PokerStars launches new sports betting brand BetStars

PokerStars announced earlier this week that it has now launched its new ‘BetStars’ sports betting brand across a handful of selected jurisdictions.

The BetStars.com, Betstars.eu and Betstars.uk websites are now available to customers residing within these jurisdictions via PC, as well as dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS.

PokerStars players within these same pools will also be able to access the new BetStars offering - which will initially boast betting across more than 25 sports (including football, tennis, and basketball) – via the PokerStars client.

“We're very excited about the launch of the BetStars brand, and expect it to be one of the most talked about sports betting sites in 2016 as it continues to evolve with new products and features that we believe will set us apart as a betting brand for the true sports fan”, said Rafi Ashkenazi, Chief Executive of PokerStars parent company Rational Group.

“We're applying the same dedication and passion we have for poker to sports betting, and intend to create an authentic, world-class offering.”

“The BetStars brand will build on this passion and provide a safe, trustworthy and, most importantly, exciting environment for sports fans.”

BetStars is expected to expand out into other jurisdictions through the course of 2016, helped by an external customer acquisition campaign for the first six months.

The brand will also feature some popular in-play betting options, with more major sports such as horse racing expected to join the party next year.

Online poker analysts are hopeful that BetStars will end up offering some benefit to the industry, with the possibility that new sports bettors attracted to the world’s largest site will want to take a punt at the tables.

Rational Group CEO Rafi Ashkenazi promises a “world class” sports betting service