If you’re a casual punter who likes to dabble on sports and racing markets on an easy to use website with a great app, look no further than Sportsbet.
Sportsbet is an Australian-licensed bookmaker that offers the usual array of sports and racing betting. Sportsbet started way back in 1993 in Darwin and is still licensed in the Northern Territory.
In 2005, Sportsbet was on the brink of bankruptcy when Matthew Tripp (now of CrownBet) purchased the company for just $250,000. Tripp would then go on to sell 51% of Sportsbet to the biggest bookmaker in Ireland – Paddy Power in 2009.
In September of that year Sportsbet acquired All Sports LTD who were the owners of IAS Bet. The very next year it was announced that Sportsbet had sold the remaining ownership of their company to Paddy Power.
Sportsbet offer up one of the best betting applications and mobile websites in the business. The interface is simple but the bet placement is incredibly fast and smooth.
They have arguably the biggest array of betting markets of all the corporate bookmakers in Australia and their pricing is right up there with the most competitive on major sports and racing events.
They are one of the most accurate books in Australia in terms of horse racing prices but recent changes in their trading department may affect that reputation.
Overall Sportsbet are one of the best and most reliable bookmakers in Australia. Unfortunately, just like everywhere else winning players will likely be subject to some restrictions but generally speaking they’ll let customers particularly on racing get a ‘decent bet’ on.
Unfortunately, just like everywhere else winning players will likely be subject to some restrictions but generally speaking, they’ll let customers, particularly on racing get a ‘decent bet’ on.
Put simply, Sportsbet is the safest choice when you are recommending a sportsbook to a casual player.
Positives
- Their tipping competitions are great
- Promotional markets and odds are as good as anyone in the industry
- Range of markets is extensive on almost all sports and racing events
- Competitive prices and often first to market with odds on events including AFL, NBA and horse racing
- Safe, secure and fast deposits and withdrawals
- Excellent customer service with live chat although no 24/7 service hurts
- Accepts deposits from a range of banks and deposit options
Negatives
- No 24/7 customer service
As expected, the positives far outweigh the negatives at Sportsbet.
Out of all the online corporate bookies that came into the market a decade ago to take on Tabcorp, Sportsbet is the one that has taken the most market share of them (Tabcorp).
The website is simple and easy to use and the trademark blue, yellow and white colors work well together on the website and in marketing and branding campaigns.
Sportsbet is well known for their marketing department and the mischief they get up to taking the mickey out of sports and pop culture figures as well as other topical subjects.
The changes to their app recently make it arguably the best in the market (Ladbrokes is up there!) and the mobile site has been elite for a long time.
Sportsbet also has market leading promotions every weekend across everything from Group 1 Racing to NBA, EPL and the Aussie Sports.
They have a market online for just about everything and the customer service and offering to the casual player is still the best in the business.