PlayUp Review

PlayUp Sportsbook Review

PlayUp has grandiose plans for its expansion across the United States – but is the quality of its sports betting product good enough to turn heads in the early going?

The Australian-based iGaming, race, and sportsbook, which began operating in the United States in 2021, has landed in Colorado and New Jersey – and the early returns are mostly good, with users applauding their competitive odds and transparency over betting limits. But a lack of captivating bonuses and promos and a limited list of available sports might turn newer players toward a different sportsbook.

Here's a deeper look at PlayUp Sportsbook, and whether customers should give it a look once it reaches their state.

PlayUp Quick Facts

PlayUp Locations

PlayUp is live and legal in Colorado and New Jersey, having been approved by the Colorado Division of Gaming and New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

The upstart sportsbook has plans to launch in Indiana, Iowa and Ohio in the near future, with designs on long-term expansion into Arizona, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

Sports Leagues to Bet On

The PlayUp sports betting menu is relatively limited.

Apart from the standard offerings for the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, you can find wagering on tennis, rugby, F1, and upwards of twenty soccer leagues like the Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. 

Here's a look at how PlayUp covers the sports that matter most to U.S. sports bettors:

NFL Betting

PlayUp offers NFL wagering on standard moneylines, spreads, totals, and props each Sunday during the season. PlayUp rolls with the usual 20-cent vig on the majority of its ATS and O/U markets, but its 28 cents of juice on most two-way player props compares favorably with most industry leaders, including BetMGM (30-35 cents) and Caesars (34 cents on average).

NBA Betting

I've outlined how PlayUp keeps pace with the top U.S. sports betting sites when it comes to standard odds – but what about futures? A quick glance at the NBA betting picture in this regard reveals that PlayUp's futures odds are considerably less charitable, especially when it comes to the top tier of teams. If you're looking for futures value, you should look elsewhere.

College Football

PlayUp is an okay destination for NCAA football bettors, though they might struggle to find many compelling markets beyond the basic moneyline, ATS and O/U offerings. I found little in the way of in-game markets – mostly a lot of empty sub-menus, in fact – and while I'm a fan of how quickly PlayUp adjusts its live odds, I was expecting more betting opportunities here.

College Basketball

Users who can't get enough of NCAA basketball betting will find the same flaws here as they do with PlayUp's NCAA football product. It's great that PlayUp fills the odds board with Division I games throughout the regular season and tournament time, but there just isn't much to bet on here once the games start. This feels like a miss.

NHL Betting

PlayUp operates in a pair of states with NHL franchises, so you know there are bettors clamoring for the best hockey wagering experience possible. What they get from PlayUp is a good-but-not-great offering highlighted by strong futures offerings that include Stanley Cup winner, division and conference champions and individual player awards like the Hart Trophy.

MLB Betting

With MLB betting the biggest thing going for sportsbook customers during those hot summer months, PlayUp gives itself an edge by offering that same 28-cent juice on most two-way MLB props. That's the most notable thing about PlayUp's baseball approach, which includes basic 20-cent lines on totals and a decent but not industry-leading selection of in-game markets.

Other Sports Leagues

As mentioned earlier, you aren't going to find much else here. PlayUp offers markets for soccer, tennis, golf, NASCAR and rugby, along with a "Specials" section where you'll find the occasional odds boost. If you like to bet on a wide variety of sports, you had better look elsewhere.

Online Betting Experience

PlayUp offers a mobile betting app for iOS and Android and a website version accessible on laptops and desktop computers. And while those with sensitive eyes might need to adjust their screen brightness – or avoid this product altogether – PlayUp's functional design is a winner.

Website Experience

How you feel about PlayUp's website will ultimately come down to how your eyes adjust to that rather interesting color pallette you see above.

The use of neon green won't be a winner with everyone – and combined with bright green and red arrows to indicate odds shifts, this site might prove challenging to people with sensitivity issues in this regard.

Aesthetics aside, if you enjoy a simplistic layout that isn't challenging to navigate, then you're probably going to enjoy this site.

When you initially enter the website, the homepage displays a banner enticing you to follow PlayUp's social channels. You can scroll through the banner to find a promoted odds boost and details surrounding their monthly sign-up bonus. 

On the left-hand side of the screen is a "Favorites" grid, typically displaying the most popular events of the day or week, making it easy for users to find what they're looking for any day of the week. Below this, you can find an "All Sports" tab that allows you to explore any sports available to bet on (though you might be better off simply using the ribbon menu at the top of the screen, which allows for easier access to your sport of choice.)

Users can find the Betslip and Cashout feature on the right-hand side of the screen. The Betslip also has tabs to display open bets or recently closed ones. It's a very organized function that makes it easier for users to track their bets.

One other nice feature: when placing a bet, PlayUp offers a "Max Bet" function that displays the maximum stake limit the traders determined for that particular market.

Mobile Betting and Betting App

Again, if you can get past the color combo, the app is relatively intuitive and easy to navigate - like the website. 

Much of the app mirrors the desktop version, but one area we found challenging is locating the BetSlip. When entering a bet, it seems that nothing happens; this is when you'll have to look to the upper right-hand corner of the screen for a white icon and a green number, signifying your bet and how many are in the Betslip.  

