Never punting at Hollywood again!

Hi Guys hope every one had a merry Xmas and stuffed them selves like I did

I would like too start of by saying that Hollywood is the easiest most accessible establishment I can bet at. This is because we have many hollywoods and I can bet and cash tickets no matter where I am as there is always one nearby. We don't have betting world here (not sure why as I feel they are the best), we have 1 Marshals that I know of which is out of my way but I prefer their service and would rather go out of my way to bet there.


When I was in Capetown recently I went to a Hollywood branch as it was close to where I was staying. Upon arriving I was told horse racing is upstairs and soccer downstairs which would be fine accept that any form book you would like to purchase or any free sheet you would like is only sold down stairs or displayed down stairs. Also the music was blaring so loud people have to scream to each other.

At hollwood in P.E (2 out of 3 of them) the staff sit on their phones and eventually take your bet after asking 3 times. If you are taking a horse or two and you throw in a soccer team to up the odds they consider it a soccer bet and make you bet at the soccer counter where the ques take hours as the soccer players take 20+ soccer multiples and there are always mistakes meaning you will not get your bet on. Some staff refuse to take my bets as they say the "pay for my mistakes " when I know for a fact I have called it right and they are the ones who have made a mistake. Today I went too hollywood and after Kenilworth race 6 they began to cash up I could see it clearly on the screen (Could also see exactly how much money was taken in and handed out) as I even missed a bet that I wouldve caught because she was too busy cashing up. I asked if they would remain open and they said "It depends" I took the 25 min drive to Marshals knowing that if I have a winning ticket after their closing time I would have to drive there again to cash as its the only one. Guess what? Thats right they were open and I enjoyed the last 2 or 3 races. On top of all of this the last time I complained I was told the area manager of P.E would call me to date no such phone call has happened. Every betting world or Marshals I have ever visited has been a pleasure. Even WSB in Jhb was good a bit full but still better than Hollywood.


It is for all the above reasons that I will NEVER have a bet at Hollywood again no matter how convenient it is for me. It is the most diabolical establishment I have ever visited and they can take other peoples money but mine will be spent at a bookmaker that looks after their customers.

And just in case you were wondering no I was not playing R5 or R20 bets I was actually taking quite Large bets, well I would have had they remained open.

Hi Hodson

I sent you previous complaint onto our area manager for the Eastern Cape, and I have asked for a follow up.

I have also sent a message to our manager into the Western Cape for feedback.

I went to lance michaels new premises on the west rand today,lost my money but what a pleasure to punt there

soodum wrote: I went to lance michaels new premises on the west rand today,lost my money but what a pleasure to punt there

Where about bru

soodum wrote: I went to lance michaels new premises on the west rand today,lost my money but what a pleasure to punt there

Funny , I went out of my way to drive past it( somebody had told me about it ) I must say it certainly looks pretty up market from the outside - only live 5 mins from it so will pop in some time for a drink/bite / punt.
I like to punt from home but like a day out punting occasionally!

rob faux wrote:

soodum wrote: I went to lance michaels new premises on the west rand today,lost my money but what a pleasure to punt there

Funny , I went out of my way to drive past it( somebody had told me about it ) I must say it certainly looks pretty up market from the outside - only live 5 mins from it so will pop in some time for a drink/bite / punt.
I like to punt from home but like a day out punting occasionally!

Rob when you get out there , give them a good clout !

Hollywood has always been my choice of bookmaker but I find of recent there service has gone downhil.Today I went to both the argyle rd and Springfield rd branches.The wait in queues for a payout is ridiculous and wen u finally get to counter u r told they have no money.They have obviously grown which is great but they need to not lose there customer satisfaction which was excellent. I still punt with them though as I feel they r the best in durbs.

mr p wrote: Hollywood has always been my choice of bookmaker but I find of recent there service has gone downhil.Today I went to both the argyle rd and Springfield rd branches.The wait in queues for a payout is ridiculous and wen u finally get to counter u r told they have no money.They have obviously grown which is great but they need to not lose there customer satisfaction which was excellent. I still punt with them though as I feel they r the best in durbs.

Sadly the operators doing payouts or laying bets think they doing you a favor. This is not just Hollywood it's all over and the tote is blady useless.

Cnr of spring haas and j g strydom road,behind hillfox centre

Bonus for now : they still waiting for their liquor licence so you can take yr own dops

It's not as posh as club tab @ greyville or cedar in kayalami

mr p wrote: Hollywood has always been my choice of bookmaker but I find of recent there service has gone downhil.Today I went to both the argyle rd and Springfield rd branches.The wait in queues for a payout is ridiculous and wen u finally get to counter u r told they have no money.They have obviously grown which is great but they need to not lose there customer satisfaction which was excellent. I still punt with them though as I feel they r the best in durbs.

Hi Mr P

I will send this onto our KZN managers, but if unfortunately if you looked at the soccer results on Friday, everyone was in the payout queue on Saturday! We will look at making provision going forward.

UK bookies have been hit hard over xmas seemingly, and banks closed so loads of dissapointed punters having to wait