Keep in mind that the minimum stake for phone bets is $25.
****BlueBet is now known as Betr after the two brands joined forces in 2024. Click on the link below to either visit and join Betr or to read our in-depth Betr review****
Horse Racing Live Streams
Big Races Covered
BlueBet Review – Great for Domestic Sport
BlueBet has always been one of my favourite bookies for betting on domestic sports and races. In the pool of big international brands that are overhauling the Australian market, BlueBet proudly stays 100% Aussie. They offer all of the most popular domestic sports and races, plus many international events.
They are now one of the best betting sites in Australia after merging with Betr and taking on that new name.
- 100% Australian owned
- Competitive odds
- Horse Racing Live Streaming
- Racing Betting Specials
- No Live Sports Streaming
- Limited Payment Options
BlueBet Horse Racing Betting
As soon as you enter the BlueBet site, it’s clear that horse racing is their main focus. You’ll also find a selection of upcoming races in the centre of the home page, meaning that you can place a racing bet with just a few clicks.
In terms of markets, BlueBet is just as equipped as any other top bookmaker in Australia. They have everything an experienced racing betting fan can wish for. There are markets like Best Tote Plus SP, Best of 3 Totes, Best of 2 Totes, Home Tote and so on. You’ll also find all of the usual Doubles, Trebles, Quinella, Exacta, Trifecta and Quadrella. All these markets and more are now available at the rebranded Betr website just as they were with BlueBet.
Most of these are available for every race. But when major events kick off, you can expect even more options. In my opinion, this should be more than enough to satisfy most of you. I’ve certainly always been happy with the BlueBet racing offer.
Horse Racing Betting Odds
There is no need to talk too much about how BlueBet odds are great. Everything is clear just by looking at the table below. BlueBet offers competitive odds at every turn.
Note that I made this comparison based on only one randomly chosen race, so it may happen that sometimes BlueBet doesn’t offer top prices. This is just to show you that they are highly competitive in most cases, but always checking is a must for any serious punter.
Monbetsu | Palmerbet | BetEasy | BlueBet |
---|---|---|---|
Fleury | 11.00 | 11.00 | 11.00 |
Get In Robin | 6.50 | 7.50 | 7.50 |
Hit The Bottle | 26.00 | 26.00 | 26.00 |
Keyboard Joan | 2.90 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Move Closer | 41.00 | 41.00 | 41.00 |
Nellie Kernow | 6.00 | 6.50 | 6.50 |
Bonnie Golightly | 3.40 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
Kala Moca | 19.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 |
Kayarnah | 10.00 | 11.00 | 10.00 |
Overround | 126.2% | 120.1% | 121% |
Sports Betting With BlueBet Australia
BlueBet’s sports offering isn’t the best and biggest in the world, but it should be good enough to cater to the needs of most punters.
BlueBet is good when it comes to domestic leagues. AFL, NRL, cricket and all other homegrown sports are covered. There are some popular international leagues as well, such as English Premier League, NBA and NFL, but it’s limited to only the most popular options.
Multi bets are easier than ever with the ‘Rapid Multi’ feature. It gives you a quick overview of all upcoming games and allows you to form multis with ease. Just click on your selection, and it will be automatically added to the bet slip. Multis aren’t my cup of tea, since I think they are usually too risky. Still, even I can’t dispute how convenient ‘Rapid Multi’ really is.
Sports Betting Odds
All you need to know about BlueBet sports odds are in the table below. We put them against some of the best betting sites in Australia, and the results are fantastic. BlueBet Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Unibet and others.
I love the fact that you can get the same quality betting products at both big international corporations and a 100% Aussie bookie such as BlueBet. I randomly picked a game to compare, meaning that nothing influenced the results of the test.
NRL | BlueBet | Unibet | BetEasy |
---|---|---|---|
Parramatta Eels | 1.62 | 1.64 | 1.60 |
Melbourne Storm | 2.30 | 2.30 | 2.32 |
Overround | 105.2% | 104.5% | 105.6% |
How Good is the BlueBet App?
I love betting on mobile. It’s fast, handy and you can place a wager whenever you want. After using it for quite some time, I can say that the BlueBet app is one of the best mobile betting apps I have ever used.
It’s not as feature-packed as the bet365 app for example. But the thing that made me come back every time is the pure convenience BlueBet brings to the table. In my opinion, user-friendliness is the most important thing about betting apps, and this bookmaker has nailed that part.
