Australian betting company PlayUp launches new Indian fantasy website DraftStars

Australian gaming and betting company PlayUp has launched DraftStars.in, an India-based fantasy sports website that will offer real money fantasy games to Indian residents.

As per PlayUp’s press release, the website, launched last week, has seen over 2300 registrations within the first few days of operations. It is understood that Draftstars India will be operated through a Delhi-based company Fantasy Studio (India) Pvt. Ltd.

The website is currently offering international and domestic cricket and football games on its platform with plans to kabaddi and basketball in the near future.

Commenting on the decision to launch an India website, Venkatesh Iyengar, Draftstar India’s Operations Administrator said, “The Indian market is the fastest-growing fantasy sports market in the world. Given PlayUp’s strong reputation and brand in the country it was a natural decision to introduce another of our most popular pay-to-play fantasy sport platforms, Draftstars.”

Australia-based PlayUp Limited offers various social and real money gaming options such as fantasy sports, e-sports betting, horse race betting, casino games and virtual games through its various brands. The company also operates PlayChip, a cryptocurrency based token that can be used to play on the company’s gaming and betting brands. PlayUp has also announced that in future, players can deposit on its India fantasy platform using PlayChip, although it is unclear how it would be permitted, given the Indian government and Reserve Bank’s regulatory crackdown on all cryptocurrencies.

DraftStars will be competing against several established large fantasy sports operators that include Dream11, Leagueadda, BalleBaazi, Fanfight, Starpick and others.