PayPal in South African Casinos
Of the many online payment processors, PayPal is the most famous. It is a global payment gateway and e-wallet that’s used by around 400 million people around the world. It was one of the first companies to offer online payments without relying on bank cards and accounts.
PayPal covers a wide variety of services, from eCommerce to paying bills online. Its big break came from its association with eBay (a US-based service like Makro or Takealot) which pushed it to the top of payment processors online. Unfortunately for the global online gambling community, it has a strict anti-gambling policy: this means that it’s not available in South African online casinos. This can be traced back to the early 2000s when the company decided to pull the plug on gambling clients due to the unclear legal status of the industry in the US at the time. Its policy on online gambling hasn’t changed ever since.
How to Use PayPal
Using PayPal is as simple as using any other eWallet or payment processor. After registering an account, you can start paying or requesting money instantly. But some limits apply to your account at first - you’ll need further verifications to be able to use it in full. These verifications change from one country to another, but they usually involve submitting a copy of your government-issued ID.
You can use PayPal both as an eWallet and a payment gateway. You can register a credit or debit card in the system that you can then use to top up your account or pay directly at online stores or services.
How to Get a PayPal Account in South Africa
- Head over to paypal.com
- Select Sign Up For Free
- Choose from a Personal Account or a Business Account
- Enter your email address - note that this will be used to identify your PayPal account
- Enter your mobile number - this will be used for two-factor authentication
- Verify your phone number
This will get you a basic account with many limitations applied. For a fully verified account, you need to submit a series of documents and information:
- A South African bank account with internet banking
- A copy of a recent bank statement
- Proof of identity, like an ID card or a passport
- Your income tax number
- An active credit or debit card
Topping Up and Withdrawing Money from PayPal
In South Africa, PayPal has an agreement with the First National Bank of South Africa (FNB). This doesn’t mean that only FNB accounts will work with PayPal - but to top up your account and withdraw the money to your bank account, you will need an FNB Online Banking account - don’t worry, it is free of charge.
If you are an FNB customer, you need to:
- Visit fnb.co.za and log in to your FNB Online Banking account
- Select Forex, then PayPal Services
- In the menu on the left, select Link PayPal Profile
- Follow the instructions to link your account.
If you are a customer at a different bank:
- Visit fnb.co.za
- Select Register
- Click Register for PayPal for non-FNB customers
After submitting your FICA documents, you can link your fully verified PayPal account with your bank account.
To withdraw money from PayPal to your bank account:
- Visit fnb.co.za
- Log into your FNB Online Banking profile
- Select Forex, then go to PayPal Services
- Choose Withdraw from PayPal
- Enter the amount in US Dollars but make sure you have enough funds in your PayPal account for this withdrawal
- Confirm the exchange rate and the Rand amount you will receive
- Accept the terms and conditions
- The system will take you to the PayPal website where you’ll have to log into your PayPal account
- After reviewing the withdrawal amount, you’ll be taken back to FNB’s website
- You will receive the money within 3 to 5 business days
PayPal Alternatives in South Africa
There are some alternatives you can use in South Africa that come with most of PayPal’s functionality and are accepted by online casinos:
SnapScan
SnapScan is a popular payment method in South Africa, both in retail and online. It’s a handy payment processor based on QR codes - to pay, you only need to scan the code and confirm the transfer on your phone. It can handle credit and debit cards but it also has a digital wallet that you can top up and use to pay
Casinos Supporting SnapScan
- Top-rated slot machine providers
- Useful game categories
- Amazing live dealer games from top providers
- Live games for every budget
- Pragmatic Play network promotions
- Cashbacks for Lucky Numbers
- A limited number of slot machines
- A low number of promotions
- High wagering requirements for casino players
- Welcome bonus favours sports betting
- Established, long-standing brand
- High-quality games
- Live dealer games
- BetGames, Virtual Games
- Aviator available
- Downloadable Android app
- Loyalty & VIP scheme
- No RNG table games (only live dealer games)
- A small number of games
- Almost no casino bonuses
- Welcome bonus for sports betting only
Zapper
Zapper is a payment gateway that makes it very easy for you to pay both in real life and online. It also relies on QR codes but it doesn’t have a prepaid e-wallet.
