.

Read our Playgo Review or visit Playgo.

6.  Playa Bets

Established in 1990, Playa Bets is a renowned sportsbook with multiple betting shops in KZN and the Western Cape, alongside a robust mobile betting platform. It stands out as South Africa's premier betting destination, catering to both retail and online customers across the country.

With a focus on blackjack, Playa Bets extends its offerings beyond sports betting to include thrilling blackjack experiences. The platform is supported by an experienced management team, registered bookmakers in regions including Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Kwa-Zulu Natal, ensuring a trustworthy and high-quality gaming environment.

Playa Bets is dedicated to providing a unique and world-class product to local players in South Africa. While it is primarily known for its extensive coverage of live sporting events, offering over 12,000 live sports betting opportunities, 378,000+ live betting markets, and more than 1 million sports betting opportunities every month, its blackjack options are also a significant draw for casino enthusiasts. Here, players can immerse themselves in the classic game, enjoying various blackjack iterations and live dealer experiences.

This blend of extensive sports betting options and engaging blackjack games positions Playa Bets as a diverse and dynamic betting platform for South African players, ensuring there's always action to be had.

Playabets MP (Pty) Ltd trading at playabets.co.za is licensed by the by the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator under license number 9-2-1-09689.

Conclusion

Blackjack's enduring global popularity is boosted by the enthusiasm of South African players who prefer to play the game online. Options are plentiful, and while most games get supplied by identical providers, how the platform supports them can make or break a bettor's gambling adventure.

The sites we identify in our review offer the most comprehensive blackjack package that can provide numerous hours of entertainment for newbie punters and experienced South African players.

Hit - After the player is dealt the two initial cards, the player has the option to hit (request an additional card). The player should keep asking to hit until they feel that they have a sufficiently strong hand to win (as close to 21 as possible, without going over 21).

Stand - When the player has cards that they feel are sufficiently strong to beat the dealer then they should  “stand.” For example, a player may wish to stand on a hard 20 (two 10 cards such as a 10, jack, queen, or king). The dealer must keep playing until they either beat the player or go bust (going over 21).

Split - After the player is dealt the first two cards, and if those cards are of equal face value (for example, two queens), then the player has the option to split their hand into two separate hands with equal bets on each hand. The player must then continue to play both hands with regular blackjack rules.

Double - After the initial two cards are dealt, if a player feels that they have a strong hand (such as a king and an ace), then the player may choose to double their initial bet. To learn when to double read our guide on When to Double Down in Blackjack.

Blackjack - This is an ace and any 10 value card (10, jack, queen, or king). This is an automatic win for the player.

Hard 20 - This is any two 10 value cards (10, jack, queen, or king). It is unlikely that the player will receive an ace next, and the player should always stand. Splitting is also not recommended.

Soft 18 - This is a combination of an ace and a 7 card. This combination of cards offers the player different strategy options depending on what cards the dealer is dealt.

As the name implies this is blackjack that is played with only one deck of 52 cards.  Many blackjack aficionados refuse to play any other type of blackjack as this blackjack variant offers slightly better odds, and it enables savvy players the option to count cards.

House edge:

0.15% compared to multi-deck blackjack games that have a house edge between 0.46% to 0.65%.

This offers more excitement as players can play up to 5 simultaneous hands of blackjack, the number of hands offered varies based on the casino.

The key difference between American and European blackjack is the hole card.

In American blackjack the dealer receives one card face up and one card face down (the hole card). If the dealer happens to have an Ace as his or her visible card, they then immediately peek at their face down card (the hole card). If the dealer has blackjack with a hole card that is a 10 card (10, jack, queen, or king), then the dealer automatically wins.

In European blackjack the dealer receives only one card, the second card is dealt after all of the players have had the chance to play. In other words, European blackjack has no hole card.

The game is always played with 8 regular decks, this means anticipating the next card is more difficult. The other major difference is players have the option to play a "late surrender".

A late surrender enables a player to toss their hand after the dealer checks his hand for blackjack. This could be wanted if the player has a really bad hand. With a surrender the player loses half their bet. 

In Atlantic City blackjack players can split twice, up to three hands. Aces however, can only be split once.

The dealer must stand on all 17 hands, including soft 17.

Blackjack pays 3 to 2, and and insurance pays 2 to 1.

House edge:

0.36%.

As the name implies this is the most popular version of blackjack in Las Vegas.

4 to 8 standard decks of cards are used, and the dealer must stand on soft 17.

Similar to other types of American blackjack, the dealer receives two cards, one face-up. If the face-up card is an ace, then the dealer peaks at his down card (the hole card).

Players have the option to play a "late surrender".

A late surrender enables a player to toss their hand after the dealer checks his hand for blackjack. This could be wanted if the player has a really bad hand. With a surrender the player loses half their bet. 

House edge:

0.35%.

This is a rare variation of blackjack that increases the odds in the players favor by enabling the player to see both of the dealers cards face up, versus just one card. In other words there is no hole card.

Another key difference is that the dealer has the option to hit or stand on soft 17.

House Edge:

0.67%

This is a version of blackjack that is played with 6 to 8 Spanish decks.

The Spanish deck of cards has four suits and contains 40 or 48 cards, depending on the game.

The cards are numbered from 1 to 9. The four suits are copas (Cups), oros (Coins), bastos (Clubs), and espadas (Swords).

Due to the lack of 10 card it is more difficult for a player to hit blackjack.

House Edge:

0.4%

This is an optional side bet that is offered to a player if the dealer’s up-card is an ace. If the player fears that there is a 10 card (10, jack, queen, or king) that would give the dealer a blackjack, than the player may opt for the insurance bet.

The insurance bet is half of the regular bet (meaning if the player bet $10, then the insurance bet would be $5).

If the dealer has a blackjack then the player is paid 2 to 1 on the insurance bet.

If both the player and the dealer hit blackjack, then the payout is 3 to 2.

An insurance bet is often called a "suckers bet" as the odds are in the houses favor.

House edge:

5.8% to 7.5% - The house edge varies based on the previous card history.

In American blackjack players are given the option to surrender at any time. This should only be done if the player believes they have an extremely bad hand. If the player chooses this than the bank return half of the initial bet. (For example, a $10 bet has $5 returned).

In some version of blackjack such as Atlantic City blackjack only a late surrender is enabled. In this case, a player can only surrender after the dealer has checked his hand for blackjack.

To learn more visit our in-depth guide on When to Surrender in Blackjack.

Related Topics:

David has an unbelievable amount of knowledge when it comes to casinos, and sports betting. He enjoys reporting on anything betting related.

Recent Posts