Betting Bonuses in Australia (December 2024)

Betting bonuses can really help improve your betting journey & bankroll so I’ll be chatting about all things to do with free bets. I’ll show you some of the top Horse racing sites with bonuses and tell you how to take advantage with OnlyRacing.

Let’s get into it! 

Best Betting Bonuses and Promotions

Top 5 Australian Betting Bonuses

bonusesAs an Australian punter with years of experience in the scene, I know full well how essential seeking out those appropriate betting bonuses truly is. Drawing from personal experience and a profound knowledge of exactly what Aussie bettors need, I have sifted out the top 5 betting sites with the best bonuses. The ones that remain after continuing to meet a high threshold of value, reliability, and user experience emerge as my top suggestions within this particular niche.

Here are the top five brands that we love here at OnlyRacing (and we will go into more detail about each of them shortly):

  • PlayUp
  • Unibet
  • Betfocus
  • Picklebet
  • Betr

PlayUp

PlayUp

When you’re talking about betting bonuses, PlayUp is one of the top sites in Australia, in my opinion. That’s why most of our Horse Racing tips feature PlayUp odds / promos. They have sports and racing bonuses available, but this section will go into what they have for racing fans.

Firstly, they usually have a bonus back offer for racing on the top days, like Wednesday or Saturday. For example, if you’re horse finishes 2nd or 3rd, you’ll get a bonus bet. So it’s ideal for backing roughies here and there that you think might run a place.

There’s also a Racing cashout feature. It allows you to claim your winnings sooner rather than later. That’s always nice. They also have a special bonus if you’re a racing owner. Simply place a bet on your horse and if it wins, you’ll get extra cash. 

Outside of racing, there are plenty of other betting options at PlayUp. They have sports betting promotions, especially as the sponsor of the Wests Tigers. You can also play Daily Fantasy contests via Draftstars, which is linked with PlayUp. Along with a solid app and massive betting markets, you should have a lot of fun with this site. Ultimately, PlayUp is an excellent betting site in my view. They’re always improving their features on the website and app, so you’ll be getting the best racing experience possible. Check out the Playup Review for more info.

PlayUp's Best Features:

  • Excellent customer service
  • Huge range of markets
  • Awesome app for those on the go
  • Competitive odds, especially on Fix Win markets

Playup Review
Get Best Fixed Odds

Unibet

Unibet

At Unibet, you have plenty of opportunities for betting sites bonuses that will take your racing betting to another level.

First off, there are daily trifecta boosts. So you can potentially boost your trifecta odds and get more cash. Just keep in mind, that it’s for Thoroughbreds only. Another cool feature is daily racing multi boosts. You can currently get up to 40%, which I think is quite generous. This can be useful to combine with our Wednesday tips every week.

They have a thing called “Reboost”. This basically means that you’ll keep getting boosts until you pick a winner. So can be handy for punting on roughies. Also, there are daily racing extra markets that includes jockey markets, bundle bets, h2h and more. So a lot of unique Australian betting promotions at this site, which is good to see.

Unibet offers dead head payout and protest payout. This is pretty common these days, but it’s always nice to see and getting your winnings straight away is great. While for racing owners, Unibet has an owners payout feature. Overall, I would highly recommend Unibet for racing, there’s a lot going on and I think you’ll enjoy the experience.

Unibet's Best Features:

  • Unrivalled range of betting markets
  • Live streaming is available
  • Huge range of banking options
  • Great odds for racing markets

Unibet Review
Get Great Selection of Markets and Odds

Betfocus

Betfocus

Betfocus is one of the new betting sites to hit the Australian market and they are showing good signs in the racing space. Let’s talk about what they’re doing well.

Firstly, there are plenty of racing promos every week. This usually includes bet returns, bet boosts and more. Such as, if you run 2nd, you can get a bet return up to a certain amount.

They also have same race multi bets available and they offer promos for this too. Usually, it will be if 1 leg fails, they’ll offer a bet return. I’ve also noticed they can have higher odds for roughies, which is always nice. The app is simple to use and available for Apple / Samsung devices. Along with markets for every race in Australia and overseas, they could be a good option for someone looking for a secondary betting site.

