Palmerbet Review (December 2024)

Palmerbet’s roots are in Australian racing. Being based at Canterbury racecourse in New South Wales laid the foundation for a refined racing product from the beginning of the Palmerbet journey. As such, there has been a significant focus on developing such a strong racing product. They have a wide variety of markets, comprehensively covering all the standard and exotic racing bets a punter may place. They are up there with some of the best Australian bookmakers.

Race betting can be overwhelming due to the large selection of markets, however Palmerbet makes it simple to navigate through these markets by creating sections for each type of bets.

From the home screen of Palmerbet punters can access a list of the next to jump races in the centre of their screen. I am a big fan of the format within this section as you can tailor what types of racing you want to see from the ‘up next’, i.e., you can select between greyhounds, thoroughbreds and harness racing, or a combination of any.

You can easily navigate to the racing tab in the centre of the screen, just above the next to run races, to see a more concentrated view with full cards from the tracks. From here, each race has an attached countdown clock, so you don’t miss out on placing or keeping track of your racing bets. If you select a specific race, it will take you into a well-designed spread of markets for the race, including exotic bets such as trifectas and quinellas. 

Within this page, each race has ‘race comments’, which outlines more in-depth details on individual runners. Whilst not to be used in isolation, they provide a solid base of knowledge for the race or rather a solid reinforcement if you are already considering a runner.

Palmerbet also offers their own individual tools such as the speed map of runners in the race. This indicates how quickly a horse is meant to run during each section of the race, generally split into 3 sections. Palmerbet also offer a tool specifically for early speed, this is the same as a speed map effectively but specifically for the first section of the race. It is a free tool located within each race. 

On top of this there is also the ‘Palmerbet predictor’ which is a basic model that is fed data about each horse in a selected race and produces an algorithmic driven ranking list of the horses’ likelihood to win the race.

In terms of racing odds with Palmerbet, you’ll find that they are competitive with the other top bookmakers. They may not be the forerunner in the field but combined with the promotions offered (such as odds boosting) it largely levels the playing field with other major bookmakers who offer similar.

As with any relatively new face in a market, there are areas that still require attention. Palmerbet tends to be slow in moving their fixed odds for races. This can be capitalised on by punters, however the slow updates can give a false idea of the true price of a runner right before the race. Palmerbet also has quite narrow futures markets that does not allow punters to capture huge odds for listed races at the beginning of the season. Lastly, the lack of live betting and live streaming greatly hinders late action on races.

In summary, there is much to praise Palmerbet Australia on for their racing markets and tools. The lack of access to live streaming the races, in addition to the lack of live betting is their greatest downfall. However, the depth of markets, free analytical tools, and ease of placing bets, as well as the competitive odds offered, make it one of the better racing bookmakers in the country. 

Palmerbet Australia offers one of the most premium mobile experiences on the market. The app is a comprehensive view into the Palmerbet system, showing next to run races, timestamped, on the home page. Palmerbet constantly updates their interface and backend of the site to maintain and improve usability and to keep up with their competitors. 

In terms of the Palmerbet mobile app, it is streamlined and fast, with minimal lagging and bugs. The app’s ease of use and navigability, coupled with the simplicity in placing bets provides an enjoyable experience to the everyday punter that I believe is even better than their web interface. 

For me, Palmerbet’s mobile app is best used when placing pre-informed bets or tracking pending bets. Also, the Palmerbet blog is great on the mobile app which can provide extremely valuable information for your bets. Given the small percentage of Australian bookies that offer blogs, Palmerbet really separates themselves from their competitors. I feel obliged to give my opinion: their blog is the best in the game!

The comprehensive range of articles on sports and racing where both tips and post-event reviews are delivered is super easy to digest. I believe Palmerbet’s very active blog compliments a punter’s already existing knowledge nicely but should not be used as your only source of information. 

The app also excels in its deposit and withdrawal functions. The process is made extremely simple, narrowed down to only a few clicks.

As a whole, the mobile app is top notch and makes you want to spend time on scrolling through markets and races.

Features

Australian bookmakers offer enticing features to separate themselves from the competition. Palmerbet has a series of these features that are utilised to offer the best experience to their customers. I explore a few of these below:

Same Race Multi 
With Palmerbet, users can select runners to place between 1st to 4th and compound them into a multi with fixed odds. It is a great way to boost your returns and get action on multiple runners you may like.

