Whether you finally want to enjoy in-play betting or you’re simply chasing better odds, we’ve got a list of unbeatable online betting sites in Australia. Stick around as we review Australia betting sites based overseas that offer greater odds, more betting markets and great bonuses.
Top Betting Sites in Australia
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Bonuses Available at the Best Gambling Sites in Australia
Online betting sites in Australia are restricted by law from providing welcome bonuses to new players. This means that you will only able to see promotions once you register and verify an account.
Unlike onshore bookmakers, the best betting sites in Australia (based overseas) typically offer a variety of enticing bonuses that are available for players Down Under.
Here are the most popular bonus types you can expect to enjoy.
- Welcome Bonuses: This is a large sign-up bonus that is only offered to bettors when they first sign-up to new sports betting sites in Australia. You’ll often find this is the biggest offer you’ll ever receive.
- Deposit Match Bonuses: Probably the most common type of welcome offer, this is where Australian betting sites matches your deposit with bonus funds. For example, a 100% match of a $200 deposit would be an extra $200 in bonus money.
- No Deposit Bonuses: A rare bonus at online sports betting sites in Australia. This bonus does not require a real money deposit and you will usually be rewarded with free bets. The wagering requirement is typically a lot higher though.
- Free Bets: A free bet is a simple bonus where online betting sites in Australia will cover your stake on a small, usually specific, bet. For example, the site might give you a $5 free bet on the NRL final.
- Odds Boosts: Some Australian bookmakers will boost specific odds and make them more valuable. This is usually on an underdog or a pre-built multi, but you typically won’t need to make any additional deposits to claim an odds boost.
If you are interested in welcome bonuses and promotions, be sure to explore our page dedicated to the best casino bonuses in Australia.
What is the Best Bonus at Sports Betting Sites in Australia?
If you’re looking for the best betting bonus, you want to find a generous 100% deposit match up to a high amount (say $4,000) accompanied by a free bet and possibly free spins, if there is a casino attached.
Using your bonus, you’ll have the opportunity to bet on a wide range of sports, including Aussie rules football, cricket, rugby, soccer, tennis, MMA, and over 35 other sports. And if you prefer the excitement of in-play betting, look out for that too.
What’s more, look for an operator that goes beyond the initial welcome bonus, providing a rewarding VIP Programme and even special birthday bonuses.
Payment Methods Available at Australian Bookmakers
Sports betting sites in Australia support a variety of banking options to make sure any player can safely and securely deposit or withdraw their funds. Unlike local Australian bookmakers, offshore sites offer crypto betting and a wider variety of advanced payment methods.
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New Betting Sites in Australia
The beauty of such a successful gambling market is that there are new betting sites in Australia popping up all the time.
Just remember to thoroughly check for a gambling licence when new sports betting sites in Australia launch and try to find any historical information about the operator to make sure everything is fair dinkum.
Failing that, we at Techopedia have our ears to the ground and will update this page when any new betting sites in Australia deserve a recommendation.
Australian Betting Apps
Due to rather strict gambling regulations enforced by both Apple and Google, you’re unlikely to find any of the brands we’ve recommended offering betting apps. However, the platforms do provide highly optimised mobile web pages.
These mobile web pages offer all the same features betting apps would and are basically the same page you would load up on your desktop, just optimised for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
You’ll get all the same odds, bonuses, cashier functions, in-play betting features and even live streaming – if the bookie offers it.
If you’re interested in casinos, we also have a page dedicated to the best mobile casinos in Australia.
Types of Bets at Australian Betting Sites
You’ll find loads of different ways to bet at Australian sports betting sites and several sports even have very specific markets. However, in most instances, you’ll be choosing from a similar handful of the most popular betting markets which cover every type of sport.
- 1X2: This is the simplest type of betting market at AUS betting sites. You just need to pick which team or individual will win the match. 1 and 2 refers to the two participants, while the X refers to a draw or tied finish. Your selection must win for the bet to be successful.