Betfocus' Best Features:

  • Fast withdrawals
  • Focus on racing
  • Heaps of markets, including Same Game/ Race Multis
  • Lots of promotions for existing customers

Betfocus Review
Recently Launched Bookie with Great Racing Odds

Picklebet

Picklebet

Picklebet is another good site for Australian betting promotions, in my experience. They have some unique features for racing betting, so let’s discuss them. 

At Picklebet, they give you a 100% deposit match in bonus cash. So when you make a first deposit, they will match it up to a certain amount. So this is a perfect way to get started with this betting site.

Also, some unique features they have for racing include top 4 betting. It’s kind of like exotics tips. It allows you to bet on horses that will finish in the top 4 - similar to a first four. There’s also the popular same race multi bet type. It’s usually available for most Australian race meetings.

Overall, Picklebet offers a fun betting experience in Australia. They also have you covered for sports and offer a unique pick’em feature. It’s also one of the best Esports sites in Australia, which comes with live streaming too. Along with one of the top betting apps, you should check them out today.

Picklebet's Best Features:

  • Large variety in markets for sports and racing
  • User-friendly website and app
  • Provides tips for horse racing events
  • Unique promotions available each week

Picklebet Review
Top 4 Betting, 10% Winnings Boosts and Great Weekly Promos

Betr

Betr

When it comes to betting in Australia, Betr is usually underrated, in my opinion. Firstly, they are an Aussie owned and operated betting company that comes from Sydney. I think they are an exciting option for punters, for their focus on innovation and customer engagement.

The Betr Boost is one of the Betr standout features in that it allows you to upgrade your odds in horse racing, harness racing and greyhound events. You can use this feature on both multi bets, as well as single bets. As if that isn't enough, Betr also offers different exotic bonuses on trifectas, quinellas and first fours. If you like to bet with exotics, there are loads to appreciate.

One interesting fact about Betr is that you can purchase Bet Tokens. With this, punters just have to visit their bet slip to access promotional offers. If you’ve got a promo eligible on your bet, you’ll find a bet token appear and you’ll have the ability to select it from the list. Just remember that there is only one token per event, so be sure to check your slip for these opportunities.

Betr also provides access to racing.com streams for the best races and does well in the area of live streaming. It pairs beautifully with our Saturday horse racing tips, allowing punters like myself to experience all the action live while you watch it on your desktop or with the mobile app.

All in all, Betr has great odds, a decent app, and a host of racing bonus bets that make betting that little bit more enjoyable. If you fancy yourself as looking to become a racing enthusiast then it could be well worth checking the racing bonus bets and tempting online free bets.

Betr's Best Features:

  • Competitive odds available
  • Heaps of banking options
  • Great selection of promotions for existing customers
  • Fast withdrawals

Betr Review
Huge Range of Markets for Horse Racing

Bonus Types

When it comes to betting bonus offers, there are plenty of types that you’ll find at local Aussie betting sites and International giants like Bet365. There are enhanced / boosted odds, cashback offers and much more. Here are some common bonuses offered by betting sites in Australia.

deposit-match-bonus

Deposit Match Bonus

This is when a betting site will give you a percentage of your deposit with bonus funds, so giving you more to bet with right from the start. For example, if you deposit $50 and the site offers a 50% deposit match, you’ll get an extra $25 in bonus money. This boosts your betting power and increases your chances of winning without requiring a large up-front payment.

multi-bonuses

Bonus Back

Receive bonus offers if your horse finishes behind the leader, like 2nd or 3rd. This is a great way to get a second chance bet even if your bet doesn’t win. For example, if you bet on a horse to win and it finishes second or third, you could get your stake back as a bonus, allowing you to try again without another cost.

free-bets

Free Bets

Betting sites bonuses offers can include free bet credits, which can be used to place bets without risking your own money. This type of promotion is ideal for trying out new betting strategies or markets. For example, you might receive $20 at free bets betting sites after making your first deposit. As a result, this lets you explore different betting options without any financial risk. I'll give more discussion on free bets further down this page, because this type of bet is a very popular bet in Australia.

