The Star Sports app offers a traditional betting experience from an established, independent UK bookmaker with a strong reputation in horse racing. For punters seeking a straightforward, no-frills platform, it’s a compelling option, reflected in its current App Store rating of 3.2 stars and Google Play rating of 3.1 stars.
Star Sports App Review Summary
For those in a hurry, here is a high-level overview of our findings. The Star Sports app is available for both iOS and Android devices, providing a focused betting experience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent for horse and greyhound racing | Extremely limited payment methods (no PayPal/Apple Pay) |
| Simple, user-friendly interface | Live streaming only for racing |
| Impressively fast withdrawals | Fewer promotions than major rivals |
| Low £1 minimum withdrawal | Some user reports of bets needing trader approval |
How to Download the Star Sports App
Getting the Star Sports app onto your device is a straightforward process on both major mobile platforms.
Downloading for iOS
To download the app for an iPhone or iPad, simply search for “Star Sports – Sports Betting” on the Apple App Store and tap ‘Get'. The app requires iOS 13.0 or later and has a file size of approximately 22 MB.
Downloading for Android
Android users can find and download the app by searching for “Star Sports” on the Google Play Store and tapping ‘Install'.
System Requirements
The app requires iOS 13.0 or later for Apple devices and is fully compatible with both iPhones and iPads. Android requirements may vary by device.
Star Sports App User Experience
This section covers our hands-on testing of the app's design, performance, and core functionality.
Design and Navigation
In our experience, the app's design is clean, simple, and traditional. It successfully avoids the clutter sometimes seen on the desktop site, presenting a streamlined and focused interface. Built on the Playbook Gaming platform, it uses a thumb-friendly bottom menu for easy access to ‘Sports', ‘Football', and ‘In-Play' sections, making navigation intuitive.
App Performance
We found that the app generally loads quickly and performs well, even when using mobile data. While our own testing on a stable connection was smooth, the recurring theme of lag in user feedback suggests the app may be sensitive to network fluctuations or older hardware a point to consider for punters who often bet on the move.
Login and Security
Security is handled well within the app. The availability of biometric login (Face ID/Touch ID) is a welcome feature, providing both convenience and an extra layer of security. As a fully licensed operator by the UK Gambling Commission, Star Sports uses 256-bit SSL encryption to protect user data.
Betslip Functionality
The in-app betslip is easy to use. Adding single selections is a simple tap, and building accumulators is straightforward. The ‘Build-a-Bet' feature is well-integrated into the app, offering an enjoyable and user-friendly experience on a mobile screen.
Star Sports App Sports Betting Features
Here, we explore the key betting tools and features available to punters within the Star Sports app.
In-Play Betting
The live betting experience on the app is straightforward, with a clean interface and regularly updated odds. The inclusion of live stats and 2D match graphics helps users follow the action. While functional, some reviewers have described the overall in-play offering as a “touch basic” compared to the more feature-rich interfaces of larger competitors.
Live Streaming
Live streaming is available, but it is exclusively for UK and Irish horse racing and greyhound racing. The picture quality is good, and the service is free to use for any logged-in customer, providing excellent value for racing enthusiasts.
Bet Builder
The app includes a ‘Build-a-Bet' tool, allowing users to create same-game multiples with ease. We found it to be particularly effective and simple to use for football matches.
Cash Out
The Cash Out feature is available on the app for the majority of markets. This includes the option for partial cash out, giving punters more control over their active bets.
Push Notifications
The app supports push notifications, which can be enabled to alert users to promotions and other important account updates.
Star Sports App Betting Markets
The Star Sports app provides betting on over 30 different sports, maintaining a clear focus on its core markets of football, horse racing, and greyhound racing. A key differentiator that showcases the app's unique personality is its extensive range of special markets. Alongside novelty TV bets like Eurovision and Britain's Got Talent, punters can find deep markets on UK politics, including the Next London Mayor and the UK General Election, as well as annual events like the Sports Personality Of The Year awards (SPOTY). The selection of markets available on the app is on par with the desktop site.
Star Sports App Bonuses and Promotions
From a mobile user's perspective, Star Sports clearly prioritises its core betting product over a high volume of bonus offers.
Welcome Offer
The main Star Sports welcome offer for new customers is “Bet £50 to Get a £25 in Free Bets”. This requires the use of a promo code upon signing up. Key terms include a minimum odds requirement of Evens (2.0) for the qualifying bet. The free bet is credited within 24 hours of the qualifying bet settling and remains valid for 7 days.
