Playbet has been online since 2011 and is a Proudly South African bookie with Bet Shops in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Kwazulu Natal. The layout of their site is modern and funky with a video game feel about it. The most striking feature is the large banner redirecting you to their new site which isn’t very welcoming. The new website address is Playbet.net and they have added new betting markets like Live Roulette and a favourite South African game called Dice. The site is uncomplicated yet very informative which makes it great for newbies or experienced punters. The layout of their interface is clear and shows all sports and competitions on the left while your betslip is visible on the right. Playbet is a Licensed Bookmaker with the Gauteng Gambling Board
- Simplified betting process
- Modern and fast user interface
- Excellent coverage of local sports
- Nice welcome offer
- Variety of methods to deposit
- Limited hours for telephonic support
- Confusion between the 2 websites co.za and .net
Playbet in a glance
Name: Playbet
Website: www.Playbet.co.za or www.Playbet.net
Established Year: Online since 2011
Operator: Online Services
License: . Playbet is a Licensed Bookmaker with the Gauteng Gambling Board
Products: Sports Betting, Live Betting, Bet Games, Lotto,Live Roulette and Dice
Min Deposit: R20
Max Payout: R3 000 000
Head Office: Johannesburg, Gauteng.
Currency: South African rand
Deposit Options
Deposits from account holders can be made via various platforms listed below with the minimum deposit being R20. Customer’s account will only be credited once the amount has been cleared. Playbet may request proof of payment. All deposits must reflect the customer’s betting account as reference. Card deposits are always quick and easy but you can also top up via Neteller, Skrill, Visa, MasterCard and Bank transfer, OZOW, EFT, and OTT Voucher. Processing times depend on the payment method but deposits are generally credited instantly and withdrawals take 2-3 business days.
Withdrawal Options
EFT Bank Transfer Withdrawals can only be processed into a customer’s bank account in South Africa. Withdrawals take anywhere between 12 and 36 hours. Documentation such as your ID and proof of residence needs to be verified before you can withdraw.
Overall deposit and withdrawal process
In South Africa the voucher system has become increasing popular because the funds are instantly available and Playbet accept 1Vouchers and OTT vouchers which are great. They also have a multitude of other ways to fund your account while their withdrawal process is simple once your FICA documents are verified. You can also visit their Bet Shops and withdraw funds up to R10000.
Customer Service at Playbet
Their customer service has telephonic and WhatsApp support that is only available during business hours and they have their Bet Shops listed as customer service on their site. I find this highly irregular and there is no live chat service. This is a major snag as all online bookies have email and live chat facilities but they do have a comprehensive Help section where most questions can be answered.
Registration and deposit process at Playbet
The registration process is the easiest I have seen and you literally have to complete ONE form and it’s done. It should take no more two minutes and you ready to deposit and start betting. They do however require FICA documents before you are allowed to make a withdrawal.
The deposit process is also hassle free and bank transfers reflect instantly and there are no additional charges when you are depositing. The voucher system is instant and you are guaranteed anonymity.
How does Playbet operate in South Africa?
Playbet like other South African bookies have only started their online sites within the last decade but the major advantage seems to be their knowledge of the local punters. Playbet has had Bet Shops since from the early 2000s and have used that experience to focus on the most popular local betting markets namely Football, Horseracing, Cricket and Rugby. They online reviews are amazing which tells me they certainly deliver on what they promise. They also have gone on a huge marketing campaign around shopping malls which will no doubt increase their brand awareness.
The home interface of Playbet
The interface looks fantastic with the red and black theme and after navigating around their site the speed and general ease of use is outstanding. There are banners that are on the top of the page that informs you of the different promotions on offer which is great. When making a bet the betslip is clearly visible on the right and shows you all the selections but you need to click on the betslip to show all selections which isn’t ideal. The current live games are highlighted on the page so you can bet on the live markets unfortunately only selected matches are available. The great aspect is that on the right of screen you have the Top Leagues listed and the local PSL is right up at the top as it shows they are concentrating on the local punter.