Latest racing and sports odds are the only things you’ll see on the home screen. If you want to find more markets, or access cashier or account settings, simply swipe right to reveal the main menu. The BlueBet app has the same, clean-looking design of the desktop website, so placing a bet is equally straightforward.
You can get native BlueBet apps for iOS and Android. I use the iPhone one on a daily basis, so I can claim it works as advertised. For the sake of this BlueBet review, I also tested the android app for a few days, and the results were equally great.
Note that due to Google’s policy on betting, you’ll have to download the BlueBet app directly from their website. It’s actually a quite simple process, which we break down in our separate BlueBet mobile betting app review.
There is also an option to play using the web-based app. In that case, you don’t have to download anything, just use your mobile browser to enter the site and start betting. It’s a much faster way to place a bet than to download the native app, so don’t shy away from using the web application.
Does BlueBet Have Live Betting?
I’m a huge fan of live betting sites. The excitement of placing a live bet while the action is still happening on the playing field is priceless. I have experimented with live betting at almost every bookmaker in Australia. After cross-comparing all of them, I concluded that BlueBet falls somewhere near the top. They don’t have the same range of sports and in-play markets as bet365. But the sheer user-friendliness propels them above most of the other bookies.
I always look if the live betting section is neatly organised since it’s very important for me to find in-play odds as quickly as possible. At BlueBet Australia, all of the available live markets are nicely staked under the ‘Live Betting’ tab on the right side of the screen.
To place a live wager, call 1800 797 558 and state your bet. Unfortunately, because of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, Aussie bookmakers can’t accept live bets over a website. This is something you’ll encounter at any other bookmaker, so you’ll just have to roll with it. Luckily, BlueBet operators were super professional every time I called them.
How to Place a Live Bet?
- Visit the ‘Live Betting’ page
- Find the live market you like
- Call 1800 797 558
- State the market you want to back up
- You’re bet should be on right away
Live Streaming – Horse Racing Only
BlueBet have live streaming available for Victorian horse racing but not other sports. Not having more live streaming is a downside but at least they cover some racing now.
This is available through Racing.com and involves signing up to be able to access their live offering. Look for the red Racing.com toggle next to ‘speed map’ on the race market. The stream should appear around two minutes before the off.
You must be logged into your BlueBet account to watch the Racing.com stream for free.
Despite this, bet365 still has, by far, the best streaming platform I have ever used, with dozens of live games every day, not just racing. I talk more about their streaming features in a separate review of bet365. Here are the top 3 sites with the best live streaming offer:
What Payment Methods Are Available at BlueBet?
I always deposit and withdrawal with my credit card. But if you’re not a huge cards fan, there is also an option to use POLi, BPAY, EFT or cheques. They also offer an option to deposit cash to your BlueBet account at any NAB branch. This is a very interesting option since you can make a deposit with just cash and your ID.
Payment Methods | Withdrawal Times |
---|---|
Visa | 1 – 2 Working Days |
MasterCard | 1 – 2 Working Days |
Bank EFT | 1 – 2 Working Days |
BPAY | N/A |
PayID | N/A |
Apple Pay | N/A |
Google Pay |
Minimum Deposit Limits with BlueBet
Each payment method will come with a different minimum deposit that BlueBet allows for it. Knowing the minimum you are allowed to add to your account each time could help your decision about which to choose.
BlueBet Withdrawal Times
With three available options (EFT, debit cards, PayPal), the list of withdrawal methods is quite short. But, the addition of PayPal is a real positive for BlueBet. Even without using that, winnings have usually reached my account just a day or two after sending the request anyway.
When putting this review together, I made a few debit card withdrawals to help give a more detailed idea of how long this process takes. I found, on average, it took an impressive one hour and five minutes for the withdrawal to reach my account after making requests in the week and at the weekend.
It is important to know that many different factors could impact withdrawal times, including your own bank, but this time is by far the quickest I have come across with the best Aussie bookies. I’m normally used to waiting 20 to 30 hours for the funds to show.
Account Verification
Don’t forget to verify your account before trying to deposit or withdraw funds. It’s fairly easy to do that, just send over some of the personal documents, and that’s it. If you’re not sure how to do it, reach out to customer support via live chat and ask for help. I listed below a few important points you should keep on your mind when sending a verification request.
- Open a BlueBet Australia account
- BlueBet uses a ‘Points system’ to verify your account
- If you plan on using a credit card to fund your account that will need to be verified too
- Copies of Passport and proof of address or driver’s license are accepted
- Check the account verification section of the BlueBet website for full details
BlueBet Bonus for Registered Customers
Like all punters, it is great to take advantage of betting bonuses. You will get to see what promotions BlueBet has to offer after you have signed up with them.