cashback

Cashback Offers

Cashback offers can give you a percentage of losses over a specified period and are returned as bonus cash. This helps mitigate the impact of a losing streak and encourages continued betting. For example, if you lose $100 in a week and the cashback offer is 10%, you’ll receive $10 back as bonus funds. That should soften the blow and give you another chance to win.

boosted-odds

Enhanced Odds

Better odds on specific events or bets, increasing potential winnings. Enhanced odds promotions can significantly boost your returns if your bet is successful. For instance, if the odds for a runner to win are $2, an enhanced odds offer might boost them to $3, meaning a $10 bet would return $30 instead of $20.

racing-cashout

Racing Cashout

The option to claim winnings early before the event is finished. This feature allows you to secure a certain amount of your potential winnings if you feel the bet might lose. For example, if you put on a 3 leg multi and 2 legs have already won, just take the cash and you don’t have to worry about losing it all.

reload-bonus

Reload Bonus

Bonuses are available for existing customers when they top up their accounts. This type of promotion rewards loyalty and keeps the betting experience exciting. Such as, you might receive a 25% bonus on your next deposit of up to $100.

loyalty-programs

Loyalty Programs

Earn points or rewards for regular betting activity, which can be redeemed for bonuses or prizes. Loyalty programs are designed to reward consistent punters with various rewards, such as online free bets, cash bonuses or unique gifts. The more you bet, the more points you earn, which can be exchanged for valuable rewards.

referral-bonus

Referral Bonus

Bonuses for referring friends to the betting site. When you invite friends to join the site and they sign up and deposit, you receive a bonus as a thank you. For example, you might get a $50 bonus for each friend you refer who meets the deposit bonus requirements, adding extra value to your betting experience.

owners-bonus

Owners Bonus

Get betting bonus offers when you win a bet on a horse that you own. This unique promotion is perfect for horse owners, offering additional rewards for successful bets on their own horses. You might receive an extra 10% on your winnings when you bet on your horse and it wins. Unibet and PlayUp are good sites to take advantage of this.

seasonal-promotions

Seasonal Promotions

Big events like the Melbourne Cup, Group one races or Spring Racing Carnival usually come with some great betting promos that I usually take advantage of. These promotions are designed purely for major racing events and they usually offer enhanced odds, free bets and other bonuses to make the racing experience even more exicting. For example, during the Melbourne Cup, you might find special offers such as double winnings on certain bets or free bets for placing a bet on the big race.

birthday-bonus

Birthday Bonus

Some sites will give you racing bonus bets Australia on your birthday. I think that this special promotion adds a personal touch to your betting experience and shows they care. Celebrating your birthday with free bets or bonus funds. It’s a fun way to enjoy some betting on your special day.

  

Best Horse Racing Promotions

Playup_120x120
Playup Owners Bonus - Get 15% Extra Winnings for being an Owner
Terms and Conditions Apply. Max Stake $200
Bet365_120x120
365 Top Tote +
Bet365_120x120
Odds Drift Protector
Unibet Promotion
10 x $20 Racing Bet & Get
GET 10 MATCHED RACING BETS, UP TO $20 EACH
T+C Existing Customers Only. Excludes SA. 18+ T&C’s and wagering requirements apply
Unibet Promotion
REBOOST
Unlimited reboosts on your racing bets until you collect! Available every day.
Eligible customers only. Terms and Conditions Apply
Unibet Promotion
200+ Bonus Back races every week
Available every day across all codes
Eligible customers only. Terms and Conditions Apply
Unibet Promotion
Bonus Back 2nd
Get Bonus Back 2nd on all races at select meetings on Fridays and Sundays
Eligible customers only. Terms and Conditions Apply
Vicbet Promotion
50% Deposit Match When You Deposit $100

New PalmerBet Spring Carnival Bonuses

BetRight spring bonus

  

How to Get Bonuses

Wondering how to get bonus bets offers? Here is a quick overview of how it usually works. Just keep in mind that some sites are a bit different, so this is just a general guide.