Welcome bonus and promotions
The issue with Playbet is that they have two websites that show different promotions so it’s confusing to me as the promotions are different on each website. The Welcome bonus is great though as you get a R50 bonus just by providing your FICA documents. Playbet is one of the few bookies who don’t require you to make a deposit to get a welcome bonus. They have other promotions that are continually being advertised on their site like their 1 Voucher and Predict and Win offers.
How to place your first bet
In order to place a bet you will need to complete the registration process and follow these simple instructions: Just find your selected sport, select your chosen market, and place your bets and as you make your selections your betslip on the right of the screen will show you all the selections that you have made and once you done you simply click Place Bet
Sports Betting Experience
The betting experience at Playbet does not rank as one of the best I have experienced in South Africa. The betting process is very enjoyable but it is the 2 sites that don’t offer the same markets that is really annoying. The experience starts of great with the no deposit welcome bonus but there promotions are quite limited. The Process from registration to placing a bet is seamless for newbies and veteran punters alike but they don’t offer the Cash Out feature whereby you can cash your bet before all your matches have been played. This feature is almost standard in South Africa so they are lagging behind market trends. The attention to the local market is a big selling point and that will no doubt attract punters.
Quality of Odds in comparison to other Betting Sites
Playbet can compete with any other betting companies and their football odds are great especially on the local PSL. They have extensive markets available for local sports with great odds but I noticed that their rugby odds are not favourable. The odds on cricket though seem to be slightly better than other bookies
Betting Limits
The minimum bet size for any games at Playbet is R1 and they offer a reasonably high maximum payout of R3 000 000.
Mobile version and Mobile app
Playbet have done a fantastic job of transferring the desktop version to your mobile and it has all the bells and whistles of the desktop version. The bet slip is handily placed at the right of the screen and you as you select your bets you see the betslip selections increase. The Menu and other tabs like live Betgames are all clearly visible at the top of the screen. The biggest drawback is that Playbet does not have a mobile App and this must be rectified immediately although their mobile version is excellent.
The Good about Playbet
Playbet has impressed with their layout and speed of their interface and tried to make the betting experience a memorable one. They have targeted the local punter brilliantly by paying attention to South African needs. A large percent of local punters use the voucher system to fund their accounts and they have the 1Voucher and OTT vouchers that can be used. Their No Deposit welcome bonus of R50 is fantastic and does not have too many terms and conditions attached.
The Bad about Playbet
I don’t mean to sound like a problem record but their two websites is my biggest gripe. Their customer service also leaves a lot to be desired and of course not having a mobile App in this technological age is unforgivable
Summary
The extensive market coverage of local sports will ensure there are a large number of local punters that will go to Playbet. They have Bet Shops country wide which ensures their brand is widely recognised all over the country. The entire betting experience is fairly good but they are missing a few valuable features like Cash Out and the mobile App.
The Local is Lekker slogan is applicable to this bookie and their experience with local punters is very evident on their homepage. They have extensive coverage of local football and other sports like cricket and rugby. The interface is well created and all markets are available on the left while the betslip is on the right. They have the voucher system available to fund your account and this is highly popular method amongst local punters, Playbet have not given the ultimate betting experience
Q&A
- Is Playbet legal in South Africa?
Yes, Playbet is a Licensed Bookmaker with the Gauteng Gambling Board.
- Are deposits and withdrawals safe?
Yes, all banking methods are safe and encrypted.
- Do I get free or bonus bets on registration?
Yes they have a no deposit Welcome bonus offer of R50.
- Is in-play betting available with the mobile version?
Yes, live betting is supported at Playbet across all platforms but is very limited.
- How do I contact the Intertops support team?
The support team is available via telephone and WhatsApp during limited hours. They are also available on all social networks.
- Can I withdraw at Playbet Bet Shops?
Yes online players can withdraw at the Bet Shops up to a maximum of R10000
Playbet Details
I use this number 0607012138