Factors to know about online betting sites in Australia
Before examining the top sites punters can visit, it’s wise to know where bookmakers stand when offering their services online. The Interactive Gaming Act 2001 (known as the IGA), prohibits many forms of online gambling. While part of the Act refers to casino gambling, it also touches on certain parts of the sports betting industry.
For example, in-play betting is prohibited by law. All sports betting services in Australia must also hold a valid license, issued by the Government, to provide those services to bettors. Fortunately, it is easy to determine whether any online bookmaker in Australia holds a valid license. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (known as ACMA) has an accessible register of approved bookmakers, so it is easy to check that to see whether a specific bookmaker is on there.
The ACMA list provides all approved bookmakers in alphabetical order, along with details of the licensing authority for the relevant state or territory approving operations in that case. This makes it easy for all Australians to check the validity and safety of any bookmaker before they begin betting.
Seven of the best betting sites in Australia
Punters also refer to these sportsbooks as betting agencies or bookmakers, but regardless of the name, there are plenty of them to check out. This list provides seven of the best that provide bettors with all the services they might require.
Unibet
Notable for:
Offering over 30,000 events each year.
Unibet includes a promotions area and invites its visitors to register or log in to see their available offers. There are two areas covering sports and racing, although the homepage alone provides access to the next horse races to begin. Visitors can also see some of the available sports, such as soccer, basketball, tennis, and cricket.
The sportsbook indicates why Unibet ranks as one of the
best betting sites
in Australia. Popular sports sit at the top of the left-justified column on the desktop site, with an A-to-Z list of sports below. There’s coverage of Aussie Rules events (hundreds of them), but there are other entries to the list too, such as novelties and even politics.
The green Unibet branding spreads throughout the site, offering a relaxed tone and an easy way to see the latest odds on upcoming matches and races. With featured events at the top of a sports page, along with bet types appearing in a dropdown format, everything is within reach, yet the page doesn’t get too cluttered with information. Unibet also ranks as one of the best eSports betting sites in Australia, thanks to the inclusion of over 500 events to bet on at the time of writing – a typical number.
Betr
Notable for:
Stats and insights covering all sports.
Betr provides Australians with 20 sports to bet on, plus upcoming horse racing and races spread across the next few days. The sportsbook includes stats, insights, win-loss streaks, and other information to use prior to making any wagers.
Horse racing and greyhound racing appear on the site, with info on results and countdowns to upcoming races. Regardless of where someone is on the site, odds are simple to spot and consider.
Betr is among the best betting sites in Australia for many reasons, not least the fact it puts top sports for Aussies at the top of the list. They also provide links to their mobile apps for iOS and Android, so there are other ways of accessing the sports betting required. It’s the detail offered throughout the Betr website that places this near the top of the pile.
Neds
Notable for:
Including plenty of support features for members.
The Neds menu is packed with links to its best areas, including a racing filter form, promotions (for logged-in members), and a how-to area. Their featured events area also provides a link to the sports Aussies want to see, including cricket and Aussie Rules. Members can also set their deposit limit in that section of the site, something not seen at all online betting sites in Australia.
The FAQs and help area proves how seriously Neds takes its responsibilities, offering access to an online help center with lots of ways to contact them, including by phone. This also links to the iOS and Android betting apps.
Racing events depict the jerseys for each rider, while team logos give bettors the chance to spot their favorites without delay.
PlayUp
Notable for:
Providing Quick Links to current events and sports occasions.
PlayUp appears on most lists of this kind for many reasons. The Quick Links section is updated to reflect what’s happening in the worlds of sport and racing each day. Horses, harness, and greyhound racing get separate areas in the racing section, while the sports section provides an A-to-Z that can be accessed only when required, to keep things simple.
The homepage provides some Futures options coming up, but it’s simple to switch to see only the racing or the sports as needed from the menu. Each sports area includes featured events at the top – usually current or upcoming – with the remaining events listed below. It’s simple to go deeper into each section as required, marking PlayUp as one of the best sports betting sites in Australia for usability.