- Handicap: Sometimes referred to as Asian Lines, this is a market in which a handicap is placed on a team to increase the value of the odds. For example, a +2.5 handicap on Adelaide United means they must win by 3 or more goals to win the bet.
- Totals: This market sees bettors choosing whether a certain score will be over or under a set number. For example, a totals bet for the opening partnership of a Big Bash game could be Over 21.5 and Under 21.5. A score of 22 or more would be a successful Over bet but a score of 21 or less would be a winning Under bet.
- Props: Prop markets are special bets which are not tied into the final outcome of the match. For example, David Warner to score 50 or more is a prop bet because it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, so long as Warner scores more than 50 runs.
- Multis: This is a special bet that combines multiple single bet selections into a single wager. The odds of each selection multiplies to overall odds of the multi, resulting in enhanced payouts. However, every leg of the multi must be successful for the bet to be a winner.
- In-play betting: Live or in-play betting is banned in Australia. However, that ban applies to Australian bookies based and regulated in Australia. Betting sites based overseas freely offer in-play betting, which means you can bet on live matches with odds that change with the action.
How to Place a Bet
- Sign up or log into your preferred platform for sports betting in Australia.
- Make sure your account is topped up or make a deposit.
- Go to the sports betting section and find a market.
- Make a selection and enter a stake.
- Choose to make further bets, create a multi, or finalise and place for bet.
Popular Sports to Bet on in Australia
Sports betting in Australia is an incredibly popular activity, with 72.8% of Aussies involved in some sort of gambling. As you would expect, there are several sports that are a million miles ahead of the pack when it comes to bet handle. We reveal the most popular sports to bet on in Australia.
Rugby League
While Aussie Rules might rule the south, the NRL is still the king of Queensland and New South Wales.
The best betting sites in Australia offer a wide range of markets for both NRL and the Super League in the UK. You’ll also get prop markets during the State of Origin and outright markets are released early ahead of each tournament.
By the way, did you know you can also bet at non-Gamstop UK betting sites using a VPN? That way you have even more choices.
Cricket
On the international stage, few national teams are quite as iconic as the Australian cricket team. Offshore Australian betting sites provide handicaps, props, outrights, totals, and 1X2 for both local and international tournaments including the IPL, the Ashes, Big Bash, Sheffield Shield, and the World Cups. If you’re interested in this sport, we also have a guide on how to bet on cricket.
AFL
Aussie Rules feels like a blend of soccer, rugby, and Gaelic sports. It also happens to be the biggest sport in Australia, dominating the handle in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
You can bet on all the standard markets plus tons of player and match props too.
Soccer
Ever since the A-League kicked off in 2005, Australian bookies had a renewed focus on soccer.
The best betting sites in Australia cover European leagues very well too since betting on the English Premier League is arguably more popular than the A-League. You’ll find a strong variety of totals and handicaps for each match.
Horse Racing
Just like TAB and other local racing betting agencies, many online betting sites in Australia offer fixed-odds racing betting. However, not every sports betting site does so and sometimes an operator will prevent Australian bettors from accessing their racebook.
You can bet on standard bets like the winner and place but also exotics including exactas and trifectas.
US Major Leagues
The yanks have a few sports that few countries can compete with. When you take Monday off to watch the Super Bowl, check out overseas betting sites in Australia for literally hundreds of prop bets.
You can also bet on the MLB, NHL, MLS, MLC, and NBA with outright, pre-match and in-play markets.
Other
Some AUS betting sites offer upwards of 25 sports. This means you’ll find an extensive array of markets for popular sports such as Rugby Union, tennis, golf, motorsport, and more.
You can enjoy local events like SuperCars and Super Rugby but also international events like the Olympics, Wimbledon, and F1.
Our Top 5 Tips for Betting at Online Bookmakers in Australia
Our experts have hand selected their top five tips to help both new and experienced punters in Australia. Consider these hot tips when you load up any of your favourite Australian online bookmakers.
1. Bet in-play
There are loads of advantages to betting live rather than pre-match. Many AUS betting sites will immediately adjust pre-match markets as soon as the match begins, which can be favourable.
