BetEasy
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gambling |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Matthew Tripp |
| Fate | Merged into Sportsbet |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Matthew Tripp (founder, former CEO, later non-executive president) |
| Owner | The Stars Group |
BetEasy—previously known as CrownBet and BetEzy—served as an Australian corporate bookmaker delivering online platforms for sports and racing wagering. Holding a license in the Northern Territory, it was under the ownership of The Stars Group.
As the official betting partner of the Australian Football League, BetEasy uniquely offered customers direct access to Sky Racing channels through its dedicated betting applications.
History
The inception of BetEasy occurred in 2014 following Matthew Tripp's acquisition and rebranding of the former BetEzy. By December 2014, Crown Resorts had acquired a 66% ownership share, leading to a rebranding as CrownBet in March 2015. This transition represented a pioneering global integration between an online wagering operator and a physical casino.
In December 2017, Crown Resorts declared intentions to sell CrownBet amid asset disposals targeting nearly $700 million. From February to April 2018, The Stars Group secured an 80% ownership through multiple transactions. Subsequently, in August 2018, The Stars Group revived the BetEasy brand following the consolidation of William Hill Australia into CrownBet. On 3 December 2019, The Stars Group completed acquisition by purchasing the remaining 20%, coinciding with Matthew Tripp’s resignation as CEO and his transition to non-executive president effective 1 January 2020.
Operating within Australia, BetEasy maintained offices located in Darwin, Melbourne, and Sydney. The brand ceased to exist on 8 September 2020 after merging into Sportsbet.
Illegal advertising
In April 2016, CrownBet—a joint venture involving Matthew Tripp—admitted guilt on five counts related to unlawful betting advertisements that provided inducements targeting residents of NSW. The NSW Department of Justice noted CrownBet’s attempt to avoid convictions; however, the court emphasized that convictions were essential to deter industry misconduct and protect consumers. Consequently, CrownBet was penalized with fines totaling $10,500 and ordered to cover $10,000 in legal expenses payable to Liquor & Gaming NSW.