This is down to Australian betting regulations that prevent bookies from using their bonuses to attract new customers. However, just because you can’t see it yet doesn’t mean you won’t get one. If you think BlueBet suits you then signing up will also bring with it offers such as a BlueBet deposit bonus.
Horse Racing Live Streams
Big Races Covered
Customer Support – Live Chat & Email
Betting with BlueBet is pretty straightforward, so I haven’t had to reach out to the customer support too many times. But every time I contacted them, the support agents were super helpful.
The thing I liked the most is that the live chat is available 24/7. Whenever I have stumbled upon a problem, some of the agents replied to my live chat message within minutes. Last time I wanted to withdraw a part of the winnings via EFT and I didn’t know how to request it, which we later solved in no time.
I have used the phone support just once so far, and it was pretty good. Other options are to send them an email or fax, but I strongly suggest you stick to the live chat since it’s by far the quickest way to resolve most of the issues.
BlueBet Blog
Whenever I can’t decide what to bet, I take a quick look at the BlueBet blog. It is one of the best sports betting blogs out there and their experts share solid betting tips there, meaning that with a bit of research, you can find a lot of useful insights.
The great thing is that they will share a link to the sportsbook just under the tip. So, if you spot something interesting, all you need to do is click through and place a wager. I did it several times, and it always surprises me how convenient it is.
As with the entire betting site, the focus of the BlueBet blog is on horse racing. But that doesn’t mean that sports fans are left out. There are also a lot of AFL, NRL and soccer analysis, so if you prefer sports over racing (like myself), this blog will also do you good!
Safety Features
BlueBet is a well-established bookie that holds an NSW betting license, which means they are 100% legit. Since you have to share a lot of sensitive data when creating a betting account, I always double-check if an operator has all of the safety features in place. BlueBet has everything I could hope for, including things like 2048-bit encryption.
On top of all that, BlueBet takes responsible gambling very seriously. Australian law obliges all of the bookmakers to have tools like self-exclusion and pre-commitments, so you’ll find them at this site as well. Even I use them from time to time, especially when some of the major sports events kick in and things become very exciting.
If you feel like you need a helping hand, don’t hesitate to contact Gambling Help Online, Gamblers Anonymous, Gambling Support or any other relevant institution. You’ll find contacts to all of them on the ‘Responsible Gambling’ page in the footer of the BlueBet site.
Who Owns BlueBet?
BlueBet is an Australian publicly listed company. Founder and current executive chairman, Michael Sullivan, runs the business and is known as one of the country’s leading bookmakers after previously growing Sportingbet before its acquisition by William Hill in 2014.
Conclusion
Doing this BlueBet review made me remember why I loved them in the first place. Their site is just so easy to use. Everything is where it is supposed to be, and there are no unnecessary parts. Plus, BlueBet’s odds on horse racing and other sports are among the best on the market.
On the other hand, BlueBet comes with a few major downsides, such as the lack of live sports streaming besides horse racing. I personally also don’t like the fact that you can’t use any e-wallets for deposits or withdrawals. But when we look at the bigger picture, there are much more pros than cons. My experience with BlueBet has been highly positive, and I’m sure you’ll also have a great time if you give them a chance.
Bluebet FAQs
Is BlueBet safe?
Yes, BlueBet has a number of safety features that mean customers can have peace of mind when betting online. They hold a NSW license, are properly regulated, and also boast 2048-bit encryption for their data.
Is there the BlueBet app for Android?
Yes, there is the native BlueBet Android app. However, you can’t download the app directly from the Google Play Store. Instead, you’ll have to get it directly from the BlueBet site. We talk more about BlueBet apps in our review.
Can I bet live at BlueBet?
Yes, you can. BlueBet offers live betting on sports, but you can’t place an in-play bet over a website. To proceed with your wager, give them a phone call and state your bet. We talk more about live betting with BlueBet in our full review.
Who owns BlueBet?
BlueBet was started by Michael Sullivan after he had previously worked as CEO of Sportingbet and William Hill Australia. It is a public listed company.
How can I contact BlueBet?
The most efficient way to get in touch with BlueBet customer support is to send them a message over live chat. You can also give them a call at 1800 797 644. To learn more about BlueBet customer support, average response times and other ways to contact them, take a look at our full review.