HollywoodBets

Company Background and History

Hollywoodbets traces its origins to 1986 when the Hollywood Group was founded as a small publisher of horse racing form guides under the name Winning Form. The group initially consisted of just three team members and focused on the publishing and distribution of racecards for South African horse racing, a service it continues to provide. In 2000, the business pivoted into bookmaking by opening its first betting branch on Argyle Road in Durban, followed by the flagship branch Hollywoodbets Park in Springfield Park. The company name was inspired by the iconic Hollywood Park Racetrack in Los Angeles. Hollywoodbets embraced digital transformation early, launching its online betting website in 2006 and a mobile site in 2009, allowing customers to bet from anywhere for as little as R1. International expansion began in November 2018 with a website launch in Ireland, followed by the United Kingdom in March 2019, and the company also serves the Mozambican market.

Business Model and Revenue

Hollywoodbets generates revenue primarily through the margins on sports betting, fixed-odds lottery products, and casino games. The company operates a multi-channel model including retail branches, an online website (hollywoodbets.net), a mobile app, and telephone betting services. Its retail presence, with over 84 branches across seven South African provinces, provides a strong local footprint, while digital channels drive international growth. The company also earns from virtual games, live dealer tables, and slots. As a private entity, specific financials are not publicly disclosed, but its large workforce (over 6,200 employees) and extensive sponsorship portfolio indicate significant scale in the Southern African gambling market.

Products and Platforms

Hollywoodbets offers a diverse array of products under its main brand. The Hollywoodbets Sportsbook covers horse racing (local and international), football, cricket, rugby, tennis, motorsport, and other sports with pre-match and in-play markets. Lucky Numbers provides fixed-odds betting on over 2,400 lottery-style draws per week. Exclusive games include Spina Zonke, a fast-paced virtual spinning game, and crash-style instant games Aviator and JetX. The Live Casino is powered by Playtech, Evolution, and Ezugi, offering blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. The Slots library features titles from Habanero, YGG, PariPlay, Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, and others. Additional products include Betgames Africa (live-streamed lottery-style games), Scratch Cards, Jika Sports (virtual sports), and Golden Race (virtual racing simulations). Affiliate brands include Winning Form (publishing), SplashOut (creative branding), Star Factory (tech innovation), and the Hollywood Foundation (corporate social investment).

Market Position and Sponsorships

Hollywoodbets is a dominant operator in South Africa and was ranked 8th on iGaming Business Magazine's Top 50 Gaming Sites in 2019. The company is deeply embedded in South African sport as title sponsor of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins cricket franchise, the Hollywoodbets Greyville and Hollywoodbets Scottsville racecourses, the Murray Cup rugby competition, and the Phaka rugby television show. It has also sponsored the COSAFA Cup, the Comrades Marathon, and partnered with LaLiga, Brentford FC (Premier League), and the Sharks rugby union. In 2025, it renewed a partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and in 2026 partnered with the SABC to provide free access to AFCON 2025, selected Premier League matches, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These sponsorships reinforce its brand recognition across the continent.

Licensing and Regulatory Footprint

Hollywoodbets operates under licenses from several South African provincial gambling authorities including Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. It holds licenses in Mozambique, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, allowing it to offer services in those countries. The company adheres to responsible gambling practices and has a disclaimer on its website. The acquisition of Gold Circle in 2025, pending regulatory approval, further consolidates its influence in KwaZulu-Natal horse racing, indicating a strategy of vertical integration within the South African racing industry.

Recent Developments

In 2025, Hollywoodbets received regulatory approval to acquire Gold Circle, a key player in KwaZulu-Natal horse racing, consolidating its influence over South African racing. The company expanded its online casino offering through partnerships with Playtech in January 2024 to launch Live Casino and Slots in South Africa, and with Blueprint Gaming in 2026 to add slot titles. It also extended its relationship with Chalkline for freeplay and real-money games globally. The Hollywood Foundation, established in 2021, focuses on education, community development, and mental health initiatives. These moves reflect Hollywoodbets' ambition to strengthen its domestic market position and expand its digital product suite while maintaining a commitment to corporate social responsibility.