Fixed Odds Plus 30 
During the peak of Australian horse racing, over spring/summer, Palmerbet Australia will offer fixed odds with an additional 30% increase in the price you take on selected races all season long.

Odds Boost 
A service from Palmerbet that increases with loyalty. Punters are provided with a set number of odds boosts that can be used on any type of bet. It is generally a percentage boost, and they are given generously and frequently.

Cash Out Function 
Palmerbet offers a cash out function that is available if you have an active bet that has not yet commenced or a multi that has a few legs remaining. The feature by Palmerbet allows the option to take the current level of returns. However, you will get a discounted price on this ‘cash out’ due to Palmerbet taking a commission. 

Features - Racing Specific

There are so many great features that I love about Palmerbet! Something that really sets them apart is their racing-specific features. So, if you are a racing lover like me, it becomes almost a necessity that you check out Palmerbet, if you haven’t already!

Palmerbet Flucs
Palmerbet Flucs makes it easy to see how supported each runner is in the market. The more money poured into a runner, the Palmerbet Fluc will show a decrease in odds and if there isn’t much money going to a runner, there will be a display of an odds increase.

This feature shows you the opening price of each runner along with the highest price (Palmerbet Top Fluc) that was/ is available and the current price. This gives you vital information about what the market is doing and if runners are popular or not. 

Key Stats
In any horse race, stats are critical. While they don’t 100% guarantee that you have found the winner, it is a good place to start. Palmerbet provides key stats like horses that have proven success at the track and trip. 

These key stats plus the form guide are here to help you make more informed decisions. The form guide provides a comprehensive look at all the runners, you can choose to go into more detail, or simply get a summary including win and place percentages, breeding and more.

Fast Factor
Palmerbet is here to provide you with the horses that fit the criteria to win the race. The Fast Factor provides easy-to-read highlights on the positives of each runner, which can give an indication if the runner might be in for a good race. 

This includes information like if the runner is in-form, a track or distance specialist, etc. It’s easy to sift through all the weeds and just focus on the things that really matter with Palmerbet’s Fast Factor feature. 

AI Rating
If you don’t have time to do the form yourself, Palmerbet is here once again to make things easy for you! Their AI Rating feature rates the chances of each runner in the race, taking into consideration facts like the key form indicators (i.e. strike rate, race record and more).

Once all the magic happens, the runner with the best chance of winning is given 100% and the runner with the least chance of winning is given 0%. The betting market is not a consideration in the AI Rating, it is purely based on form factors and stats. 

Speed Map (Including Early Speed)
The speed map is an essential part of any race, no matter the distance. Palmerbet’s Early Speed equips you with information about the runners who have early pace and will be closer to the front of the field and those who are more likely to sit back.

How the race will be run is an important piece of the puzzle. Palmerbet provides a detailed guide to where each runner might run, depending on factors like barrier draw, early speed and previous positions in races.

Form Filter
The form can easily get overwhelming, so make things easier for yourself by using Palmerbet’s Form Filter. Control is back in your hands as you can easily see the stats you want by using the filters (there are up to 20 available!).

You can select any filter you desire to further refine the criteria. For example, if the track is wet, you can filter by those who have had the most success on Heavy tracks, or filter by those who have the most success over the distance.

Products

In addition to betting features, prominent bookies in Australia will offer a few differentiating products from the rest of the market. Palmerbet is no exception and has products that are offered by other bookies that they specifically excel in and a few products unique to Palmerbet Australia. I have highlighted some of the most useful ones below:

Palmerbet Blog
Whilst there are other bookmakers in Australia who offer blogs, none do it as extensively and as usefully as Palmerbet. They offer tips and information in article format about Australian racing and then provide reviews and summations at the conclusion of major events, as well as an outlook for the next similar events. 

On top of this they also offer racing previews for the weekends. The Palmerbet blog is very actively tended to and whilst you shouldn’t make it your only source of information before placing a bet, it compliments prior knowledge very well.

Palmerbet’s BetBook
Growing on the interactive aspect of punting, Palmerbet has recently introduced a ‘BetBook’ which acts as a micro-social media platform for punters using Palmerbet Australia. Through the BetBook, punters can discuss and share bet slips.

I believe this is something that Palmerbet can gain massive success from as they take the steps to create a social framework of loyal and connected punters. Many similar platforms are beginning to offer a comparable product, so the cultivation of this community would be a great benefit to Palmerbet and their punters.

