Best betting sites in Australia in 2024

With the popularity of sports betting in Australia continuing to trend upward, more and more online bookmakers are entering the fray. In 2024, Aussie punters have over 150 licensed bookies to choose from. Even though it's always good to have an abundance of options, having so many of them can pose challenges. How do you sort through them all to find the very best online betting sites? That's a lot of work.

Well, the experts at MightyTips have invested a lot of time and effort diligently examining Australian online betting sites. The only thing that's left for you to do is to read this tutorial and then decide which of our highest-rated online betting sites in Australia is the best one for you.

Before we get started, Australian law prohibits Australian betting sites from offering traditional welcome bonuses. However, once you sign up, you'll have access to a multitude of bonuses and promotional offers.

Now, let's find out what makes our featured 13 Australian betting sites so special.

1. Unibet

Unibet was founded by Anders Ström in 1997. While Unibet started as a small home-based operation, it quickly grew into one of the leading betting sites in the world. It now has about 1,500 employees and bases in several countries including the UK, Malta, the United States, and Australia. You can deposit between $5 and $10,000 right now.

Unibet has partnered with several professional sports leagues including the AFL, NRL, Cricket Australia, and the PGA. It has also earned multiple betting industry awards including several Sports Betting Operator of the Year awards and Best Live Betting Operator.

When you read our full Unibet review and open a new account, you can immediately partake in several promotions and bonus offers that can net you such perks as as free bets, exclusive enhanced odds deals, and sports rewards.

Live bettors will be thrilled with Unibet in-play betting experience. You can always get in on the in-play betting action, and Unibet's live menus serve up plenty of options. Don't be surprised if an in-play betting menu greets you with over 250 wagering opportunities. Just remember that live wagers must be placed over the telephone.

2. bet365

Bet365 is another online sportsbook that started out as little more than a small home business. It was founded in 2000 and operated out of a small portable building before becoming one of the most recognized and trusted brands on earth. Bet365 now employs over 4,000 people and it legally operates in many regions including Europe, North America, and Australia. Deposit limits range between $5 and $50,000.

Over the years, this highly-rated Australian sports betting site has won several prestigious awards. It was named SBC's Bookmaker of the Year in 2022 for the third straight year.

After checking out our detailed bet365 bookmaker review, you'll likely find many other reasons to sign up including the competitive odds, huge betting menus, and fun features like live streaming. You'll also be impressed with the awesome selection of regular promotions like AFL Early Payout, Soccer Multibet Offer, and Extra Time Extra Chance. You can find promotions aimed at at many popular Australian sports including rugby, baseball, soccer, and horse racing.

3. Betfair

Betfair is a unique Australian betting site in that it is a betting exchange and not a traditional sportsbook. For those who aren't familiar with betting exchanges, they essentially allow punters to bet against each other instead of betting against the bookmaker. It's a marketplace where bets are bought and sold. Betfair is widely considered as the biggest betting exchange in the world.

Like the previous 2 Aussie bookmakers, Betfair has been around for over 20 years. It was established in 2000, but it was solely a betting exchange until it started offering fixed-odds betting in 2012. Betfair's sports coverage rivals that of any leading Australian bookmaker. You can find odds on about 30 different types of competitions including small-market events like snooker, Gaelic hurling, and cycling. You can deposit as little as $10 or as much as $50,000.

We were very impressed with Betfair's focus on basketball. In addition to the NBA and leagues in places like Argentina and the Philippines, you can enjoy all of the National Basketball League action you can handle. That includes pre-match, in-play, and futures.

Even though Betfair doesn't offer as many promotions as its competitors, you can still take advantage of a few lucrative offers like risk-free bets, free bets, and same-game parlays for select National Rugby League matches.

4. Ladbrokes

Ladbrokes isn't just an established bookie. It is perhaps the oldest continuously operating sports betting company on the planet. It was founded way back in 1886 before adopting the Ladbrokes name in 1902. Ladbrokes is licensed by several reputable regulators including the UK Gambling Commission, the Northern Territory Racing Commission, and Liquor and Gaming New south Wales.

One of Ladbrokes' defining traits is its commitment to small-market soccer leagues. You can choose from no fewer than 100 different soccer leagues that operate on every continent except for Antarctica. You can bet on leagues like the K-League, Brazilian Serie A, Peruvian Primera Division, and the Egyptian Premier League. Each match serves up dozens of live and pre-match betting opportunities.