  1. Pick a Betting site: Start by selecting a site, use our list above to get the best bonuses.
  2. Create an Account: Find the bonus bets sign up or register button. Then enter all your relevant personal info such as name, email and username. Click the confirm the button and you should be right to go. Some sites require email or sms verification so look out for that.
  3. Deposit Money: Your account should be created now. Now simply choose a deposit payment method and enter a deposit amount. Sometimes there is a no deposit bonus.
  4. Find Promos: Generally, you can find the promos in the Promotions tab. It can also be found near the betting odds on a single race, it just depends on the site.
  5. Follow the Instructions: Some bonuses will have instructions that you need to follow. Read through them and make sure your bets qualify.
  6. Place a Bet: Now for the fun stuff - placing a bet. Put your bet into the bet-slip and add a stake.  

Free Bets

Wondering how to get free bets? It’s tougher than before in Australia due to strict Government laws that bookies must adhere to. Previously, betting sites could offer massive free bet offers, otherwise known as sign up bonuses. So these were crucial marketing campaigns for bookies. But in the last few years, the Australian government has cracked down on this tactic. As a result, bookies can only advertise free betting promos and offers to existing customers. You’ll usually find these on a promotions page or my account when you’re logged in.

Types of Free Bets

Three different types of free bets may be available for Australians, which include:

Free Bet TypeExplanation
No Deposit Free BetsSimply sign up at a betting site, place some money into your account and the site will give you some free bets to enjoy.
Matched BetsThis type of free bet usually means that the bookie will match your initial deposit up to a certain amount. For example, let’s say that you deposit $100, if the promo is a 100% deposit match, you’ll get an extra $100 to play with. Just check the terms and conditions at the site as they’re all different.
Free Bet CreditsThere are some bookies out there that offer free bet credits. This is generally used in promos, offers or reward programs. You can use these free bet credits but there could be restrictions, it just depends on the site.

How to Get Free Bets

Looking to get free bets? Here is how it basically works. Firstly, you need to find a good betting site, check out recommended sites and reviews to get a good idea. Then, you’ll need to create an account, it’s usually a quick and easy process. Now, head to the promotions page and you should see the free bet offers. Just follow the instructions and you’ll be enjoying free bets in no time.

Getting the Most of Bonuses

It’s no secret that there are a huge amount of bonuses available to all Aussie bookmakers. Having an array of bonuses available to you is one thing, but knowing how to take full advantage of them is another. Over the years, the team here at OnlyRacing have developed some tips to get the most out of the available bonuses.

See our tips for getting the most out of bonuses here:

  • Roughie Odds - When it comes to bonuses, bookies may end up keeping your initial stakes, so might not end up with a high-value bonus in the end. This is why it is a good idea to consider markets with longer odds. If you see a market you like with decent odds, it could be worth jumping on.
  • Major Events - We usually find that bookies will offer more markets and promotions for major events, like the Melbourne Cup, for example. Different bookies also may offer different promotions on the event, so it is a good idea to shop around and see what’s available.
  • Understand Terms and Conditions - All bonuses will come with a detailed set of terms and conditions. The terms and conditions for similar bonuses could be different from bookie to bookie. So, it can certainly pay to look around and see if you can find some bonuses with more favourable terms and conditions.
  • Stick With What You Know - One of the biggest tips we can give is to stick with markets and sports that you know. It can be tempting if a bookie is offering a promotion on a sport you know nothing about, but you are more likely to win by sticking with where your knowledge lies.

Legalities of Bonus Bets

Bonus bets, especially bonus bets for new customers have always been a point of contention in Australia. It wasn’t that long ago when bookies were offering huge bonus bets for new customers to sign up. Bonus bets are usually in the form of a first deposit match, for example, deposit $500 and get a $500 bonus.

These days, the laws have changed fairly dramatically and bookies cannot promote bonus bets or anything similar that could be viewed as enticing a new customer to sign up. It is somewhat of a minefield, but there are some key areas that you should know and we break it down for you in this section.

