Online Bookies and Sports Wagering in Australia
Plenty of AU bookies are currently in business and finding the best Australian sports betting sites is an important step towards successful punting. Australian sportsbooks have several different attributes that make them an attractive prospect for your entire betting needs. Others have plenty of betting options, but the odds could be slightly worse than those you can find on other sites. In this article, you’ll find a list of what we consider top online bookmakers Australia, how we rate and review top AU sites, and the legality of online sports betting in Australia. Also, we discuss how to go about choosing the best bookies in Australia.
Betting in Australia — Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Australia?
Australia is one of those countries that are yet to embrace online sports betting in full. Even though Australia has made some notable progress when compared to the U.S., unfortunately, they are still far behind many European nations. The primary legislation that covers online sports betting in Australia is the Interactive Gambling Act. Enacted back in 2001, this Act only covers the actions of operators that offer gambling services, but not the players. The law doesn’t permit the marketing of online forms of gambling that aren’t regulated and only lotteries, racing and sports betting are legal under Australia’s Gambling Act.
How We Rate and Review Australian Bookies
Before we include a bookmaker as one of the best online bookmakers in Australia, we ensure that they satisfy certain conditions. For instance, for a bookmaker to appear on our site, they must have a license to conduct business and offer plenty of betting markets. Additionally, the odds must be attractive on almost all the events they offer. When rating and reviewing a betting site, we consider the available payment options that bettors can use. Top betting sites are those that offer in-play betting live streaming and run an attentive support department. Lastly, the quality of the platform should be superb to enable bettors to navigate the site with ease. All the best betting sites need to meet such important qualities.
Top 10 Australian Bookmakers
There are plenty of online sports betting sites in Australia. However, the following are the best 10 online bookies in Australia. They feature among the top 10 AU bookies since they offer a combination of excellent odds, safe and secure financial transactions, great odds, and easy navigation. They are:
Sportsbet
As one of the largest and oldest AU bookies in Australia, Sportsbet is known for its huge amounts of marketing, along with fantastic bonus offers and promotions.
Sportsbet Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Free app for Android and Apple devices
- Player Hubs, tips, insights, and stats
- Fast live betting market
What we don’t:
- For some fringe events, the odds might not be the best
Tab
As one of the most recognized brands in Australia, TAB is today home to a majority of Australian punters.
Tab Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Extensive horse racing markets
- Faster loading speeds
- The website is highly user-friendly
What we don’t:
- Deposit options are slightly limited
Bet365
As one of the biggest and most recognized brands in the world, Bet365 has a comprehensive range of sports betting markets and some of the best odds in the industry.
Bet365 Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Free app for Apple and Android devices
- Ability to live stream over 150,000 events every year
- Fast to load and easy to navigate
What we don’t:
- More focus on sports betting as opposed to racing
Ladbrokes
They are also one of the largest sports betting sites now available in Australia. They cover a huge range of betting markets and boast superb customer service.
Ladbrokes Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Several events are available for live streaming
- Full cash out
- Ability to track bets
What we don’t:
- You must have a valid card in your name to initiate withdrawals
Neds
Since penetrating Australia’s sports betting scene, Ned’s has achieved much, especially with their Ned’s Toolbox. The Toolbox offers promotional betting tools to help bettors win while betting.
Neds Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Exclusive in-app features
- Same Game/Race Multis
- Plenty of stats and race day information
What we don’t:
- Withdrawal methods are limited
Betfair
This bookmaker is unique in its own way in Australia, coming in as the only licensed betting exchange in the country. At Betfair, placing bets, browsing sports markets, depositing and withdrawing are all straightforward.
Betfair Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Accumulator Edge
- Excellent live streaming
- Touch/Face ID
What we don’t:
- Not appealing to the eye as such
Palmerbet
Palmerbet is another excellent sports betting app ideal for Australian bettors. For those looking for a 100% Australian-owned bookie, undoubtedly, Palmerbet is the right choice.
Palmerbet Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Quick payment processing
- More than 30 different sports
- Australian-owned
What we don’t:
- Absence of live streaming
Unibet
Another betting firm with a huge global presence, Unibet has an excellent app for both iOS and Android. Their bread and butter is generally in horseracing, but you can find plenty of other betting markets too.
Unibet Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Superb coverage on horse racing
- Simple and intuitive design
- Live scores, news, stats, and racing odds in short form
What we don’t:
- The site can be a little slow at times
Topsport
Topsports is one of the best sports betting platforms with the interest of Aussie bettors at heart. It offers a diverse sportsbook, along with a straightforward website.
Topsport Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Fully licensed and regulated in Australia
- Simple and easy to use website
- Competitive odds on cricket, the AFL, and rugby
What we don’t:
- A bit limited on e-sports
Betdeluxe
Even though they are relatively new in Australia, Betdeluxe offers customers excellent prices with their racing markets. They also have tons of enticing bonus offers and promotions.
Betdeluxe Pros and Cons
What we like:
- Fantastic horse racing prices
- Availability of same game multis
- An intuitive website
What we don’t:
- Same promotion conditions appear somewhat monotonous
Top Aussie Bookmakers: How do they compare?
| Bookmaker | Mobile App | Live Betting | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsbet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TAB | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bet365 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ladbrokes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Neds | Yes | Yes | No |
| Betfair | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Palmerbet | Yes | Yes | No |
| Unibet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Topsport | Yes | Yes | No |
| Betdeluxe | Yes | No | Yes |
FAQs
Which Australian bookmakers are the best?
There are several top Australian betting sites. But the ones you find here are the best to wager with.
How do I bet online in Australia?
Just register with the bookmaker of your choice and then fund your account. Thereafter, find the sport you want to wager on. Select it, enter the bet amount and confirm your bet.
Isonline sports betting legal in Australia?
Mostly, yes. However, there are other forms of gambling that aren’t considered legal in Australia.
What deposit methods are available in Australia?
Some of the common deposit methods available for Australian punters include POLi, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Bank Wire, Visa, and MasterCard.
