Betting on Basketball guide

Basketball has become a favourite for many punters in South Africa. While the NBA remains the most-watched league worldwide, local fans are also engaging with domestic matches and international tournaments. Whether you’re following the Golden State Warriors or backing your hometown team in the Basketball National League, there’s plenty of action for bettors to enjoy.

I’ve spent years testing strategies and trying different bookmakers, and this guide shares everything I’ve learned. From how to get started with your first basketball bet to choosing the best markets and improving your predictions, I’ll help you bet smarter. You’ll also find tips based on real match data, how to make the most of your bankroll, and how to avoid common mistakes new bettors make.

If you’re in South Africa and curious about how basketball betting works—or you’re ready to sharpen your edge—this guide is made for you. Let’s dive into the courtside action.

By Adiela de Bruyn - Last modified 2025/04/11 - Estimated reading time: 12 minutes.

Table of contents

Betting on Basketball guide

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Best Bookmakers for SA

  1. 1
    Bet.co.za
    Bet.co.za Since 2010
    More Information
    Sport options
    InfoAmount of different sport options
    32
    Live sports
    InfoOption to gamble on live matches
    Yes
  2. 2
    Hollywoodbets
    Hollywoodbets Since 1986
    More Information
    Sport options
    InfoAmount of different sport options
    47
    Live sports
    InfoOption to gamble on live matches
    Yes
How icon

How to Bet on Basketball

To begin betting on basketball, you must first create an account with basketball betting sites. These gambling platforms provide punters with competitive odds and access to betting markets.

In addition, they allow punters make basketball predictions, which gives them a chance to win big. Here is how you can begin making basketball predictions tonight:

Step 1: Register with an Online Bookmaker

To register with an online bookmaker, you must first visit their website and click the "Sign Up" button to commence the process. You will be required to provide your personal information including your full name, email address, date of birth, country, and mobile number. Ensure that these details are correct because they will be used to verify your account before you are allowed to begin making basketball predictions. A valid means of identification like a driver's license or an international passport will be required for the verification process.

Step 2: Deposit Funds

After successfully verifying your sports betting account, you will have to deposit funds to place a basketball bet. The gambling site you joined will provide various means of payment. In addition, the best bookmakers for South African players are those that accept the Rand and eliminate conversion fees. You should also ensure that you look out for any available welcome bonuses and deposit the minimum amount required to trigger them.

Step 3: Navigate the Basketball Section

Navigate the basketball section to see today's basketball matches, available basketball leagues, and live games between popular teams like the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and other teams.

Step 4: Choose Your Markets and Odds

Each available basketball game will have the available markets displayed for you to make your basketball predictions. Before you make a basketball prediction, ensure that you check the markets for the best odds. Better odds mean a higher payout if your basketball predictions are correct. If you are a newbie punter, try sticking to simpler bets, which give you a better chance of winning.

Step 5: Confirm Your Bet

The final step is to confirm your basketball bet by reviewing your betting slip. Once you are sure of your basketball predictions, input the wager amount and confirm the bet. You will see the total betting odds and the projected win based on the amount you have wagered.

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Types of Basketball Betting Markets

There are different betting markets available at online gambling websites. These markets provide punters with different options when making free bets or paid bets. Here are some of the available markets you can find at the best betting sites:

Moneyline Wagers

Money line wagers are one of the most common NBA predictions during NBA basketball games. The bet selects who the winner of a match is at the final buzzer. Most betting predictions and NBA picks usually consist of money line wagers. For example, in a match between Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, the NBA money line picks could select the Los Angeles Lakers as the winners.

Point Spread Betting

Point spread bets wager predicts that a team will win by a predetermined number of points set by the bookmaker. Alternatively, punters can bet that a team will not lose by a set number of points. For example, if the Milwaukee Bucks have a -3 favorite and the New York Knicks have a +3 underdog, the Milwaukee Bucks will have to win by a 4 point spread for the bet to come.

