What to Bet On During Soccer’s Off-Season in South Africa

But here is a somewhat surprising twist: there has been a groundbreaking shift among South African players, who have increasingly moved from sports betting to Casino games (cited by iGame Expert). 

A similar perspective is espoused by TGM StatBox statistics, showing that, over one year in 2024, the majority of betting activity among South Africans was on lotteries and gaming machines. Compared to 53.15 % individuals who partook in sports betting, 62.72% engaged in lotteries and games.

Clearly, bettors looking for new betting markets can explore an expanded wagering variety that still presents high market liquidity, creating stability in the off-grid betting season. 

Soccer Betting Die-hards: Offseason Sports Betting  

Evidently, a buzz of betting activity unrelated to the PSL occurs during the Betway Premiership offseason. Before exploring adventurous non-sports betting action accessible during the offseason, I would like to recognize alternative considerations that soccer betting fanatics continually invest in:

• Transfer market betting – Bettors seek to answer questions such as, "Will a player move to another club?” “Who will stay?”  “Which positions are set for transfers?”
• Ante-post (outright) Betting – Some bettors explore odds on the expected league winner for the upcoming season. Favourites could be Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, or Mamelodi Sundowns. 
• Friendlies and Cups – Leading South African betting platforms often offer markets that allow betting for pre-season tournaments. 
• FIFA World Cup – For the 2026 offseason, South Africans will be privileged to bet on matches and teams that will participate in this tournament. 

Tips for off-season soccer betting: 

•  It is paramount to keep up with credible and verified transfer news and official team announcements when placing transfer bets. 
• Pay attention to special markets such as the “League Winner” when interacting with outright markets, as team odds may fluctuate when the season begins. 

Sports Bettors: Alternative Sports Betting Channels

South Africans with a deep interest in placing sports bets outside the local soccer arena can exploit wagering options in basketball, cricket, rugby, and Esports. 

Invest.com denotes that the interest of South Africans in these sports varies according to popularity. For instance, attention toward cricket and basketball is growing exponentially, leading to increased betting activity. Rugby, on the other hand, has a strong traditional presence, hence related bets flow seamlessly, while Esports attracts the attention of young bettors who are key players to the South African iGaming industry.

Versatile Bettors: Non-Sports Betting Action

Betting centred around casinos, lotteries, and gaming machines is also a common behaviour trend in South Africa. There are diverse bets that bettors can place to reap good profit from casino games and virtual sports. 

Casino games, usually played at regulated, licensed online casinos, offer steady returns through great odds and extended playtime, leading to thrilling entertainment. Low-risk casinos like Blackjack, Baccarat, European Roulette, Video Poker, Craps, and many others. Online slots appeal to players interested in small and frequent wins and to those who are budget-conscious.

Simulated Reality Leagues (SRL), an emergent virtual AI-powered sport, has effortlessly penetrated into South Africa, given that it is legally available in the country. It offers popular pre-match and live-play betting options on simulated matches that replicate real leagues around the world. Several bookmakers in South Africa enable SRL betting. 

With SRL, betting is more predictable, making it attractive to bettors in South Africa. For example, if the Kaizer Chiefs scored four goals in their last 10 matches, making an over 2.5 goals bet would be a smart move. SRL data creates a more accurate prediction of a repeated occurrence, compared to betting in a real-life match.