One of the biggest complaints we have with Ladbrokes is that it doesn't stream as many sports events as most competitors. You can stream almost any horse race, but the pickings are rather slim when it comes to major sports like soccer, cricket, and rugby. On the plus side, there's no shortage of promotions.

5. Neds

Neds is one of the best new Australian betting sites. Just a few months after its launch in 2017, Neds was purchased by Ladbrokes for $95 million. Neds possesses licenses in several jurisdictions including the Northern Territory.

You will find close to 30 types of competitions on Neds' menu. You can bet on any major sports or league as well as several less-popular sports like table tennis, volleyball, darts, and netball. Check out the Novelties tab to find wagering opportunities for events like the Logie Awards, MasterChef Australia, and Sports Personality of the Year.

Neds is among the best Australian bookmakers for Australian Football League bettors. Most AFL pre-match betting menus offer over 150 unique wagering options including a plethora of player props. You'll discover that the odds margins for most 2-way bets fall in the 5% range which is quite good for AFL. Neds also offers same-game multibets on select AFL matches. You can start with a deposit ranging from $10 up to $2,500.

6. Betr

BetR is a new bookmaker that launched in 2022. While there is no doubt that the operator focuses on horse racing betting, the site has plenty to offer to Aussie sports fans. Betr is licensed by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission.

If Betr only offered sports wagering, then it probably wouldn't have cracked our top 13 Aussie bookmakers. While our expert found that the odds are generally on par with other top betting sites, some of the odds margins were astronomically high. The strangest thing is that Betr doesn't currently offer live wagering. As such, there is no live streaming either.

The driving factor behind Betr's appearance on this list is the horse racing. Betr is hands-down one of the best horse betting sites down under. You'll find the most generous odds on races from all over the world including Australia, South Africa, the UK, Japan, and North America. You can place you bets on the next race, or wager on a race coming up next week. Of course, you can wager on major events the Memsie Stakes, Caulfield Cup, and the Melbourne Cup months in advance.

7. Boombet

Boombet is a very popular Australian sports betting platform that's been around since 1998. One of the reasons you may not be entirely familiar with the name is because Boombet was known as Sportsbetting.com before its rebrand in 2021. Boombet is licensed in the Northern Territory and it adheres to the South Australian Gambling Codes of Practice.

While Boombet's sports coverage is quite good, it isn't quite as good as many of the other online sportsbooks on our list. As of July 2024, the list of sports and competitions had just 19 entries including politics, eSports, and the Olympics. That said, the bookmaker covers most of the popular Australian sports like Aussie rules, rugby, tennis, and golf. Our experts were pretty impressed by the availability of so many NRL futures including odds on making the top 4, missing the top 8, and minor premiers.

Like the aforementioned Betr, Boombet has made the decision to not offer in-play wagering which means no live streaming. Boombet also seems to focus more on horse betting. One of the coolest features that horse bettors will love is Expert Tips. Betr's experts break down the races and offer their best picks along with the reasoning behind those picks. You also have access to a wide range of betting stats to help you make the most informed wagering selections.

8. PalmerBet

PalmerBet was established in Sydney in 2013. The site is licensed in New South Wales and it is partnered with several top sports organizations like the AFL, NRL, and Cricket Australia. It's worth noting that the bookie accepts a diverse range of payment options including PayPal. This speaks volumes about PalmerBet's legitimacy and level of trustworthiness because PayPal only offers its services to the most reputable operators.

PalmerBet has exactly 30 sports and competitions on its menu in July 2024. You will find all of the most popular sports and leagues as well as an array of niche sports like beach volleyball, darts, and cycling. PalmerBet has some of the most interesting entertainment and novelty-style propositions such as the next James Bond or Time's next Person of the Year. The bookie also has one of the most unique referral programs called Punters Club.

Granted, PalmerBet has its shortcomings such a no live sports betting or streaming, but it does have a few fun features like the same-game multibet feature that you can use on a variety of leagues like AFL, NRL, Super Rugby, and NFL football. The Sports Multi Builder let's you mix and match your parlays across a full range of sports and events.

We should also mention that PalmerBet offers very fair odds margins. You usually see them hover around the 5% mark for moneylines, spreads, and totals for most mainstream matchups.

9. BlueBet

BlueBet was established in 2013 by Michael Sullivan who was once the CEO of Sportingbet and Centrebet. He wanted to create a betting company that catered specifically to the Australian market. That means you'll find all sorts of Aussie rules, rugby, cricket, and tennis wagering options. You'll also find uber-competitive odds on other popular sports and many niche competitions like cycling and darts.

