Best Betting Sites Australia

Key Features of the Best Online Betting Sites Australia

Thanks to our mini reviews you now know about the key aspects available at betting companies Australia has to offer, but which sites have such features, and which do not? Below you’ll find a list of the top sites available to sports bettors in Australia and some key features, and an indication of each as to whether that particular site offers that feature. This should help you with your comparison of Australian online bookmakers.

*in-play betting in Australia can only be done via phone, not over the internet. This is different to sports betting online in other countries. Some sites offer in-play betting but only on the final outcome of in-play matches, not on live elements such as the next goalscorer.

Betting Tips – Get the Most from Your Sports Betting

All Aussies love betting tips – not so much the inside info on individual events, but betting tips likely to improve the betting experience and the chance of making a steady return. Below we share some of the best betting tips that you can put into practice at sites such as SportsBet and any other of the best betting sites in Australia.

Stick to what you know – and the more niche the better

As the saying goes, an expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less. If you can concentrate your sports betting on one particular element that you really like and know plenty about, then you’re more likely to make a success of it. Keep away from sports you know little about – for example, there’s no point betting on baseball if you’ve no idea what abbreviations like ERA, RISP and RBI mean.

Manage your bankroll

Many sports bettors come unstuck because they have zero bankroll management skills. They simply place bets as they feel. Often, a run of losing bets means they increase the size of their bets – known as ‘chasing losses’.

Your bankroll is the amount of available cash you have to bet, per month, and the golden rule is your bets should never be greater than 2 percent of that. So, if you are managing a AU$200 bankroll, that means you cannot place a bet bigger than AU$4.

Data is your friend

Another major downfall with failed sports bettors is that they bet with their hearts, and not their heads. You should never bet because you have a ‘gut feeling’ – it might just be indigestion after eating too may ribs at last night’s barbie, after all.

Do your homework, analyse in depth and only make bets that make logical sense. Remember, no matter the odds, the better team wins a sporting match-up around 70 percent of the time.

If it stops being fun – stop

Sports betting is not for everyone. You may find the idea of winning bucks via your love of rugby enticing, but if you maintain a steady loss over a period of weeks, then you’re going to have to face facts that you just ain’t got what it takes. It’s better to walk away than to have to explain to the missus that you’ve spent that month’s mortgage payment on North Melbourne winning the AFL.

How to Get the Best Betting Odds

The sports betting odds are what make any bet. The odds determine the ratio between risk and return. If a side is 1/100 to win, is there any point wagering AU$100 to win a single buck, especially if an upset could be on the cards?

Here’s how to determine whether you’re getting decent odds from for your wagers on big and small betting sites Australia has to offer.

Fixed odds betting

Fixed odds are sports betting odds available on most existing and new betting sites Australia has to offer, and determined by the bookmaker. They are what the bookie is willing to risk to pay out if punters want to take a punt. Odds may change as an event draws close, but you retain the odds at which you placed your bet. PalmerBet has some of the fairest fixed odds available in Australia.

Exchange betting

Exchange betting is different to fixed odds betting as the odds are determined by the punters, and not the sports book. The odds are the ratio of punters backing each competitor. For example, if seven people think Team A will win, and four think team B will win, then the odds are 11/7 for Team A and 11/4 for Team B (although in reality it’s a little more complicated than that). Betfair is Australia’s number one exchange betting platform.

Horse racing betting

In the dim past horse racing odds were not set by online bookmakers, but actually at the course where the races were being run. Now, risk analysis experts set the odds, and with little variation across different bookies. You can still get favourable thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing odds at many sites, such as Sportsbet.

AFL betting odds

The AFL is the most popular team participation sporting competition for sporting betting in Oz, and if you are interested in betting on the AFL, then we recommend that you get the best odds available. We’d like to recommend Winners Bet to you for the best AFL betting odds.

NRL betting odds

In terms of oddly-shaped balls, the NRL is the second most popular ‘bet upon’ league in Australia, even though more people play and watch rugby league than football. Again, getting the best odds for your NRL bets is important, and we suggest you head to PowBet for decent NRL betting odds.

Cricket betting odds

Aussies won’t admit it, but the dominance of the Australian cricket team over the cricketing world is definitely a thing of the past. That doesn’t stop punters from placing bets on the jaffer-tossing game, and we think BetPat is a decent site for good cricket odds.

How to Place a Bet Through Online Bookmakers Australia

Once you have opened your sportsbook account at one of our recommended new betting sites Australia has, it’s time for you to place your first bet. Just in case this process is new to you, we’re going to be bonzer and walk you through it. Here – as an example – is how to place your first sports betting wager at Winners Bet.

