Why This Comparison Still Matters
Fafabet's sports betting product closed in South Africa in November 2024. Hollywoodbets is alive, growing, and processing bets every day. So why compare them at all?
Because thousands of South African punters still search for this comparison. Some were Fafabet users looking for a replacement. Others see both names in outdated review articles and want to understand the difference. And many simply want to know: was Fafabet actually better than Hollywoodbets at anything?
This page gives you an honest, axis-by-axis breakdown. Where Fafabet had genuine advantages, we say so. Where Hollywoodbets wins — which is most categories now, simply because it is operational — we say that too.
For a full list of working alternatives, see our alternatives page. For the latest verified offers from active bookmakers, visit our homepage.
Current Status
| Fafabet | Hollywoodbets |
|---|
| Sports Betting | Closed (Nov 2024) | Active |
| Casino | Partially available | Active |
| Accepting New Players | No (sports) | Yes |
| Licence | WCGRB 10191229-001 (status unclear) | Multiple provinces |
This is the most important table on the page. Whatever Fafabet offered historically, it does not matter if you cannot use the service. Hollywoodbets is operational. Fafabet is not (for sports).
Welcome Bonus
Fafabet (was)
100–150% tiered match up to R5,000. Required promo code STYVIP. Rollover was 4x deposit within 24 hours at odds of 2.0+. Only sports bets counted. Aggressive terms that many players could not meet.
Hollywoodbets
R25 free bet + 50 free spins on registration. No deposit required. No rollover on the R25 — you can use it immediately on sports. The free spins apply to Habanero casino games.
Verdict: Fafabet's bonus was bigger on paper but much harder to unlock. The 24-hour window at 4x rollover was a dealbreaker for casual punters. Hollywoodbets' offer is small but real — you actually get it without jumping through hoops. For more detail, see our
Fafabet bonus breakdown.
Sports Coverage
Fafabet (was)
30+ sports, 12,000+ matches daily, 400+ markets per football match. Strong on PSL, Premier League, Currie Cup, URC, SA20, and horse racing. Decent coverage of NBA, tennis, and MMA.
Hollywoodbets
25+ sports. Good coverage of football, rugby, cricket, and horse racing. Especially strong on South African horse racing due to its Winning Form publishing roots. Lucky Numbers (lotto-style betting) with 2,400+ weekly draws — a product category Fafabet never offered.
Verdict: Fafabet had deeper markets per match, especially for football. If you bet on handicaps, combo markets, or niche football props, Fafabet gave you more options. Hollywoodbets covers the major markets well but with less depth. However, Hollywoodbets has the edge on horse racing and the entirely unique Lucky Numbers product.
Live Betting
Fafabet (was)
Live betting available on most sports. Fewer than 100 markets per live match. Match tracker but no live stats or streaming. Cash out on multiple sports.
Hollywoodbets
Live betting available. Market depth has improved but remains below what Betway offers. Cash out limited to football only. No live streaming.
Verdict: Neither operator was best-in-class for live betting. Fafabet had slightly more in-play markets and broader cash-out coverage. But both lacked streaming, which operators like Betway now provide. If live betting is your priority, Betway is a stronger choice than either.
Mobile and App
Fafabet (was)
Android APK only (no iOS). Fast mobile website. Clean interface. No data-free option.
Hollywoodbets
Android app (no iOS). Mobile website works well. Data-free access — you can browse and bet without consuming your mobile data bundle.
Verdict: Hollywoodbets wins on the feature that matters most to South African mobile users: data-free betting. In a market where prepaid data is expensive and limited, this is a genuine competitive advantage. Fafabet never offered it. For a deeper look at mobile options, see our
Fafabet app page.
Payments and Withdrawals
Fafabet (was)
Visa, Mastercard, Ozow, EFT, OTT Voucher, Blu Voucher. Minimum deposit R25. Withdrawals took 1–3 business days.
Hollywoodbets
Visa, Mastercard, EFT, OTT Voucher, Blu Voucher, Kazang, 1ForYou, and more. Minimum deposit R10–R20 depending on method. Withdrawals processed same day in most cases.
