PlayUp, an Aussie-based bookmaker known for “no-nonsense betting”, is now taking action in the U.S. The up-and-coming sportsbook has already established itself on the international stage, actively operating in its home country of Australia, and others like New Zealand and India.
The brand has a growing racebook presence and also dabbles in fantasy sports, but our focus today? Sports betting. Boasting a top welcome offer, an intuitive sports betting mobile application that functions on iOS and Android, and a pleasing overall layout, PlayUp enters the U.S. online sports betting fight with plenty of momentum.
Read on for our complete review as we sink our teeth into the full PlayUp product so that you don’t have to (although you may want to!). We’ll cover the U.S. states where PlayUp is licensed to operate, promotions, promo codes, sign-up, deposits/withdrawals, and more.
As of July 20, 2023, Playup Sportsbook has temporarily ceased operations in New Jersey and Colorado.
PlayUp in U.S. states
PlayUp Sportsbook is just getting started in U.S. sports betting, so its reach isn’t very broad… yet. The sportsbook was live in the states of New Jersey and Colorado but has since temporarily suspended their operations in each state. It also has big plans to grow its business to new regions in the near future.
PlayUp is confirmed to be on its way to Indiana and Iowa after agreeing to a licensing partnership with Caesars Entertainment for market access in each. We anticipate that more states will follow soon:
| State | Bonus | License Partner | Date |
| Indiana | Coming Soon | Caesars Entertainment | TBD |
| Iowa | Coming Soon | Caesars Entertainment | TBD |
PlayUp bonus offer
PlayUp Sportsbook currently offers a lucrative sportsbooks bonus. Here is a quick look at what the players in these two states can expect.
PlayUp Bonus Offer – $250 Bonus Bet
The welcome offer for players can get you a $250 Bonus Bet. You can claim your bonus if you register, deposit, and wager $250. If you meet these terms, you can receive the bonus bet within 72 hours from the end of the promo.
Note that it is also necessary to verify your account. You will also need to place your bets totaling $250 at odds of -500 or longer.
The bonus bet will need to be used on the same odds, too, within seven days upon issue. Additionally, only pre-game and live events and straight single bets will be eligible for the bonus bet. This means that exotics, teasers, and parlays are excluded.
The basics of PlayUp Sportsbook
So, what do you need to know about PlayUp? First, in order to legally bet with the site you have to meet the minimum age requirement. While there are a small minority of states that have set their age bar at 18, PlayUp is currently only active in states where you must be 21+ years old to bet.
Even if you’re old enough you won’t be able to place wagers unless you’re in a state where they are licensed to operate. While PlayUp Sportsbook is growing fast, it isn’t available everywhere. Check out the table above for a full list of current legal jurisdictions. Before you can bet you’ll have to prove you’re in one of these states.
PlayUp will prompt you to install a geolocation program on your computer or grant its app access to your device’s GPS. You can register, deposit, and get the lay of the land, but there’s no betting unless they can track you.
As far as betting options are concerned, PlayUp offers them all. Moneyline betting, spread betting, futures, props, parlays, teasers, live betting, etc. If you want to get money down on a game or event, PlayUp will have a way to do it.
PlayUp Sportsbook website review
PlayUp has produced an attractive sportsbook. It has a nice dark mode feel to it, with the background display set to various shades of gray and black. Available lines, menus, and headers are either a bright green or white, which stand out really well without being offensive to the eye.
PlayUp Website Layout
As far as the layout is concerned, it’s pretty straightforward. If you have spent time on other regulated U.S. sportsbooks the setup should look pretty similar.
There’s a list of all available sports on the left-hand side of the browser window, another menu along the top with shortcuts for the homepage, in-play betting, specials, and the most popular current sports.
There’s a revolving door of promotional banners just below the top menu that will keep you informed about what’s available to you at the moment. Boosts, parlay jackpots, specific challenges, etc., are regularly on offer so be sure to keep an eye out.
Moving down the page you’ll come across PlayUp’s available markets. There’s a nice section for in-game betting (games/contests that are already underway!) that is sortable by sport. The placement makes sense – with in-game betting time is of the essence so having them front and center definitely work.
Below there is a list of ‘Upcoming’ games. It will give you the spread, money line, and total points right there on the homepage. If you’re looking for additional offerings, select the ‘More Bets’ button to explore.
Placing a bet
Placing a bet can be done with ease. Just click on the item you’re interested in and it will open up the betslip on the right side of your screen. Type in the amount you’d like to bet to see the full payout, and hit the button to finalize the wager.
If you add more items to your slip it will automatically give you the option to combine them together for a parlay or teaser, or to keep them separate.
In general, the colors, layout, and function of PlayUp just work from your desktop browser. There’s not much to complain about.
PlayUp mobile app review
PlayUp online sportsbook offers mobile app service for all devices. If you’re a loyal Android user they have you covered. Similarly, if you prefer the iPhone you can download the PlayUp sports betting app right to your phone, directly through the iOS app store.
PlayUp Mobile App Layout
The PlayUp mobile app generally looks and performs very similarly to the desktop site. The color scheme is identical, and the overall structure of the app mirrors the desktop view.
There’s a menu bar of popular sports along the top of the screen, a rotating banner with promotions, followed by the in-play betting options and ‘Today’s Plays’, which generally include the highest-profile games of the day.
Tap the menu button in the top left corner to see a wide range of useful settings. Items include the home button, an account overview, direct links to the cashier for deposits and withdrawals, promotions, your bet history, and more. Select the ‘All Sports’ button from the top menu to see a full breakdown of current sports.
Much like the desktop site, all you need to do to place a wager is press your finger to the item you’d like to bet. It will automatically appear in your betslip. To actually view the betslip and place a wager, tap on the menu item in the top right corner. The slip will have a number over top of it that signifies the number of bets you’ve added.