Casinos Supporting Zapper
- Large collection of “Spina Zonke” (slot machines)
- Good variety of live casino games
- Attractive casino tournaments and sweepstakes
- No-deposit free spins
- Licensed in all major jurisdictions
- Exclusive slots, card games, and crash games, including Shova 52
- No deposit matches listed
- Focus on betting bonuses
- No major progressive jackpot slots
- Some responsible gaming tools are missing
- No useful game categories
- Top-rated slot machine providers
- Useful game categories
- Amazing live dealer games from top providers
- Live games for every budget
- Pragmatic Play network promotions
- Cashbacks for Lucky Numbers
- A limited number of slot machines
- A low number of promotions
- High wagering requirements for casino players
- Welcome bonus favours sports betting
- Established, long-standing brand
- High-quality games
- Live dealer games
- BetGames, Virtual Games
- Aviator available
- Downloadable Android app
- Loyalty & VIP scheme
- No RNG table games (only live dealer games)
- A small number of games
- Almost no casino bonuses
- Welcome bonus for sports betting only
Skrill
Skrill is the go-to e-wallet for online gambling. It is widely supported by international operators, both for deposits and withdrawals. It operates in a variety of currencies, including South African Rands. The deposits and withdrawals (after approval) are instant. Its downsides are the fees involved and the exchange rates that can be higher than usual.
Casinos Supporting Skrill
- More than 2000 casino games
- Aviator and Space XY are available
- An impressive list of casino slot providers
- Daily bonuses
- Network promotions from Wazdan and Playson
- Loyalty and VIP program
- 2FA and privacy settings available
- No no-deposit bonuses available
- A small selection of live casino games
- Bets and patterns are limited for wagering requirements
- High playthrough requirements
- Phone support in Malta only
- Most South African payment methods are not available
- More than 7,000 games
- "Refer a friend" bonus
- Loyalty & VIP scheme
- Live Dealer Games
- Aviator available
- Small number of deposit methods supported
- Small number of withdrawal methods supported
- Many games are blocked in South Africa
- Terms unclear about loyalty scheme, VIP scheme
Neteller
Neteller is Skrill’s direct competitor, another international e-wallet beloved by online casinos. It supports quick international transfers and it even issues its own branded Net+ debit card in some countries. It has some hefty fees, though.
Casinos Supporting Neteller
- More than 2000 casino games
- Aviator and Space XY are available
- An impressive list of casino slot providers
- Daily bonuses
- Network promotions from Wazdan and Playson
- Loyalty and VIP program
- 2FA and privacy settings available
- No no-deposit bonuses available
- A small selection of live casino games
- Bets and patterns are limited for wagering requirements
- High playthrough requirements
- Phone support in Malta only
- Most South African payment methods are not available
PayPal FAQ
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Is PayPal available for online gambling in South African casinos?
No, PayPal has a strict anti-gambling policy, which means it is not available for use in online casinos. This policy has been in place since the early 2000s and has not changed since then.
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How can I create a PayPal account in South Africa?
To create a PayPal account in South Africa, visit paypal.com and select "Sign Up For Free." You can choose between a Personal Account or a Business Account, then follow the prompts to enter your email address and mobile number for verification. For a fully verified account, you will need to submit additional documents such as a South African bank account with internet banking, a copy of a recent bank statement, proof of identity, your income tax number, and an active credit or debit card.
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How do I top up and withdraw money from my PayPal account in South Africa?
In South Africa, topping up and withdrawing money from PayPal requires an agreement with the First National Bank of South Africa (FNB). Even if you bank with a different institution, you can still use PayPal by creating an FNB Online Banking account. For FNB customers, linking your PayPal account involves logging into your FNB Online Banking profile and selecting the appropriate options under Forex and PayPal Services. For non-FNB customers, you need to register on the FNB website and link your verified PayPal account. Withdrawals are initiated through the FNB Online Banking portal, where you specify the amount in US Dollars and confirm the details.
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What are some alternatives to PayPal for online gambling in South Africa?
Several alternatives to PayPal are accepted by online casinos in South Africa. These include SnapScan, which uses QR codes for easy payments; Zapper, another QR code-based payment gateway; Skrill, a widely supported e-wallet in the online gambling community; and Neteller, an international e-wallet similar to Skrill. Each of these options offers various functionalities and benefits, such as quick transfers and support for multiple currencies.