Why South Africans Look for Alternatives
Hollywoodbets is one of South Africa’s best-known betting brands. It grew from a Durban racing publisher founded in 1986, opened its first betting branch in 2000, went online in 2006, and now runs a large retail network alongside its website. For horse racing and South African betting culture, it is hard to beat.
Bettors look for a second account mainly for:
- Larger rand welcome bonuses. Up to R18,000 at the top of our table.
- Deeper football, rugby and cricket markets. Hundreds of markets per big match, with extensive live streaming.
- Esports and crypto. Full esports books and crypto deposits and withdrawals.
- Odds comparison. Checking the same bet at two books is the simplest way to get better prices.
Understand the Licensing First
This matters more in South Africa than in most markets we cover. Online betting is legal only when the operator holds a provincial licence, and Hollywoodbets does. The international bookmakers below operate under Curaçao licences, not South African ones. The National Gambling Act allows winnings from unlawful gambling to be forfeited, and South African regulators have been stepping up action against unlicensed operators.
In plain terms: a provincially licensed bookmaker gives you South African legal protection, and an international one does not. If that protection matters most to you, stay with a licensed local book. Our South Africa page covers the legal position in more detail. Nothing here is legal advice.
The Best Hollywoodbets Alternatives
| Bookmaker | Welcome offer | SA rating | Payout speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 100% up to R2,400 | 4.9 / 5 | Fast |
| Melbet | 100% up to R3,500 | 4.8 / 5 | Fast |
| Stake | 200% up to R18,000 | 4.8 / 5 | Very fast |
| 22Bet | 100% up to R2,200 | 4.5 / 5 | Very fast |
| BetWinner | 100% up to R2,400 | 4.4 / 5 | Fast |
| Dafabet | 100% up to R1,800 | 4.4 / 5 | Fast |
| 20Bet | 100% up to R1,800 | 4.2 / 5 | Very fast |
1xBet: best for markets and streaming
1xBet has the widest sportsbook we test, with deep PSL, Premier League, URC rugby and Proteas cricket markets, extensive live streaming and a full esports book. Read the 1xBet review.
Stake: biggest bonus, crypto-first
Stake’s 200% offer up to R18,000 is the largest in our South Africa table, and crypto withdrawals settle in minutes. It suits bettors comfortable holding crypto. Read the Stake review, or compare it with other crypto books in our crypto betting sites ranking.
20Bet and 22Bet: fastest fiat payouts
Both hold “very fast” payout ratings in our South Africa ranking, so they suit bettors who want winnings back quickly without using crypto. See our fastest payout betting sites for the full comparison.
Hollywoodbets vs the Alternatives
| Feature | Hollywoodbets | International alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | South African provincial licences | International (Curaçao) |
| South African legal protection | Yes | No |
| Retail branches | Large network | Online only |
| Horse racing depth | Excellent (local racing) | Varies, usually thinner |
| Football and rugby markets | Strong | Hundreds per big match |
| Esports and crypto | Limited | Yes, at most |
| Welcome offer | Check current promotions | Up to R18,000 |
Depositing and Withdrawing in Rand
The alternatives take rand by Instant EFT, Ozow, Visa and Mastercard, and usually crypto. Deposits credit within minutes. Withdrawals by EFT take one to three banking days after the bookmaker approves them, while crypto settles in minutes. Complete verification when you register. It is the single biggest factor in how fast your first withdrawal arrives, as our withdrawal guide explains.
Betting Responsibly
Set a monthly betting budget before opening any new account, and switch on deposit limits in each one. South Africa’s National Responsible Gambling Programme offers free, confidential counselling. Our responsible gambling page lists more support services. Strictly 18+.
1xBet 4.9 100% Bonus up to $130
- 60+ sports, 1,000+ daily markets
- Odds margins from ~2.5%
- 250+ deposit methods
T&Cs apply
