The Best Bonus Extras at Casinos in South Africa
South Africans are avid bettors, and the finest resorts in the country have thousands of slots and dozens of gaming tables to play. If betting is the cake, then bonuses and freebies are the icing on top. Luckily, plenty of the best South African casinos have a wide range of bonuses, from rewards programmes to golf courses and theaters, as we explain below.
Sun City Resort and Casino
Leading our NoDepositWow.com selection of land-based South African casinos with plenty of bonuses is Sun City Resort and Casino. The Sun MVG loyalty programme rewards players in all four tiers, ranging from silver to diamond, with redeemable points that can be used to pay towards accommodation in Sun City and participating restaurants and bars. Combine this with the dozens of gaming tables and hundreds of slot machines and it's a match made in Heaven, with players rewarded for betting, effectively gaining something for nothing - which you'll be able to learn more about on our South African no deposit bonuses page.
Gamers who are also golfers will love the fact that this South African casino resort comes with not one but two golf courses, both put together by South Africa's very own Gary Player. The Gary Player Country Club is one of the most prestigious places to play not only in South Africa but the whole continent. It's a par 72 course with the full 18 holes, with a 5km running trail alongside, and is the host of the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge. Not for the faint of heart, the Lost City Golf Course is also par 72 but comes with two meter crocodiles and stunning views of the bushveld. Not to mention the 28,000 square meters of water features. But if you just want to blow off some steam then take advantage of the driving range, or visit the putting green to practise the final shots.
But it's not only on dry land that there's a lot to like about this South African casino resort. For those who like the water and a tropical paradise the Valley of the Waves water park is simply perfect. The main attraction is the Roaring Lagoon which surges with bender waves every minute and a half, rising two meters in the air for a sudden tide that's ideal for body surfing to the shore. Or if you prefer to lie back and relax then close your eyes beneath a palm tree and let the sun work on your tan. The beach bar is brimming with snacks and cocktails, while the children's area offers aquatic adventures specifically designed with little ones in mind. No less engaging is the Maze of the Lost City, the Southern Hemisphere's largest permanent maze. Made from artificial stone and wood for an archeological feel, the suspension bridge by which it's accessed offers great views of the resort, and at night flaming torches simply add to the atmosphere. Those cunning enough to find their way through the labyrinth are rewarded with ice-cold brews at the Maze Bar.
All that is far more than the average land-based casino in South Africa has to offer, but the resort has one more special surprise. Just to the north is the Pilanesberg National Park, a big game reserve with thousands of the most magnificent animals in the country. There are mighty beasts such as rhinos and elephants, regal lions, elegant giraffes, and plenty more fantastic creatures to admire.
Montecasino - South African Casino in Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the biggest city in the country, and comes replete with all the urban diversions one might hope for. And that includes betting opportunities courtesy of Montecasino, located in the northern part of the city. The casino boasts an impressive array of slot machines, with more than 1,700 presenting an almost embarrassingly enormous selection for players to peruse, and there are more than 80 table games for old-fashioned card sharks and fans of roulette and craps. But if your pockets are deep, you want to win big and you like your wagers high than take advantage of the personalized service and high stakes at the Salon Privé, where the table games have maximum stakes of R10,000.
There are plenty of bonus extras at Montecasino beyond the extensive assortment of slot machines and gaming tables, however. Players who sign up to the Rewards Programme can receive discounts on dining and events, with the rate increasing as members progress from gold cards through platinum to black. Spas, films, and Gold Reef City Theme Park all feature cut price rates for cardholders. There's also a bevy of restaurants and bars to slake your thirst and sate your appetite, with the complex home to more than 30 different dining options. Middle Eastern cuisine such as shawarma, falafel, and laffa, plus hamburgers, are on the menu at Anat Falafel while Italy's most popular treat is the mainstay at Col'Cacchio Pizzeria. Or you can just grab an ice-cream or cake at Milky Lane.
The complex is designed to be reminiscent of an Italian village, and one bonus feature is the piazza vibe. Live performances by local artists (such as Jacques Mouton and Jack Atlantic) regularly take place, embellishing the attraction of dining at Montecasino. But if it's retail therapy that suits you best then Montecasino comes complete with its own mall for shoppers. The stores include a bookshop, golf shop, places where you can buy gifts, plus jewelry, so browse to your heart's content and find a gift for kith and kin or a souvenir for yourself.
