BetStars might be a new name to many but the company behind it certainly isn’t. It’s actually branded ‘BetStars by PokerStars’ which sheds some light on the collosal juggernaut behind this product. BetStars is owned and operated by The Stars Group - formerly known as Amaya Inc.
This is one of the world’s largest online gaming and gambling companies. Having made its name in the world of online poker through brands such as PokerStars and Full Tilt, The Stars Group is now spreading it wings to offer sports betting. Launched in 2015, BetStars was its first venture into this niche, and it has since added the growing Australian brand BetEasy and Sky Bet to its portfolio.
No doubt about it, this is an exciting company with a proven track record, so let’s find out what BetStars brings to the table for UK punters.
Betstars Verdict
Why punters bet at BetStars
Pros
✔ 10x multiplier enhanced odds
✔ Quick and easy bet function
✔ Great acca promos
✔ Good loyalty scheme
✔ Trusted brand through PokerStars
Cons
✘ Live chat not available to all customers
✘ No greyhound racing
✘ Not much live streaming
Betstars Odds & Markets
BetStars provides sports betting enthusiasts with over 25 sports to bet on, they are:
Alpine Skiiing
American Football
Australian Rules
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Biathlon
Boxing / UFC
Cricket
Cycling
Darts
Esports
Football
Golf
Handball
Horse Racing
Ice Hockey
Motor Sports
Pesapallo
Rugby League
Rugby Union
Ski Jumping
Snooker
Tennis
Volleyball
As betstars.uk is the British-facing site, there are featured links to each of the UK’s favourite sports.
Betstars Football Betting Tips
Any online bookmaker/sportsbook wanting to capture market share with the UK betting public needs to deliver a first-class football betting experience. BetStars comes blasting out of the blocks with 12 leagues and 2 cup competitions from England alone. There are 7 German leagues and 4 each from Scotland, Spain, Italy and France. You then have an A - Z list of another 65 countries, starting with Algeria, Argentina and Armenia down to Venezuela, Vietnam and Wales offering more than 130 further domestic leagues and cups.
All of the top leagues have outstanding market depth. Most big games have a selection of odds boosts to tempt punters plus all of the classic markets you would expect from a top bookmaker. These include: match winner, goal scorer (first, last, anytime, two or more), BTTS, HT/FT, double chance, O/U goals and many more.
It does thin out quite a bit when you look at less-popular games. For instance, a match from the Azerbaijan Premier League only serves up 9 markets with around 40 individual betting opportunities available. Still, it’s supply and demand - most punters will be betting on matches from the big leagues, which makes BetStars a solid choice.
Betstars Horse Racing Betting Tips & more
BetStars covers all UK and Ireland horse racing with best of guaranteed on every race and live streaming coming from UK Racing and At The Races. Each race is clearly laid out and there’s a TimeForm guide to help you decide on your selections. There are also some handy icons that highlight course and/or distance winner, and beaten favourite beside the runners. The only betting markets available (when reviewing) were win and each way which is a little off the mark compared to the UK’s elite bookmakers.
BetStars also offers a good selection of futures markets which include the UK’s biggest races like the Epsom Derby, Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Plus the Melbourne Gold Cup and Prix l’Arc de Triomphe from overseas.
BetStars Other Sports
You won’t find any greyhound racing at BetStars but it still covers plenty of other sporting events from around the world. Tennis is comprehensively covered with all ITF, WTA and challenger events listed as is golf. Another area where BetStars shines is in its US sporting action. Betting at Betstars on MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA is top-quality with plenty of market depth for each match.
Overall, there are a few weak areas in the betting markets but not too many. It has a good spread of action from the UK and abroad to satisfy basically every punter. As for the all-important odds, BetStars performed well on the random event test we conducted, so its prices are definitely competitive.
Event
Betstars
bet365
Unibet
Football EPL: Southampton Vs Brighton. Southampton win.
2.05
2.00
2.07
Football Serie A: Napoli Vs Fiorentina. Napoli win.
1.62
1.55
1.60
Boxing: Golovkin Vs Alvarez. Golovkin win.
1.67
1.57
1.63
Horse Racing: Doncaster R1. current price of favourite
From tennis, football and rugby to baseball, American football and golf - there is a decent amount of live in-play betting available at BetStars. Its coverage is not as complete as bet365 but very few bookmakers match them for this service.
Market depth is respectable but again, not on par with bet365. Tennis offers fast markets point betting which is very exciting and possibly very rewarding if you know your stuff. The digital scoreboard packs in a good amount of pre-match and in-play stats which aids your bet selection. BetStars currently doesn’t offer much in the way of live streaming but given the size of The Stars Group, we believe that will change in the future.
Betstars Website & Login
In addition to several exciting promotions, enhanced odds, free bets and daily specials, punters can enjoy some interesting features when betting at BetStars.
