Mobile operator Cell C has announced a new partnership with online sports betting website, Clickabet, to offer mobile sports betting in SouthAfrica.

ClickaBet is an online sports betting service headed up by former Altech CEO Craig Venter.

Venter said they use technology from BetTech and source their odds from Betradar. At present, only soccer, cricket and tennis are available to bet on through the new mobile service, but more sports will be added in the coming weeks.

For the partnership, Cell C and ClickaBet have developed a USSD interface for the service which allows Cell C subscribers to place bets from a mobile phone.

The USSD service will provide access to soccer, rugby, and tennis markets at launch – with more sports to be added in future. Users must sign up for a ClickaBet prepaid debit card by visiting a Cell C store, with FICA documentation, to participate. The card costs R57, and users will receive R25 betting credit. You may deposit funds onto the card via Absa ATMs that accept cash deposits, or by EFT.

ClickaBet said it will match your first deposit rand-for-rand, up to R2,000. Cell C and ClickaBet said they are also implementing a credit card payment option to load funds. Winnings can be moved to the ClickaBet prepaid debit card from the USSD menu, and can be withdrawn from an ATM or spent anywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted.

There is no fee to receive a payout and there is no minimum or maximum withdrawal amounts. Standard banking fees apply on withdrawals and debit card transactions.

Betters who use the service through Cell C will not be able to use the ClickaBet website to place bets or manage their accounts, but the companies are working on integration.

Cell C’s ClickaBet prepaid debit cards have launched in Gauteng, and will launch around the country by December.