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Updated:
29/04/2024
- Competitive horse racing odds
- FICA bonus
- Live in-play betting option
Deposits & Withdrawals:
Hollywoodbets ranks high among South African betting platforms. It started in 1986 as a Winning Form, making it one of the oldest operators in the country. Since then, it has expanded into a full-service online and mobile betting platform. The bookie is licensed by the Gauteng Gambling Board, the Limpopo Gambling Board, and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator.
This guide contains expert opinions on the various sections and features of the betting site. These include the betting markets, account management, bonuses, mobile apps, and customer service.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide variety of sports betting and casino games | Limited payment options |
| Competitive odds | No iOS app |
| Live betting and streaming are available | Limited esports games |
Hollywoodbets Registration
Players need an account to enjoy the complete betting experience the platform offers. We tried out the registration process as part of our review. From our experience, we found it easy and quick. No new player should have a problem completing their registration.
To make it easier, we have outlined the steps to complete your Hollywoodbets registration below.
- On the bookie’s homepage, click “Register” at the top right of the screen.
- Once the registration form loads, input your personal information as necessary.
- Verify your age and accept the operator’s terms and conditions
- Input your referral code (optional) and the promo code.
- Click “Submit” to finish the process.
You have now successfully created your betting account. But the process does not end here. The operator also requires new users to verify their accounts by completing the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) verification. The requirements include a valid South African identity document or passport and proof of address no older than 3 months.
Welcome Bonus
- Competitive horse racing odds
- FICA bonus
- Live in-play betting option
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South AfricaHaving an impressive welcome bonus is one of the ways betting sites attract South African bettors. The better the welcome bonus, the higher the chances of new users joining. As part of our review, we examined the welcome bonus available on the betting site.
The welcome bonus on this betting platform is impressive. Players can win 10x their stakes on multiple soccer bets when they lose the last leg. That means all the events in the betting slip must win except the final one.
Terms and Conditions
As you would expect for any major promotional offer, there are associated terms and conditions. For example, the bonus applies to soccer, namely three-way 90-minute soccer bets settled in ninety minutes. A player’s bonus from this offer depends on the minimum odds and the number of markets.
The minimum bet for qualification must include 8+ markets at odds of 5/1. This combination offers 2 times your stake up to R1,000. Bets with 11+ markets at minimum odds of 10/1 get 5 times your stake amount up to R2,000. Also, bets with 15+ markets at minimum odds of 25/1 get 10x the stake amount. The highest withdrawable amount from the offer is R5,000.
To get the bonus, you must go out on the last leg. The platform will not consider any scratched markets as part of the wager. When this happens, the system recalculates the markets and odds to arrive at new numbers. We believe the terms and conditions and wagering requirements are fair to the players.
How to Claim the Bonus
Having explained what the bonus offers, let’s see how new South African bettors can claim it. The first requirement is to register an account. To do this, a customer must be 18+ and a South African resident. They must also use the promo code during registration.
Follow the steps below to claim your welcome bonus:
- Create an account following the steps previously provided in this guide.
- Use the Hollywoodbets promo code BETB**** during registration.
- Complete the FICA verification by providing your ID and proof of address documents.
- Fund your betting account using a suitable payment method after verification.
- Finally, place a qualifying bet to get your bonus.
Other Promotions
The promotional offers on this betting platform are not limited to the welcome bonus. Other bonuses and free bets are available to new and existing customers of the betting site. For example, the bookie provides a sign-up bonus offering R25 and 50 free spins. This offer becomes automatically available after you register and verify your account.
Other offers are also available, but most of them are time-bound. This means the bookie regularly provides bonuses and free bets on the platform.
It is important to note that these bonuses have their respective terms and conditions. We advise players to read and understand them before claiming any bonus.
| Bonus Name | Bonus Info |
|---|---|
| Welcome Offer | New users get R25 sign-up bonus and 50 free spins. |
| Soccer Bonus Bonanza | Up to 30% bonus on soccer accumulator bets, depending on the number of legs. |
| Refer a Friend | R50 referral bonus for existing users who invite another player. |
| Irish Objection | Get a refund when the horse you back finishes first and is objected against |
Hollywoodbets Features
The features available on a betting site determine the level of betting experience users get. That is why users stick with operators that offer the best features.
From our findings, this operator is one of the best out there in terms of features. New and existing players will find features like live betting useful. The cash-out feature is another great feature to get more out of stakes.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these features.
Live betting or in-play betting is a prominent feature on this betting platform. This feature allows users to place bets while an event or match is live. Thanks to the dynamic change in odds that happens as the game progresses, users can explore opportunities for strategic wagers. They can also bet on match developments like injuries, penalties, goals, and changes in momentum.