BetStars Spin & Bet
Immediately, BetStars brings something unique to the table with its Spin & Bet feature. It gives punters the chance to get enhanced odds up to 10x the quoted price. However, there is a slight catch in that it costs 10% of your stake to have a spin. For example: you bet £10 on Arsenal to win at odds of 3/1. You go for Spin & Bet, so 10% of your stake is taken, meaning you have £9 @ 3/1. You take your spin and get the 10x multiplier, so your new bet is £9 @ 30/1. Meaning you could win £270 + £9 (if Arsenal win).
Below is a table showing the probability of the various enhanced odds multiplier you’ll get:
Multiplier
Probability
x1
47.70%
x1.2
20%
x1.3
9.5%
x1.4
8.5%
x1.5
7.5%
x2
6.5%
x5
0.20%
x10
0.10%
BetStars Cash Out
All experienced online bettors will be familiar with Cash Out, but for those new to the scene let us briefly explain how it works. Cash Out allows you to settle your bet before the end of the match. This gives you more control over your win/loss margins. You may decide to lock in a profit by cashing out on a bet that is doing well, or you can cut your losses on a poor selection. BetStars Cash Out is available on a wide-range of markets where you see the icon.
Star Rewards
Originally, this was the PokerStars loyalty rewards scheme - but it now includes sports betting on BetStars as well. You earn 4.8 reward points for every $1 wagered on multiple or accumulator bets and 1.7 reward points for every $1 wagered on single bets. As you accumulate reward points your progress bar will fill up and when complete you’ll be awarded a Star Chest full of personalised bonuses such as free bets and Star Coins.
Website/Usability
Internet punters demand platforms that are user-friendly and BetStars is just that. The home page has the sports menu across the top followed by popular markets, odds boost promotions, top bets and in-play action. Navigating to the exact sport and market you want is a breeze as each category is clearly highlighted. We were also very impressed with the page load speeds on both the desktop and mobile platform; it is one of the fastest bookmakers on the internet we believe.
You can place a bet within 3 simple steps: click on selection(s), insert stake and click ‘place bet’. As an account holder with BetStars, you also have access to PokerStars and PokerStars Casino from the same platform, so it’s easy to jump from having a flutter over to a game of Texas Hold’em if you desire.
Betstars Mobile App
If you want a more personalised betting experience, then the BetStars mobile app is for you. It’s available for both iOS and Android users. As with the web-based mobile platform, the app is clean and simple to use. It comes packed with all the treats such as Spin & Bet, acca insurance, cash out and odds boost. You can bet pre-match or in-play. Banking is secure and there are plenty of mobile payment methods for instant deposits.
Betstars Withdrawals & Deposits
You will have no concerns about funding your account as BetStars offers a wide variety of options, including:
Credit/Debit Cards
Skrill
Paypal
Neteller
Entropay
Paysafecard
Muchbetter
Bank Transfer
BetStars has a 48 hour deposit-withdrawal policy meaning you can’t withdraw deposited funds until after 48 hours. Payout times vary depending on the method you use and the amount. If the withdrawal is less than your deposit, it will arrive within a few minutes using MuchBetter, Neteller, Skrill or PayPal. However, if it’s over the deposited amount, you have to wait up to 72 hours. Other withdrawal methods take between 3 - 10 days to arrive in your account.
Betstars Customer Service
In our opinion, the level of support could certainly be better. This is how you contact BetStars customer service:
Live chat: this is only available to certain players in certain locations at the moment. You’ll need to visit the help section for more details
Email: via a contact form in the help section
Telephone: not provided
Betstars FAQs
Is BetStars UK based in the UK?
Although BetStars UK is owned by The Stars Group - a company from Canada - it is registered in the Isle of Man and holds a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission.
Can I get the BetStars welcome bonus?
If you are a brand new customer over the legal age to gamble, then you are most likely eligible for the latest BetStars welcome bonus. You can find out more details by visiting betstars.uk.
Do I need a BetStars bonus code?
Some offers may require a BetStars bonus code but most do not. To find out more, you can use this link.
Will there be another BetStars £100 million challenge?
While we cannot say for certain, we do believe so after the success of the 2018 World Cup challenge. We’ll keep you posted or you can join BetStars using this link to find out when the next BetStars £100 million challenge will be.
Is there a BetStars acca offer?
Yes, there are a couple. The main BetStars acca offer is a boost up to 100% on your winnings up to £100,000. This applies to both sports betting and horse racing.
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
18+ Matched Bonus & £40 Free Play for new players only that register with bonus code newbonus. Min deposit £10. Free Play given in tickets over 6 days. Full T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org. Please Play Responsibly.
New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply. **18+. Online Only. Get paid out as a winner if your team is winning by 2 goals, even if you draw or lose. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. T&Cs apply.
18+. begambleaware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.