One thing that stuck to us was the fabulous MLB odds. For starters, each MLB game menu features around 150 unique options including a huge selection of pitcher props and batting props. The truly wonderful thing, however, is the low odds margins. Almost all 2-way and 3-way betting markets have odds margins ranging between 4.75% and a smidge over 5%. And yes, BlueBet does indeed offer same-game parlays for MLB and many other sports.

BlueBet also has one of the best horse betting verticals around. The bookie covers races from all over the world including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, and North America. Once you have signed up, you can start claiming weekly promotions like free bets and enhanced odds offers.

10. Picklebet

Picklebet is a newer Australian betting site that was originally an eSports bookmaker when it launched in 2020. It added sports betting to its repertoire in 2021 and then horse racing in 2022. Picklebet is a Sydney-based company that is licensed in the Northern Territory.

Picklebet does a pretty good job of its sports coverage. We found 29 sports on the menu ranging from the most popular sports to some of the least popular sports like volleyball and water polo. The bookie even offers highly competitive odds margins of about 5% for most 2-way and 3-way wager types for major events like EPL, Bundesliga, and MLS.

Despite the abundance of available sports betting opportunities, Picklebet stays true to its roots by delivering a fantastic eSports betting experience. You'll find fair odds on almost any major eSport including LOL, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and NBA2K. Some eSport betting menus can offer over 200 wagering options like map markets, milestones, and handicaps. And while the site doesn't stream live sports, it does stream a lot of eSport matches.

You may also be interested to learn that the horse racing at Picklebet is a lot of fun. You can wager on races in Australia, Asia, North America, and elsewhere. Make sure to check out the stats and betting tips to give yourself the best chance of winning.

11. Dabble

Established in 2020, Dabble is an innovative Australian-based sportsbook that focuses on the social aspect of sports betting. One thing that sets this bookmaker apart from others is that it is a mobile-only site that requires punters to download and use the Dabble betting app.

One of the main concepts of this online sportsbook is that punters can easily follow other punters to get tips and find out what they are betting on. It even offers a feature that allows you to instantly copy and place bets that others have made. You can see what the most popular bets are and which of your favourite tipsters have wagered on those picks. Then there's the Dabble Banter feature which lets you connect with other members on the platform. The Dabble Feed is another fun feature that creates a community atmosphere.

Dabble doesn't offer the best selection of betting markets. We only found odds on NBA, NRL, AFL, NFL, MMA, and Supercars. While the odds were fairly competitive, the range of wagering options on each menu was below average.

In our opinion, Dabble is an ideal starting point for new punters who want to add a strong dose of sociability to their online betting experience. You can gain a lot of valuable insight and have fun learning the ropes.

12. TopSport

The colorful history of TopSport goes back to 1900 and it was one of the first Australian bookies to offer its services on the internet. The bookmaker launched its online betting platform in 1998. The bookmaker is licensed in New South Wales and has partnered with the NRL, AFL, Rugby Australia, and over a dozen other recognized sporting organizations.

Unlike a lot of Australian bookmakers on this list, TopSport accepts live wagers although you must place them over the telephone. Simply go to the In-Play tab, click on the your selection, and call the number that pops up on the screen.

We found 20 different sports on TopSport's menu. The list of leagues isn't as solid as they are many other premier bookmakers, but it covers a lot of Australian leagues that might not be offered at other sites. We were generally happy with the odds too. You're looking at odds margins of around 5% for major matchups which is pretty good.

One area that our experts got excited about was the vast assortment of soccer futures available for betting. You'll find EPL, Bundesliga, Scottish Premiership, and loads of other futures which means mainstream soccer leagues are open for betting year round.

13. Swiftbet

SwiftBet is a relatively new Australian betting site that went live in 2022. The bookmaker is based in Victoria and is licensed by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.

If you are a fan of small-market sports, then SwiftBet might not be for you. Aside from darts and cycling, the niche-market landscape is barren. However, those who prefer sticking with mainstream sports have very good options. For instance featured soccer events serve up around 200 wagering options while an AFL or NRL match will usually offer around 50 options. Odds margins generally hover close to the 5% mark.

Because SwiftBet offers odds on horse races from all over the world, you can punt on the ponies at almost any time of the day or night. This includes future bets on main events like the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, and Cox Plate. Speaking of futures, we were somewhat surprised to see such a grand selection of future bets for baseball, basketball, rugby, and NFL football.