We have found that live betting is available for the majority of the sports on the platform. This includes football, basketball, cricket, horse racing, tennis, baseball, cricket, table tennis, badminton, snooker, rugby league, volleyball, and ice hockey.
Top betting markets are available for wagers, including Match Winner, Double Chance, and Draw No Bet. However, the peculiarity of the live betting section allows customers to wager on the team to win the rest of the game, the next goal scorer, and many more.
Live streaming and live betting work together closely. Players can take advantage of the live-streaming feature on this betting platform to watch events as they unfold. The feature is available mainly for football and horse racing events.
Besides live streaming, the platform also offers live updates, game statistics, and other information about the ongoing event. All of these collectively improve players’ live betting experience.
The Cash Out feature is another one to explore on the bookie’s website. With this feature, the operator grants players more control over their bets before the event(s) concludes. Players can choose between full cash out and partial cash out. It all depends on the present state of their bets. This risk management tool is excellent for maximising returns and minimising losses.
The good part of cash out is that players may cash out their single or multiple bets. Cashing out your single bet enables you to remove part of your winnings before the end of a game. On the other hand, you may cash out on your multiple bets before the end of all the events on your bet slip. Games available for cash-outs are usually indicated in your bet slip.
Note that not all games are available for cash-outs. The bookie makes this offer available depending on what is going on in a game.
With the Bet Builder feature, players can combine various selections within a single event into a single bet. For example, a player can choose a specific outcome for cards, corners, and goalscorers in a game and add them to one bet slip. This feature is an excellent way to curate bets that meet the player’s specific needs and makes wagering more fun for the players.
We have seen that the bookie does not enable bet builder for all games. The betting site has a different section for games under this category. Locate the “Same Match Bet Builder” icon on the platform.
In addition to the Android mobile app, the operator offers a data-free website version. This website version allows players to access the platform without using mobile data. It is handy for players in areas with weak or no internet coverage, and players with limited data plans will also find it helpful.
With the data-free mode, users can place bets, check results, and manage their accounts without using mobile data. You may also jump on promotions, use the ‘How To’ guides, and check for information that may help your wagers.
Hollywoodbets Sports Overview
Players looking to join a betting platform with a rich sports section will not go wrong with the bookie. The operator is known for its wide range of betting options across various sports. The betting markets and odds for each sport are great. Players can also try out virtual sports and esports for even more options.
Sports Selection
The operator offers an extensive sports selection. Players can bet on over 30 sports, including popular sports and non-popular ones. Sports such as football, tennis, basketball, baseball, and golf are offered. The lineup also includes Hollywoodbets horse racing, rugby, cricket, boxing, and motorsports. Regarding events, players can access major leagues and competitions worldwide. You may also bet on special events such as the U.S. Presidential Election.
For example, football includes the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL). Tennis bettors can stake on Grand Slams, ATPs, and WTA tournaments. Cricket fans will find events including test matches, T20 leagues, and ODIs. Basketball lovers can look forward to NBA, WNBA, NCAAB, and FIBA games.
Betting Markets
Another reason for the popularity of this sportsbook in South Africa is the variety of betting markets. More betting markets mean more betting options for the punters. The operator offers both the regular and special betting markets, ensuring players get a complete betting experience.
Football bettors can bet on goal scorers, corner and cards, over/under, handicap betting, and more. Total points, point spread, and other top basketball markets are also available. Cricket betting markets include top bowlers and total runs.
Each game houses over 50 different betting markets. The betting possibilities for each game could sometimes be over a hundred. Bettors are spoilt for options, but we encourage players to practise responsible betting.
Odds
Odds determine a player’s possible return after placing a bet. We also examined the odds available on the platform and discovered that they are up to par with what most operators in the market offer.
While the exact odds tend to vary depending on the events and market conditions, players still get a competitive offer. Users can make informed decisions by analysing the odds regularly. The higher the odds, the higher the potential returns.
Odds on the betting site are available in two formats. Players can switch between decimal and fractional formats depending on which format is most convenient for them. With decimal formats, you may quickly know your potential returns before placing your bets. Most South African bettors are familiar with the two odds formats and should have no problem using any.
Virtual Sports
Virtual sports betting is part of the sports section on this betting site. This is where players can participate in simulated sports events. Available sports include football, horse racing, greyhound racing, trotting, motor racing, table tennis, and more.
The virtual sports games run continuously, ensuring players can play any time of the day. Besides providing a great betting opportunity, these games offer an exciting alternative to real-world sports.
Players will find virtual games by clicking “Jika Sports” from the bookmaker’s homepage. Each game finishes within a few minutes, allowing you to get the outcome of your bets quickly. However, note that games here are decided by a random number generator, and winning depends on luck. Ensure you only wager what you can afford to lose.
