OZOW Payments: Instant Deposits for South African Players

• 47 million bank account holders connected
• 40+ million South African users
• R1.5+ billion processed monthly
• 136 million PayShap transactions completed
• 4.5 million PayShap ShapIDs registered
• 150+ employees across Africa, Europe, and Asia
• $48 million Series B funding (2021, led by Tencent)

2014: The Beginning

Founded in Cape Town by three South African entrepreneurs – Thomas Pays, Mitchan Adams, and Lyle Eckstein – under the original name i-Pay. Their vision was to create an efficient and secure online payment system that would revolutionize South African digital commerce.

2019: Strategic Rebranding

In April 2019, the company rebranded from i-Pay to Ozow, marking its evolution from startup to major payment processor. The new name better reflected their “oh-so-easy” approach to instant payments.

2020: Major Milestone

On March 5, 2020, Ozow achieved a significant milestone by processing R10 billion in transactions. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their growth dramatically as South Africans increasingly turned to online shopping and digital services during lockdowns.

2020: Innovation Launches

September 2020 saw the release of Ozapp, a web application enabling QR code payments, and Ozow PIN, simplifying EFT transactions through a streamlined four-step payment process.

2021: Major Investment

In November 2021, Ozow secured $48 million in Series B funding led by Tencent, the world-leading internet and technology company. This investment round also included Endeavor Catalyst and Endeavor Harvest Fund, with approval notably chaired by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn.

2024: Revolutionary Features

July 2024: Ozow became the first payment processor in South Africa to launch PayShap Request, a SARB-endorsed instant payment feature.

October 2024: Introduction of biometric payment authentication (“One-Blink” technology), making Ozow the first South African payment company to offer fingerprint and facial recognition payments at scale.

November 2024: Expanded card payment integration, allowing Ozow to accept traditional card payments alongside their bank-to-bank transfers.

2025: Market Leadership

Today, Ozow operates with headquarters in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, employing over 150 people across three continents. The company processes over R1.5 billion monthly and serves 47 million bank account holders, making it South Africa’s undisputed leader in instant EFT payments.

Step 1: Choose Ozow at checkout on your casino or betting site

Step 2: Select your bank from the list of 9 supported institutions

Step 3: Login using your internet banking credentials (redirected to your bank’s secure portal)

Step 4: Approve the payment in your banking app using 2FA (OTP or push notification)

🎯 How PayShap Works at Casinos

The PayShap process is incredibly simple:

• Select PayShap as your payment method at casino checkout
• Choose your bank from the list
• Enter either your ShapID (mobile number) or bank account number
• Authenticate the payment directly in your banking app
• Funds transfer instantly to your casino account!

✅ PayShap Benefits for Casino Players

• Real-time payments: Deposits arrive instantly, no waiting
• No pre-registration: Don’t have a ShapID? Use your account number instead
• Enhanced security: Every transaction authenticated via your banking app with built-in fraud prevention
• Irrevocable transactions: No chargebacks, protecting both players and casinos
• Instant refunds: Casinos can process refunds directly to your bank account
• Wider acceptance: Over 4.5 million South Africans already using ShapID

📊 PayShap Impressive Growth

Since its December 2024 introduction, PayShap has already processed over R100 billion across 136 million transactions. With TymeBank (10+ million customers) now partnered with Ozow as a sponsor bank, PayShap is rapidly becoming South Africa’s preferred instant payment method.

🚀 How One-Blink Payments Work

Instead of traditional “one-click” payment methods, Ozow’s biometric system leverages:

• Fingerprint scanning for instant authentication
• Facial recognition using your device camera
• Retinal scanning for maximum security (on supported devices)

No physical cards, no passwords to remember, no additional devices needed – just you are the authentication!

✨ Benefits for Casino Players

• Lightning-fast deposits: Complete transactions in a single blink
• Enhanced security: Biometric data is unique to you and impossible to replicate
• Multiple account support: Link multiple bank accounts under one biometric profile
• Scalable technology: Works with card payments, vouchers, and all Ozow payment methods
• Future-proof: Positions Ozow for global expansion and licensing

1. Absa Bank

Fully integrated with Ozow’s platform. Features Absa Pay, a co-developed seamless bank API partnership launched in collaboration with Ozow.

2. African Bank

Standard Ozow integration available for all African Bank account holders.

3. Bidvest Bank

Full Ozow support for instant EFT transactions.

4. Capitec Bank

Important: Capitec users must select “Capitec by Ozow” or “Capitec Pay” as their payment option, NOT just “Ozow”. This specialized integration ensures optimal performance with Capitec’s systems.

5. First National Bank (FNB)

Full integration with FNB’s online banking system. Supports two-step verification via the FNB app.

6. Investec Bank

Private and commercial banking clients can use Ozow for instant payments.

7. Nedbank

Features Nedbank Direct EFT, an API-based solution integrated into Ozow’s Instant EFT service for seamless payments (launched March 2024).

8. Standard Bank

South Africa’s largest bank by assets, fully integrated with Ozow instant payments.

9. TymeBank

Major PayShap Partner with over 10 million customers (as of December 2024). TymeBank offers free PayShap payments and has achieved the highest success rate for PayShap Request transactions on Ozow. Their simplified authorization process makes them the ideal choice for instant casino payments.