Our experts carefully examine all aspects of the Aussie bookmakers they rate and review. This allows us to offer Aussie punters comprehensive, informed, and objective reviews that give readers a full picture of what to expect. Our experts consider a wide range of factors when they assess bookmakers. While going through the entire process is beyond the scope of this tutorial, we let you know about some of the most important considerations. They include:

Security and Trust

We have to ensure that the sites we promote are trustworthy and secure. We want you and your private details to remain safe.

Betting Markets and Odds

We want you to get the best prices on the most diverse selection of betting markets. This will help you make the most out of each bet.

Bonuses and Promotions

We believe in taking advantage of as much added value as possible. Bonuses and promotions provide opportunities to earn more cash.

Deposit Options & Payout Speed

While we appreciate having the largest selection of payment options to choose from, we like it even more if the withdrawals are fast.

Dedicated Betting Apps

We demand that Australian betting apps be very user-friendy and responsive. Having access to frills like live streaming makes it even better.

Customer Service

Customer service is critical. We prefer 2/4 access via the telephone or live chat.

Because our MightyTips experts have decades of industry experience and are avid sports bettors themselves, they know which traits the best online betting sites possess. They understand the importance of these characteristics and they would like to pass this knowledge on to you. This will make looking for the best betting site available in Australia lot easier and far less time-consuming.

1. Security and trust

   When rating and reviewing racing and sports betting sites, the first thing that our experts look for is a license. Simply put, we only endorse licensed sites. This is because licensed operators must abide by strict rules as set out by the licensing authority. If you have a complaint with your licensed bookmaker over something like non-payment of winnings, the regulator will help solve the dispute. There are no such avenues of recourse when you deal with an unlicensed betting site.

   Of course, a betting website's security is crucial too. Just like the various Australian gambling regulators, we expect that betting sites will offer the latest security features like firewalls, anti-fraud detection, and SSL encryption. You do not want to have your personal information compromised.

2. Betting markets and odds

   As experienced sports bettors, our experts always look for the very best odds. This is one of the keys to making a profit. Getting 2.10 instead of 2.05 doesn't make a huge difference in terms of just one bet. However, those bits of change add up significantly over time and can be the difference between a losing season and a profitable one. Failing to get the most lucrative odds is one of the biggest betting mistake you can make.

   Additionally, leading betting sites offer the most betting opportunities. You want your bookmaker to provide great odds on the fullest range of sports and other events like entertainment, politics, and eSports. Having more options makes it easier to find the most potentially profitable propositions.

3. Bonuses and promotions

   Australian gambling laws prohibit Australian betting websites from offering welcome bonuses or any other sign-up incentives. However, once you do sign up, betting companies in Australia have some wonderful bonuses and promotions waiting for you. You can claim loads of free bets and risk-free bets while enjoying other valuable perks like cashback, enhanced odds, and parlay boosts.

   These promotions give you a chance to consistently earn bonus cash which helps your bottom line immensely. Let's not forget about VIP programs, loyalty rewards, and referrals.

4. Deposit options and payout speed

   Top betting sites in Australia support a full selection of Australia-friendly payment options. Among the most popular are major credit/debit cards, online banking, and popular eWallets like PayPal and Neteller. We also like to see other options like vouchers and pre-paid methods. We want to make sure that all sports bettors can find a safe and convenient way to deposit and withdraw.

   If you visit the sites on our above list of best betting sites for Australia, you'll notice that some of them offer very fast withdrawal times. Leading betting sites will process withdrawals within 24 hours which means that your winnings arrive a quickly as possible. The betting sites with fast payouts are even faster.

5. Dedicated betting apps

   The coolest thing about the best betting apps in Australia is that they bring the sports betting excitement right to your fingertips no matter where you are. Well, that's assuming you have internet service. Modern betting apps are designed specifically for smaller screens. They are intuitive, responsive, and easy to navigate. Some even come with features like live streaming.

   If you don't want to download a dedicated app, you'll still have access to most online betting companies in Australia. The most reputable betting sites in Australia offer mobile platforms that work right in your browser. All you need to do is launch the browser, go to the bookmaker's site, and log in. you should have all of the same features and options as the app offers. Most mobile platforms look and work exactly as the betting apps do.

6. Customer service

   The best sportsbook sites Australia has to offer will provide you with excellent customer service. Ideally, you should be able to instantly contact a support representative 24/7 using live chat or the telephone. This ensures that you can solve the issue right away. Email is another option as is social media, but those options are a bit slower. The best betting sites in our reviews have very extensive FAQs that offer detailed replies to a full spectrum of questions and issues.