Ladbrokes
Notable for:
Extensive how-to help area.
Ladbrokes is one of the biggest names in the industry, so it’s no surprise to find coverage of ‘next to go’ racing on the homepage, followed by upcoming sporting events across several sports, with preference given to Aussie Rules.
The site design ably copes with providing bettors with plenty of information, including an indication of how many markets they offer for each match or event. Logos for sports and racing are kept on the simple side of things, although jerseys and colors for jockeys and greyhounds respectively are easy to see.
The best sportsbooks in Australia always provide access to sports, odds, matches, and other information prior to signup, as does Ladbrokes. The clarity of details across live betting options is just as good.
Bet365
Notable for:
An extensive in-play service.
Bet365 provides the advantage of a reliable and known brand now established in the Australian market. Their yellow and green colorways are put to use highlighting the odds across a range of events, while also providing subheads to draw the eye to multiple site sections.
They’ve gone for some detailed logos for each sport too, making it easier for bettors to find horse racing, football, basketball, and other areas to explore. The top of the site provides sports and in-play sections to visit, yet it’s the menu to the left that provides access to all the sports and areas without delay. It has all the features expected of the best betting sites in Australia, yet still stands out as unique.
The site loads quickly too, essential when exploring the in-play betting area. Data for each match, including a graphic for the court, playing field, pitch, or other area as needed, is provided in each case. It’s this feature, together with the stats provided via the graphic (suggested by a prompt when accessing the in-play area) that makes Bet365 unmissable.
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Bet365 Highlights
- Lots of top sports available to enjoy
- Wide variety of markets
- Competitive odds
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MidasBet
Notable for:
Extensive racing coverage.
MidasBet has the golden touch among sportsbooks in Australia. At first glance, there is a ton of information there, yet they manage to give visitors a format that’s simple to get used to, as all the best betting sites in Australia do.
The black backdrop allows all info, including the odds, to render in white. Odds appear in boxes, so bettors will see them without delay. Visitors can switch the left-justified menu between racing and sports as needed, while the menus above will switch between information as well.
A strip at the top of the site indicates the latest races to start, along with those coming up next. Meanwhile, the sports menu provides access to the Aussie Rules and futures areas to start with, followed by all other sports. The sports selection is smaller than seen on some sites, yet there is ample coverage for each. MidasBet is tailored toward Australians too, providing all the sports Aussies tend to prefer, including cricket and all forms of rugby.
Brands operating in Australia
Factors to check when examining the best betting sites in Australia
Everyone has their own idea of what makes the perfect betting agency in Australia. However, it’s worth checking several factors that can affect the overall experience gleaned from any site. The top considerations appear below.
This doesn’t mean there must be an app to use, since some sportsbooks do not offer them. However, if there’s no app, there should be a mobile website that works just as well. It should be smooth, responsive, and easy to get around, especially as the format of the page is likely to differ from that seen on the desktop website at online betting sites in Australia.
Availability of payment options
BPay is one to look for in Australia, as it doesn’t require users to hold a bank account. POLi, PayPal, cards, and other e-wallets are easy to find too. Check whether each method is also good for making withdrawals, as some are only allowed for deposits.
How many sports do they cover?
Most Aussies want to see Aussie Rules in there, along with rugby. The Australian cricket team has a big following too, seen in the bets made on events they are featured in. Those wishing to bet on other sports should check individual sites to see what’s there.
Best betting sites in Australia FAQ
⏩ What is the most popular betting site in Australia?
Australia is home to many online betting sites, offering access to multiple sports and events. The Game Haus provides further details on these sites, comparing them to determine whether there is a winner among them.
⚽ Can I bet online in Australia?
Online betting laws vary depending on location; sometimes even different parts of the same country can have different laws. Sports fans in Australia should learn more about the laws in place there before finding an online bookmaker.