This can be confusing, but it will become second nature after a few trips to the app. 

Apart from these concerns, placing a bet and finding your way around is easy. 

Live Betting

Upon entering the website and app, the live betting odds are immediately displayed for games in progress. There is also an "In-Game" icon on the website and one for "In-Play" on the app that will bring you to all live betting options. 

Most of PlayUp's live odds offerings are equal to or better than competitors like FanDuel and DraftKings, staying consistent with all pre-match offerings. And that makes it even more of a disappointment that this sportsbook doesn't offer nearly as many live markets.

Casino, Poker, & Other Gaming Options

PlayUp offers an ancillary racebook app, which is available on iOS, Android and desktop.

The PlayUp Racebook app has a solid 4.8-star rating on the Apple App store. Much of the app's good feedback relates to the intuitive user interface and strong rewards program; many users have stated they prefer it over racebook giant TVG. 

The app, which is currently available in 26 states, also allows users to watch all races via their live streaming function. Horse bettors can watch races at popular tracks such as Del Mar, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Keeneland, Pimlico, Monmouth Park, and Laurel Park.

PlayUp also has iGaming agreements with Caesars Entertainment in Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.  PlayUp is awaiting in-state regulatory approvals before legally launching its iGaming endeavor.

PlayUp History

PlayUp is an Australian-owned sportsbook headquartered in Sydney.

The company first began offering mobile phone-based games in 2007 and created DraftStars, an Australia-based daily fantasy sports game. After acquiring ClassicBet, Madbookie, and Topbetta in 2018, the company penetrated the sportsbook industry by launching the PlayUp sportsbook in 2019. 

PlayUp entered the United States sports betting market in 2021 by launching in Colorado and New Jersey.

Upon launching domestically, PlayUp secured a lucrative partnership as the official betting partner of the NHL's New Jersey Devils. In May 2022, PlayUp expanded its gaming footprint further, releasing its racebook app to rave reviews.

Customer Ratings & Reputation

While the PlayUp racebook has been the proverbial "Apple" of App Store users' eye, the sports betting product hasn't seen a similar groundswell of support.

Playup owns a 3.0 rating out of five on the App Store through nearly 50 total reviews, with users expressing their frustrations with banking issues, the sportsbook's sign-up bonus and even the layout (don't say we didn't warn you about that one.)

Things are much rosier on Google Play, where the app owns a 4.2 rating on 20 reviews; the main complaints there centered around payout times, which PlayUp addresses in its on-site FAQ.

Customer Service

Customer service is a focal point for PlayUp – and it shows. This is one of the best customer service departments I've dealt with, hands down.

For starters, PlayUp is among the fastest sportsbooks to reply by email; I received an answer within 20 minutes of reaching out about an issue.

While there isn't yet a live chat option (PlayUp says it's coming soon), you can reach out by phone, where you will also find helpful representatives. The person I spoke to was professional, quickly providing me with the information I was seeking.

Twitter is also a viable option if you prefer to reach out via social channels. 

PlayUp Contact

• Phone: 719-455-2012
• Email (Sportsbook): Help@PlayUpUSA.com
• Email (Racebook): Racebook@PlayUp.com
• Twitter (Sportsbook): @PlayUp_US
• Twitter (Racebook): @PlayUp_Racing
• Help and Support FAQ (Colorado | New Jersey)

PlayUp Legal Betting

PlayUp is regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Responsible Gambling

The legal age for sports betting in most states is 21+. This is subject to regional regulation. Please play responsibly. PlayUp complies with the rules laid down by the Colorado Division of Gaming and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. 

Here are a few resources to help ensure you are gambling responsibly.

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): The NCPG has over 50 years of experience assisting people and families affected by problem gambling. You can call or text them (1-800-522-4700) or join their 24/7 Live Chat.
• Center for Problem Gambling: The Center has been funded by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) since 1996. They are committed to serving anyone affected by a gambling addiction. Treatment is confidential and provided regardless of a person's ability to pay. Their gambling counselors have significant experience working with problem gambling and include therapists who are Nationally Certified Gambling Counselors.
• BeGambleAware.org: Offers free, confidential help and support to anyone worried about gambling for themselves or others.
• Gambling Therapy: A global service provided by Gordon Moody offering free emotional support and advice to anyone affected by gambling.

Why Choose PlayUp?

PlayUp is an evolving sportsbook – and if you can look past the obvious growing pains, you'll find yourself supporting a sports betting site that has plenty going for it.

For whatever faults you might have with the use of bright green, the platform itself is intuitive, which is what really matters. So, too, does the fact that PlayUp is on par with, and in some cases ahead of, some of the best sportsbooks in the U.S. when it comes to odds offerings.

That said, there's work to do here. the sports betting menu is limited, the dearth of live betting markets is a concern, and the sign-up bonus is subpar compared to industry competitors.

But a company that puts so much stock in providing a strong customer service experience clearly cares about its clientele – and if that attitude eventually shifts to improving the product in these areas, PlayUp might just become an industry-shifting sports betting product.