Betstar was an Australian corporate bookmaking firm established in 2007 by father-son duo Michael and Alan Eskander. Operating from Melbourne and Darwin, the company turned over $275 million annually before being acquired by Ladbrokes in 2014 and ceasing operations in February 2023.
Betstar represented a significant chapter in Australian bookmaking history, bridging traditional family bookmaking with modern corporate betting operations. Established in 2007 through the merger of two independent bookmaking businesses run by Michael and Alan Eskander, the company grew rapidly to become a respected name in Australian racing and sports betting before its eventual absorption into the Ladbrokes brand in 2023.
The story of Betstar is inseparable from the Eskander family's bookmaking legacy. What began as independent trackside operations evolved into a multi-million dollar corporate bookmaking firm that employed over 40 staff and processed more than $275 million in annual turnover. The company's trajectory from startup to acquisition reflects broader trends in the Australian gambling industry, where independent operators have increasingly been consolidated under international gaming conglomerates.
For customers who held Betstar accounts, the February 2023 transition to Ladbrokes marked the end of an era. However, the move was positioned as an upgrade, with Entain Group migrating eligible accounts to their flagship Australian brand. Understanding what happened to Betstar requires examining both the company's origins and the commercial forces that led to its integration into a larger corporate structure.
The foundation of Betstar rests on two generations of bookmaking expertise. Michael Eskander emigrated from Egypt to Australia in July 1966, initially working as a bank teller before discovering his calling in bookmaking. After receiving his license over 17 years before Betstar's founding, Michael built a reputation as one of Australia's most prominent and respected bookmakers.
Michael Eskander's bookmaking career reached its peak when he became the preferred bookmaker for several Australian identities, most notably Kerry Packer. The legendary moment came during the 1998 Melbourne Cup when Packer placed a $400,000 bet on Jezabeel through Eskander, cementing his status among the elite tier of Australian bookmakers. This level of trust from high-stakes clients demonstrated the credibility and financial capacity that Michael had built over decades in the industry.
Alan Eskander, Michael's son, received a comprehensive education at Trinity Grammar School in Kew before earning a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in economics. He obtained his first bookmaker's license in 1997 and began fielding at country race tracks. Three years later, Alan secured his Metropolitan rails license, allowing him to operate at Melbourne's premier racing venues. As a registered member of the Victorian Bookmakers Association, Alan brought both traditional bookmaking knowledge and modern business acumen to the partnership.
The 2007 merger of Michael and Alan Eskander's independent operations created Betstar, a corporate bookmaking entity with offices in both Melbourne and Darwin. This dual-location structure provided strategic advantages, with Darwin's Northern Territory licensing framework offering regulatory benefits while Melbourne maintained proximity to Australia's racing heartland.
Betstar's rapid growth earned recognition in October 2009 when the company was announced as a Business Review Weekly Fast 100 company. The BRW Fast 100 ranks companies according to their average annual turnover growth over three years, and Betstar's inclusion validated the business model that combined traditional bookmaking expertise with modern corporate structure and technology.
The Australian bookmaking industry has undergone significant consolidation over the past two decades, with independent operators being absorbed by larger international gaming groups. Betstar's journey from independent family business to part of global giant Entain exemplifies this trend.
Corporate bookmakers in Australia must hold licenses in regulated jurisdictions like the Northern Territory or Victoria. The industry has evolved from traditional on-course betting to sophisticated digital platforms offering racing, sports betting, and innovative products like cash cards and instant withdrawals.
Throughout its operational years, Betstar became a go-to source for Melbourne newspapers seeking expert commentary on sporting and horse racing betting odds. This media presence reinforced the company's authority in the industry and provided valuable brand exposure that helped attract new customers to their platforms.
Betstar distinguished itself through several innovative products designed to enhance the customer betting experience. While operating as a relatively smaller bookmaker compared to giants like Sportsbet, Betstar leveraged its Ladbrokes ownership to access sophisticated technology and product development resources.
The Betstar Visa card represented one of the company's most distinctive offerings. This cash card allowed customers instant access to their winnings, functioning at any ATM or Visa payment terminal across Australia. The card eliminated traditional withdrawal delays, enabling 24/7 access to funds through both the app and desktop platforms. This innovation addressed a common customer pain point and demonstrated Betstar's commitment to user-friendly financial solutions.
Betstar offered a unique guarantee for Australian thoroughbred racing: if a protest was upheld against the horse finishing first, Betstar would pay out on both horses. This customer-friendly policy reduced the frustration of backing a winner only to see it relegated on protest, providing insurance that few competitors matched.
Dividends were paid on all Australian racing shortly after interim dividends became available, ensuring customers received their winnings quickly without unnecessary delays. This rapid payout system complemented the Visa card offering to create a seamless financial experience.
