Sportsbet Bookmaker Review

Sportsbet Summary

Brand Confusion

Undoubtedly, part of the bookmaker’s success has been due to the fact that many recreational Australian punters do not know the difference between Sportsbet and TAB Sportsbet, which is the sports betting arm of the massive TAB operations in New South Wales and Victoria. The brand confusion has worked to the advantage of Sportsbet, not that it is complaining.

Like Paddy Power’s website, their online presence runs off the OpenBet platform and is easy to get around. It has a lot of quick links on its front page and several promotional boxes that highlight feature events and special offers. The book has mobile betting apps for both Apple iOS and Android devices, which is a plus in these times.

In the rest of this review, we will look at wagering options, bonuses, its security and licensing, how it treats professional and recreational punters and its banking practices, before providing an executive summary.

Markets

Sportsbet’s proposition to punters is that it gives them a fair go – something that is a major part of Australia’s ethos – it makes gambling fun and it offers more value.

As well as offering a fair range of betting markets on not only Australia’s favourite sports – Australian Rules football, cricket, football, motor racing, rugby league and rugby union – but also those with universal appeal around the world, Sportsbet does the right thing by punters robbed by shock results through its justice payouts and refunds.

It makes betting fun with its irreverent advertising campaigns that carry through to its product offering. Like its parent company Paddy Power, Sportsbet prides itself on enabling its clients with opportunities to bet on special novelty markets that relate to the major news of the day. In the 2012 US Tennis open, it offered a super money back special (even trumping PaddyPowers offer) where up to AUS$100 was refunded on a losing bet in the men’s singles tennis if the game was decided in the 5th set.

Sportsbet clients do not have to worry if they miss the start of an event because its live in-play service is superb, although Australian punters are barred from gambling on the Internet during live sports events because of federal government legislation. They must place bets via the telephone.

Bonus Offers

Australian residents who do not live in Victoria – the Garden State has tough laws against bookmakers offering free bets and/or bonuses as inducements – get two bets for the price of one when they open and account.

Simply place your first bet, and it will match your first wager with an instant free bet, up to a maximum of $100. There are terms and conditions attached to the special offer, the most important of which is the requirement for Australian punters to turn over any proceeds from winning free bets at least once before they are able to withdraw them from their account.

Non-Australian residents can take up the special offer as well but they must turn over any proceeds from winning free bets at least five times before they are able to withdraw them from their account.

Sportsbet runs regular promotions across its core sports – for example, its Protest Payout protects punters who back the winner of a horse race only for the result to be changed in the steward’s room. On one incredible occasion this year, the Protest Payout cost the company more than $300,000.

Security and Licensing

Sportsbet is licensed in Australia’s Northern Territory and, therefore, operates in one of the world’s most tightly regulated gaming environments. There are strict rules as to the types of bets that this and other NT-licensed bookmakers can offer and a long list of provisions that ensure that punters can bet with considerable confidence.

Sponsors of, among others, the Collingwood Magpies, Newcastle Knights, and Sydney Roosters football clubs, this is a trusted name in Australian sport and gambling and, fully regulated by the Northern Territory Racing and Gaming Commission, it is a very safe place to bet online.

Professional vs Recreational Bettors

Sportsbet’s marketing is aimed at recreational punters, sports betting fans who do not take themselves or their punting too seriously. It targets, smartly, punters who view having a punt primarily as a means of enhancing their enjoyment of sports events. Its advertising campaigns are risque by Australian standards and position it as the fun bookmaker in the increasingly competitive Australian market.

That is not to say that professional punters cannot get on here but there are much better options out there for people who are looking to make a living from gambling.

Banking

Depositing money is a very quick and simple process. They accept credit/debit cards, PayPal, SecurEFT, POLi, Neteller and Moneybookers for instant deposits and supports other deposit methods, including cheques, bank transfers and BPAY. Clients can open accounts in seven currencies – Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, American dollars, British pounds, Hong Kong dollars, Singapore dollars and euros.

Sportsbet offers six withdrawal options. It favours bank transfers but also supports credit/debit cards, PayPal, cheque, Neteller and Moneybookers.

Our Verdict

Sportsbet has come a very long way in a short period of time. Its promotions are good but it is a bookmaker more suitable for the recreational punter, rather than those who take their betting seriously. There are much better betting sites for Australian punters. Despite Sportsbet’s initial appeal, it falls short as a long-term option for bettors who prefer substance over style.