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A genuine, real operating sportsbook and racebook brand, recently acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd in Australia
Visit PlayUp →Online casino is not lawful in Australia
We show no casino offer here on purpose. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, supplying online casino games to someone in Australia is prohibited - so a casino bonus aimed at you here comes from an operator working against that law, whatever licence it holds elsewhere.
Providing online casino games - pokies, roulette, blackjack, online poker - to someone in Australia is prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Licensed SPORTS BETTING is a different matter and remains lawful, which is why this market still shows bookmaker offers: almost every Australian online bookmaker is licensed by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission, and the same Act separately bans online IN-PLAY betting. The two casino offers we previously published here were, by our own recorded conditions, offshore operators with no Australian licence.
Pros
- Genuinely licensed in Australia (Northern Territory, since 2019) and legitimately acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd — independently confirmed, accounts/balances transferred seamlessly
- Genuine, real operating sportsbook and racebook brand, directly confirmed
- Mobile apps available for iOS and Android
- Broad racebook coverage (27 US states)
Cons
- Recently changed ownership (NextBet Pty Ltd, March 2026) - players should confirm current terms and account status directly
- No advertised sign-up bonus for Australian players (required by state law)
Our verdict
IMPORTANT UPDATE: PlayUp is a genuine, real operating sportsbook and racebook brand, directly confirmed via its own site, with an active sportsbook in Colorado and New Jersey and racebook (horse-racing) wagering across 27 US states, plus mobile apps for iOS and Android. For Australia specifically, PlayUp was genuinely Northern Territory-licensed (PlayUp Interactive Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of PlayUp Limited, Sydney-headquartered) since launching in October 2019 - independently confirmed via a second source. PlayUp Australia was legitimately acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd, with the transition completed 1 March 2026: existing customer accounts, including cash and bonus balances and pending bets, were automatically transferred to NextBet. The PlayUp brand continues operating at playup.com.au under this new ownership - this is a genuine ownership change, not a closure or scandal. Our bonus data confirms no advertised sign-up bonus is offered, consistent with most Australian states making it an offence to offer or advertise inducements to open a betting account.
How we rated it
Sportsbook (36%)6
A genuine, real operating sportsbook and horse-racing racebook brand, directly confirmed via its own site, though Australia-specific platform details could not be independently verified this session.
Trust & licensing (27%)6
PlayUp Australia was genuinely Northern Territory-licensed (PlayUp Interactive Pty Ltd) since October 2019, and was legitimately acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd effective 1 March 2026 — independently confirmed via a second source, with existing accounts and balances transferred automatically. This is a genuine ownership change, not a closure or scandal.
Customer support (18%)5.5
PlayUp's US site advertises phone and email support; the Australian brand continues operating under new NextBet ownership, with existing customer accounts and pending bets automatically transferred during the transition.
Bonuses & value (18%)1
No advertised sign-up bonus in Australia - most Australian states (e.g. WA, NSW, VIC, SA) make it an offence to offer or advertise inducements to open a betting account.
Quick facts
| Ownership change | Acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd, transition completed 1 March 2026 - accounts/balances automatically transferred, brand continues |
| Original licensing | Northern Territory-licensed (PlayUp Interactive Pty Ltd), since October 2019 |
| Confirmed operations | Sportsbook in Colorado and New Jersey; racebook (horse racing) across 27 US states |
| Apps | iOS and Android mobile apps, per the operator's own site |
| Australia bonus status | No advertised sign-up bonus - inducements to open an account are prohibited in most Australian states |
How we verified this
PlayUp Australia was genuinely NT-licensed (PlayUp Interactive Pty Ltd, subsidiary of PlayUp Limited, Sydney), since October 2019. Independently confirmed via a second source: PlayUp Australia was acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd, transition completed 1 March 2026, with existing accounts and balances automatically transferred - a legitimate ownership change, not a closure. The PlayUp brand continues at playup.com.au under NextBet ownership.
Where PlayUp is licensed
PlayUp appears on the official register in 1 countries. Highlighted countries have a full local review — pick yours for its welcome bonus and licence details.
Oceania (1)
About PlayUp
PlayUp is a genuine, real operating sportsbook and racebook brand, confirmed via its own site's US operations. Its Australian operation was genuinely Northern Territory-licensed since October 2019 and was legitimately acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd, with the transition completed 1 March 2026 - existing accounts and balances were automatically transferred, and the brand continues under new ownership, independently confirmed via a second source.
PlayUp FAQ
Is PlayUp a real, legitimate operator?
Yes - we directly confirmed via its own site that it runs an active sportsbook (Colorado, New Jersey) and racebook (27 US states). Its Australian operation was genuinely Northern Territory-licensed since 2019 and was legitimately acquired by NextBet Pty Ltd in March 2026, with existing accounts and balances automatically transferred — independently confirmed.
Does PlayUp offer a welcome bonus in Australia?
No - most Australian states prohibit licensed bookmakers from offering or advertising sign-up inducements.
Does PlayUp have a mobile app?
Yes - iOS and Android apps are confirmed via the operator's own site, though Australia-specific app availability was not independently verified this session.