CrownBet is set to return to the Australian wagering market in early 2026 in what shapes as a significant strategic expansion for Betfair Australia.
Since 2014 Betfair Australia has sat within the Crown Resorts group, which entered a new ownership chapter when management firm Blackstone completed its acquisition in 2022.
The relaunch will be powered entirely by BetMakers Technology Group, which has been tasked with delivering a complete wagering stack for the revived brand.
The deal gives Betfair something it has not truly had before in Australia. CrownBet will operate as the fixed odds arm sitting alongside Betfair’s existing exchange platform.
That means customers who want the clarity of locking in a price at the time they place a bet will once again have an option tied to the Betfair ecosystem. Those who prefer the trading style, sharper prices and ability to lay bets on the exchange can stay as they are. For the first time in decades, Betfair will be able to present both key wagering formats together.
BetMakers has described the deployment of its Apollo platform for CrownBet as a major milestone in its technology roadmap. The platform has been built to operate at scale while integrating with tote engines and racing data to support a deep product range from launch.
Regulatory and platform activation work is underway with an early 2026 go-live the target.
BetMakers Chief Operating Officer Martin Tripp said, “this partnership is a major endorsement of our end-to-end B2B strategy and a milestone for the Apollo platform”.
“To be selected by Betfair to power the return of CrownBet demonstrates the scalability, performance and flexibility of our technology stack.”
For Betfair, the relaunch fills a long-standing commercial gap.
Betfair CEO Amy Zavros said the company needs to capitalise upon wagering trends in Australia.
“Betfair is evolving to meet the changing needs of Australian customers by introducing a new fixed odds product under the CrownBet name.”
While the exchange remains a favourite of more committed punters and value hunters, fixed odds still dominate betting turnover nationally. Recreational punters have struggled to acquaint themselves with exchange betting.
Providing both options side by side will reduce customer leakage to other apps and give Betfair a more competitive product set against major operators who have long offered every wagering experience under one roof.
CrownBet built strong brand affinity during its original run before disappearing through industry consolidation, ultimately morphing into BetEasy. By returning with modern technology and a direct link back into the Betfair environment, the new CrownBet will enter a market that is hungry for genuine alternatives. That is particularly true at a time when punters have become increasingly conscious of odds competitiveness and platform stability.
Success will depend on how well the rebuild supports the expectations of today’s racing and sports customer. The Australian market is tight, aggressive and unforgiving of slow or outdated technology. But this partnership gives CrownBet a clear purpose. A comeback brand, a modern engine room and a major exchange operator working together sets the stage for a very different second chapter. Punters will be watching closely as the countdown to launch continues.