Live Betting at Australian Betting Websites

Of all the many innovations in online sports betting over the past couple of decades, live betting might be the most important of the bunch. It has been an absolute game-changer, giving punters an unprecedented range of new betting options.

We’re pleased to say that Australian punters can also benefit from this excellent feature – in a certain way. Live betting over the internet is actually illegal in the country, much to the annoyance of both sports betting fans and the Australian sports betting websites themselves. If you are in Oz and you want to enjoy the kind of live betting experience you’ve encountered in other jurisdictions, then … tough …

Some sites, do offer a way around the legislation, and a perfectly legal one too. You can place live bets in Australia, but not over the internet – you can do it over the phone. Head to any site that offers live betting and you’ll see the relevant phone number. Give them a call with your live bet information to place your in-play punt.

Available Markets at Australian Online Betting Sites

While Australian betting sites lag behind their global counterparts in certain areas, we’re pleased to say that the typical number of markets available isn’t one of them. The selection of betting markets might be slightly smaller, but all the big hitters tend to be present and correct.

At our top Australian betting agencies – like Ladbrokes, Winners Bet, and Unibet – these include:

1. Soccer
2. Aussie Rules
3. Rugby League
4. Rugby Union
5. Cricket
6. Thoroughbred racing
7. Harness racing
8. Greyhounds
9. Golf
10. Tennis
11. American football
12. Basketball
13. Baseball
14. Ice Hockey
15. Motorsports
16. Boxing
17. UFC
18. eSports

Most, if not all of these will also be available at our lesser-known recommended betting websites. Not only are these sports present, but both the breadth and depth of their markets tend to be excellent too.

In addition to the most prestigious competitions – the Champions League (UCL) and Premier League (EPL) for soccer, the Big Bash for cricket, and so on – you’ll also find a good selection of ‘lower league’ markets. Just as importantly, the range of betting types also tends to be impressive. Rarely will you be limited to simply ‘1X2’ wagers on these sportsbooks. Instead, you should be able to make pretty specific predictions, whether they’re score bets, player props, and so on.

Last, but by no means least, we have horse racing. Australian betting sites tend to be massively geared towards racing (thoroughbred racing, harness racing and greyhounds). Some – like SportsBet – even seem to be horse racing online betting sites Australia, rather than general sportsbooks! Racing will tend to be the focus of both promotions and special features, with ‘Same-Race Multi’ being a common example. The top bookies will cover not just every race in Australia and New Zealand, but also the major contests from countries like the UK, France, the US, and South Africa.

Best Bookmakers for Horse Racing Betting

When betting on sports in Australia and indeed worldwide, there are few pastimes more popular than horse racing. They call it the sport of kings with a thriving global industry supporting it. Top betting sites know this, so need to provide a service to match. In Australia, it’s not just fixed odds bookmakers either. The horse racing sports betting online includes access to the state supported Tote – a kind of parimutuel betting where the prices are determined by the popularity of certain horses from the pool of people gambling. Whether you wager on the Tote and/or betting companies with a fixed odds service, these are our top five recommended bookies:

• Betfair – World-famous betting exchange
• Ladbrokes – Global horse racing betting
• PalmerBet – Got horse racing covered
• Unibet – Leading horse racing odds
• Betstar – Daily horse racing promotions

Best Bookmakers for AFL Betting

Betting agencies in Australia naturally do all they can to promote Australian Rules football. After all, this particular sport was invented in the country. That explains its huge popularity even compared to betting on sports with wider international interest. Aussie Rules has its own premier competition, the AFL, where the best players compete with the ultimate aim of Grand Final glory. It’s an integral part of the annual Australian sports calendar. The top player receives the Brownlow Medal, but Aussie Rules is very much a team game. When it comes to AFL betting websites, these are five of the best out there:

• Ladbrokes – AFL markets months in advance
• Betstar – Ongoing AFL promotions available
• PointsBet – Men’s and women’s AFL covered
• Betfair – Exchange betting on the AFL
• PowBet – All the latest AFL betting lines

Best Bookmakers for NRL Betting

Rugby in general could hardly be more popular in the sports mad nation of Australia, but the NRL takes that passion to new heights. Full coverage of this rugby league competition is a must for any betting site that want to be the best. Climbing the ladder as the regular season progresses is the only way for teams to book their place in the NRL Grand Final. That is a real highlight of the year in Australia. Betting on sports around this date in springtime is generally a busy period. The NRL winners even test themselves against the victors of the Northern Hemisphere equivalent, the Super League, in the World Club Challenge, on an annual basis. Any sports betting online of rugby league in Australia must provide futures betting and odds for every single top level game. These are the five best NRL betting sites that our experts recommend:

• PowBet – NRL betting from all angles
• Unibet – Great coverage of the NRL
• PalmerBet – Most competitive NRL odds
• Betfair – Regular NRL price boosts
• Ladbrokes – NRL promotions ongoing

Best Sports Betting Apps Australia

The best and safest bookmakers in Australia all have one thing in common – they provide amazing top betting apps for phones powered by Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. These convenient Australian betting apps allow you to place bets when you want, and wherever you may happen to be.

