Draftstars Suspended by Topboss Group
Draftstars is still open under NextBet, but we no longer recommend it. Here's what changed in 2026.
Status: Suspended by Topboss Group. Draftstars is still open and licensed in Australia. It now runs as part of NextBet Pty Ltd. We have suspended our listing because we can no longer confirm its offers or work with its affiliate team. This is our own editorial decision. It is not a warning that Draftstars has closed or stopped paying players.
Why We Have Suspended Draftstars
For years, Draftstars was one of the best-known names in Australian daily fantasy sports. We covered it because it offered something different from a normal bookie. You picked a team of real players and competed against other fans for a prize pool.
In 2026, the business behind Draftstars changed hands. PlayUp, the company that owned it, was bought by a new wagering operator called NextBet. Draftstars kept running, but it moved onto NextBet’s platform on 1 March 2026.
After the takeover, our access to the Draftstars affiliate account stopped working. Our logins fail, and password reset requests never arrive. We also received no notice about the changes. As a result, we can’t check current offers, confirm terms or reach anyone who manages the brand’s partners.
We only list brands we can keep accurate. For that reason, we have suspended Draftstars on Topboss Group until we can speak with the new owners. If that changes, we will review this page again.
Draftstars has not closed. Your account, balance and contest history moved across to the NextBet platform. Our suspension simply means we don’t currently recommend it.
What Happened to Draftstars in 2026
The 2026 changes are easier to follow in order. Here is a short timeline of the brand’s ownership, based on company and operator notices.
| When | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Draftstars launches in Australia as a daily fantasy sports site, backed by CrownBet and Fox Sports. |
| 2018 | PlayUp Interactive buys Draftstars, along with several smaller Australian bookmakers. |
| Late 2025 | NextBet takes over the Queensland bookmaker CrossBet. |
| February 2026 | PlayUp customers are told NextBet Pty Ltd has acquired PlayUp. Draftstars is part of the deal. |
| 28 February 2026 | The Draftstars app and website go offline from 11:30pm AEDT so accounts can be moved. |
| 1 March 2026 | Accounts move to NextBet. Draftstars, NextBet and PlayUp now share one platform. |
| September 2026 | Topboss Group suspends Draftstars after losing access to the affiliate account. |
NextBet has said it plans to bring smaller Australian wagering brands together under one roof. PlayUp and CrossBet were the first two. Draftstars came along as part of PlayUp.
Is Draftstars Still Safe and Legal?
Yes, based on what we can verify. Draftstars now operates under NextBet Pty Ltd. NextBet holds a licence from the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission. This is the same regulator that licenses many of Australia’s best-known online bookmakers.
Our suspension has nothing to do with player safety. We have not seen any sign that Draftstars has stopped paying winners or lost its licence. Instead, the problem is on the partner side. We can’t keep this page accurate without a working contact.
Who Runs Draftstars Now
| Brand | Draftstars (daily fantasy sports) |
| Operator | NextBet Pty Ltd |
| Previous owner | PlayUp Interactive Pty Ltd |
| Regulator | Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission |
| Sister brands | NextBet and PlayUp (shared account and wallet) |
| Support email | support@nextbet.com.au |
| Topboss Group status | Suspended (September 2026) |
How Draftstars Works
If you’re new to daily fantasy sports, the idea is simple. You don’t bet on who wins the match. Instead, you build a team of real players from upcoming games.
Each player has a salary, and you must stay under a set salary cap. Your players then score points based on their real stats. For example, an AFL midfielder earns points for kicks, marks and tackles. The best-scoring teams share the prize pool.
Contests usually last a single round or even a single game. That’s why it’s called “daily” fantasy. You don’t need to commit to a whole season, which is the big difference from free season-long fantasy games.
Draftstars covers the sports Australians love most. AFL and NRL are the main draws. The site has also run contests on the NBA, NFL, cricket, golf and soccer. Contest types range from small head-to-head games to large tournaments with big guaranteed prizes.
If you’d like to know more about how fantasy compares with the real thing, our guide to fantasy football and real-world football is a good place to start.
What the NextBet Move Means for Draftstars Players
The biggest change is that Draftstars no longer runs as a separate account. It now shares one login and one wallet with the NextBet sportsbook. That means you can move between fantasy contests and fixed odds bets without switching accounts.
