PlayUp Suspended by Topboss Group

What Happened to PlayUp

PlayUp was an Australian-owned bookmaker based in Sydney. It offered racing, sports betting and, through its sister site Draftstars, daily fantasy sports. For a few years, it was one of the more ambitious mid-sized bookies in the country.

PlayUp grew mostly by buying smaller brands. In 2018, it bought ClassicBet, TopBetta’s betting business and the fantasy sports site Draftstars. It then merged ClassicBet, TopBetta and MadBookie into one PlayUp sportsbook.

In late 2025, PlayUp shareholders voted to sell the company to the CrossBet group for a reported A$18.6 million. That group now trades as NextBet. On 1 March 2026, NextBet moved all PlayUp accounts onto its own platform. Since then, NextBet has served as the group’s main brand.

PlayUp didn’t close with players’ money. NextBet took over its customers, balances and pending bets, and now runs the business.

PlayUp Timeline

Here is how the business changed over the years. We have based it on operator notices, the PlayUp help centre and industry news reports.

Why We Have Suspended PlayUp

We promoted PlayUp and its sister brands through the PlayUp Affiliates programme. After the NextBet takeover, our access to that programme stopped working. Our logins fail, and password reset emails never arrive. On top of that, nobody told us 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. That includes Draftstars, as well as the older ClassicBet and TopBetta brands.

If we manage to reach the new owners and confirm the details, we will look at these pages again.

Who Runs PlayUp Now

NextBet Pty Ltd now runs the business. The Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission licenses NextBet. This regulator also oversees many of Australia’s best-known online bookmakers.

At the time of the takeover, PlayUp said its brand would stay around in the short term. However, NextBet is clearly the main brand now. NextBet, PlayUp and Draftstars all share one platform, so you use a single account and wallet across them.

PlayUp’s Bumpy Road to the Takeover

PlayUp has had a busy and often turbulent history. Industry reports say it went into liquidation in 2016 before new investors revived it. After that, it grew fast through its brand purchases.

Later, PlayUp chased several big deals that never went through. These included a planned sale to the crypto exchange FTX, which collapsed in 2022. The company also faced regulatory fines and a long-running legal dispute with a former US executive.

We mention this for context, not to alarm anyone. None of it changes the fact that a licensed operator now holds PlayUp customers’ accounts. Still, it helps explain why the business ended up under new ownership.

What PlayUp Offered

PlayUp called itself an all-in-one betting site. Its biggest selling point was a single wallet shared with Draftstars. You could place a racing bet, then jump into a fantasy contest without moving money between accounts.

On the sports side, PlayUp covered all the Aussie favourites, including AFL, NRL and cricket. It also offered big American leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, plus US college sports. Soccer punters could bet on leagues from all over the world, not just the Premier League.

PlayUp also offered esports markets for a while. These covered titles such as Counter-Strike, Dota 2 and League of Legends. Smaller sports such as darts, cycling, snooker and yacht racing rounded out the list.

PlayUp also ran apps for iPhone and Android, and the mobile site mirrored the desktop version. Support ran around the clock by live chat, email and phone. Phone betting was available too, which suited punters who liked to get a bet on in a hurry. According to the NextBet app listing, the old 1800 PLAYUP number now reaches NextBet’s support team.

Racing punters got a racebook with fixed odds and tote products. Many of these came across from ClassicBet and TopBetta. For example, TopBetta’s GOAT SP product carried on under the PlayUp name.

If You Have a PlayUp Account

Your account should now sit with NextBet. The switch happened on 1 March 2026. PlayUp told customers their cash, bonus balances and pending bets would move across too.

Logging in should be simple. Once you update the PlayUp app, it turns into the NextBet app. Alternatively, visit nextbet.com.au. According to PlayUp’s help centre, you can use your existing PlayUp username and password.

There is one change worth knowing. NextBet applies your limits and restrictions across NextBet, PlayUp and Draftstars at the same time. This covers deposit limits, responsible gambling settings, account restrictions and bonuses.

Also, keep the dormant account rule in mind. Under its terms, NextBet treats an account with no transactions for 12 months as dormant. So if you think you left money behind, check sooner rather than later.

What Our Old Review Got Wrong

We first reviewed PlayUp several years ago. Since then, a lot has changed, and some older details no longer hold up. Here is what we have corrected.

Responsible Gambling Help

Only bet what you can afford to lose. Set a budget before you start, and don’t chase losses.

If you want a break, BetStop can help. It’s the free national self-exclusion register, and one sign-up blocks you from every licensed Australian online and phone bookmaker. You can join at betstop.gov.au. For free and confidential support, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858, at any time of day.

Alternatives to PlayUp

Plenty of licensed Australian bookies now match what PlayUp offered. Most cover racing with fixed odds and tote options, plus a wide range of local and overseas sport.

Our sports betting section gathers our bookmaker reviews and betting guides in one place. If racing is your main interest, try our guide to Australian horse racing betting. Whichever bookie you choose, check it holds an Australian licence before you deposit.

Please avoid offshore sites that offer online casino games to Australians. The Interactive Gambling Act doesn’t allow them to operate here. If something goes wrong, you would have very little protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has PlayUp closed down?

No. NextBet Pty Ltd bought PlayUp in early 2026 and took over its customers on 1 March 2026. NextBet is now the group’s main brand.

Who owns PlayUp now?

NextBet Pty Ltd owns PlayUp. NextBet grew out of the CrossBet group, which it also took over in 2025.

Why did Topboss Group suspend PlayUp?

We lost access to the PlayUp affiliate programme after the NextBet takeover, and nobody told us about the changes. Without a working contact, we can’t keep the details accurate. So we have suspended all the brands linked to it.

Can I still log in with my PlayUp details?

Yes. According to PlayUp’s help centre, you can log in to NextBet with your existing PlayUp username and password.

Do my limits apply to Draftstars and NextBet too?

Yes. NextBet applies your limits, restrictions and bonuses across NextBet, PlayUp and Draftstars at the same time.

Is NextBet licensed?

Yes. NextBet holds a licence from the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission.

Want to know how we make decisions like this? Read why players trust Topboss Group or meet the Topboss Group team.

About Heather Gartland

Heather's background in banking and extensive experience in senior management positions has been instrumental in her success as a business owner and content writer in the iGaming industry. Her ability to manage teams and develop strategies has allowed her to grow her business, which now includes over 140 online gaming websites.

Read more about the Author...