The mobile betting apps provided by betting sites such as SportsBet, Unibet and PalmerBet will really super-charge your gambling experience. With options such as POLi and ApplePay available, it’s never been so easy to get your Aussie dollars on your favoured teams and competitors. We’ve selected our ten best and safest betting apps, so read on to learn more.

New Betting Apps In Australia ranked

For a quick snapshot of the best betting apps Australia has to offer including some new betting apps, here is a complete list of our recommended options:

• BetStar – Number one mobile betting platform for largest selection of Australian sports and leagues
• TopSport – The best site for horse betting apps
• Unibet – Best mobile betting platform for user-friendliness
• Sportsbetting.com.au – Leading app for betting simplicity
• Palmerbet – Best betting app for its longevity
• Sportsbet – Best betting app for multi bet builder and live betting options
• Neds – One of the best cricket betting apps
• Betfair – Top betting apps for Android and iOS for a betting exchange
• Ladbrokes – Best betting app for security and accessibility

AU Betting Apps Live Streaming

Live streaming of sports events is something that many Aussie bettors enjoy. Even though this is the case, not all bookmakers provide this service to their players. Live betting and live streaming are therefore highly sought out. This is even more so the case when it comes to a mobile app. If such an app has live streaming, bettors are more likely to use it. Our favoured bookmaker for providing live streams of events is the Unibet brand.

Not only does it provide high-definition streaming of these events, but it allows you to have access to around 30,000 of them every year. That is a massive number of sports to be able to watch, with football, tennis, basketball, American football, eSports, ice hockey and darts all being covered by such. Live streaming is outrightly accessible from your desktop computer or through the Unibet app. All you need to do is be sure that your account holds a balance of at least $1 or that you have placed a bet within the past 24 hours to access live streams.

In-Play Mobile Betting Via Apps In Australia

Regardless of whether you are looking at horse racing betting apps, online betting apps, sports betting apps Android users can download or anything else, in-play betting is much appreciated by many Aussies. This allows you to partake in placing wagers on events that are currently in action. Despite the fact that some Australian apps are restricted from providing live betting, there are a few that stand out for their inclusion of this. 

This brand is well-known throughout Australia already anyway, but the fact that it provides such intriguing in-play betting options makes it even better. Then again, it is the country’s largest bookmaker, so why would it not stand out in this area? And the fact that it is available on both Android and iOS devices helps, too. With sports betting and racing markets aplenty, you will definitely enjoy live betting at PowBet. Where the best sports betting apps for Android and iOS are concerned, this is a winner.

Choosing Between the Best Australian Bookies

As noted above, you do have a respectable range of options when it comes to choosing between Australian betting sites. The hard part, of course, is actually picking one. We’ve already made life a little easier for you here, by narrowing your options down for betting on sports to 20, but that’s as far as we can go. Only you can decide on which Australian bookmakers are best-suited to your own personal needs.

That said, we can offer you a little more advice on getting to this stage. These are four of the most important things you should look at when making your choice.

• The Interface

Any respectable sportsbook review will touch on that pbeslatform’s interface. It’s impossible to know whether that interface will actually be right for you, however, without trying it yourself. The same goes for online betting apps and desktop browsing.

Fortunately, doing so is extremely easy. You can head to a sportsbook’s website and browse the layout for yourself whenever you like, without needing to actually register with that brand. Try PalmerBet for a simple, easy-to-use layout.

• The Markets

It’s all well and good for a bookie to have thousands of markets on offer. If they don’t include the markets you actually want to bet on, though, then what’s the point?!

There are two things you should check here. Firstly, are the sports and specific competitions you want to bet on in place? Secondly, does the sportsbook support the bet types you like to use?

• Mobile Features

If you prefer on-the-go betting to using a computer, mobile betting apps and features will obviously be crucially important for you. Most Australian betting websites will let you try both their app and the mobile device version of the main website without needing to register.

You should test not only the interface, but also gauge the general speed and reliability of sports betting apps or mobile sites. Betfair is an excellent example of a site with one of Australia’s best betting apps of 2024 for iOS and Android phones and tablets.

