Live Horse Betting in Australia

Live betting in Australia is certainly growing in popularity, with live betting adding an extra level of excitement to your bet. While live betting is available, it is important to remember the regulations around bonus bets have changed and aren’t available for new customers. Change the way you bet and check out our comprehensive guide to betting live.

How Does Live Betting Work?

In Australia, the process of live sports betting or live horse race betting is a little more complicated than you might expect. The way it works is different to most other countries and it's a good idea to understand the process before you place live bets.

The Interactive Gambling Act actually makes it illegal for betting sites to offer live in-play betting online, but it isn’t illegal for Aussies to bet live. Therefore, a loophole has been found by some bookies as they showcase their live odds and provide a phone number for their customers to call.

By doing this, it means it isn’t technically considered “online live betting” making it legal for bookies to offer. So, while the process is more complicated, it is still possible and legal in Australia. You can use live betting sites and place your bets via phone.

Live Betting Compared to Pre-Match Betting

As the process of live betting in Australia requires a phone call and is a little more complicated compared to pre-match (or race) betting, so may choose to stick with what they know. However, there are some unique factors about live betting that do make it quite appealing.

Mainly, live betting sites offer bettors the opportunity to change their minds or secure guaranteed profit by hedging their bets. However, it is important to note that, most of the time, the bookie margin is usually higher for live betting.

If you’re quick at picking up on trends and spot things happening before they actually happen, live betting presents a way you can get extra value into your bet. You don’t have as much time to really think about the bet when it’s happening live, so it’s a good idea to develop a plan beforehand to take advantage of any opportunities.

Live sports betting is more effective than compared to live horse betting because things happen very fast in horse racing. The process of phoning in to place your bet may mean the desired odds are no longer available or the horse race might even be over by the time you get through to customer service.

Top Apps for Live Betting

When it comes to live betting apps, the user experience needs to be as optimal as possible. You’ll need your phone to call the bookie to place your bet, so instructions on how to streamline the process need to be simple and easy to follow.

There should also be information on the odds and how often they are changing as well as how long the bookmaker expects it will take for you to place your bet. Things change very quickly in the world of live sports betting and live horse betting, so speed is critical.

If you’re thinking about betting on events live, you’ll need the best live horse betting Australia app and you’ve got many choices, including:

  • Bet365
  • Unibet
  • Picklebet
  • PlayUp
  • Palmerbet
  • Colossalbet

Top Live Betting Brands

If you’re looking for live betting, there are a couple of betting sites in particular that take the cake. We don’t mind a live bet every now and again, so we have first-hand experience on which bookies offer the best experience, like Betr live betting, for example. 

Some of the top live betting brands you should consider are listed in this section:

PlayUp

PlayUp

PlayUp has a massive offering for bettors, including live betting and they are one of the biggest betting sites in the country for a reason. They even have horse racing tips on offer for their customers as well if that’s something you’re interested in.

The process of betting live with PlayUp is as simple as possible and they have many customer service agents available, to make the process even faster. On top of being one of the best live betting sites, they also have heaps of betting bonuses for both racing and sports.

For more details on what makes PlayUp so great, check out our comprehensive PlayUp review.

Get Best Fixed Odds

Picklebet

Picklebet

Picklebet is another top-notch bookie offering live betting in Australia. They have a huge range of markets, although their speciality is esports. The customer service team makes it as easy as possible for you to get your live bets placed quickly, so you can have the desired odds.

If you’ve got exotics tips, one of the best places to bet is with Picklebet. They have some of the best odds available for exotic markets, meaning you’ll get more bang for your buck. Their app is also one of the best going around, with a huge range of unique promotions.

For more details on what makes Picklebet so great, check out our comprehensive Picklebet review.

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

Bet365

Bet365

If live betting and live streaming are your thing, then you’ll love Bet365. They are certainly one of the best live-streaming sites and the experience is heightened even further thanks to the fact bettors can live bet as well.

