How to Bet on Betfred South Africa

Placing a bet on Betfred South Africa is straightforward once you understand the basics. This guide walks you through the full process from registering an account to collecting your winnings, covering bet types, booking codes, cash out, and live betting along the way.

Step 1: Register and Verify Your Account

Before you can place any bet, you need an account. Head to the Betfred website or open the Android app and click Register. You will need to provide your full name, South African ID number, email address, and mobile number. A verification link is sent via SMS and email — follow both to activate your account. FICA verification is also required before your first withdrawal, so have your ID document ready.

Step 2: Deposit Funds

Once logged in, navigate to the cashier or wallet section. Betfred South Africa supports several deposit methods including EFT via Ozow, Capitec Pay, Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards, and OTT Vouchers. Most deposits are instant and the minimum starts from R10. See our deposit methods guide for full details on each option.

Step 3: Select a Sport or Market

Betfred offers 40+ sports ranging from PSL soccer and English Premier League to rugby, cricket, tennis, golf, horse racing, and esports. Use the sports menu to browse by category or search for a specific event. Tapping a match opens the full list of available markets for that event.

Step 4: Choose a Market and Add to Betslip

Markets are the specific bet types available for an event. Common soccer markets include:

• Match Result (1X2) — Home win, draw, or away win
• Over/Under Goals — Total goals above or below a set number
• Both Teams to Score — Yes or no
• Double Chance — Two of the three match result outcomes combined
• Handicap — One team given a virtual head start

Click on the odds next to your chosen selection to add it to your betslip. You can add multiple selections to build an accumulator.

Step 5: Enter Stake and Place Bet

Open your betslip on the right side of the screen. Enter the amount you want to wager in the stake field. Your potential payout is calculated automatically based on the odds and stake. The minimum bet is R1. Once you are happy with your selection and stake, click Place Bet to confirm. You will receive a confirmation message and the bet appears in your My Bets history.

Booking a Bet with a Code

One of Betfred's most convenient features is the ability to book a bet. Instead of placing the bet immediately with funds in your account, you can generate a booking code and place the bet later — either online or at a physical Betfred outlet.

To book a bet:

1. Build your betslip with your chosen selections
2. Click Book a Bet instead of Place Bet
3. A unique booking code is generated — write it down or screenshot it
4. The code is valid for 24 hours
5. Enter the code in the app or present it at a Betfred outlet to place the bet with cash

This is ideal if you want to lock in odds but prefer to pay with cash at a branch.

Bet Types Explained

Single Bet

A single bet is one selection on one market. If your prediction is correct, you win. This is the simplest bet type and ideal for beginners. For example, R100 on Manchester City to win at odds of 1.80 returns R180.

Multiple / Accumulator

An accumulator (also called a multiple or parlay) combines two or more selections into a single bet. All selections must win for the bet to pay out. The odds multiply together, which means the potential returns are much higher — but the risk increases with each added leg. For example, a 4-leg accumulator at average odds of 2.00 would pay 16.00 (2 × 2 × 2 × 2).

System Bets

System bets cover multiple combinations of your selections, meaning not every leg needs to win for a return. For example, a 2/3 system bet on three selections creates three separate doubles — if two of your three selections win, you still get a payout. System bets cost more because you are effectively placing multiple bets, but they offer a safety net.

How Odds Work (Decimal)

Betfred South Africa uses decimal odds by default. Decimal odds represent the total return for every R1 staked, including your original stake. For example:

• Odds of 1.50 — R100 bet returns R150 (R50 profit)
• Odds of 2.00 — R100 bet returns R200 (R100 profit)
• Odds of 3.50 — R100 bet returns R350 (R250 profit)

Higher odds mean a lower probability of winning but a bigger payout. Lower odds mean a higher probability but smaller returns.

Cash Out Feature

Cash out lets you settle a bet before the event has finished. Betfred calculates a live cash out value based on the current state of play. If your bet is winning, the cash out amount will be less than the full potential payout but guaranteed. If your bet is losing, cash out may still be offered at a reduced amount to recover some of your stake.

To cash out, go to My Bets, find your active bet, and click Cash Out if the option is available. The amount is credited to your account immediately. Cash out is not available on all markets and can be suspended during key moments of an event.

Live / In-Play Betting

Betfred offers live in-play betting on selected sports, allowing you to place bets while a match is in progress. Odds update in real time based on the score, time remaining, and game momentum. Look for the LIVE indicator in the sports menu to find in-play markets. Popular in-play sports include soccer, tennis, basketball, and cricket.

Responsible Gambling

Betting should always be entertaining, not a way to make money. Betfred provides several responsible gambling tools:

• Deposit limits — Set daily, weekly, or monthly caps
• Time-out periods — Take a short break from betting
• Self-exclusion — Block access to your account for a set period
• Bet history — Review your spending at any time

If you feel your betting is becoming a problem, contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme at 0800 006 008. You must be 18 or older to bet.

Note: This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or operated by Betfred. Betfred South Africa is licensed by the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator.