1 reviews | Active since Sept 2020
HOLLYWOODBETS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Hollywoodbets has consistently presented me with troubling experiences regarding their slot games and the associated promotions incorporating these slots, as well as their implementation and post-handling of these innumerable 'promos'. By definition, just the sheer number and frequency of these promos, is disturbing and worrysome. There can be some twenty or more running simultaneously at any given time. These promos involve thousands of players, spinning dictated amounts of money per spin on designated games, sometimes played over a month or more. The data load and accurate auditing of winners must be mindboggling.Some of the biggest most successful online casinos internationally don't even run more than one or two a month. There's a yardstick for error right there. Combine the monstrous workload with questionable post handling practices, and your recipe for disaster awaits. (Details of the official complaint I raised with the local gambling board (WCGRB) and Hollywoodbets themselves, which is still ongoing for ten months now, can be found in my previous posts, please take a few minutes to read it.) This incident is not exclusive to me and is not an isolated one either, but it is quite troubling and disturbing in nature and the subsequent fallout creates even more aggravation and distress as it is almost impossible to get any recourse or resolve. Hollywoodbets communication system, be it policy or not, leaves the player out in the cold as there's an obvious facade, which on the surface suggests, your gripe, whatever it may be, has indeed been heard and acknowledged, and is being dealt with. Once you realise, as time passes and nothing happens, you receive no feedback, naturally you follow up. Now this can prove exhausting as you cannot get through so easily but once you do, and this is my favourite part of the whole process, you are again false heartedly reassured that your complaint is being handled.This time by a specialist department as your query has been "ESCALATED " to this department to be reviewed by experts This is misleading as it reassures players not to worry about valid concerns they rightly have, and also implies priority and importance has been app**** to their query. This is all fictitious nonsense as there is nothing actually being done to resolve the issue.This process repeats over and over, and in my opinion, is done as a means to exhaust your efforts to get resolution for your query. Eventually you realise it's all a deceptive facade and you query still remains unresolved, despite emails stating it's updated. Over my three years membership at Hollywoodbets, I've submitted many complaints covering a myriad of issues - all have played out exactly like this and not one has been resolved. Eventually you become somewhat of a pest if you persist and this just gets your channels if communication disconnected and blocked, leaving you unable to progress any further, at all. It's exhausting and frustrating and ,as a result, breeds all the relative negativity. Ultimately, it raises significant concerns about fairness and transparency, honesty and trustworthyness. Moreover, it questions their integrity and ability to operate promotions involving their slots, which in turn, affects everything else, as the doubt filters down and brings into question issues regarding their daily practices.(for example the pseudo-handling of complaints and queries) Since my last post, I have made copius deposits—sometimes multiple times a day—and still, every time, with record speed, my balance continues to deplete to zero with minimal returns on almost all games Despite me varying my gameplay strategies, games and times. Despite countless spins, losses remain sustained and wins elusive except for inconsequential ones that just make up the numbers but do not allow for positive balance gain. My withdrawals seldom exceed R100, leading me to question the structural integrity, operation and fairness of Hollywoodbets' games, as well as the validity of the RNG (random number generator) app**** to many of the games. The patterns I’ve observed suggest that the slot outcomes may not be entirely random. For instance, the games play out as if there's been a removal of substantial winning combinations from the random number generator, and in their place , additional dud or losing combinations added. This would explain the total absence of big wins, of which there haven't been any in almost a year now. It would also explain the appearance of identical spins in the same session, making this the only possible justification for the lack of win opportunities and subsequent absence of any meaningful wins. This casts further doubt about the overall integrity of the gaming experience, which relies on elements of chance and luck, both seriously lacking at HWB. Ive had plenty of losing streaks in my 35 years of gambling , even some extended ones, but never for this long, and never in such a blatantly obvious and deliberate way in which this losing stretch is playing out. Almost a year now ( coincidentally began about the time I began chasing up on my.promotion complaint ). Since I've been completely loyal to Hollywoodbets and only play on their site, which I have everyday for about 3 years now, depositing multiple times each day, it is highly improbable, and I say this after much research and consultation, for any gambler, to be subject to this type of sustained and prolonged losing run, particularly if that player is one who plays regularly and often enough, creating ample opportunity to break that cycle.. Even less unlikely, when playing on the same platform / or casino where these losses occured, unless the games had been manipulated to pay in this way. RTP, which applies to the slots combined return to player, is a % and refers to all players as a whole amount regardless of individuality. However over extended periods this % , in theory should balance out per individual player, and legally, falls within 80% to 98% parameters depending on the type of game and where it is located,it's denominations etc. This is not the case at Hollywoodbets because, theoretically, in practice here, it truly is a completely one sided affair on Spina Zonke slots, all the time, with wins / loss ratio off the charts, with heavy losses matched only by the occasional inconsequential win, making up the numbers for Hollywoodbets, but not providing any real win for the player. In comparison to other operators who operate the same games and have far less players and turnover than HWB, they are still several hundred percent worse performing, across the board. This rules out fairness and randomness. Something ominous about these slots ,and I say this without any accusation whatsoever. Seeking help, I filed a formal complaint with the local gambling regulator, the WCGRB, who oversee the Hollywoodbets operation, as it is one of their licencees, but after ten months, I have not received any follow-up from the board, not so much as a single word or email, absolutely nothing, which is beyond unprofessional because they are supposed to be the voice for the player in times like these when players are getting the short end of the stick far to often for comfort. They are perceived as our security when we are wronged by ************ rogue operators. This is undoubtedly a false sense security as they do not have your back in a dispute. This prolonged silence raises concerns about the regulator's commitment to player protection and further casts doubt on Hollywoodbets' practices as they go unchecked, unchallenged and unpunished. Alarming because there are thousands of complaints, on this site alone, by different players with seriously similar gripes. Moreover, my attempts to obtain and clarify certain promotional results from Hollywoodbets ,(results which are relevant to the promotion in question regarding my query from last December/ this information is central to my complaint ) have been equally frustrating, as I'm without any access to these results for analysis and verification of both sides claims. This deliberate inconsistency leaves me feeling misled and confused, frustrated and annoyed, because I was informed that I did not qualify for this particular promotion (called CHRISTMAS RUSH.) Utter ******* because qualification was automatic for all players. Then after having read the details of this promotion I decided to commit to chasing a top winning position, and subsequently played relentlessly, within the requirements of the promo, for more than a week , in efforts of actively chasing the top prize ,or nearest top prize, but in total there were 250 winning positions - all sharing R400K in prizes.( Points were scored per spin, ie: one spin = 1 point. Winners ranked by most points) Besides not only meeting all requirements, I played for several days non stop, this in addition to play from the previous few days I had already played, would have seen me well near the top, as the only glance I got at a leaderboard around half way through, showed I wasn't too far back. Regardless of all my ducks being in a row, I was still told I didn't meet requirements (again utter nonsense as it's more likely I nearly won than didn't qualify. Just for context I have finished second, tenth and twelfth in subsequent similar promos , ones where I wasn't even actively trying to win, so I cannot accept such a ludicrous and obtuse accusation that I didn't qualify. Perhaps I didn't win but tell me I did not make thetop 250 finishing positions? It's completely laughable and implausible. I had consulted several times ( and tried hundreds of times more)with live chat about where to find a leaderboard as I knew I was somewhere near the top and wanted to see so I could adjust my play accordingly, but a leaderboard remained elusive throughout and I was never able to check my position for the remainder of the tournament., I had gauged my position early on from a mini leaderboard that I had somehow, miraculously, stumbled upon, on Facebook.Apart from that never again.More notably, there is still no list of winners today, published anywhere online for this promotions results and it was fiercly advertised at the time. Dozens and dozens of attempts to get this information have been thwarted by hollywoodbets, by them providing misinformation ie: false or incorrect information, and not once or even a few times but rather many many times, and not by mistake or error either as they were aware as to what info was required, after all, they created both promos, but just in case they did forget, I informed them prior to my requests for the relevant information, to please not provide the same false information again as previously provided, to which they spitefully responded by doing just that. What happened is this entire promotion has been erased and they have failed to provide the winners list for it in ten months of me practically begging, for what should be public record anyway. This list would resolve this issue but is not what's transpired over these last few months. (Incidentally, as convenience would have it, a second promo, one with identical attributes (exact same title, exact same prize fund, same dates, exact same game provider, same winners and prizes etc ) was run around the same time as the one I'm querying , and it's this second promos' results (also called XMAS RUSH - but Dreamcatcher) that they are trying to pass off as the original promos' results ( called XMAS RUSH - slots ) despite the two being completely independent and separate promotions.(Details of which are in my previous posts.) Talk about avoiding confusion. While I cannot definitively prove manipulation, my extensive gameplay over the past ten months has yielded returns seemingly far below the expected 80%-98% legally required RTP (return- to-player) These losses are consistent and sustained and there are no peaks in this ongoing pattern. Other operators in comparison do not fare this badly at any point and no such problems have presented anywhere else. Such persistently bad slot performance and poor results suggest that something may be amiss. Given my experience, I advise others to consider alternative platforms for playing slots. Gambling should be an enjoyable and fair experience, one of chance, which brings excitement, joy and hope for the player in our anticipation of being lucky enough, to maybe, one day, be the one to hit that big one. Coupled with the elements of luck and chance ,this is what makes slots fun! I have found little or none of this at Hollywoodbets, but rather, an all round 'Not-so-fun' overall gaming experience. Avoid Hollywoodbets entirely. Seek out a more reputable and honest operator, one who's games are fair but most importantly, random! A platform where the potential for fair winning remains fundamental, and playing slots is still a game of chance, where lady luck lurks. A place to enjoy our favourite fun pastime.
But l firstly may I just add this short piece for the above review: .
In the short time since my last post above, I have made several more deposits, again hoping to recover some of the substantial losses I’ve incurred these last few months, or rather, this entire year—amounting to tens ,or even hundreds of thousands of Rands—while playing on this Hollywoodbets platform.
My motivations for continuing to engage with you, Hollywoodbets , have been twofold:
firstly, to attempt to reclaim some of my losses which are heavy consistent, persistent and sustained, and
Secondly, to gather data for analysis , to be graphing and charted etc , for future reference , and to serve as record in case of future disputes.Also as potential evidence (should it become necessary).This is important as Hollywoodbets.system doesn't allow players to reference their gameplay too far back, just a few days in fact. And I've been in a dispute with them for ten months now, having already, many times expressed my difficulty in obtaining any information from them.
There's no change in the operational play of thier spina zonke slot games , and top concerns still remain the extremely low return-to-player (RTP) percentages, and the rapid depletion of funds of every deposit, with only inconsequential wins matching losses, making winning ,or a climbing balance ( known as streaking, slots should have hot and cold streaks- Hollywoodbets slots streak only cold) impossible.
The above mentioned factors are extremely unlikely if the slots are operated fairly, with unmanipulated game feeds coming directly from the providers servers to the player.
Central to the functional operation of the online slots, should be an up-to-date RNG intact.This must be checked, monitored and audited often by regulators , as well as independent professional experts, .
Yet, these factors are somewhat of a constant that's been playing out in Hollywoodbets spina zonke slots for many months now. As a result, my withdrawals are few and far between, and wins are elusive, across the board. Varying games , and times of play, seems to have no changeable effect on this pattern , and there should be no patterns at all anyway, as patterns don't occur in true randomness. When graphed, the data shows, that over the extended timeline, a distinct downward turn occurs when referencing the wins to losses ratio, and it is an extended constant.This all would be statistically improbable over an extended period if the games were fair, randomly operated and functioning within set parameters as designated by authorities
Despite my many attempts, I have not seen any returns, almost no winning at all, and most notable is the absence of big, or even medium sized wins. These would make an appearance eventually, occasionally, but always.
When considering the deviation from previous experiences and standard industry norms, one can only be led to believe that the games may not be fairly structured. It seems likely that my money is effectively lost before I even register, and I strongly advise others to avoid their services, as there are other reputable and legitimate slot operators in South Africa.
In response to Hollywoodbets’ automated replies, I find them lacking in sincerity and they do not address my specific complaints. This repetitive response demonstrates a clear indifference to player issues. I have gone through this process numerous times without resolution, which only serves to highlight the company’s failure to address properly, and take player concerns seriously.