If settling down with a bucket of popcorn and watching the latest box office hits is your cup of tea then the complex's on-site cinema is the perfect way to unwind after a gaming session. Movies from Hollywood, Bollywood, and the local area play at the 10 screens, with a hefty discount for Rewards card holders. But if you prefer your entertainment to be in the flesh then there are a pair of theaters, the Teatro and Pieter Toerien's Theatre & Studio, where local and international shows are performed. Last but not least, fans of ornithology can get their feathery fix admiring more than 60 magnificent species of bird at the walk-through aviary. Plus there are small reptiles, mammals, and even little antelope wandering around.
Gold Reef City Casino
Although South Africans can play at online casinos like African Grand Casino and Zar Casino, its always fun to go to Gold Reef City Casino which is situated in the south of Johannesburg. This South African casino is within the Gold Reef City Theme Park, providing a smorgasbord of land-based bonuses for players who visit the casino but also want something extra to spice up the time between gaming sessions. Players have in excess of 1,500 slot machines and 47 gaming tables at which to try their luck and have fun betting. Those with deep pockets will enjoy the luxury of the exclusive Salon Privé, including a private gaming room and the chance of winning Privé Bonus Jackpots. Players can also amass redeemable points via the Rewards card, which has three levels and also provides discounts on dining, movies, entertainment, and more, making it very much win-win for players.
Not only is this brick and mortar casino part of the Gold Reef City Theme Park, the park is the largest of its kind in the whole country so it could scarcely be better for those who love getting their heart pounding on thrilling rides. Among the attractions are 13 rides specifically designed for kids, and the Jump City Trampoline Park. One of the highlights is Johannesburg's only authentic underground mine tour, ideal for those who want to delve beneath the surface both literally and historically. The park also has numerous stores which offer the chance to buy gifts, accessories, and traditional clothing.
Whisk yourself away to the world of sci-fi blockbusters, comic book adventures, and Bollywood musicals at the only Victorian train station-themed cinema complex in the country. With six cinemas and more than a thousand seats, there's plenty of room to indulge in the latest cinematic technology, and the private bar is just one more bonus for film lovers. Meanwhile, the nearby Lyric Theatre provides performances of the live variety, set amid a charming venue. Everything from comedy to ballet, gospel shows and international smash hits are hosted so give the schedule a look to see what you can enjoy when you're in town.
On a more serious note, the Apartheid Museum tells the important story of the triumph of the human spirit against oppression, and how South Africa made the journey to become the nation it is today.
South Africa's Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment
On the east coast of South Africa is another of the top casinos in the country which comes with a plethora of little extras that make a visit there a cut above the average. As it sounds, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment is not only a betting venue but a resort that has various alternative avenues of entertainment and bonuses for players who like to enjoy other distractions in between gaming sessions. There's a bumper crop of slots and table games within this South African casino, with more than 1,800 slot machines and an impressive 71 gaming tables providing card games baccarat, blackjack, and poker, and roulette as well. The natural habitat of high rollers is the exclusive environs of the Salon Privé, where luxury gaming can be played on the upper level, accompanied by ocean views.
The allure of betting is the uncertainty of the outcome and the thrill of winning when a loss is an entirely credible possibility. But sometimes it's nice to have a guaranteed win, and that comes in the form of the Rewards card, which has three tiers all of which provide various discounts for entertainment, dining, and more, as well as enabling players to earn redeemable points with no risk of buyer's remorse.
The Suncoast resort has a wide assortment of entertainment all under one roof, a real bonus for travelers including those with children. The Magic Company has everything from bopping hippos for the little ones to simulators for dancing, driving, and adventures for older kids and adults alike. Young ones aged between 3 and 12 can have fun in the supervised and safe Cool Club. There's an indoor playground, jungle gym, the ever-popular Lego, and opportunities to paint, draw, and play both board games and computer games. Another of the resort's best bonus features, and one that children and grownups can both take advantage of, is the cinema, fully furnished with a state-of-the-art sound system and playing blockbusters from both Bollywood and Hollywood.
If you're feeling stressed, visit the spa and let your worries fade away in one of the seven treatment rooms. But if you're in the mood to get the blood pumping then visit the Globe at Suncoast for live entertainment, including music, car shows, and sports screening. And there's more live performances courtesy of the Barnyard Theatre.
That concludes our look at some of the best bonus extras on offer at the top South African casinos where folks can win life-changing amounts of real money. From golf courses with crocodiles to mazes, malls, and even underground tunnels, there's something for everyone.