Esports
As one of the first esports betting platforms in the country, this operator offers an impressive esports gaming experience. Esports fans can easily stake on the best events from around the world.
Some popular titles include League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The operator offers pre-match and live betting on its esports events.
Players may also play eSoccer on the betting site. You will find options such as eAdriatic League and GT Sports League when you explore this area.
Hollywoodbets Casino Overview
Like sports, this operator also has an extensive casino section that covers a wide range of games. There are hundreds of best-in-class casino games from top providers across the world. Players will find titles from Tom Horn, Relax Gaming, Microgaming, Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, and others on the platform.
Casino Games
Casino games on this betting website include Slots, Table Games, Live Casino, and Video Poker. The vast collection of slot games includes video and classic slots with futuristic and ancient themes. The table games cover poker, baccarat, roulette, and blackjack variants.
The operator recently launched its Eguzi and Evolution live casino games. Therefore, it provides numerous live dealer and automatic games. Players also get the live casino experience with live dealing and other features. Popular games here include blackjack, poker, baccarat, and roulette.
Video poker allows players to experience the best video poker machines. There is also a separate category for Game Shows, where titles like Deal or No Deal and Cash or Crash are available. Other top games in the casino include keno, scratch cards, and specialty games.
Aviator
An excellent Aviator gaming experience awaits players when they sign up with the operator. From our experience, we found the Aviator game on the platform is one of the top crash games. The game is thrilling, offering players another entertaining option in their casino experience.
With Aviator, customers will bet on a flying plane and ensure they cash out before the plane flies away or crashes. Failure to cash out before the plane disappears will lead to losing your bets.
The game requires no strategy because it is based on luck. Thus, our experts encourage bettors to only bet what they can afford to lose on this game.
Lucky Numbers
Lucky Numbers is a prominent lottery-style game on the betting site. Players can bet on different lotteries from different parts of the world. There are over 2,000 different Lucky Numbers draws to bet on weekly. These include top draws from countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mozambique, Singapore, Russia, and South Africa.
Overall, the operator’s casino provides a multifaceted gaming environment. There is a wide selection of games for players to choose from. Whether you love slots or prefer table games, there is something for everyone.
Mobile App
This operator delivers a mobile betting experience to its customers via a well-designed mobile app. Our investigations showed that the app is only available for Android devices. There is no iOS version of the app yet. We will update this page if that changes.
The Android version of the mobile app is available for download only on the operator’s website. Follow the “Go Data Free” link on the homepage to access the download page. Then, click “Download Android App” to begin the download. You can then install the app after a successful download.
We have summarised the details of the mobile app below:
| Operating System | Android/Apk | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Available | N/A |
| Software Version | Android 5.0 or higher | N/A |
| File Size | About 50 MB | N/A |
| Download Link | Download Android App |
Our test showed that the app is fast, smooth, and secure. Navigation is intuitive even for a first-time user. All the website features are available on the app and fully functional. That means players can sign up and log in to their accounts. They can play sports, casinos, and other games with no problems. Withdrawals and deposits are also seamless.
As already mentioned, the bookmaker offers a data-free version of the website. This is appropriate for users trying to save data or in an area where there is no internet connection. Players may still place bets, see results, and perform other functions on the platform.
Apart from the data-free version, the mobile site version also offers an enhanced betting experience. Customers may also use it to wager on the go as long as they are connected to the internet. This is perfect for iOS users who cannot download the app because their version has yet to be provided.
Payment Methods
South African punters also consider the payment methods available on a betting site before joining. Our review of this operator also includes the payment process and methods. While the operator offers numerous payment methods, we found the overall process safe and straightforward. However, while the bookie doesn’t charge for deposits and withdrawals, your chosen methods may charge a fee.
Find out more about the deposit and withdrawal options below.
Bettors who have completed their FICA verification can fund their betting accounts via the available payment options. These include Instant Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), Credit/Debit Card, and Bank Deposit/EFT Transfer. Holly Top Up Voucher and Branch Deposit options are also available.
All of these deposit options work correctly, and players will have no problem using any of them. To make a deposit, the bettor must choose their preferred payment method on the Payment Portal. Then, they specify the deposit amount and follow the instructions on the payment gateway to complete the process.
The operator offers three withdrawal methods. Players can withdraw via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), FNB e-wallet, or Standard Bank Instant Money. For EFT withdrawals, the bookie credits the bettor’s bank account directly. Bettors must submit a valid bank account to use this option.
The withdrawal process for all of these processes is the same. Customers only have to choose their preferred option and input the amount they wish to withdraw. The operator then credits their bank account or e-wallet.
The payout speed for withdrawals is satisfactory. The exact timeframe for completing transactions depends on the method used. The same goes for the withdrawal limits.
