Sports Betting in Australia

Australia has a long history with sports betting, but the landscape has shifted significantly over the past decade as lawmakers responded to the growth of online wagering.

  • 2015ā€“2016: By the mid-2010s, online Australian sportsbooks were generating hundreds of millions in revenue, drawing closer scrutiny from regulators. Lawmakers grew concerned about the rapid rise of digital wagering, particularly in-play betting.
  • 2017 ā€“ Interactive Gambling Amendment: The pivotal reform came with the Interactive Gambling Amendment Act 2017, which tightened restrictions on offshore operators and banned certain forms of in-play betting via online platforms. While often referred to as a ā€œlive betting ban,ā€ it specifically targeted interactive methods of placing in-play wagers. Pre-match betting and most other forms of online wagering remained legal.
  • Post-2017: Despite these restrictions, sports betting has continued to flourish in Australia. Land-based and online sportsbooks licensed at the state level still operate freely, and wagering remains widely accepted by the public. The ban on in-play betting is viewed as a limitation, but not a severe one compared to more restrictive gambling regimes around the world.
  • 2020s: Australia has maintained a state-managed system where each jurisdiction regulates its own operators. Unlike the USA, where some states prohibit sports betting entirely, no Australian state has imposed an outright ban. Most maintain relatively permissive frameworks, provided operators hold the appropriate licenses.
  • 2023ā€“2025: Recent years have seen lawmakers refine gambling policy further. Measures such as the national BetStop self-exclusion register and proposals to ban credit card use for online betting reflect a growing emphasis on consumer protection. At the same time, Australiaā€™s two major political parties approach gambling differently: the Coalition has historically leaned more supportive of wagering, while Labor has taken a cautious stanceā€”particularly around land-based casinosā€”though both remain broadly tolerant of regulated online sports betting.

Australia

Sports Betting in Australia

There are plenty of regulated betting options available to Australian bettors. While betting isn't as liberally regulated as countries such as the United Kingdom, you'll still be able to punt like the best of them (just not when it comes to live betting!).

Australia places strict restrictions on offshore sportsbooks. The government has actively blocked and banned many unlicensed operators in order to protect consumers and encourage betting through Australian-licensed platforms. While some offshore sites still attempt to serve Australian players, access is often unreliableā€”websites may be blocked, payment methods limited, and customer protections minimal. As a result, punters are strongly advised to stick with regulated domestic operators, where oversight and consumer safeguards are far stronger.

Licensed Australian sportsbooks frequently offer bonuses and promotions to attract punters. Popular betting markets include soccer, horse racing, tennis, cricket, and Aussie Rules. With relatively low minimum bets, wagering is accessible to players of all budgets. Most sportsbooks support multiple currencies, though the Australian dollar remains the standard. In 2025, some of the most popular bookies in Australia include Bet365, Neds, Ladbrokes, Dabble and Betr.

Fortunately, in Australia the main restriction is the live betting banā€”otherwise, regulated sports wagering faces relatively few limitations. Betting is widely accepted, with plenty of options both online and in person. With so many choices available, itā€™s important to compare operators carefully and choose a sportsbook that offers the features and markets you value most.

Deposit Options

Unlike some markets overseas, where payment methods can be limited, regulated Australian sportsbooks provide a wide range of deposit options. As with bookies in the United States or Canada, punters can typically choose from credit and debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and other convenient methods, making it easy to fund an account in the way that suits them best.

Mastercard and Visa are most popular, followed by debit like Visa Debit, Electron, and Maestro. Then AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Japanese Credit Bureau, PayPal, BPAY, Poli, Skrill, and older options like money orders, bank transfers and checks!

Payout Options

When it comes to collecting winnings, regulated Australian sportsbooks offer several reliable withdrawal methods. Common options include Visa and debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets such as Skrill. Most of these methods are free of charge, though some bank transfers or cheque payments may carry a small fee.

Mobile Compatibility

Although the Interactive Gambling Amendment restricts certain forms of live betting, most other wagering activities remain fully accessible on mobile devices. Mobile access is especially important for Australian punters, since many major sporting events in North America and Europe take place overnight in local time. With global markets at their fingertips, Aussies rely heavily on smartphones and tablets to place bets whenever it suits them.

Safety and Security

Because sports betting in Australia is regulated at the state level, it operates under strict safety and compliance standards. Licensed sportsbooks must follow robust rules, and those that fail to do so risk being banned from the market. This strong oversight ensures that operators maintain fair practices to keep their licenses.

Gambling laws in Australia continue to evolve, with lawmakers meeting regularly to review and refine regulations. The system is progressive and designed to close loopholes quickly, giving punters confidence that the industry is closely monitored.

Bonuses and Promotions

Australian betting sites typically offer many bonuses and promotions to keep bettors interested. Deposit bonuses can be large, and wagering requirements tend to be low.

Australia Sydney

Odds and Betting Options

Regulated Australian sportsbooks vary in the odds and markets they provide, so itā€™s worth comparing before you sign up. The best operators deliver a wide range of betting options, ensuring you can find value across your preferred sports. Checking these details up front helps you avoid wasting time with a sportsbook that doesnā€™t match your needs.

Most licensed bookmakers cover a broad selection of sports, from staples like soccer and cricket to Aussie Rules, tennis, and horse racing. If youā€™re interested in more niche markets, itā€™s still a good idea to review the sportsbookā€™s offerings in advanceā€”though many regulated sites in Australia carry an extensive lineup.

Popular Sports to bet on in Australia

In Australia, sports betting remains diverse, with strong markets across soccer, cricket, tennis, horse racing, and Aussie Rules. While horse racing has seen declining interest globally, it continues to hold a solid place in the Australian wagering landscape. By 2025, these traditional codes remain central to betting activity, even as newer markets such as eSports are beginning to gain traction.

Top Online Sportsbooks for Betting on Sports in Australia

Now that weā€™ve outlined the key factors for choosing a regulated sportsbook in Australia, itā€™s worth looking at the offshore alternatives that still accept local punters. These platforms often entice players with larger bonuses and more aggressive promotions, and in some cases they also allow live in-play bettingā€”something restricted under Australian law. Weā€™ve reviewed these offshore sportsbooks in depth, assessing their reliability, features, and overall user experience. By weighing our reviews against the criteria above, you can decide whether a regulated or offshore option best fits your betting preferences.