Ozow processed more than R2 billion in deposits across South African betting platforms during 2025, according to figures shared at the company's annual fintech review in February. That number represents a sharp increase from the year before, when the total sat closer to R1.3 billion. The growth reflects a broader shift in how South African punters fund their accounts: instant EFT has overtaken credit and debit cards as the most popular deposit method at licensed online sportsbooks.
The mechanics behind Ozow's service are straightforward. When a bettor clicks "deposit" on a sportsbook, they're redirected to their own banking app or online banking portal. They confirm the payment using their usual credentials, and the funds land in their betting account within seconds. There's no need to enter card numbers, no waiting for a bank transfer to clear, and no third-party wallet to top up first. For a market where many punters don't hold credit cards, this kind of bank-linked payment removes a real barrier to entry.
Capitec Pay has emerged as a particularly strong force among younger bettors. Capitec's customer base skews younger and more mobile-first than the traditional Big Four banks, and the bank's integration with betting platforms has been smooth. Punters using Capitec Pay can deposit from the Capitec app without leaving it, which keeps the experience fast and familiar. Operators report that Capitec-linked deposits now make up a growing share of total transaction volume, especially on mobile-heavy platforms like Hollywoodbets and Easybet.
Speed on the deposit side has raised expectations for withdrawals too. Punters who can fund an account in five seconds don't want to wait 48 hours to cash out their winnings. The better-performing operators have responded by cutting withdrawal processing times to under 12 hours, and some now offer same-day payouts for verified accounts. Betway and Hollywoodbets have both invested in faster payout infrastructure over the past year, partly in response to customer feedback and partly because quick withdrawals have become a genuine competitive advantage.
For operators still relying heavily on card-based deposits, the message from the market is clear: instant EFT is what South African bettors want. The combination of speed, security, and accessibility makes it a natural fit for a country where smartphone banking adoption is high but credit card penetration remains relatively low. Our payment methods guide covers the full range of deposit and withdrawal options available at licensed SA sportsbooks.