Is Signing Up at Multiple Bookmakers a Good Idea?

On paper this all looks like a great idea, but in practice multiple accounts can possibly destroy your discipline. 

It is wholly incorrect to assume that because a punter has more betting accounts they are ‘more in the know’. There is value, of course, in having multiple accounts, but for the average casual punter these multiple accounts on various platforms only add to the inherent risk.

Why Experienced Bettors Often Use More Than One Bookmaker

There are various reasons South African punters – especially experienced players – open accounts with various online betting brands. The biggest reason though is odds comparisons. 

For serious punters, even the smallest differences matter over time. A bettor backing the same football outcome across different bookmakers may regularly find one platform offering slightly better value than another. Over months of betting, those differences affect returns far more than most casual users realise.

You might find that certain bookmakers give greater coverage to certain sports, others might offer greater depth in terms of markets for a certain sport, and some apps simply give the player a better live betting experience. 

Where Multiple Accounts Become Dangerous?

The problem starts when multiple bookmaker accounts stop adding any true value and start becoming temptations.

What many of us don’t realise is that every account we have or platform we use is just another stream of notifications, promotions and messages enticing us to engage on the platform. Suddenly, punters no longer comparing markets carefully. They are reacting emotionally to constant prompts to bet again ^[1].

Maintaining control over your bankroll becomes increasingly difficult and sporadic betting behaviour often lends itself to risky chasing.

Ultimately, the danger is psychological as much as financial.

The South African Reality: FICA, Licensing and Verification 

There is an administrative addition to having multiple accounts which players often overlook. Each and every account you open must comply with the requirements of the Financial Centre Act. 

Simply put, punters will need to submit the necessary documentation however many times they open an account.