What's Important In a Betting Site?
Choosing a betting site can be overwhelming as there are so many options to choose from. Let’s find out what makes a betting site worth your time and money.
Fast Payouts
If you use your dollarydoos to bet on your favourite teams and you guess the outcomes of matches correctly, you will win real money. There is nothing as frustrating as waiting for your winnings to get to your bank card or account.
That’s why it is important to find a betting site that guarantees fast withdrawals through convenient banking methods. Processing times vary from one payout option to another.
Yet, a good betting site will support solutions such as e-wallets or Bitcoin that guarantee swift, if not instant cash-outs.
Payouts taking up to 48 hours are considered fast. You should also pay attention if there is a pending period which may take up to 48 hours as well. If possible, choose those betting sites where there is no pending time.
License
Ah, licensing. It is a crucial factor you should base your choice on when it comes to online gaming. On the Australian Communication and Media Authority website, you can find the complete list of licensed bookmakers operating in the Australian market.
Down Under, there is a number of regulators monitoring the market and issuing online gaming licenses. One of them is the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), an independent statutory authority regulating gambling and liquor industries in Victoria.
Another one is the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission, an independent body established under section 5 of the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999.
Liquor & Gaming NSW is n charge of regulating the liquor, gaming, casino and registered clubs sectors in New South Wales. At the same time, the Northern Territory Racing Commission is an authority established under the Racing and Betting Act 1983.
These are only a few of regulators that make sure online gaming regulators adhere to regulations in Australia. What’s most important for bettors is that they can choose from fully regulated and licensed sportsbooks and enjoy their favourite form of entertainment in a safe and fair environment.
Wide Range Of Betting Markets
The best bookies should provide their customers with a great variety of betting markets. The great news is that those offering their services to Aussies offer hundreds of markets, including rugby and cricket, which are highly popular Down Under.
Other popular sports in ‘Straya include Australian Rules Football (AFL) and rugby league (NRL). Online betting on horse racing is legalised as well and included in most bookies catering to Aussies, as well as footy, basketball, tennis and golf.
When choosing a betting site to join, make sure to check if it offers the markets you are into.
No matter how attractive the bonuses and promotions it offers may be, signing up with it is not worthwhile if the website does not offer the sports you enjoy betting on.
Also, a good sportsbook will offer in-play betting, meaning that you will be able to place bets even if the game has already started.
Side Games (Casino/Live Casino/Poker)
Today, sportsbooks are parts of massive platforms, which function as one-stop-shops offering all forms of entertainment. From sports betting to casino and live casino games to poker rooms, all of these can be found in the same place.
If you like to try your luck at casino games like super-exciting pokies from time to time, make sure to join a betting site that offers a casino section.
Some operators include table and cards games as well, while others provide players with an opportunity to join poker rooms and take part in different formats of tournaments.
A good betting site will offer you a full range of side games you can play in your local currency for a chance to win real money prizes. Needless to say, all these games should be supplied by reputable providers and provably fair.
Bonuses
Bonuses are the best attention-grabbers when it comes to online gambling, and bookmakers are well aware of that fact. They will offer generous welcome bonuses to new customers and try to keep them coming back for more with ongoing bonuses once they are existing players.
However, in Australia, the whole bonus situation is a bit different due to the latest regulations imposed by the government.
Australia-facing bookmakers are not allowed to advertise bonuses, so players won’t see them displayed on the homepage once they visit the betting site. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to make use of bonus bets, deposit-based bonuses or promotions including enhanced odds.
To see what’s on offer, you will have to sign up with the sportsbook to your liking first, which means that you won’t be able to make your decision based on the bonus offers only. Also, some operators go for exclusive bonuses and codes, delivering them straight to their customers’ inboxes.
These offers don’t differ from regular bonuses and promotions, though. The only difference is in the way they are advertised, meaning that they have been removed from the betting site and delivered in a more discrete manner.
Anyhow, when choosing a betting site in the Australian market, you won’t be able to make a decision based on the bonuses, obviously. Yet, it doesn’t mean that all bonuses offered to you once you are a registered customer will be right for you. Check the terms and conditions and pay close attention to things such as minimum odds and wagering requirements. Based on them, decide whether you will use the bonus or not.
Crypto!
Bitcoin sports betting is one of the latest trends Down Under. One of the biggest advantages of using crypto or virtual currencies to make wagers is the fact that you can enjoy your favourite form of entertainment anonymously.
At the moment of writing this article, there aren’t many sportsbooks accepting Bitcoin and other digital currencies, yet you can still find a few that do.
Transactions made with cryptocurrencies are processed almost instantly, which is another benefit of using them.
esides, they are completely safe thanks to the blockchain technology used to process payments and withdrawals. If you are interested in how to use cryptocurrencies to top up your betting site account, read our comprehensive guide to the best Bitcoin casinos in Australia.
Promotions
As we have previously mentioned, the only thing about sports betting that is prohibited Down Under is the advertising of bonuses and promotions.
Yet, the leading bookies in Australia still provide their customers with an opportunity to claim bonuses and promotions and enjoy their stay to the fullest.
When it comes to promotions, they come in all shapes and sizes. The most common ones are boosted or enhanced odds, a type of offer where the operator increases a payout for certain bets on specific games for a limited time.
Other incentives promotions can offer include bonus bets, refunds or cashbacks, double winnings and more.
Just like with bonuses, when choosing a promotion on a betting site, make sure to read all the terms and conditions to see whether it is worthwhile.
Flexibility With Limits
One of the crucial things when it comes to online sports betting is placing bets.
You should join those sportsbooks that have flexible betting limits, meaning that they suit both players on a budget and high-rolling ones.
The same goes for deposits, as low minimum deposits enable bettors on a budget to enjoy betting on their favourite sports and teams.
Another important aspect is how much you can clear from your account. On betting sites with flexible limits, players can withdraw smaller amounts like AU$10 while maximum withdrawal limits are not set low.
Besides, some bookies allow their VIP players to cash out bigger sums, so check out the loyalty scheme and learn all about withdrawal limits.
Is Betting Legal in Australia?
Sports betting is the only online gaming activity that is legalised in ‘Straya.
Players can enjoy placing bets on horse racing, football, Australian Rules Football, rugby, cricket and other sports on regulated and licensed betting sites that are entirely safe and fair.
This form of entertainment was regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001, yet the regulations have been updated since then several times. One of the updates that have affected the industry is the ban on bonuses and promotion.
However, the good news is that these incentives are still available in all shapes and sizes, but there is no in-your-face advertising, so players can learn more about them after they sign up with the sportsbook.