Hollywoodbets, I urge you to address this matter directly, and go ahead and resolve this problem. It's been ten months of unproductive communication. And now talk is cheap and pointless, so If there are employees there that are unaware of my specific complaint, I encourage them to review the records as well as my posts. I do, however, believe everyone there knows by now.
Your automated responses and subsequent pointless calls ,only add to my frustration. I am no longer interested in vague communication and only concrete action taken to resolve my situation, will be worthy of merit. If you choose not to respond or to continue this pattern of indifference, I will share my experience publicly to prevent others from living a similar nightmare. Should the issue be addressed properly, and the matter settled , then these actions too will referenced, and shared iwith others in a positive light.
It's going on a year now and time we lose, we can never get back, we have have lost.
It's time to.....
Please take this matter seriously and respond accordingly.
But l firstly may I just add this short piece for the above review: .
In the short time since my last post above, I have made several more deposits, again hoping to recover some of the substantial losses I’ve incurred these last few months, or rather, this entire year—amounting to tens ,or even hundreds of thousands of Rands—while playing on this Hollywoodbets platform.
My motivations for continuing to engage with you, Hollywoodbets , have been twofold:
firstly, to attempt to reclaim some of my losses which are heavy consistent, persistent and sustained, and
Secondly, to gather data for analysis , to be graphing and charted etc , for future reference , and to serve as record in case of future disputes.Also as potential evidence (should it become necessary).This is important as Hollywoodbets.system doesn't allow players to reference their gameplay too far back, just a few days in fact. And I've been in a dispute with them for ten months now, having already, many times expressed my difficulty in obtaining any information from them.
There's no change in the operational play of thier spina zonke slot games , and top concerns still remain the extremely low return-to-player (RTP) percentages, and the rapid depletion of funds of every deposit, with only inconsequential wins matching losses, making winning ,or a climbing balance ( known as streaking, slots should have hot and cold streaks- Hollywoodbets slots streak only cold) impossible.
The above mentioned factors are extremely unlikely if the slots are operated fairly, with unmanipulated game feeds coming directly from the providers servers to the player.
Central to the functional operation of the online slots, should be an up-to-date RNG intact.This must be checked, monitored and audited often by regulators , as well as independent professional experts, .
Yet, these factors are somewhat of a constant that's been playing out in Hollywoodbets spina zonke slots for many months now. As a result, my withdrawals are few and far between, and wins are elusive, across the board. Varying games , and times of play, seems to have no changeable effect on this pattern , and there should be no patterns at all anyway, as patterns don't occur in true randomness. When graphed, the data shows, that over the extended timeline, a distinct downward turn occurs when referencing the wins to losses ratio, and it is an extended constant.This all would be statistically improbable over an extended period if the games were fair, randomly operated and functioning within set parameters as designated by authorities
Despite my many attempts, I have not seen any returns, almost no winning at all, and most notable is the absence of big, or even medium sized wins. These would make an appearance eventually, occasionally, but always.
When considering the deviation from previous experiences and standard industry norms, one can only be led to believe that the games may not be fairly structured. It seems likely that my money is effectively lost before I even register, and I strongly advise others to avoid their services, as there are other reputable and legitimate slot operators in South Africa.
In response to Hollywoodbets’ automated replies, I find them lacking in sincerity and they do not address my specific complaints. This repetitive response demonstrates a clear indifference to player issues. I have gone through this process numerous times without resolution, which only serves to highlight the company’s failure to address properly, and take player concerns seriously.
Hollywoodbets, I urge you to address this matter directly, and go ahead and resolve this problem. It's been ten months of unproductive communication. And now talk is cheap and pointless, so If there are employees there that are unaware of my specific complaint, I encourage them to review the records as well as my posts. I do, however, believe everyone there knows by now.
Your automated responses and subsequent pointless calls ,only add to my frustration. I am no longer interested in vague communication and only concrete action taken to resolve my situation, will be worthy of merit. If you choose not to respond or to continue this pattern of indifference, I will share my experience publicly to prevent others from living a similar nightmare. Should the issue be addressed properly, and the matter settled , then these actions too will referenced, and shared iwith others in a positive light.
