Sports Leagues and Contest Types
There are 19 sports leagues available for contestants to draft fantasy sports teams from in the Draftstars lobby. Both the AFL and NRL have partnered with the website so that the contests are informed by accurate and up-to-date data, which means that contests will be grounded in reality.
In addition to Australian sports, players can also draft for foreign leagues such as the English Premier League and the NFL, NBA and MLB. One plus side is that cricket and racing are also offered on the site, which is regularly omitted by foreign daily fantasy sports but beloved by Australian DFS contestants.
The Most Popular Sports Markets at Draftstars |
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Football |
Basketball |
Australian Rules |
Tennis |
Ice Hockey |
A-League |
NBA |
AFL |
Australian Open |
NHL |
Premier League |
– |
AFLW |
French Open |
– |
Champions League |
– |
– |
US Open |
– |
Europa League |
– |
– |
Davis Cup |
– |
Bundesliga |
– |
– |
Wimbledon |
– |
La Liga |
– |
– |
ATP Tour |
– |
Draftstars players can select one of a number of different contest types so that there’s always something new to try. Players can either enter pre-made contests that are featured in the lobby or create your own private contests and invite friends. You can go head-to-head against single players, or create bigger tournaments with bigger prize potential.
Some featured Draftstars sports contests offer what they call guaranteed games. These contests can include thousands of participants and award prizes for a set number of positions, even if all the spots aren’t filled. Some contests even allow players to make multiple entries, or award the top-performing players double or triple what is usually offered.
In-Play Betting Options
As Draftstars sports is a fantasy platform, you have to pick your line up prior to the event. Therefore, there are no Draftstars betting options for in-progress games.
If you’re looking for a live betting sportsbook, you can have a look at some of the live betting sites on our dedicated page, where we provide reviews of the top in-play betting operators in the country.
Draftstars Odds and Payouts
As you pay to enter a league or matchup, you have a defined prize already shown when you sign-up. Therefore, each individual has their own Draftstars odds based on their individual skill level. Unfortunately, the only way to calculate this is by using your own results over an extended period.
Calculating Draftstars odds is similar to calculating an edge in poker. The difference between your skill level and that of your competition’s is what you can expect to win over the long run.
Accepted Payment Methods
Draftstars does not accept many payment methods. However, those that are provided are extremely trustworthy and secure. Below, we’ve listed some of the characteristics of the accepted payment methods, such as their withdrawal times and limits.
Payment Methods |
Withdrawal Limits |
Deposit Limits |
Withdrawal Time |
Deposit Time |
Fees |
Visa |
Unlimited |
AU$10- AU$10,000 |
1 – 5 days |
Instant |
Free |
MasterCard |
Unlimited |
AU$10- AU$10,000 |
1 – 5 days |
Instant |
Free |
POLi |
Unlimited |
AU$5 – AU$20,000 |
N/A |
Instant |
Free |
There aren’t many differences between the payment options. In our opinion, Draftstars could do a lot better with its payment services, as many modern players choose to use eWallets such as PayPal over credit cards.
Draftstars has an extremely attractive platform that makes navigating through the site a breeze. The colour scheme and graphics are bold and alluring, and the categorisation is done in a simple yet effective way. The lobby includes a full list of the available contest options and creating your own contests is fast and easy.
The account controls are also displayed in a clear and simplified way so that it’s easy to make deposits and withdrawals. There is a Live tab which allows you to see up-to-date scores on events that are currently in progress and you can track the scores of your lineup in real-time as points are earned.
As for how the site runs, we found that all the pages were quick to load, and the interface accommodated all of our jumping through tabs without a hitch seamlessly. The mobile site platform was also smooth, and you can tell that the site was developed with mobile in mind. All in all, the operator has excelled in this category of our Draftstars review.
How to Start Playing
Entering a Draftstars contest is a straightforward process. Head to the Lobby to find the available sports leagues. There will be a list of featured contests with several important details listed. You will be able to see the number of contestants, the guaranteed payouts, the total prize pool and the entry cost in the competitions.
Once you’ve found a contest that offers a suitable buy-in, press the Enter button. You will then be given a set salary cap with which you’ll need to draft your lineup. You must then draft your team from a Player Pool of players that are available in that day/week’s round. Once you’ve drafted, submit your lineup.
- [1] Open an Account Register by providing your full name, address, date of birth, email address and telephone number. Verify your identity with official documentation.
- [2] Find Contests Find contests in the lobby or create your own. Choose the leagues that appeal to you and the buy-in preference.
- [3] Draft Your Team Draft your fantasy lineup from the player pool under the set salary cap. Once you’ve made your selection, submit your lineup.
If you prefer, you can create your own contest and set the characteristics of the competition, including the type of contest and even the entrance fee. Once competitions are underway, participants earn points based on the real-life performance of their chosen players. At the end of the contest, the winners will be awarded cash prizes from the pool.
About Draftstars Australia
Unfortunately, there aren’t too many locally-owned betting sites anymore. This is why it’s great to see that Draftstars Australia is entirely owned and operated by the Sydney-based PlayUp company. In this upcoming section, we’ve gone into further detail about this revolutionary platform and have explored its licensing and customer support.
Interesting Facts About Draftstars Sports
Draftstars Australia was launched in 2016 by BetEasy and Fox Sports. In 2018, the company was acquired by PlayUp Interactive, a global gaming provider known for its daily fantasy sports software. Draftstars is the most popular daily fantasy sports operator in Australia, which is no easy feat considering the discerning tastes of the sport-bet loving nation.
