ClassicBet Suspended by Topboss Group
ClassicBet merged into PlayUp, which is now part of NextBet. Here's what happened and where old accounts went.
Status: Suspended by Topboss Group. ClassicBet no longer runs as its own betting site. The brand was merged into PlayUp several years ago, and PlayUp is now part of NextBet Pty Ltd. We have suspended this listing because we no longer have a working partnership with the group. This is our own editorial decision, not a warning about player safety.
What Happened to ClassicBet
ClassicBet was a small Australian bookmaker based in Sydney. It launched in 2014 and built a loyal following among racing punters. Many of them liked its personal service and its range of tote products.
In 2018, PlayUp Interactive bought ClassicBet. It bought TopBetta and the fantasy sports site Draftstars around the same time. PlayUp then combined ClassicBet, TopBetta and MadBookie into one betting site under the PlayUp name. As a result, ClassicBet stopped trading as a separate brand.
The story didn’t end there. In February 2026, a new operator called NextBet Pty Ltd bought PlayUp. PlayUp accounts moved onto the NextBet platform on 1 March 2026. So, if you once had a ClassicBet account, it has now passed through two owners.
ClassicBet has not collapsed or disappeared with players’ money. The brand was folded into PlayUp, and PlayUp has now become part of NextBet.
ClassicBet Timeline
Here is how the brand changed hands, in order. We have based this on operator notices and the PlayUp affiliate programme’s own brand page.
| When | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2014 | ClassicBet launches as a Sydney-based racing and sports bookmaker. |
| 2018 | PlayUp Interactive buys ClassicBet, TopBetta and Draftstars. |
| Around 2019 | ClassicBet, TopBetta and MadBookie merge into one PlayUp betting site. |
| Late 2025 | NextBet takes over the bookmaker CrossBet. |
| February 2026 | NextBet Pty Ltd buys PlayUp, including Draftstars. |
| 1 March 2026 | PlayUp accounts move to NextBet. PlayUp, NextBet and Draftstars now share one platform. |
| September 2026 | Topboss Group suspends ClassicBet, along with the rest of the PlayUp group. |
Why We Have Suspended ClassicBet
ClassicBet and Draftstars were promoted through the same affiliate programme, PlayUp Affiliates. After the NextBet takeover, our access to that programme stopped working. Our logins fail, and password reset emails never arrive. On top of that, we received no notice about the changes.
Without a working contact, we can’t check current terms or confirm what the group offers today. We only recommend brands we can keep accurate. For that reason, we have suspended every brand linked to this programme, including ClassicBet and Draftstars.
If we can reach the new owners and get the details confirmed, we will look at these pages again.
Who Runs the Business Now
The old ClassicBet site listed PlayUp Interactive Pty Ltd as the company taking bets. Today, the group’s betting and fantasy brands sit under NextBet Pty Ltd. NextBet is licensed by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission.
| Original brand | ClassicBet (no longer trading separately) |
| Merged into | PlayUp |
| Current operator | NextBet Pty Ltd |
| Regulator | Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission |
| Related brands | NextBet, PlayUp and Draftstars |
| Support email | support@nextbet.com.au |
| Topboss Group status | Suspended (September 2026) |
What ClassicBet Was Known For
ClassicBet called itself a “premium betting agency”. In practice, that meant a more personal style of service than the big bookies. New customers were given their own account manager, who would get in touch soon after sign-up. The manager learned how each person liked to bet and kept them up to date with offers.
Racing was the heart of the business. ClassicBet offered a wide choice of tote products, which let punters pick how their dividends were worked out. Here are some of the main ones it offered at the time. These are shown for history only, since the brand no longer exists.
| Product | How It Worked |
|---|---|
| Best of the Best (BOB) | Paid the best of three Australian TAB prices or the official best fluctuation, on major metro gallops. |
| Best Tote Plus SP | Available at every Australian gallop meeting. The win part paid the better of the best tote or starting price. |
| Best of 2 Totes | Paid the better of the NSW TAB or Victorian TAB dividend. |
| Middle Tote | Used on greyhound and harness meetings. Paid the middle of the Australian TAB prices. |
| Win Tote + 5% | Added 5% to the win dividend on most overseas meetings. |
| Fixed Odds | Locked in your price at the time you placed the bet. |
| Exotics and Multis | Quinellas, trifectas, First Fours and quaddies, plus multis of 2 to 20 legs mixing racing and sport. |
ClassicBet also covered a good spread of sports, from rugby league and cricket to tennis and golf. It supported flexi betting on exotics, too. This meant you could bet a smaller amount for a share of the dividend.
