Australia are a nation that have traditionally embraced gambling. Punters are able to choose from a wide variety of betting options and bookmakers which has facilitated the development of the online podium into a mammoth industry.
Foreign sites may be banned in 'the land Down Under', but we have compiled a list of what we believe to be the top five regulated sportsbooks in Australia. Not only do these licensed sportsbooks allow Australians to place real money from their homes, they also enhance the overall betting experience.
Operating from their offices in Sydney, CrownBet is endorsed as being Australia's largest 100% Australian owned bookmaker. Initially unleashed in 2005 as Betezy, the service was changed to BetEasy in September 2014, before transforming into its current brand six months later.
CrownBet concentrate first and foremost on the Australian market with only Australian dollar accounts offered to customers who are able to take advantage of the frequent promotions and loyalty rewards. The website is only available in English in decimal odds, but users will benefit from the modern interface and intuitive setup.
Bettors will be spoilt for choice by the strong selection of racing and sports options which range from greyhound racing to boxing to tennis. When betting through the website, punters are required to stake a minimum bet of $0.50 which can be facilitated through the interface's all-encompassing three-column layout with sports listed on the left, markets and odds in the centre and the betting slip on the right. Their dedicated betting apps for smartphone and tablet devices are equally as user-friendly.
CrownBet is substantial enough to work as a sole bookmaker membership and is well worth checking out, especially if you're craving an Australian-owned bookmaker.
Bet365.com.au is Australia's evergreen relation to one of the world's leading online gambling companies which has its headquarters located in England - the business was founded by English entrepreneur Denise Coates in 2000. Customers will never feel helpless thanks to the top-class customer service which sees response advisors contactable at any time of the day.
Football enthusiasts can feast on the abundance of soccer betting markets, whilst watching matches from some of the best leagues across the globe through the live streaming feature. Bet365 have even implemented a distinctive 'edit bet' feature that allows punters to add, exchange or remove choices from unsettled bets.
Along with the variety of betting products and ongoing promotions, the website also contains a 'Specials' section which highlights exclusive markets for bettors in Australia and other regions. The majority of these are novelty bets on widespread events like national elections and reality television shows.
Aside from the uninviting shades of grey and green that combine to give the website a dull and outdated image, its excellent functionality means any type of bet can be placed with virtually no hassle. With highly-competitive odds and a vast range of local and international betting markets, Bet365 delivers according to its reputation and is everything a proficient bookmaker should be.
Sportsbet.com.au has been an Australian institution for over 15 years in the online betting community with its beaming blue, yellow and white tones giving its online platform a warm, inviting feel. In 2011, Irish bookmaker Paddy Power became the sole owner of the business and they have invested their considerable financial muscle behind the company.
The uncomplicated accessibility of the website helps provide a seamless betting experience with social media links, as well as a clock in the top corner displaying Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) - a rare feature amongst Australian online bookmakers.
Another sporadic function bespoke to Sportsbet is Punters Club, which allows customers to form a group with friends and take it in turn to place real money wagers. This is a great social tool and also provides a network for interaction with fellow punters.
The sports menu is comprehensive and conveniently provides a drop down menu, listing each sport in alphabetical order. The bet live menu is another superb facet which shows all the most popular sports that are live at any given moment.
Signing up with Sportsbet presents a range of local banking preferences and it rates highly alongside the rest of the pack meaning customers can deposit directly without scanning through exchange rates, as well as having the luxury of cashing out imminently.
Amiable and extremely cordial, Sportsbet is tailor-made to make its customers feel welcome - their 24/7 support team and multiple bet types have made it one of the most likeable brands in the Australian online sports betting community.
The Palmer name is engrained in racing history and Sydney’s betting circle, so it was only a matter of time before the family burst the online bubble which they did in August 2013. Despite still being viewed as a newcomer in the betting world, PalmerBet have worked tirelessly in order to give punters excitement mixed with the best possible odds across racing and sport.
Palmerbet have a fantastic sign up bonus for those looking to open a new account where you be rewarded with 100% matched bonus on your first deposit.
Unsurprisingly horse racing is particularly prevalent throughout its website with plenty of markets to choose from. Palmerbet offers races from multiple countries as well as all certified domestic race meets. A click on each horse will provide a sound evaluation of their attributes and their excellent up-to-date blog provides invaluable information to those wanting to place bets. It should also be noted that other popular sports are not overlooked with fans of Australian Rules and rugby in particular also guaranteed a plethora of options.
Palmerbet have made a conscious effort to establish themselves as one of the frontrunners in the market and despite a few minor gripes such as theinability to make click-to-call bets, they continue to entice new customers through their reliability and terrific promotions.
A colossal name worldwide, UniBet has been treading its feet in Australian waters since 2012. Its online interface possesses a search engine that allows you to seek a particular player, team or event that you want to place a stake on. The sleek layout mostly utilises flash and is extremely practical for users.
On the down side, there is no menu that exhibits all the sport markets available. Unlike the bookmakers mentioned earlier, there is no menu down the left hand side or across the top that contains every single event that you want to bet on. It does however, have a shortcuts menu that heavily focuses on Australian sporting events.
UniBet.com.au provide fantastic promotional offers to allure new customers - for the first deposit of $20 you make into your account, you will be rewarded bonus bets of $80. Abiding for their motto, ‘By players, for players’, instead of allowing you to make the bonus bet and then take away the stake after you win, you will keep the cash. Incredibly, you are also given the opportunity to cash out your Bonus Bet too, dependent on your luck.
For attention to detail and their meticulous nature, UniBet are certainly beginning to make waves in the Australian betting landscape. Without doubt, they remain leader of the ‘best of the rest’.
Further Reading: Now Read More About Our Top Pokies Casinos