Palmerbet offers many markets and features that make it an enticing bookmaker for racing punters. These include but are not limited to:

• Palmerbet offers competitive fixed odds markets for Australian and International thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing.
• Palmerbet have an array of exotic betting options such as exactas and boxed first-fours for all Australian races.
• Palmerbet Australia have a Same Race Multi market to combine the odds for multiple runners in a race.

Palmerbet has the whole package to offer for betting markets. A live betting feature for racing would be an improvement, but for a relatively fresh-faced bookie, the betting markets are exceptional. 

Sign-up bonuses for online betting sites are governed by tight legislation in Australia. As a result, PalmerBet is unable to promote any sign-up bonuses to Australian punters who do not already have an account.

If you want to find out about Palmerbet promos and offers, click here to create a Palmerbet account

1. On Palmerbet’s homepage click the green ‘Sign up’ button which should take you to the sign-up page.
2. Enter your correct details and ensure you read the deposit limit warning carefully.
3. Your details will go through automatic verification; if this is successful your account will be created.

How to Verify

1. Ensure you are logged in before clicking on the ‘my account drop down’.
2. Click the green ‘Verify’ button next to the orange warning of ‘verification required’.
3. On this verification centre page input your phone number to receive a verification code.
4. Enter the code you received. If this matches up, you will have completed the verification process.

If you want to utilise Palmerbet and enjoy all its features, you must start with depositing. So, it is important to discuss Palmerbet’s banking features alongside their markets, promotions, and functionality.

For most punters, the method used for processing deposits and withdrawals will be debit card. Like all major bookies, this is offered by Palmerbet and will satisfy most users' needs. When you first deposit you simply enter your card details as if to make any regular online purchase, it should be noted that when withdrawing for the first time you will be asked to verify your debit card which will be a short and easy process as directed by Palmerbet. Verification can be done by simply inputting your driver’s license details.

On top of these standard methods, Palmerbet also offers direct bank to bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals. However, this is the only method outside of using a debit card for processing withdrawals. In contrast, Palmerbet recognises Paypal, Bpay and Osko as methods for depositing.

Overall, the banking methods with Palmerbet are comprehensive and should be able to cover the needs of almost all punters. They should largely enable you to deposit and withdraw without much hassle and in a timely manner. 

Customer Service is essential for bookmakers. Fortunately, at Palmerbet Australia, they make it easy to contact them via email and phone.

I would say that a phone call is the quickest and easiest way to get through to someone on the Palmerbet customer service team. I have found that when you call them, the wait time is minimal and for the most part, the team are incredibly helpful. Although it may take longer to reach a resolution, emailing would be a more suitable option for longer, more complex issues.

I must discuss Palmerbet Australia’s lack of a live chat feature. Almost all top bookmakers have a live chat function to simplify customer service in a modern ‘chat-room’ style. This feature has been a largely successful implementation from other Australian bookmakers, and I strongly believe that Palmerbet’s customer service would become more streamlined and simplistic with the addition of a live chat.

All in all, I feel that Palmerbet’s user support is good enough to keep most customers satisfied due to the helpful agents. However, a live chat system or similar is essential for Palmerbet to stack up against their competition’s customer support.

Margins are effectively the perceived amount that a bookmaker is making on every bet they accept. As such, the margin is a reflection on the odds of that bookmaker. For example. if a bookmakers’ margin is 20%, for every $1 bet the bookie accepts, it takes $0.2.

Below I have compared Palmerbet’s odds and margin to Sportsbet and TAB 1 hour before the jump, and 5 minutes before the jump:

Race 1 - Ballarat Synthetic R1 31/10/2022

1 Hour Before Jump:

• Palmerbet - 124.9%
• TAB - 127%
• Sportsbet -126.8%

5 Minutes Before Jump:

• Palmerbet - 125.8%
• TAB - 126.2%
• Sportsbet - 124.9%

Race 2 - Ballarat Synthetic R1 31/10/2022

1 Hour Before Jump:

• Palmerbet - 125.8%
• TAB - 128.1%
• Sportsbet 125.1%

5 Minutes Before Jump

• Palmerbet - 125.8%
• TAB - 124%
• Sportsbet - 122%

Palmerbet has been around for a while now and they have a great range of products and features to take advantage of. Compared to other existing betting apps and websites, Palmerbet website and app are very easy to use, with everything when you think it would be. This means it is super easy to get your bets sorted quickly.

Their customer service is decent enough and they have a mammoth range of promotions available for existing customers. If you're thinking about signing up with a new bookie, Palmerbet needs to be one that you seriously consider!