If You Had a ClassicBet Account
When the brands merged, ClassicBet customers were moved onto the PlayUp site. Then, in March 2026, PlayUp accounts were moved to NextBet. Balances and pending bets were meant to transfer across as part of that move.
If you haven’t logged in for years, your first step is to contact NextBet support at support@nextbet.com.au. Give them your old ClassicBet or PlayUp details, including the email you signed up with. They should be able to trace your account.
It also helps to know about the dormant account rule. Under NextBet’s terms, an account with no transactions for 12 months is treated as dormant. So it’s worth checking sooner rather than later if you think you left money behind.
Can’t sort it out with support?
NextBet’s terms let you 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. Keep screenshots and emails as evidence.
Why Smaller Bookmakers Keep Merging
ClassicBet’s story is common in Australian betting. Smaller bookies often find it hard to compete with the biggest brands. Marketing is expensive, and the rules keep getting stricter. As a result, many small operators end up being bought and merged into larger ones.
PlayUp grew this way by buying ClassicBet, TopBetta and MadBookie. Now NextBet is doing the same thing. It has said it wants to bring smaller Australian wagering brands together under one roof. PlayUp and CrossBet were the first two it bought.
For punters, this usually means one bigger account instead of several small ones. However, it also means the brand you signed up with may not exist a few years later. That’s why it pays to keep your contact details up to date with any bookie you use.
How Australian Betting Has Changed Since ClassicBet
A lot has changed since ClassicBet was taking bets. Our old review mentioned a generous welcome offer, several currencies and payment methods such as credit cards. Most of that would no longer apply today.
For example, national rules now stop licensed wagering operators from using inducements to get people to open an account. That means the big sign-up bonuses of the past are gone.
Credit cards have also been banned for online wagering in Australia since June 2024. The ban covers digital wallets funded by a credit card, too. As a result, you’ll need a debit card, bank transfer or another approved method.
Finally, there is now a national self-exclusion register called BetStop. It lets you block yourself from every licensed Australian online and phone bookmaker in one step.
Responsible Gambling Help
Betting should always be something you can afford to lose. Set a budget before you bet, and don’t chase losses.
If you want a break, sign up to BetStop for free at betstop.gov.au. For free and confidential support, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858. You can also chat online at gamblinghelponline.org.au, any time of day.
Alternatives to ClassicBet
If you liked ClassicBet for its racing products, a licensed Australian bookmaker is the natural replacement. Most now offer fixed odds, tote options and multis on every major meeting.
Our sports betting section brings our bookmaker reviews and betting guides together in one place. Racing fans may also like our guide to betting on Australian horse racing. Whichever bookie you pick, check it holds an Australian licence before you deposit.
Please steer clear of offshore sites that offer online casino games to Australians. They are not allowed to operate here under the Interactive Gambling Act. If something goes wrong, you would have very little protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ClassicBet still exist?
No, not as its own site. ClassicBet merged into PlayUp, and PlayUp is now part of NextBet Pty Ltd.
Who owns ClassicBet now?
The business now sits with NextBet Pty Ltd, which bought PlayUp in early 2026. PlayUp Interactive had owned ClassicBet since 2018.
Why did Topboss Group suspend ClassicBet?
We lost access to the PlayUp affiliate programme after the NextBet takeover, and we weren’t told about the changes. Without a working contact, we can’t keep the details accurate. So we have suspended all the brands linked to it.
What happened to my old ClassicBet account?
It should have moved to PlayUp when the brands merged, and then to NextBet in March 2026. Contact support@nextbet.com.au with your old details to check.
Is NextBet licensed?
Yes. NextBet holds a licence from the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission.
Can I still get a ClassicBet bonus code?
No. The brand no longer trades, and Australian rules now stop bookmakers offering sign-up inducements. Treat any site still promoting a ClassicBet code with caution.
Want to know how we make decisions like this? Read why players trust Topboss Group or meet the Topboss Group team.
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