1xBet vs 22Bet

The short answer

1xBet and 22Bet are two of the largest international sportsbooks that take South African players. They look and work alike: enormous market lists, thousands of live events a day, long casino lobbies and many payment options. Both are licensed in Curaçao, not by a South African provincial board.

1xBet has the lower minimum deposit, more casino games and live streaming. 22Bet has a cleaner, smaller welcome offer. If you’re choosing between the two, the differences are small; the bigger decision is whether you want an offshore bookmaker at all.

Offshore licence: what it means for you

A Curaçao licence means the operator is regulated, but not in South Africa. In practice:

• if a withdrawal is refused, you can’t complain to the Western Cape or Gauteng board
• bonus disputes go to the operator and then to its offshore regulator
• deposits by card may be declined by some South African banks

If that worries you, a provincial gambling board licensed bookmaker such as Betway or Hollywoodbets is the safer route. You can read more in our Curaçao licence explainer.

Who should pick which

1xBet suits you if you:

• want to start with very small deposits (from R7)
• watch matches on the live stream while you bet
• want a large casino as well as sports
• use Skrill or crypto

22Bet suits you if you:

• want a simple, one-off 100% match on your first deposit
• prefer a slightly less cluttered site
• bet mostly on sports and don’t need a huge casino

Bonuses and terms

22Bet’s welcome offer is easy to understand:

22Bet

Curaçao licence

6.5/10

Welcome bonus · sports

100% up toR2,550

Wagering

5x

Min deposit

R20

Expiry

7 days

Min odds

1.4

18+New players · T&Cs apply

Claim bonus

Its minimum deposit is R20. Sports welcome bonuses at offshore books normally come with a minimum odds rule and accumulator requirements, so read the terms on the bonus page before you opt in.

1xBet advertises a 200% first-deposit sports bonus and a casino package across four deposits with free spins. We couldn’t confirm the current South African terms for either, so treat the amounts as indicative and check the cashier when you sign up. If you want a similar offshore operator with a clearly published loyalty and cashback programme, 1Win is the alternative we feature.

Whichever you choose, work out the cost of the wagering in Rands before you claim. A 5x requirement on a R1,000 bonus means R5,000 in qualifying bets, often on accumulators with a minimum price per leg.

Payments and payouts

1xBet lists EFT, Visa, Skrill and crypto, with withdrawals quoted at 2-24 hours. 22Bet’s payment list and payout times weren’t published in our sources, so check its cashier before you deposit. At both, verification (ID and proof of address) is required before you withdraw, and crypto adds exchange-rate risk between deposit and payout.

Betting and casino product

Sports. Both books are huge, covering soccer leagues from every continent, all the major US sports, esports and niche options such as table tennis and darts. 1xBet’s live streaming is its standout feature. Both offer in-play markets on most fixtures, and features such as bet builders and cash-out on popular matches.

Casino. 1xBet lists around 5,000 games, with slots, crash games and live dealer tables. 22Bet’s casino is smaller but covers the main studios.

Mobile. 1xBet’s Android app is an APK download; iPhone users use the mobile site. 22Bet also has a mobile site that works in any phone browser.

Verdict

1xBet is the better offshore all-rounder: lower minimum deposit, more casino games and live streaming. 22Bet is the more straightforward bonus: a simple 100% first-deposit match from R20.

Both are offshore, so keep your balances low and withdraw winnings regularly. Use the deposit limits in your account, and call the NRGP on 0800 006 008 if betting is causing problems. For locally licensed alternatives, see our best betting sites list.