App-Exclusive Promotions
Based on our review of the source materials, Star Sports does not currently offer any promotions that are exclusive to app users.
Loyalty Rewards
There is no traditional, tiered loyalty or VIP program for the average customer. However, the app does feature “Football Rewards”, where punters can receive a £10 free bet by placing five or more football multiples of £10+ within a single week. A separate, bespoke VIP service exists for high-stakes clients.
Star Sports App Banking
Payments are a critical area where the app has significant limitations. Our review found the options to be very restricted.
Deposits
The only available deposit methods are debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro) and Instant Bank Transfers. Popular e-wallets like PayPal and mobile payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are not supported. While most sources and the site's own terms often state a £10 minimum deposit, our direct testing confirmed that deposits are possible from as low as £1. This is a welcome and positive discovery that sets it apart from competitors whose stated minimums are often rigid. All deposits are processed instantly.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals are processed back to the same limited methods used for deposits. While official processing times are listed as 2-5 days, our testing and other user reviews found that withdrawals to Visa can be exceptionally fast, sometimes arriving in an account within a minute. The impressive £1 minimum withdrawal limit is another major plus.
Transaction History
Users can easily access and review their full deposit and withdrawal history within the app's main account section.
Star Sports App vs Mobile Website
The app largely mirrors the functionality of the mobile website but offers several key advantages that make it the better choice for regular users.
- Enhanced Security: Biometric login (Face ID/Touch ID) provides a secure and quick way to access your account.
- Improved Navigation: The app is described as more “elegant and sleek” than the sometimes cluttered website.
- Convenience: Push notifications and one-tap access from your home screen make for a more seamless betting experience.
Star Sports App Customer Support
Star Sports provides several support options directly through the app, with an emphasis on a traditional and personal touch that reflects its roots.
- Live Chat: This is easily accessible from the app's home screen, offering a quick way to connect with an agent.
- Telephone: A standout feature is the direct telephone line (08000 521 321). In a nod to their traditional bookmaker ethos, this allows users to speak directly with a trader or support agent, a rarity in today's market.
- Email: For less urgent queries, support can be reached at [email protected].
- FAQ Section: An in-app FAQ section is available, but it has been described as a basic, non-searchable list of topics.
Star Sports App Troubleshooting
While our testing was largely positive, it's important to address common issues raised in user feedback to provide a balanced view.
- Trader Approval: A recurring theme in reviews is that certain bets, even those with small stakes, must be manually approved by a trader. This reflects their hands-on bookmaking style but can introduce delays that frustrate in-play bettors.
- Account Issues: Some negative Trustpilot reviews cite frustrations with the account verification process and suspensions following significant wins. This is a common complaint across the industry, but prospective users should be aware of these reports.
- Performance: As mentioned, a minority of users report occasional app lag. In our expert opinion, this often points to an app that performs best on newer devices with strong, stable network connections, and may struggle on older hardware or fluctuating mobile data.
Star Sports App: The Final Verdict
Synthesizing user feedback, app store scores, and our expert analysis, the Star Sports app is a solid, if niche, offering. It is best suited for a specific type of UK punter: one who values tradition over trend, prioritises horse and greyhound racing, and appreciates a clean, uncluttered interface. If you are not dependent on modern payment methods like PayPal or Apple Pay, this app delivers a competent and focused experience.
Its greatest strengths are undoubtedly its dedication to racing, complete with free live streaming, and its surprisingly fast withdrawal times. The simple design and direct access to telephone support further enhance its appeal as a no-nonsense bookmaker.
However, its weaknesses are significant and will be deal-breakers for many. The severely limited banking options feel outdated in the current market, and the promotional offers are sparse compared to major rivals. For the right user, the Star Sports app is a reliable and highly functional tool. For those who value payment flexibility and frequent bonuses, it will likely fall short.
If you live and breathe UK horse racing and value lightning-fast withdrawals above all else, download this app. If you need the flexibility of PayPal or expect a steady stream of bonuses, your needs will be better served by one of the major mainstream bookmakers.
Star Sports App FAQs
Yes, the app is completely free to download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Yes, but live streaming is only available for UK & Irish horse racing and greyhound racing.
The minimum withdrawal amount is just £1, which is significantly lower than many competitors.
Yes, the iOS app is fully compatible with iPads as well as iPhones.
The app does not support popular e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill, nor does it accept mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Pay.