Verdict: Hollywoodbets is faster on withdrawals and supports more payment methods. Same-day payout processing is standard, whereas Fafabet averaged 1–3 days. Both required FICA, but Hollywoodbets' verification process is well-documented and consistent. For withdrawal specifics, see our
Fafabet withdrawal guide.
FICA Verification
Fafabet
Automatic verification during registration. Manual upload required if auto-check failed. Documents: SA ID or passport, proof of address, bank statement. Approval time varied from instant to 48 hours.
Hollywoodbets
Similar process. Auto-verification for most users. Manual upload as fallback. Generally faster approval times due to more established infrastructure and larger support team.
Verdict: Comparable. Both followed the same legal requirements. Hollywoodbets has the edge on processing speed due to its larger team and longer operational experience in SA.
Trust and Track Record
Fafabet
Launched in SA in September 2022. Operated for roughly two years. UK origin. Exited the SA sports market in 2024.
Hollywoodbets
Operating since 2000. Over 20 years in the South African market. 84 retail branches. Sponsors the Durban July, Brentford FC, Sharks Rugby, LaLiga partnership, and COSAFA Cup. Revenue over $300M.
Verdict: Not close. Hollywoodbets has decades of trust, physical presence across all nine provinces, and deep community ties through sponsorships and charity programmes. Fafabet was a newcomer that exited after two years. For long-term confidence in your bookmaker, Hollywoodbets is in a different category entirely.
Full Comparison Table
| Criteria | Fafabet (was) | Hollywoodbets |
|---|
| Status | Closed for sports | Active |
| Years in SA | ~2 years | 20+ years |
| Licence | WCGRB | Multiple provinces |
| Welcome Bonus | Up to R5,000 (150%) | R25 no deposit + 50 FS |
| Bonus Rollover | 4x in 24 hours | None for R25 |
| Sports Count | 30+ | 25+ |
| Markets per Match | 400+ | Lower |
| Horse Racing | Good | Excellent |
| Lucky Numbers | No | Yes (2,400+ draws/week) |
| Live Streaming | No | No |
| iOS App | No | No |
| Android App | Yes (APK, now offline) | Yes (APK) |
| Data-Free | No | Yes |
| Min Deposit | R25 | R10–R20 |
| Withdrawal Speed | 1–3 days | Same day |
| Retail Branches | 0 | 84 |
| Cash Out | Multiple sports | Football only |
Who Should Choose Hollywoodbets?
You should choose Hollywoodbets if you want a bookmaker that is not going anywhere. The combination of physical branches, decades of track record, same-day withdrawals, and data-free mobile makes it the safest all-round choice for South African punters. It is particularly strong for horse racing bettors and Lucky Numbers fans.
If you need deeper football markets, live streaming, or esports, consider Betway as a complement to your Hollywoodbets account. Many experienced SA punters maintain accounts at 2–3 bookmakers to compare odds anyway.
For more options beyond these two, see the full Fafabet review, our complete alternatives list, the legal status guide, or the closure timeline.
FAQ
Was Fafabet actually better than Hollywoodbets?
In some specific areas, yes — mainly market depth per football match and the headline bonus amount. But Hollywoodbets beats Fafabet on trust, withdrawal speed, mobile experience (data-free), horse racing, and the fundamental fact that it is still operating.
Can I use both Fafabet and Hollywoodbets?
Fafabet's sportsbook is closed. You cannot place sports bets there. If the casino is still accessible, you could technically use both, but there is little reason to.
Does Hollywoodbets have an iOS app?
Not yet. iPhone users access Hollywoodbets through the mobile browser, which works well and supports data-free access.
Which has better odds?
When both were active, odds were comparable on most markets. Hollywoodbets was slightly better on horse racing. Fafabet occasionally had better football prices. Now it is not relevant — you can only use Hollywoodbets.
Is Hollywoodbets licensed?
Yes. It holds licences in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. Verify any of them directly with the relevant provincial gambling board.
18+ only. Gambling involves risk. South African Responsible Gambling Foundation: 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp 076 675 0710.