Winning Margin Bet

This bet places a wager on the exact number of points difference between the winner and loser of a basketball game. It is a risky bet because if the points are off by 1, the bet loses. This bet is usually favored by basketball experts who have an understanding of each team's abilities. For example, if the bookmaker sets a winning margin of +5, the match has to end 105-100, 110-105, 111-106, and other similar scorelines for the bet to come.

Game Totals Bet

Game Totals is a bet that the total number of points scored in a game would be higher or lower than the points line set by the bookmaker. It is a kind of over and under bet that punters can use to bet on both teams instead of backing one over the other. It is one of the most common predictions in basketball betting because of its safety and beginner-friendliness.

Quarter Money Line

The quarter money line bet allows players to wager on the results of games after a quarter instead of the full match. Some teams may win individual quarters but end up losing the game. This is an easy way for punters to get the most competitive odds without betting on a full match.

In-play Betting

In-play betting is great for punters who like to make basketball predictions while a game is ongoing. As a team plays, there are different actions that can become betting events that punters can wager on. The best bookmakers provide free basketball streaming on their platform, which makes the betting experience more immersive. This is a popular market for basketball tipsters, as they love to follow the game live and drop free tips for their followers.

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Free Basketball Betting Tips

To get better at basketball betting, it is important that you formulate your own basketball betting tips and strategies based on available information. It is hard to find reliable basketball betting tips but with enough research, you can formulate a strategy that gives you an edge. Here are the best basketball betting tips that will improve your gambling:

Use Multiple Betting Sites

This is one of the most overlooked betting tips but it gives gamblers an edge when they place bets. Using multiple bookmakers allows you to find the best odds and the best games. Having multiple accounts also allows you to enjoy the bonuses from these bookmakers and increase your bankroll. Look for the best basketball bookmakers available to South African players and see what they offer before you sign up.

Follow Basketball Tipsters

Tipsters are experts who provide sports betting tips and free predictions to their followers on social media or through other medium. You can get free basketball tips by following the right tipsters online. These experts provide free basketball predictions and also use team stats and other reliable sources of information to provide important betting tips.

When choosing a tipster to follow, ensure that they have a track record of providing reliable basketball predictions. Furthermore, the tipsters you select must be experts in the leagues you want to bet in. If you want NBA tips, follow tipsters that are focused on NBA games.

The same method should be used if you want the best basketball tips from other leagues. Furthermore, following tipsters ensures you will be up to date with the latest basketball tips and recommendations to guide your bets.

Stay Current With Team News

Follow team news to learn about team injuries, lineup changes, and other relevant details that can change the outcome of a match. Using these details, you can make more reliable predictions and improve the quality of your bets. Ensure that you get your news from trustworthy news sources and official channels.

Use Data

Basketball stats are useful because they give you hard numbers that fuel your betting. Using facts and figures instead of relying on emotion will improve your win ratio. There are reliable data aggregation websites dedicated to providing important match facts and past data for punters and fans. Always use these sources when you are betting on basketball games to make more reliable bets.

Back Betting Site Favorites

Bookmakers usually have a favorite team they are tipping to win each match. This team can easily be spotted by viewing the odds. Basketball games rarely have upsets and the stronger team always usually wins. Therefore, it is in your best interests to bet on the bookmakers' favorite except your analysis states otherwise. One potential downside to backing the bookmaker's favorite is that the odds on the team are usually low but you can balance this out by using handicap bets.

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How to Select a Bookmaker

Using NBA picks or the best NBA tips will not help you if you do not select the right bookmaker for your needs. Using the right bookmaker is important because it gives you access to good odds, features, and markets when you gamble. Here are the factors you need to consider when selecting a bookmaker:

Odds

Always compare the odds of bookmakers before you settle on one. Using NBA tips to guide your betting will not matter if the gambling platform gives you low odds. Compare the odds among various gambling websites and ensure that the sportsbook you have chosen is the best. It is also advisable to register at more than one bookmaker so that you always have good odds on every bet.

