Why Betting Apps Like Betway Don’t Show Up in the Play Store in South Africa

If you’ve ever tried to download a betting app on Android in South Africa and come up short, you’re not alone. You probably searched the Play Store, expected something official to pop up, and instead ended up on a random website asking you to “allow unknown sources.” Not exactly confidence-inspiring, right?

Here’s the thing – iGaming brands want to be on Google Play. Really, they do. But for many of them, including industry heavyweights, it’s just not that simple. If you’ve ever stumbled across the Betway APK download page instead of a Google Play listing, that’s exactly the problem we’re talking about.

Let’s break down why this happens – and why it’s not just a local issue.

Google’s Gambling App Rules Are No Joke

Google has a very particular set of rules for any app involving real-money gambling. And by “particular,” we mean borderline bureaucratic.

If an app wants to appear on the Play Store and involve real money bets, it needs to:

• Be licensed in a country where online gambling is legal
• Only operate in that country (no international free-for-all)
• Comply with Google’s local policy requirements, which vary wildly
• Submit a ton of paperwork and pass internal reviews

If that country has messy or unclear gambling laws? Forget it. The app won’t make it past the front gate.

And Then There’s South Africa…

South Africa is one of the biggest gambling markets on the continent. People bet on soccer, cricket, rugby – you name it. Retail sportsbooks are common, and online betting has exploded over the past few years.

But here’s the kicker: the laws around online gambling are still all over the place.

Sports betting is legal and licensed on a provincial level, but anything resembling an online casino? Still very much in the grey zone. Efforts have been made to regulate it nationally (like the proposed Remote Gambling Bill), but progress has been painfully slow. As of June 2025, we’re still waiting.

This patchwork of rules means big-name platforms like Betway can legally operate – and they do – but they can’t meet Google’s policy checklist because there’s no unified national license for mobile apps. Hence, no listing on the Play Store.

Enter The APK Workaround

Because the Google route is blocked, brands like Betway go direct. Instead of showing up on the Play Store, they offer the Betway APK file on their official website. You download it, install it manually, and boom – you’re in.

That workaround is totally legit, but it comes with a catch: it requires users to tinker with their phone settings and install from “unknown sources.” For everyday users who aren’t tech-savvy, this can be a red flag. Plus, it opens the door to fake apps and shady lookalikes if you’re not careful about where you download from.

So while the APK route works, it’s far from ideal.

What This Means for iGaming in Africa

Let’s zoom out for a second. South Africa isn’t the only country dealing with this. Across much of Africa, the demand for mobile betting is skyrocketing, but the infrastructure to support it – from payment gateways to legal frameworks – is still catching up.

For now, brands are playing by the rules they can. They’re building secure platforms, offering competitive odds, and optimizing their mobile sites and apps – even if they can’t list them on the Play Store.

And yes, this does hurt visibility. If you’re a brand and your app isn’t where users expect to find it, that’s a missed opportunity. But until regulators catch up or Google relaxes its grip (don’t hold your breath), it’s a balancing act.

So… What’s the Fix?

Short-term? Brands will keep relying on direct downloads and clear instructions. Users will have to double-check that they’re on the official site before installing anything.

Long-term? Regulators need to step up. We’re talking about clear, national licensing that gives brands a path to compliance – not just a bureaucratic maze.

Because let’s be real: players want access, brands want reach, and Google wants everything wrapped up in a neat legal package. It’s not impossible, but someone’s got to blink first.