It's going on a year now and time we lose, we can never get back, we have have lost.
It's time to.....
Please take this matter seriously and respond accordingly.
Last night and Today, I made several deposits and experienced a complete absence of winning spins. My balance consistently depletes from the first spin to zero, with no significant wins in between.Ongoing sever l months now, without any other possible explanation, this has led me to believe that there may be game manipulation involved, as my experiences today were particularly stark.
The situation raises serious concerns, and is now beyond mere bad luck. Hollywoodbets' assertion that gambling is a game of chance does not hold up after such a long extension of sustained and constant losing which persists still, and is representative of what's becoming a clear pattern. There definitely appears to be a systematic removal of the element of chance in the game outcomes. The persistent lack of wins over several months indicates a troubling pattern that suggests tampering, which is particularly alarming given that this decline in winnings is several thousand percent worse compared to previous years play of similar foundation.
For anyone who believes this is simply random bad luck, reconsider or have your head read. I will continue to provide updates to eliminate any lingering doubts about these ongoing issues. The consistent nature of this pattern contradicts the basic principles of fundamental randomness expected from slot games, It's the very core of slot functionality and all slots rely on a random number generator (RNG). If such patterns exist over a sustained period, it calls into question Hollywoodbets' claims of fairness and effectiveness of the random number generators currently powering their slots.
It is concerning, and somewhat of an insult, that they seem to underestimate the intelligence of their players, assuming we won't notice these discrepancies or the broader, and sometimes sinister, implications of their well designed gaming systems. This lack of transparency, and failures to address and, frankly, to act ,fosters mistrust in the online slots industry, making it challenging for reputable operators , who work tirelessly to built and maintain upstanding and credible reputation, so to establish their credibility and stand out from others in a fierce and saturated market.
I will keep all informed of any significant developments. To be fair, if I do experience a substantial win that alters the current status quo of Hollywoodbets, I will acknowledge it and revise any relevant statements accordingly. However, after more than eight months without any notable wins, or changes, as well as no progress regarding the XMAS RUSH PROMO incident, my skepticism remains strong and will continue to ,in the absence of any gestures towards positive developments.
Watch this space for updates.
Last night and Today, I made several deposits and experienced a complete absence of winning spins. My balance consistently depletes from the first spin to zero, with no significant wins in between.Ongoing sever l months now, without any other possible explanation, this has led me to believe that there may be game manipulation involved, as my experiences today were particularly stark.
The situation raises serious concerns, and is now beyond mere bad luck. Hollywoodbets' assertion that gambling is a game of chance does not hold up after such a long extension of sustained and constant losing which persists still, and is representative of what's becoming a clear pattern. There definitely appears to be a systematic removal of the element of chance in the game outcomes. The persistent lack of wins over several months indicates a troubling pattern that suggests tampering, which is particularly alarming given that this decline in winnings is several thousand percent worse compared to previous years play of similar foundation.
For anyone who believes this is simply random bad luck, reconsider or have your head read. I will continue to provide updates to eliminate any lingering doubts about these ongoing issues. The consistent nature of this pattern contradicts the basic principles of fundamental randomness expected from slot games, It's the very core of slot functionality and all slots rely on a random number generator (RNG). If such patterns exist over a sustained period, it calls into question Hollywoodbets' claims of fairness and effectiveness of the random number generators currently powering their slots.
It is concerning, and somewhat of an insult, that they seem to underestimate the intelligence of their players, assuming we won't notice these discrepancies or the broader, and sometimes sinister, implications of their well designed gaming systems. This lack of transparency, and failures to address and, frankly, to act ,fosters mistrust in the online slots industry, making it challenging for reputable operators , who work tirelessly to built and maintain upstanding and credible reputation, so to establish their credibility and stand out from others in a fierce and saturated market.
I will keep all informed of any significant developments. To be fair, if I do experience a substantial win that alters the current status quo of Hollywoodbets, I will acknowledge it and revise any relevant statements accordingly. However, after more than eight months without any notable wins, or changes, as well as no progress regarding the XMAS RUSH PROMO incident, my skepticism remains strong and will continue to ,in the absence of any gestures towards positive developments.
Watch this space for updates.