EvenBet Gaming brings online poker platform to Hollywoodbets in South Africa

EvenBet Gaming, a Malta-based developer of online poker and gaming software, has gone live with its poker platform through a partnership with Hollywoodbets, one of South Africa’s largest betting operators. The launch, announced on 28th August 2025, is described as one of the first fully operational online poker services in Africa.

The integration adds EvenBet’s poker technology to Hollywoodbets’ existing portfolio of casino and sports betting products. The platform will initially offer several poker formats, beginning with Texas Hold’em, the most widely played variant.

Targeting African growth

EvenBet said the deal reflects its strategy of entering markets with strong long-term potential, pointing to rising mobile phone use, improving internet infrastructure and growing player interest in skill-based games across Africa as factors supporting the expansion of online poker in the region.

Hollywoodbets has operated in South Africa for many years and offers a broad range of betting and gaming products from various suppliers, according to the release.

Executive comment

Dmitry Starostenkov, chief executive of EvenBet Gaming, called the launch a landmark moment for the company and for the continent, saying Hollywoodbets’ scale and local market knowledge made it a strong partner for introducing poker to South African players.

Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, said the launch marks the operator’s first full online poker product and represents a new chapter for the company and its customers, adding that he expects it to set a new benchmark for poker in South Africa.

EvenBet Gaming employs more than 130 staff across offices in Malta, the United States, Serbia, Armenia and Colombia. The company holds an MGA B2B licence and has received certifications including ISO 27001, iTech Labs, BMM Labs and GLI, along with industry recognition such as the EGR B2B Awards’ Poker Provider title in 2024.