Betstar provided comprehensive coverage across racing and sports, including win and place betting, exotic bets such as quinella, exacta, trifecta, and first four options, racing futures, and multiples including doubles, trebles, quaddies, and Super 6 combinations. The platform offered fixed price betting alongside best of three totes plus starting price for major meetings, ensuring competitive odds across all markets.
In 2014, British bookmakers Ladbrokes Coral acquired Betstar, integrating the Australian operation into their international portfolio. This acquisition provided Betstar with access to greater resources, technology platforms, and the backing of a major international gaming corporation. The Eskander family's exit strategy through this sale reflected the increasing difficulty for independent operators to compete against well-funded international competitors.
The 2018 acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral by gaming group Entain, formerly known as GVC Holdings, placed Betstar under yet another corporate umbrella. These successive ownership changes ultimately led to the rationalization decision that saw Betstar absorbed into the Ladbrokes brand in 2023.
On February 22, 2023, Betstar ceased independent operations. Entain Group positioned this as an upgrade rather than a closure, transitioning customers to Ladbrokes, described as the largest brand in the group. Eligible accounts were automatically migrated, with affected customers receiving email notifications explaining the changes and their account status.
The Betstar customer support team remained available during and after the transition to address questions and concerns. Customers could contact support at the dedicated email address or phone line to resolve any migration issues. For many long-time Betstar users, this transition marked the end of their relationship with the Eskander brand, even as their betting activity continued under the Ladbrokes banner.
During its operational years, Betstar received mixed feedback from customers. The platform was praised for its easy-to-use website and app design, with simple navigation that allowed first-time users to begin betting immediately without confusion. The clean interface avoided clutter and made the next action always clear and accessible.
However, some customers noted that Betstar offered fewer promotions compared to larger competitors. While weekly promotions were available, the frequency and generosity of bonus offers did not match the aggressive marketing campaigns run by industry leaders. This reflected Betstar's positioning as a bookmaker focused on core betting products and competitive odds rather than promotional gimmicks.
Betstar's journey from independent family bookmaking operation to corporate entity and eventual integration into Ladbrokes encapsulates the transformation of Australian gambling over two decades. The Eskander family built a respected business that honored traditional bookmaking values while embracing modern technology and corporate structure. Their $275 million annual turnover and recognition as a Fast 100 company demonstrated that independent operators could still thrive in an increasingly consolidated market.
The 2023 transition to Ladbrokes closed the Betstar chapter but ensured continuity for customers through account migration and ongoing support. For those researching Betstar today, the brand exists as a historical entity within the Entain portfolio, its legacy preserved in the Eskander family's contribution to Australian bookmaking and the innovative products that enhanced customer experience during its operational years.
Betstar ceased operations on February 22, 2023, with all eligible customer accounts transitioned to Ladbrokes as part of Entain Group's brand consolidation strategy.
Betstar was founded in 2007 by father and son bookmakers Michael and Alan Eskander, who merged their independent bookmaking businesses to create the corporate entity.
Former Betstar accounts were migrated to Ladbrokes in February 2023. Customers should check their email for migration instructions or contact the support team for assistance accessing their transferred account.
The Betstar Visa card was a cash card that provided customers instant access to their betting account funds at any Australian ATM or Visa payment terminal, enabling 24/7 withdrawals.
Betstar is owned by Entain Group, formerly GVC Holdings, which acquired the brand through its 2018 purchase of Ladbrokes Coral. Ladbrokes had originally acquired Betstar in 2014.
Yes, Betstar operated as a licensed corporate bookmaker with establishments in Melbourne and Darwin, holding proper regulatory approvals to conduct bookmaking operations in Australia.
Betstar turned over in excess of $275 million per year at its peak, with approximately 40 staff members split between Melbourne and Darwin offices.
Betstar offered comprehensive racing and sports betting including win and place bets, exotic racing bets, futures markets, multiples, fixed price betting, and tote options for major meetings.
Leading organizations in the Australian racing and betting industry
Corporate bookmakers operate under different regulatory frameworks than traditional on-course bookies, offering digital platforms and innovative betting products while maintaining competitive odds across racing and sports markets.
The Australian betting market has seen significant consolidation as international gaming corporations acquire local brands, integrating them into larger portfolios while maintaining customer bases through brand transitions and account migrations.
Entain Group successfully migrated all eligible Betstar accounts to Ladbrokes platform as part of brand consolidation strategy.
Former Betstar founders remain active in Australian racing industry through media appearances and expert odds analysis.
Northern Territory racing authorities announce enhanced compliance standards for corporate bookmaking operations.