Step 1: Go to Banking/Cashier

Login to your casino account → Click “Deposit”, “Cashier”, or “Banking” section

Step 2: Select Ozow

Look for the Ozow logo among payment methods. Click to select it.

Step 3: Enter Deposit Amount

Specify how much you want to deposit (minimum typically R10-R20, maximum up to R1,000,000)

Step 4: Choose Your Bank

You’ll be redirected to Ozow’s platform. Select your bank from the list of 9 options. Capitec users: Choose “Capitec by Ozow” or “Capitec Pay”.

Step 5: Login to Internet Banking

Enter your online banking credentials. You’ll be on your bank’s secure portal (not Ozow or the casino).

Step 6: Select Account & Authorize

Choose which account to pay from (savings, cheque, credit card). Confirm the payment using 2FA (OTP or app notification). The payment details are pre-filled automatically!

Step 7: Confirmation & Play!

Once authorized, funds appear in your casino balance instantly. Both you and the casino receive immediate notification. Start playing right away!

⚡ Real-Time Clearing (RTC)

Speed: Instant to your bank account

Limits:

• Weekdays (Monday-Friday): R5,000,000 per transaction
• Weekends (Saturday-Sunday): R250,000 per transaction

Best for: Players who want their winnings immediately

🏦 Standard EFT Transfer

Speed: Same business day or interbank standard rules (1-3 business days)

Limits: No specific Ozow-imposed limits (casino limits may apply)

Best for: Large withdrawals exceeding RTC weekend limits

What You Pay

• Ozow service fees: R0 (zero)
• Bank transaction fees: Varies by bank (typically R0-R5)
• Casino processing fees: Most casinos don’t charge, but check terms

Bank Fees

The only fees you might encounter are those imposed by your bank for EFT transactions. These vary by:

• Your specific bank
• Your account type
• Your banking package
• Whether it’s an inter-bank or intra-bank transfer

Recommendation: Contact your bank to check EFT transaction fees for your account. Many modern banking packages include a certain number of free EFT transactions monthly.

🛡️ Industry Certifications

• PCI-DSS Level 1 Certified: The highest level of payment security compliance
• PASA Registered: Authorized as a System Operator and Third-Party Payment Provider with the Payments Association of South Africa
• POPIA Compliant: Adheres to South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act
• GDPR Compliant: Meets European data protection standards
• Thawte Certified: SSL certificate verification for secure connections

🔐 Bank-Grade Encryption

Ozow uses the highest level of SSL encryption available (256-bit encryption) to protect all data transmitted between you, Ozow, and your bank. This is the same security technology used by major financial institutions worldwide.

✅ Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Every Ozow transaction requires 2FA approval through your bank’s system:

• One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your phone
• Push notification to your banking app
• Biometric authentication (fingerprint/face scan)

This security layer blocks over 90% of cyber attacks according to industry research.

🚫 No Screen Scraping

Ozow CEO Thomas Pays has confirmed that Ozow does not use screen scraping technology. This means:

• Ozow never accesses your banking login credentials
• No sensitive information is stored on Ozow’s servers
• Your banking data remains solely between you and your bank

🎯 Direct Bank Integration

When you authorize an Ozow payment, you’re redirected to your bank’s official portal. You never enter banking credentials on Ozow’s platform – only on your bank’s secure website or app. This creates an additional layer of protection against phishing and credential theft.

🔄 No Chargebacks

Ozow transactions are final and irrevocable. While this protects merchants from fraud, it also means:

• You must authorize every transaction personally
• Nobody can reverse a payment without your consent
• Your account is protected from unauthorized chargebacks

👤 Identity Verification

For withdrawals, casinos verify that the Ozow bank account matches the registered player’s identity. This prevents:

• Money laundering attempts
• Account takeover fraud
• Payment misdirection errors

1. ⚡ Lightning-Fast Speed

Ozow transactions are completed instantly, reducing waiting times and enhancing the customer experience. Deposit now, play now – no delays!

2. 🔒 Maximum Security

Ozow uses the highest level of encryption and security measures to keep transactions and personal information safe. Bank-grade protection for every payment.

3. 🎯 Easy Accessibility

Ozow is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward, making it an accessible option for anyone with an internet banking account. No registration required – just your bank account!

4. 💳 No Credit Card Needed

As Ozow transactions are made directly from your bank account, there is no need for a credit card, which is particularly advantageous for consumers who do not own one or prefer not to use cards online.

5. 💸 Zero Fees

Ozow charges no service fees for consumers. Every Rand you deposit or withdraw goes where it should – with only minimal bank fees potentially applying.

6. 🚀 Cutting-Edge Innovation

First to market with PayShap Request and biometric payments, Ozow consistently leads South Africa’s fintech revolution. You’re using tomorrow’s payment technology today.

7. 🏆 Wide Acceptance

Accepted at virtually all major South African online casinos and sportsbooks. One payment method works everywhere you want to play.

8. 💰 High Transaction Limits

Deposit up to R1,000,000 per transaction and withdraw up to R5,000,000 (weekdays). Perfect for high rollers and serious players.