Furthermore, live odds are mostly algorithmic which means smart bettors who can spot trends and shifting momentum can bet before the odds shift and secure a profit.
2. Follow tips
Whether it’s Andrew Johns, a trusted source on X, or that bloke down the pub who seems to really know his footy, there is no harm in following tipsters.
Always follow their outcomes without betting first, to make sure they are as consistent as you hope, and then check out their tips against your own research.
3. Research, research
Following a hunch or a feeling is rarely a good strategy. Placing bets backed by research is a great strategy, though.
Consider factors such as form, previous match history, weather conditions, and the current state of the tournament to determine which outcome is most likely to be successful.
4. Try different strategies
Experiment with different strategies on paper before trying them with real money. You could also have a go at matched betting in Australia.
This is where you place multiple bets to guarantee a profit, such as placing a bet on each outcome of an NRL game at different AUS betting sites.
5. Minimal vig
Call it juice, vig, margins, or sharp odds, betting odds with low margins is the best valued odds you can find. Long story short, when betting websites in Australia offer lower margins on their odds, you’ll generally see higher odds.
For example, some big bookmakers in Australia with high margins may offer 3.00 odds on a market while a lower margin bookie will offer 3.60.
Is Sports Betting in Australia Legal?
Sports betting in Australia is very much legal and there is no shortage of ways to bet on your favourite sports. While much of the laws and protections surrounding players are handled by each state, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 allows for Australian sports betting including online and retail locations.
However, there are some caveats. In-play betting is not allowed and only legal gambling sites in Australia (onshore) must hold an Australian licence to operate.
The laws do not address betting at offshore operators at all and many punters choose to safely use these overseas Australian betting sites as they are vastly superior to legal online gambling sites in Australia that are locally regulated.
Overseas platforms accept Australian bettors and they can offer in-play betting. They are regulated in their own country’s jurisdictions rather than in Australia.
Pros and Cons of Gambling at Offshore Australian Betting Sites
When considering gambling at offshore Australian bookmakers, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons. Offshore operators often provide enticing features such as in-play betting and various bonuses, which can enhance the betting experience. Here are some points to consider before making a decision.
Pros
- In-play betting without restrictions
- Welcome bonuses for new users
- Availability of Australian Sports like AFL
- Competitive odds
Cons
- Need to use a VPN
How We Test and Review Sportsbooks
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We follow a proven methodology when reviewing sports betting sites that highlights the pros and cons of each platform.
Our process enables us to rate sportsbooks on key features so you can compare sites with ease.
We cover:
- Sports and betting markets
- Competitiveness of odds
- Reputation and licensing
- Bonuses and promotions
- Payment methods
- Customer support
…and more.
Check out our complete guide to learn how to rate sportsbooks featured on Techopedia.
Responsible Gambling in Australia
Irresponsible gambling is a serious problem in Australia and there are many government and independent bodies offering help. Each state offers codes of practices and organisations offering limitation assistance, hotline assistance, therapy, self-exemptions, and more.
You’ll find most online bookmakers in Australia offer bet and deposit limitation tools too. Helpful organisations you can turn to if you feel you’re having a problem include:
- Responsible Wagering Australia
- Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
- Australasian Gaming Council
- Reachout.com
- Gambler’s Help
FAQs
Can I bet online in Australia?
What is the best Australian betting site?
Do you have to pay tax on gambling winnings in Australia?
Which is the most trusted Australian betting site?
Is online gambling banned in Australia?
Why is in-play betting banned in Australia?
Resources
- https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/07/online-betting-in-australia-turns-over-50bn-a-year-its-largely-regulated-by-six-people-in-darwin (The Guardian)
- https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00291 (Interactive Gambling Act 2001)
- https://www.betstop.gov.au/ (Bet Stop Australia)
- https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/independent-liquor-and-gaming-authority/casino-reviews-and-investigations (Liquor & Gaming Regulation)
- https://gamblershelp.com.au/ (Gamblers Help Australia)