The current CEO of Draftstars is Matt Sanders, who leads a team of more than 2,400 employees. While the site does not officially sponsor any Australian sports teams, it is trusted by top leagues to provide accurate sports statistics. You can find some more details about the business and its website below.
All About the Draftstars Business |
Company |
Support |
Security |
Player Protection |
Name: Draftstars |
Live Chat: N/A |
Encryption: 2048-bit SSL |
Deposit Limits: Adjustable |
Head Office: Level 27 120 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia |
Phone: +61 1800 752 987 |
Licence Number: N/A |
Betting Limits: Adjustable |
Owner: PlayUp Interactive Pty Ltd |
Email: mailto:support@playup.com.au |
Testing Agency: eCOGRA |
Self Exclusion: Available |
Employees: 2,400 |
Fax: N/A |
Audit Organisation: eCOGRA |
Child Protection: Guaranteed |
Registered Players: 300,000 |
Other: Betting help FAQ |
Anti Money Laundering Controls: KYC |
Partner Organisations: Gambling Help Online |
There are more than 300,000 registered players at Draftstars. The site has partnered with Australia’s leading responsible gambling organisations to ensure that they do not engage in any harmful business practices. Despite the skill-based nature of DFS, players must be over 18 years old to sign up for an account.
Customer Support6
Customer support availability is a reliable indicator to how much an operator values their customers’ loyalty and peace of mind. After all, any time-reliant event that involves an exchanging of money can be stressful if there are technical issues. It’s important to know that you can always find the help you need.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing about Draftstars is that its customer support options are severely limited. Not only is there no live chat or telephone service, but the customer support team is only available 18 hours a day. Instead, players need to use the contact form.
We tested the Draftstars promise that messages should be responded to in four hours and we found that this was accurate, although it’s no competition for an instant response. This is why this category in our Draftstar review has been severely marked down.
Website Licensing & Security9
Draftstars has earned a license with the Northern Territory Racing Commission, which means that it’s legal for players around the country to sign up to the site. Licensing is important as it guarantees that operators are doing their utmost to maintain strict safety and security standards.
Drafstars uses 2,048bit SSL encryption to protect players connections to the site. This is a high-powered technology that prevents hackers from intercepting and accessing private information and financial details. Draftstars also meets the minimum fairness standards as set by the Australian government.
In addition to security features, Draftstras has also collaborated with several top responsible gambling organizations to ensure that it is providing a healthy gaming environment. It has done this by including self-exclusion features and self-limitations such as deposit limits.
Extra Points4
As we near the end of this Draftstars review, we would like to award some additional points for some miscellaneous features that the site offers. This includes certain things such as whether or not the site offers live streams, sponsors or has partnered with any leagues, or provides any bonus markets.
Draftstars Australia has partnered with the AFL and NRL so that it can provide their accurate league data to its customers, hence why it has earned full marks in the sponsorship category. The platform also offers an exciting fantasy racing platform which is quite uncommon for DFS sites.
- Live Streams.0/3
- Sponsorship.3/3
- Awards.0/2
- Extra Markets.1/1
- Bonuses.0/1
- Bonus Points.4
Conclusion: Australia’s Top DFS Site For a Reason
The Draftstars daily fantasy sports site is a versatile and league-rich platform that offers some truly great DFS contests. The interface is beautifully designed and fast, and the controls to create your own contests are easy to understand. A huge indicator of its quality is that it is trusted by both the NRL and AFL to use league data, and the site offers uncommon racing and cricket contests.
It’s also great to see that Australians have embraced a local company such as this, and the website has clearly been tailored for Australian sports-lovers’ tastes.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Draftstars
- Major Strengths
- Official League Partner
- Great Contests
- Major Weaknesses
- Poor Customer Support Options
- Minor Strengths
- Racing DFS Contests
- Australian-Owned
- Minor Weaknesses
- No Live Streams
Players must be 18+ to join. Full Terms and Conditions apply.
The biggest downside we found during our Drafstars review is that there is no 24/7 customer support, and no telephone or live chat provided. It was a disappointing surprise to discover this oversight, so we hope that Draftstars addresses this problem soon so that we can mark it higher in this category.
If you’re looking into DFS options, be sure to check out our DraftKings review. As a DFS pioneer, the American company continues to pave the way for the DFS burgeoning industry.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more traditional bookmaker, have a read through our page for Australian betting sites. We list the pros and cons of playing with all the top operators, so you can choose the right fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together a brief overview of answers to common questions asked about the Draftstars daily fantasy sports site. In each answer, we’ve provided a jump link to the relevant sections of our review so you can find more in-depth information. If you still have further questions, send us an email to info@bestbettingsites.com and we will get back to you with an accurate answer as soon as possible.
🔐 How do I know that Draftstars is trustworthy?
Draftstars is an Australian-owned brand that is licensed by the Northern Territory Racing Commission. This proves that it regularly proved that it can meet strict regulations. Licensing guarantees that players will be able to seek damages if a bookmaker refuses to payout any owed winnings. It also provides a guarantee that the betting platform is secure and trustworthy.
💻 How do I verify my account?
Once you have provided the necessary details, Draftstars will attempt to verify your identity by matching the details you have submitted. If this is unsuccessful, Draftstars may need additional details from you, and the customer support team will send an email to your registered email address with the additional information and steps they require. Accounts must be verified within 45 days of signup or they will be closed.
💳 Are there any deposit limits?
The maximum amount you are able to deposit with any payment method is $1,000 per day, $5,000 per week, and $10,000 per month. You can set different deposit limits in the My Account section in your app or on the desktop version. Changed deposit limits will be set in place immediately, and an increase will require you to email the support team and wait for a 7 day cooling off period.