Bonuses

The bonuses available at a bookmaker is another deciding factor you should use to determine whether to choose a bookmaker or not. Some bookmakers offer free bets, robust welcome bonuses and other perks to their users. Extensively check all the available bonuses that are available for punters before you decide.

Mobile Betting

Mobile betting is a fast growing segment because of smartphone penetration in South Africa. You should check your chosen bookmaker to ensure that they have a robust mobile gambling service for punters. Mobile gambling allows you to gamble conveniently without needing a PC. A good mobile gambling service will allow you to check your account, deposit/withdraw, and view betting slips from your mobile phone.

Payment Methods

The payment methods available must accept Rands and must have little to no transaction fees. In addition, the minimum deposit requirements must be reasonable and withdrawal processing times must also be minimal (0-48 hours). Bookmakers that have multiple payment methods such as e-wallets, bank transfers, and debit/credit cards should be favored over those that have fewer options.

Available Markets

The strength of a bookmakers markets should be considered before you sign up. Some gambling websites have fewer markets than others and as such are not suitable for bettors who want options. Multiple markets mean more choices for bettors as they can use accumulators and other options to increase their odds and win bigger returns on each bet.

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Conclusion

Basketball is a popular sport and just like other major sports, it has a large betting fanbase. To become a better punter, it goes beyond using NBA tips and watching live games. To bet on basketball, you must register at a bookmaker and verify your account. Furthermore, you will have to select the basketball league/games that you want and place a wager. Always verify all bets and potential winnings before you confirm the bet.

There are different markets available for gamblers and they are urged to familiarize themselves with these markets before they start placing bets. These markets include handicaps, in-play bets, point spread, money line, and games totals. Each of these bets must meet different criteria to be true and they carry varying levels of risk. To become a better basketball punter, players must understand how to combine these bets and how to tip the odds in their favour.

We also covered some of the best basketball betting tips which are sure to help you get the most from your bets. Follow the news to know how each team is faring and if there are any injuries or surprise changes to the line ups. Where possible, bet on the bookmaker's "team" as they may win and use handicaps to boost the odds. Always follow the top-rated tipsters, as they regularly provide insight and information that allows you to make more informed choices.

If you are new to betting on basketball or are a pro punter, this article will be of great help to you. We have covered all you need to know to improve your betting skills. What next? It is time for you to try out your skills. Happy gambling!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Basketball Betting

Is basketball betting legal in South Africa?

Yes, basketball betting is fully legal in South Africa as long as you place your bets with a licensed bookmaker. I always make sure the site I’m using is regulated by a local authority like the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board for peace of mind and security.

Can I bet on live basketball games?

Absolutely. Most good bookmakers let you place in-play bets while the match is ongoing. I often use this when I’m watching live games—it’s a great way to react to what’s happening on the court in real time.

What’s the best basketball betting market for beginners?

For beginners, I recommend starting with the moneyline market. It’s simple—you’re just picking the winner. Once you're confident, you can try spreads or totals, which offer more variety and strategy.

Do I need to use Rand to place bets in South Africa?

Yes, and it's actually better for you. Betting in Rands means no exchange fees or conversion hassles. That’s why I always check if a site supports ZAR before signing up.

How do I know which bookmaker has the best odds?

I use multiple sportsbooks and compare their odds manually. It takes a little more effort, but the better odds really add up over time. Some players also use odds comparison tools to save time.

Is it possible to make money consistently from basketball betting?

It’s possible, but not guaranteed. I treat it as a long-term game—sticking to a strategy, managing my bankroll, and using data. There will be losses, but the key is staying disciplined and not chasing bets.

Author and fact checker: Adiela de Bruyn

Adiela de Bruyn biography

Expertise: Online casino reviews, player insights, and marketing strategies.

Experience: 10+ years. Former croupier, casino enthusiast, and contributor to South Africa's online gambling regulations.

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