Our in-depth test of the Hollywoodbets app explores the complete mobile experience for UK punters. Originating in South Africa, the brand underwent a significant platform refresh in 2025, and this review uncovers how its South African DNA shapes its UK product. While its overall service earns a high 4.2/5 Trustpilot score, the iOS app’s low 2.3/5 rating highlights the mix of standout features and technical gaps that potential users must consider.
Hollywoodbets App Review Summary
The Hollywoodbets app is available for iOS users in the UK, but there is no native Android application. This disparity is reflected in user feedback, with the brand's overall service rated highly on Trustpilot (4.2/5) while the iOS app garners a low 2.3/5 on the Apple App Store. Our testing reveals a functional platform with a unique profile of strengths and weaknesses shaped by its heritage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely Fast Withdrawals: Our tests with Visa Direct saw funds returned in under three minutes. | No Native Android App: Android users in the UK must use the mobile website. |
| Clean and Functional Interface: The 2025 platform update provides a modern, mobile-first user experience. | Low App Store Rating and Bugs: User reviews report frequent bugs, glitches, and login errors. |
| Strong Horse Racing Features: The app offers live streaming for all UK and Irish horse racing. | Limited Live Streaming: Live streaming is exclusively available for horse racing, with no other sports covered. |
| Flexible Cash Out: Includes a partial Cash Out feature to lock in a portion of your potential winnings. | Lacks advanced features of market leaders: Missing extensive streaming options and detailed in-app stats. |
How to Download the Hollywoodbets App
Downloading the application is a standard process, but it differs significantly between iOS and Android devices.
Downloading on iOS
The app can be downloaded directly from the Apple App Store by searching for “Hollywoodbets UK”. The application size is 37.3 MB and requires iOS 15.1 or a later version to function correctly.
Downloading on Android
There is no native Hollywoodbets app available for Android on the UK Google Play Store. Android users must access the service through the mobile-optimised website via their device's web browser. The mobile site provides full access to all the same features, markets, and account functions as the iOS app.
System Requirements
- iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Requires iOS 15.1 or later.
- Mac: Requires macOS 12.0 or later and a Mac with an Apple M1 chip or later.
- Apple Vision: Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
Hollywoodbets App User Experience
Our hands-on testing evaluated the app's design, performance, security, and core betting functionality.
Design and Navigation
Following its 2025 platform update, the app features a clean and functional design with a white, purple, and yellow theme. The interface is built with a mobile-first approach, evident in its thumb-friendly navigation. A persistent menu bar at the bottom of the screen provides instant access to core sections like sports, in-play betting, and the betslip, making it easy to move around the app.
App Performance
In our tests, the app was generally fast-loading and smooth, allowing for efficient bet placement and navigation between markets. However, this is contrasted by a significant number of negative user reviews on the App Store. Punters frequently report bugs, performance glitches, and persistent login issues, suggesting that while the core performance is solid, stability can be a problem.
Login and Security
The app supports modern security protocols to protect user accounts, with confirmed support for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security. As is standard for modern iOS applications, users can also expect to use native platform integrations like Face ID and Touch ID for streamlined and secure access.
Betslip Functionality
The in-app betslip is intuitive and easy to use. Adding single selections is straightforward, and the slip makes it simple to build accumulators (accas). Potential payouts are clearly displayed before a wager is confirmed, ensuring transparency and ease of use.
Hollywoodbets App Sports Betting Features
The app includes several key features expected from a modern online bookmaker, with a particular strength in horse racing.
In-Play Betting
The in-play section features a responsive interface that updates in real-time. For events that are not streamed, live stats and visualisers are available to help users track the action as it unfolds.
Horse Racing Features
The app’s horse racing offering is a clear standout. Live streaming is available for all UK and Irish horse racing. In a nod to its heritage, Hollywoodbets is also the only UK sportsbook to offer Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) on UK, Irish, and South African races, providing a unique edge for racing enthusiasts.
Bet Builder
The app includes a Bet Builder feature, which allows users to create customised same-game accumulators. This tool is available for football, rugby, and basketball.
Cash Out
Hollywoodbets supports a full Cash Out function. Crucially, it also offers partial Cash Out, giving users the flexibility to secure a portion of their potential profit while leaving the remainder of the stake in play.
Push Notifications
The app uses push notifications to enhance user convenience. These alerts can be configured for key events such as bet settlements, new promotions, and significant odds changes.