The key facts you should be aware of when it comes to the legalities of bonus bets include:

  • New gambling inducement regulations were introduced in 2019, meaning bookies cannot offer any incentive for a user to open a new betting account.
  • This new legislation was introduced to limit the amount of Australians impacted by gambling-related harm and also improve responsible gambling practices.
  • Bookmakers had to revise the way they advertised their business and would face significant penalties if found to be in breach of the regulations.
  • While the regulation impacts new customers, it’s a different ballpark for existing customers and existing customers can still claim a range of bonuses.
  • To see anything related to bonuses or promotions, users have to be logged into their bookie account.
  • Obviously, bookies want to attract new customers, so it has been a delicate balance and they have had to think of other areas that can improve their product to entice customers that way.

Understanding Bonus Terms and Conditions

There will almost always be strings attached to any bonus or promotion you receive. So, if you want to get the most out of your bonus, you must understand the associated terms and conditions. Each bookie might have slightly different terms and conditions, but the overall restrictions are quite common.

We go through all the most common bonus terms and conditions that you should be aware of:

Bonus Requirement

Explanation

Turnover Requirements

This refers to how many times you are required to play through your bonus fund before you are allowed to withdraw. Generally speaking, turnover requirements have relaxed in the past few years.

Minimum Odds

To ensure your bet using bonus funds is qualified, there are usually minimum odds attached to it. This means you can’t simply jump on a $1.50 pop and claim your winnings.

Excluded States/ Territories

Different states and territories around Australia will have different regulations. So, it is likely that not all bonuses will be available in all locations.

Expiration Date

You’ll find that most bonuses will come with an expiry date, so you’ll have to use your bonus before it expires. 

Payment Options Restrictions

This requirement isn’t as common as it used to be, but it still exists. Sometimes you can only claim a bonus if you use a specific deposit method.

Betting Sites Promotions FAQs

Promotions are one of the things that bettors care about the most. You should look for a bookie that has some of the biggest range of promotions going around because it means you can easily get more bang for your buck. 

If you have any questions about betting site promotions, we have hopefully answered them here:

What is a sign-up bonus?

A sign up bonus is a promotional offer given to new customers when they register and make their first deposit on a betting site. It often comes in the form of bonus funds or free bets. In Australia, sign-up bonuses aren’t really common anymore as Government law has cracked down on sites that were offering huge bonuses.

How do I claim a deposit match bonus?

To claim a deposit match bonus, you typically need to make a deposit after signing up. The betting site will then match a percentage of your deposit with bonus funds, which you can use to place bets. This bonus is no longer available for new customers, due to Australian legislation.

What is a bonus back offer?

If you place a Fixed Win bet on a particular runner and it finishes second, third or sometimes even fourth, some sites will offer a bonus back. So, this can be useful if you’re backing underdogs. We usually find that this bonus is available on specific races throughout the day (i.e. not all races).

What is cashback?

A cashback will offer a certain percentage of your losses as a horse racing bonus. This can help your profit if you’re having a bad run. We don’t see a lot of bookies offering this type of promotion these days, but if you’re interested in it, you can reach out to customer service to see what they can do for you.

Can I cash out my winnings early?

Yes, many betting sites offer a cash-out feature that allows you to claim your winnings before the event has finished. The cash-out feature is most popular with multis, giving you the ability to cash your multi out before all the legs have resulted.

What are enhanced odds?

Enhanced odds are special promotions that offer higher odds on selected races or meetings. So, this can increase your potential winnings if your bet is successful. Similar to the bonus back offer, we don’t see these promotions available for every race on the card for the day, it is for selected races.

How does the owner's bonus work?

The owner's bonus is a special offer for horse owners. If you place a bet on your own horse and it wins, you'll receive extra cash on top of your regular win. This type of promotion isn’t as popular as some of the other offers going around, so make sure you check with your bookie specifically.

Are there bonuses for existing customers?

Yes, in fact, sports betting promotions can only be promoted to customers with an account in Australia. Due to Australian gambling legislation, new customer offers are no longer permitted. You’ll also see that you have to log into your account to few all the promotions available with each bookie.