• Payment Methods

As with betting markets, it doesn’t necessarily matter how many payment methods a bookmaker has. What matters is that they have the methods you want to use.

If you’re content to simply use a debit card, this shouldn’t be a problem. If you want to use something like PayPal though, be sure to find a site which supports eWallets too.

Available Payment Methods for Australian Bettors

Let’s make something clear up front. As in other countries, there is significant variety in the number of payment methods you’ll be offered between different Australian online betting sites. The biggest names around will offer you plenty of choice, for both depositing and withdrawing. Below we outline some of the most commonly accepted payment methods for sports betting online in Australia.

Debit cards and credit cards

Most sites will accept payments by debit and credit cards … at the moment. Many other jurisdictions have now banned the use of credit cards at gambling sites, and it’s likely that Australia will eventually follow suit. You can use your plastic freely for the moment, and it’s unlikely that payment by debit card will ever be outlawed.

POLi

Most Aussies will be familiar with POLi, as it’s used in most walks of life in the online realm. POLi is of course a simple interface that links your banking acccount to an online merchant. There are similiar services – Trustly, iDeal and Sofort for example – available in other countries across the globe.

Direct banking

As an alternative to POLi, some banks will allow you to make direct payments from your account to the sportsbook you are wagering at. This varies from site to site, but the banks that allow you to do this via SportsBet include ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB, BankSA, BankWest, Bank of Queensland, Bendigo Bank, CUA, People’s Choice Credit Union, St. George Bank, Suncorp Bank, Newcastle Permanent, Bank of Melbourne, IMB, Citibank and ME Bank.

eWallets

The use of eWallets at Aussie sports books is a little lacking when compared to other jurisdictions, but Oz online bookies are catching up. PayPal is the number one accepted eWallet across the betting board, with Skrill and Neteller also available at a reasonable number of sites.

Cryptocurrencies

If security and privacy are primary concerns when it comes to your sports betting then you ought to consider operating an cryptocurrency account. Sadly, at the moment hardly any existing or new betting sites Australia has accept cryptocurrencies right now.

Online Gambling Laws in Australia

In most countries where betting is legal, welcome offers are incredibly important. They’re one of the main reasons why punters pick one bookie over another, and form the foundation of several popular wagering strategies, including risk-free matched betting.

Unfortunately, Australian punters are dealt a bad hand here. In 2019, the government actually banned sportsbooks from providing welcome offers for new customers. The intentions behind this policy were admirable. It was done to avoid tempting those with potential gambling problems. For those without such issues though, it’s obviously a major blow.

Aside from that, there aren’t too many legal restrictions on sports betting. Naturally the sector is regulated – in this case by the Australian Communications and Media Authority – but wagering is allowed to carry on as normal. This also includes fantasy sports betting (the type which you find on sites like DraftKings, or – in Australia – Draftstars).

Australia actually has much tougher laws on other forms of gambling than those that apply to betting websites today. Online casino games like roulette and video slots, have been outlawed since 2001. In fact, even online poker is currently banned, although this may change in the near future.

Online Gambling Laws in New South Wales

Online gambling in New South Wales is overseen by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR), and the Electronic Betting Agency (EBA). Sites that wish to operate in NSW must apply for a separate Racing NSW licence for all forms of horse racing. Just like all of Australia, sports books in NSW are banned from advertising welcome bonuses and other sign-up incentives.

Online Gambling Laws in Victoria

In Victoria online gambling is controlled by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation. Online casinos, casino-style games, pokies (slots), in-play sports betting, scratch cards (scratchies) and lottery betting are all banned in Victoria. Legal sports betting sites Aus in Victoria must have a recognised Australian licence.

Available Promotions Types At Betting Sites in Australia

Even the best Australian sports betting sites aren’t able to create welcome offers for legal reasons. This doesn’t mean that they’re completely unable to provide any deals whatsoever, though. In fact, there are quite a few ongoing promotions available for existing customers, particularly from the bigger brands. Do note, however, that you won’t be able to see these when simply browsing online sports betting sites in Australia. You’ll only be able to do so after you’ve registered and logged in to your account.

Legal restrictions also limit the types of betting sites Aus bonus you can get in the country, with bookies’ hands being tied in this respect. There are still a few you can take advantage of though, with these being some of the most common forms.

Racing Refund

As noted, horse racing is the most popular sport among the top betting sites in Australia. It’s no surprise, therefore, that racing also gets the most special offers.

Perhaps the most common is ‘Racing Refund’, sometimes referred to as ‘Money Back’, ‘Bonus Back’, or similar. To qualify for these offers, you must place a winner bet on an eligible horse race. If your chosen runner fails to win the race, but finishes within a certain range (usually second or third), your entire stake will be refunded, typically as a free bet. SportsBet often offers racing refund promos.