Security & Safety
Security and user safety are crucial to an overall fantastic betting website experience. An unsecured betting website can expose users to security harms. For example, intruders can easily access such websites and exploit user’s personal data. Players’ financial information on such platforms is also at risk.
The operator acts in line with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) guidelines to verify customers’ accounts. Only verified accounts can access the full features of the website. This prevents fraudulent activities and ensures legal compliance on the operator’s part.
For this purpose, every user on the platform submits their proof of identity and address. This could be your passports, driver’s licence, and utility bills.
The bookie also ensures every financial transaction on the platform is secure. It adopts only reputable payment providers to handle deposits and withdrawals, thus guaranteeing safe transfers. A 3D secure system is also in place for credit card deposits, especially for Standard Bank customers. This additional security layer verifies your payment and blocks unauthorised card use.
Legal
Hollywoodbets currently holds licences from the Gauteng Gambling Board, the Limpopo Gambling Board, and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator. The operator also holds specific products licensed by the Kwazulu Natal Gambling Board And Western Cape Gambling Board.
As a licensed bookie, it complies with the FICA regulations. It also operates in line with relevant privacy and protection laws. This operator complies with the National Responsible Gambling Programme and the National Gambling Board.
Hollywoodbets vs The Rest
South African bettors have numerous options to choose from when looking for a betting platform to join or use. Having options is great, but these betting operators are not the same. They usually differ in registration process, available games, promotions and bonuses, and payment methods.
Our experts have picked some of the best betting sites in South Africa and see how they compare to Hollywoodbets. We have thoroughly researched each bookie and highlighted the pros and cons of each below:
| Bookmakers | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywoodbets | Extensive sports betting market Packed casino and live casino sections Supports live in-play betting Mobile and data-free sites available | Limited payment options No mobile app for iOS devices Limited esports offers |
| Supabets | Excellent sports and casino games collection Great offers and promotions Data-free Android app available Multiple deposit methods | Live streaming unavailableNo mobile app for iOS devices |
| Betway | Numerous sports and casino games Well-built, easy-to-navigate website Live betting supported iOS and Android mobile apps available | Website looks old-fashioned Limited offers and promotions |
| Betfred | Extensive range of sports and casino games Live in-play betting available Numerous promotional offers | No live streaming Mobile app is unavailable for Android and iOS users |
| Fafabet | Excellent casino and sports sections Pre-match and live in-play betting available Separate sports and casino welcome offers | No mobile app for iOS devices No live streaming |
The choice of bookie often depends on personal preferences. Some punters prefer a bookie that offers live streaming, while others do not. Some players prioritise a bookie with a great welcome bonus, while it is not a priority for others. Whatever your choice of bookie is, ensure it ticks all the right boxes for you.
Customer Service
Our evaluation is that having an excellent customer service team improves the rating of any betting platform. Customer service offers timely assistance to users, resolving problems quickly. Players tend to trust operators with a reliable customer service team. The representatives also provide education and information to customers when they need them.
We assessed the customer service of the bookmaker. The betting platform provides multiple channels for customers to reach their customer service team. All of these channels worked perfectly and offered valuable assistance during our contact.
From our experience, we found them responsive and always ready to help. The representatives took time to listen to and answer all questions while posting quick replies. Replies were fast enough, and the representatives took time to answer all questions.
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Hollywoodbetssocial media:
@Hollywoodbets
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Hollywoodbetsemail:
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Hollywoodbetsphone:
00 27 87 353 7634
What Could be Improved?
This bookie ticks all the major boxes for a reputable South African betting platform. But there is still room for improvement. The first thing the operator needs to improve on is the mobile app support. With more smartphone users adopting iOS devices, not having a dedicated iOS mobile app can be discouraging.
We also recommend improving the entire website. The same goes for the Hollywoodbets free mode. While they are functional, the user interface can be better. Streamlining the menu will ensure easy navigation, improving the overall experience for users.
The bookie could also provide more esports offers, as the ones available at the moment are quite limited. The virtual sports area also needs improvement.
Lastly, the operator can improve its payment experience by offering additional payment methods. Having more payment methods adds more flexibility, and it will also attract customers who prefer such payment methods.
FAQ
To round up this review, we picked the most frequently asked questions about the operator. Our experts have provided detailed answers to each question below:
Yes, you can trust this betting site. It is one of the leading betting sites with numerous security measures in place. It is also duly registered and licensed by the relevant gaming authorities in the country.
Choosing between this bookie and Betway is a subjective decision. Both bookies have their strong points and drawbacks. It is always best to compare both options closely to see which works best for you. Start by checking our comparison table above.
The exact time it takes to complete payouts on this operator depends on the payment method. Each payment method has a transaction time. However, payments on the platform are generally quick. Players should get their withdrawals in 24-48 hours in the absence of any issues.