Hollywoodbets App Betting Markets
The app provides access to a comprehensive sportsbook covering over 30 different sports. There is a clear and heavy focus on football and horse racing, which offer the greatest market depth. Beyond these, the platform includes niche sports like futsal and water polo, as well as non-sporting categories such as esports, politics, and TV specials.
Hollywoodbets App Bonuses and Promotions
Mobile users have access to the full range of Hollywoodbets bonuses and promotions.
Welcome Offer
- Sportsbook: New customers can get their stake back as a free bet, up to £30, on their first losing accumulator. Key terms require a minimum stake of £10 on an acca with 3+ legs and combined odds of 4/1 or greater.
- Casino: The casino welcome offer is Bet £10 to get 100 wager-free spins.
Note that both welcome offers require an initial deposit made via a Visa or Mastercard debit card.
App-Exclusive Promotions
At the time of this review, there are no promotions advertised as being exclusive to app users. All offers are available across both the mobile app and the mobile website.
Loyalty Rewards
Hollywoodbets does not operate a traditional tiered VIP program. Instead, it offers a “Missions” feature. Users can opt-in to complete specific betting tasks (e.g., place a certain type of bet) to earn points. These points can then be redeemed in a dedicated store for rewards like free bets and casino spins.
Hollywoodbets App Banking
The app provides a solid range of secure banking options for UK customers.
Deposits
The following deposit methods are available: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and Instant Bank Transfer. The minimum deposit across all methods is £5.
Withdrawals
Withdrawal options mirror the deposit methods. A key strength of the app is its very fast withdrawal speeds. In our tests, a Visa Direct transaction was processed and the funds were in our bank account in under three minutes. The minimum withdrawal amount is £5.
Transaction History
A full history of all deposits, withdrawals, and bet outcomes is easily accessible within the app's account section, allowing users to track their activity.
Hollywoodbets App vs Mobile Website
For iOS users, the dedicated app offers a slightly smoother and more integrated experience than the mobile website. The primary advantages are the convenience of push notifications and the optimised performance that comes with a native application.
For Android users, the mobile website is the only option. It is well-optimised and offers complete feature parity with the iOS app, ensuring no user is at a disadvantage regarding markets, promotions, or account management.
Hollywoodbets App Customer Support
Support is advertised as being available 24/7 through Live Chat and email. However, user experiences and some reports suggest that availability can be inconsistent during off-peak hours, a point to consider if you often bet late at night. Feedback on quality is mixed; many Trustpilot reviews praise the customer service team as professional and helpful, while a number of App Store reviews are highly critical.
Hollywoodbets App Troubleshooting
Based on user feedback in the App Store, here are some common problems reported by punters:
- Login Errors: Users frequently report being unable to log in, sometimes with an error message that incorrectly blames their internet connection.
- General Glitches: The app is prone to occasional crashes and general performance bugs.
- Slow Bet Settlement: Some users have experienced delays in having their winning bets settled.
Hollywoodbets App Verdict
The Hollywoodbets app is a direct reflection of its South African roots: a specialist product with a unique mix of market-leading strengths and glaring weaknesses. For the right user, it’s a strong contender. The platform’s greatest assets are its operational efficiency—highlighted by some of the fastest withdrawal speeds in the UK—and a clean user interface. Its expertise in horse racing shines through, with live streaming and a unique Best Odds Guaranteed offer that includes South African races.
However, these positives are undermined by significant technical gaps. The complete absence of a native Android app is a serious drawback in the competitive UK market. Furthermore, the low App Store rating is justified by user reports of persistent bugs and login issues that detract from the otherwise smooth performance. The limitation of live streaming to only horse racing also puts it a step behind leading competitors who offer a broader range of sports.
The ideal user is an iPhone owner who prioritises instant withdrawals for their football and horse racing bets. For this niche, Hollywoodbets is a compelling choice; however, Android users and those demanding a bug-free, feature-rich app should look to more established UK rivals.
Hollywoodbets App FAQs
Yes, the app is completely free to download from the Apple App Store.
You can only watch live UK and Irish horse racing. No other sports are available for streaming.
No, a native Android app is not available in the UK. Android users must use the mobile-optimised website.
Withdrawals are exceptionally fast, particularly via Visa Direct. Our tests confirmed a withdrawal was processed in under three minutes.