There is a catch you should know about. Under NextBet’s terms, your limits and restrictions apply across both brands at once. This includes deposit limits, responsible gambling settings and any account restrictions. Promotions and bonuses are treated the same way.
In practice, you can’t open a fresh Draftstars account to get around a limit on NextBet, or the other way round. We think that’s a sensible safety rule. Still, it’s a change long-time Draftstars players may not expect.
Quick checklist for existing Draftstars players
Log in and check your balance moved across correctly. Next, review your deposit limits, since they now cover NextBet too. Finally, save the new support email: support@nextbet.com.au.
Bonuses and Sign-Up Offers
We can’t confirm any current Draftstars offer, so we don’t list one here. Australian rules also limit what licensed wagering operators can offer. For example, national rules stop them from using inducements to get people to open an account.
Some sites still promote “Draftstars codes”. Treat these with care. Always read the offer terms on the operator’s own site before you sign up.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Since June 2024, Australian online wagering operators have not been allowed to accept credit cards. The ban also covers digital wallets funded by a credit card. So if you play with Draftstars or NextBet, you’ll need a debit card or another approved method.
If You Have a Problem With Your Account
Most issues can be fixed by contacting support first. Email support@nextbet.com.au and explain the problem clearly. Keep copies of any screenshots and replies.
Sometimes support can’t solve it. In that case, NextBet’s terms say you can take a betting dispute to the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission. You need to lodge it within 14 days, using the regulator’s online gambling dispute form. The regulator’s decision is final.
A few other terms are worth knowing:
| Situation | What the Terms Say |
|---|---|
| You stop using your account | After 12 months with no transactions, the account is treated as dormant. |
| You want to close your account | Call support, or use the close option in your account settings. Closure is immediate. |
| You have money left when closing | Withdraw it first, or ask support for help with the withdrawal. |
| You have a dispute support won’t fix | Lodge it with the NT regulator within 14 days. |
Responsible Gambling Help in Australia
Daily fantasy sports is a skill game, but it’s still gambling. You pay to enter, and most entrants don’t win a prize. It helps to set a budget before each round and stick to it.
If you want a break, BetStop is the free national self-exclusion register. It blocks you from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services at once, including Draftstars and NextBet. You can sign up at betstop.gov.au.
For free and confidential support, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858. The service is open 24 hours a day, and you can also chat online at gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Alternatives to Draftstars
Draftstars has been the main daily fantasy sports site in Australia for years. As a result, there are very few like-for-like options. If you enjoy the sports side of it, a licensed Australian bookmaker is usually the closest alternative.
Our sports betting hub brings together our bookmaker reviews and betting guides in one place. Racing fans may also enjoy our look at Australian horse racing betting. Whichever site you choose, check that it holds an Australian licence before you deposit.
Please avoid offshore sites that offer online casino games to Australians. These are not allowed to operate here under the Interactive Gambling Act, so you would have very little protection if something went wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Draftstars closed down?
No. Draftstars is still running. Since 1 March 2026, it has operated as part of NextBet Pty Ltd, which holds a Northern Territory licence.
Why did Topboss Group suspend Draftstars?
Our affiliate access stopped working after the NextBet takeover, and we were not told about the changes. Without a working contact, we can’t keep the details on this page accurate. So we have suspended it rather than recommend something we can’t check.
Who owns Draftstars now?
NextBet Pty Ltd owns Draftstars. It bought PlayUp, the previous owner, in early 2026. PlayUp had owned Draftstars since 2018.
Did my Draftstars account move to NextBet?
Yes. Accounts moved across on 1 March 2026. Balances and pending entries were meant to transfer too, but it’s worth logging in to check.
Do my NextBet limits apply to Draftstars?
Yes. NextBet’s terms say limits, restrictions and bonuses apply across both brands at the same time.
Is daily fantasy sports legal in Australia?
Yes, when it’s offered by a licensed Australian operator. Draftstars operates under NextBet’s Northern Territory licence.
Will Topboss Group list Draftstars again?
Possibly. If we can reach the new owners and confirm the details, we will review this page and update its status.
Want to know how we make decisions like this? You can read why players trust Topboss Group or meet the team behind our reviews.
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