PlayUp App Wagering
After arriving on the betslip you’re just a few touches away from locking in a wager. Choose whether you want to make straight bets, or if you have multiple items added, a parlay or teaser. There isn’t a designated box that stands out where you input your stake. Instead, just click on the $0.00 figure next to the bet and type it there.
It could be a little clearer, but it’s definitely not hard to find. Once you’re ready, confirm it by clicking the green ‘Place bet’ button.
Our general assessment is that PlayUp’s sports betting mobile app is a success. It gives you what you need, is easy to use, and is pleasant to look at. We’re fans.
Banking with PlayUp Sportsbook
PlayUp is equipped with an adequate lineup of banking options. It’s missing a few popular choices, most notably PayPal, but overall it’ll get the job done. You won’t have trouble getting money to or from the sportsbook. They’ve made certain that both deposits and withdrawals are both quick, painless, and completely safe. Read more about the cashier choices below.
VIP Preferred e-check
Deposit straight from your checking account. Both account and routing numbers are required to move forward. Available for deposits and withdrawals.
Credit Cards
MasterCard and Visa are on tap. Submit your numbers, expiration date, and security code just like you’re making an online purchase. They’ll charge the card and instantly credit your account with the corresponding funds. Unfortunately, they don’t work for withdrawals, though, only deposits.
PlayUp Play+ Card
Set up a Play+ account and fund it by using your credit or debit card. Play+ will actually mail you a physical card that works anywhere that discover is accepted, and can even be used to withdraw at an ATM. You can seamlessly transfer funds from your Play+ account to your PlayUp account, and back again.
Paysafe Cash
Paysafe Cash will generate and send over a barcode. You take it to participating stores and they’ll scan it at the cashier and ring you up. Pay with cash, and it will show up as ammo in your PlayUp account within minutes. Participating locations include Walgreens, CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and a host of others. Paysafe Cash is a one-way transfer, you will need to pick another option for withdrawals.
Paysafe Card
Essentially a prepaid debit card, Paysafe Cards can be purchased at retail stores. Input your cards info within the PlayUp cashier and you’re good to go. Deposits only.
Skrill
Skrill is a world-famous eWallet. You can add cash to your Skrill account in a number of ways, and quickly send it over to PlayUp. Skrill also works for withdrawals.
Available banking methods may vary based on your location.
Betting choices on PlayUp
First, it’s always worth highlighting that the available bets and markets will vary based on the state that you’re betting in. If PlayUp offers a certain bet in Colorado or NJ, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will in another state. However, generally speaking, you can expect the book to bring the action on all of the following sports:
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Golf
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
- MMA
- Boxing
- F1
- NASCAR
- Cycling
- Cricket
- … and more – the list goes on
Both professional and collegiate leagues will be spread, allowing PlayUp bettors to back their favorite teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, March Madness, the College Football Playoff, top soccer leagues, international competitions like the World Cup and the Olympics, and more. If there is a major sport of interest, you’re going to be able to find action on it with PlayUp .
Pricing
Overall the PlayUp Sportsbook pricing is pretty standard. You’re not going to be saving a ton of cash betting there. However, on the other hand, you aren’t forfeiting a ton of value either. Most standard, straight bet lines come in around the 20 cent range with -110 offered on both sides.
As far as props were concerned there were some notable differences between PlayUp and other leading U.S. online sportsbooks. For example, it wasn’t uncommon for us to see the line for an NBA player’s total points set differently than on other books, with the price adjusted accordingly. Depending on what you want to bet this could work for or against you, but either way, it’s something to keep in mind.
One area where PlayUp doesn’t shine is it’s futures pricing. If you’re looking to place a wager on a team to win the Super Bowl or hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, we recommend doing so elsewhere. Some futures prices we found were pretty competitive, but others were drastically off the mark. Be sure to shop around or you risk leaving a substantial sum on the table.
Promotions and PlayUp loyalty program
PlayUp has done an excellent job of loading up its bettors with a valuable stream of promotions that will be worth some cash. Click on the ‘Promotions’ button from the primary PlayUp menu to check them out. On top of the welcome offer (detailed above), they regularly feature reload bonuses, parlay boosts, parlay jackpots, and bet insurance offers.
While PlayUp does not offer a traditional rewards program, which is a strike against it, the existing promotional schedule does enough to keep the book competitive. Additionally, they’ve pioneered a ‘Challenge’ structure that can offer worthwhile payouts. For example, PlayUp might offer a baseball challenge over the course of a few weeks where if you complete the specified assignment each week, you earn a cash payout at the end. Tasks generally stay on the primary theme and include items like ‘place a $25+ bet on an MLB future’, or ‘place a $25 MLB in play bet’. Each challenge won’t necessarily make sense for everyone, but when the conditions are right, they can be worthwhile.
PlayUp support
The PlayUp Sportsbook support crew can be reached in a few different ways. Click on the ‘Contact Us’ button at the bottom of the sportsbook within the page footer to check them out. Primary methods are:
- Phone
- Email: [email protected]
- Live Chat
Notably, Live Chat isn’t available within the mobile app just yet… though they’ve already announced that it is coming. If you’re looking for immediate answers, we recommend hopping in a live chat session or giving them a call. While using the website there’s an ever-present chat bubble in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click it, enter your name, and you’ll be connected with someone to speak to.
As far as hours are concerned, we prefer sportsbooks to offer 24-hour support, but PlayUp does not. As the brand expands throughout the U.S. it is certainly possible that they also expand their hours as they begin to accommodate numerous timezones.
There’s also an adequate FAQ page, though it’s actually not linked on the ‘Contact Us’ page itself. You’ll have to visit the footer again and click the direct link for it.