When you're looking for the ideal bookmaker, you might be looking for a online sportsbook that excels in a specific area. For example, you may be in search of the best range of betting options for EPL games or the best odds for NRL moneylines. Below, we have listed some of the most popular sports in Australia. We will now offer our expert opinions as to which of our featured bookmakers are the best options for those particular sports.

Australian Rules Football

Online sportsbooks that offer bonus codes in Australia are famous for their massive Aussie rules football betting menus. You'll find great odds on all sorts of propositions including first quarter markets, disposal markets, and a lot of player props. Many of the best Australian rules bookmakers also offer loads of Australia Football League promotions such as enhanced odds and profit boosts.

Soccer

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. As such, it generates tons of betting action at the best soccer bookmakers in Australia. One of the most exciting aspects of soccer betting is the huge number of betting options. This is especially true for major leagues like the English Premier League, Bundesliga, and A-League. If you want to bet on one of those games, don't be surprised if you encounter over 1,000 wagering opportunities. Soccer game menus are also usually rife with player props too.

Horse racing

When it comes to betting on horses, our experts agree that Ladbrokes tops the list of the best horse racing betting sites in Australia. It's a combination of things. For starters, Ladbrokes offers all sorts of wagering options on horse races from all over the world. You'll get the best possible odds and access to some of the most valuable horse racing promotions around. Ladbrokes is one of the best online sportsbooks for live streaming horse races too. It all adds up to the most immersive horse betting experience.

Cricket

If you are an Aussie cricket bettor in search of a wide range of betting options, then you won't do better than Unibet. The racebook covers all major cricket competitions including T20 Blast, The Hundred, and Major League Cricket.

Each Unibet cricket betting menu offers a rich variety of options including plenty of player and game props. One of the nicest things about cricket betting at Unibet is the reasonable odds margins which average under 5% for 2-way bets. Throw in the live streaming and you have one of the best betting sites for cricket for Australians.

Rugby (NRL)

It should come as no surprise that the number-one bookmaker on our list of best NRL bookmakers in Australia would be an Australian-based one. BoomBet handily leads our compilation of the best rugby bookmakers in Australia. You're not only going to be very pleased with the vast selection of wagering options, but you're also going to love the low odds margins which are usually under 5% for 2-way NRL bets. Furthermore, BoomBet dishes out loads of NRL future bets like outrights, miss top 8, and make top 4. Future bets are a lot of fun because they sometimes present you with interesting hedging opportunities later down the road.

Golf

Of all the best golf bookmakers featured on this page, we strongly feel that bet365 is the best option. Bet365 covers all major events as well as many smaller tournaments. Be it this year's Scottish Open or next year's Masters, you can count on bet365 to offer the best price on the biggest selection of options. 18-hole matchups, 72-hole matchups, handicaps, and many other wager types are at your fingertips. Betting on golf tournaments at bet365 is a great way to get familiar with each-way bets.

Formula 1

No list of leading Formula 1 sites would be complete without PalmerBet on it. Formula 1 fans can choose from a wonderful assortment of F1 wagering options. Like any of the best Formula 1 bookmakers, PalmerBet offers fair odds on all F1 competitions. Season matchups, season outrights, and season wins are just a few of the F1 bets available to Australians who bet at PalmerBet. This bookmaker is also known to offer plenty of promotions like free bets that you can use betting on Formula 1.

Esports

Even though it's one of the newest betting websites on this page, we can confidently tell you that Picklebet easily wins our nomination for the best Australian eSports betting site. In addition to popular sport-themed games like NBA@K and eSoccer, Picklebet features plenty of other titles like LOL, Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Rainbow Six. You will usually find that most eSports betting menus present you with over 100 options which is very good compared to many of the other best eSports betting sites down under.

The good news is that Australian punters have a huge selection of reputable and reliable bookmakers at their disposal. The bad news is that having so many options means spending a lot of time and energy going through them to find the best ones. But that brings us back around to more good news which is that our experts have done all of that hard work for you. Well, we have narrowed your options down at least.

It doesn't matter if you decide to bet on sports at an established big brand or one of the newer betting sites on our list. The important thing is that you choose the site that best suits your unique style and needs. If you're into the AFL or NRL, then make sure to check out our top sites that offer NRL and AFL betting. If you prefer small-market sports like darts, snooker, and biathlon, then make sure your chosen bookmaker covers those sports.

We suggest that you always consider the factors discussed above when it comes time to choose. This way, you can be sure that you'll be treated fairly, paid quickly, and given access to the most betting opportunities at the best prices.