(AsiaGameHub) –   Hollywoodbets has expanded its gaming library in South Africa by entering into a new content agreement with Tom Horn Gaming.

Under this partnership, Tom Horn’s suite of games—featuring popular titles such as the 243 Crystal Fruits series, Book of Aladdin, and Majestic Coins—is now accessible to Hollywoodbets customers across the country.

Wade Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, stated: “We are excited to bring Tom Horn Gaming’s portfolio to our South African players.

“Their games are known for creative design and compelling mechanics, making them an excellent addition to our platform. This deal reflects our ongoing dedication to improving our entertainment offerings with premium content.”

For Tom Horn, this agreement strengthens its footprint in South Africa, following its initial market entry via a partnership with Aardvark Technologies in February 2025, and supports the firm’s broader international growth strategy.

Ondrej Lapides, CEO of Tom Horn Gaming, remarked: “We are pleased to grow our relationship with Hollywoodbets and introduce our games to the South African market.

“Securing full regulatory compliance for this region was a significant undertaking for our team, so it is very satisfying to see our games live with such a prominent and well-regarded operator. Hollywoodbets has established a stellar reputation and a loyal player base, and we are certain our content will be well-received by their users.”

Tax debate continues

Mirroring trends seen in many other African nations, South Africa has experienced a significant rise in the popularity of online betting and gaming in recent years.

In response, South Africa’s National Treasury has proposed an additional 20% tax on gross gambling revenue from online operations, which would be applied in addition to existing provincial tax rates on all gambling activities.

With provincial rates currently ranging from 6% to 9%, the total effective tax burden would reach between 26% and 29% if the proposal is enacted.

Data from the National Gambling Board indicates that R1.5trn (£66bn) was wagered during the 2024 financial year, with gambling participation rates climbing from 30.6% to 65.7% between 2017 and 2023.

While the proposed tax is estimated to generate R10bn (£456.1m) annually, the Ministry of Finance has stressed that the primary objective is to address potential social issues stemming from the growth of online gaming.

The public consultation period for the proposal concluded on 27 February, and industry stakeholders are currently waiting for a decision from South African legislators regarding the potential implementation of the new tax.