Double Your Winnings

Here we have another example of a common horse racing offer on top existing and new betting sites Australia has to offer. Again, it will only apply to certain meets, with this particular promotion usually reserved for prestigious races at courses like Randwick and Flemington.

This offer is pretty simple, and its value is equally clear. You simply bet on a horse to win at fixed odds, and – if it does so – your original winnings will automatically be doubled. These extra winnings will sometimes come as a free bet token, rather than cash. Still, with no additional effort or money required on your part to enter, this is a very attractive promotion either way. PointsBet is a great site for double your winnings deals.

Early Payout

This promotion type is a little more flexible, in terms of the sports it applies to. Technically it could be offered on any sport in which you bet on a player or team to win, but in Australia it’s commonly reserved for football or rugby. Lookout for these on new betting apps in Australia, as well as established sportsbooks you can access on your computer.

To kick things off, you wager on one side as normal. There are actually two ways to win your bet, though. The first is obviously for that side to win the matchup. The second is for them to take a lead of a certain size. In soccer, this might be two goals. In rugby, it might be 30pts at the high end, or as low as 14pts. If your chosen team hits this checkmark, your bet will automatically pay out as a winner, regardless of what happens in the rest of the match. PointsBet is our recommended site for early payout offers.

Odds Boosts

These are an extremely popular form of betting bonuses in the UK, and some Australian betting sites have made the smart choice to implement them too. In Australia they might be called ‘Price Boosts’ or even ‘Power Plays’, but they work in the same way. You simply find a bet you like, and add it to your betslip. If you have an Odds Boost available, you then activate it and watch the price increase accordingly.

Different bookies give out Odds Boosts in different ways. In the best cases, you simply get one each day, without needing to fulfill other requirements. Sometimes though, they’ll be given out as rewards for activating other promotions instead. Sportsbet (again) is a good site to check out for odds boosts.

Top Australian Betting Companies: Final Thoughts

Sports betting sites aren’t as dominant in Australia as it is in other jurisdictions, with stricter regulations being a big reason for this. With that said, it’s certainly an increasingly successful industry, and – if you’re looking to start betting in Australia yourself – you’ve got a solid selection of options. These are headlined by well-known international brands like Betfair, but also include plenty of home-grown choices and new betting sites Australia has to offer today.

The only real drawback with online bookmakers in Australia is the lack of welcome offers. Obviously that’s not the fault of the bookies, who are simply obeying the government’s laws, but it’s still frustrating for the bettor. Aside from that though, you’ll find a thoroughly modern betting experience from the Australian betting sites we’ve recommended. There are thousands of live and pre-match betting opportunities waiting for you, housed within thoroughly professional desktop and mobile platforms such as sports betting apps available in Australia.

FAQ

Is online betting legal in Australia?

Yes - Australian online betting companies are completely legal, including fantasy sports top betting websites (as offered by DraftKings in other countries). The likes of online poker, casino games, and online slots are currently banned, however.

What are the best new betting sites Australia has to offer?

Winners Bet, Ladbrokes and Unibet all have excellent track records elsewhere, and their Australian betting companies are also outstanding. Native brands like Palmerbet, Neds, and Sportsbet are also very good, Draftstars are one of the best sports betting sites for fantasy sports betting, and new Australian betting sites are being launched with some regularity.

What are the deposit limits for Australian bettors?

The min deposit amount varies, depending on both the sportsbook and the payment method. For the likes of credit card, debit card, and PayPal though, it should be $10 or $20. For bank transfers, it will often be significantly higher.

What are the most popular Australian betting markets?

Horse racing is clearly the dominant betting market among the top Australian betting sites. You’ll also find excellent coverage of cricket, rugby, tennis, and both types of football (Aussie rules and soccer).

What payment methods can I use on Australian bookmakers?

There’s a lot of variety from bookie to bookie. That said, the likes of credit or debit cards (like Visa and Mastercard) should always be available. PayPal and bank transfer are other common alternatives, and some of the best sports betting sites let you use prepaid cards - like Paysafecard - to fund your betting account.

Are there betting bonuses in Australia?

For legal reasons both established and new Australian betting sites cannot offer Welcome bonuses to its customers. However the existing customers are spoilt for choice of enticing player promotions such as Odds Boosts, Racing Refunds, Early Payouts and more.

Are sports betting agencies and online bookmakers Australia the same thing?

Yes, it is just a matter of how they are referred to. Online betting agencies is just another way of saying bookies. When referring to betting agencies Australia has to offer, what people mean is the online bookmakers in the region.