The Bet365 live betting process is as streamlined as possible and they are one of the bookies that has offered live betting for the longest amount of time. The range of Bet365 in-play betting markets is far-reaching as well, so you are spoiled for choice.

For more details on what makes Bet365 so great, check out our comprehensive Bet365 review.

Consistent Great Odds

Unibet

Unibet

For those interested, Unibet live betting is also available on a range of different markets. Unibet is one of the biggest bookies in the world for a reason and they even offer heaps of racing tips, like Group One races tips and Saturday horse racing tips.

Just like with all the other betting sites that offer live sports betting or live horse racing betting, you’ll have to call the number provided. The Unibet customer service team is well-equipped to sort your bet out as quickly as possible, as they have the resources to hire enough people.

For more details on what makes Unibet so great, check out our comprehensive Unibet review.

Get Great Selection of Markets and Odds

Palmerbet

Palmerbet

Palmerbet is another great option if you’re thinking about in-play betting in Australia. The process of placing a live bet is as simple as possible, but you will have to call up to get your bet sorted. The wait time will likely depend on the popularity of the event (and other events happening at the same time).

When it comes specifically to racing, they have a huge range of markets, especially for the major Group One races on the calendar, including the likes of the Melbourne Cup. You’ll even be able to find Flemington tips available on their platform if you want to use them for tips and betting purposes.

For more details on what makes Palmerbet so great, check out our comprehensive Palmerbet review.

Get Awesome offers on Saturday racing

Colossalbet

Colossalbet

Colossalbet may be one of the new betting sites, but they offer live betting in Australia, which is a massive drawcard. Just like any other live betting website, the process with Colossalbet is as simple as possible, with the team working to get your bet sorted quickly.

The team at OnlyRacing think they have one of the best apps going around and when it comes to multi bets, they have a huge offering. Their odds are also quite competitive as well, including their live betting odds.

For more details on what makes Colossalbet so great, check out our comprehensive Colossalbet review.

Great Racing Odds With Personalised Tips

Live Horse Betting

When it comes to live horse betting in Australia, it is important to note that live horse betting is more difficult than live sports betting. This is because horse racing events occur over a much shorter time than your average sporting event.

To be successful in live horse racing betting, you’ll need to be on the ball quickly and get through to a customer service agent as fast as possible. On top of this, some bookies may even only take live bets for sporting events considering how quickly most horse races are finished.

It pays to double-check with the bookie if they accept live horse racing bets before time, so you aren’t left disappointed. If you find they do accept horse racing bets for live races, the process is similar to that of sports betting live, it just needs to happen a bit faster.

The process of live horse betting can seem tricky, but when you break it down, it is actually quite simple. We explain more about the process here:

  1. Sign up (or login) - The first step is to sign up for a bookie that offers live betting or login if you already have an account. Most betting sites have a quick and easy sign-up process, only taking a couple of minutes before you’re ready to go.
  2. Make a deposit - If you don’t have any funds in your account, it is important to make a deposit. You likely won’t be able to make a deposit over the phone when calling to place your bet.
  3. Head to the live betting (or in-play) section - Either on the website or app, you’ll see a “live betting” or “in-play” section. This section showcases all the odds of live events happening right now.
  4. Select your market - Out of all the odds you see, find the event and specific market you wish to bet on. Click on that particular market and you’ll be provided with a code that you use when you make the call.
  5. Call and place your bet - Once you’ve got your code, call the live betting number of the bookie. Most of the time, bookies will have a specific number just for live betting enquiries, so they can answer your call in a more timely manner.

Most Common Live Bets

As previously explained, most live bets centre around sporting events because they last much longer than horse racing events. This means that all the most common live bets are sporting-related. The bet type you’re looking for will also likely differ depending on the specific sport you are interested in.

We’ve found all the most common live bets that you should be aware of and listed them in this section:

Live Bet TypeExplanation
Match Winner/ ResultHere, you are betting on which team will win the match. The odds will continue to change as the game progresses and if one team is particularly dominant, their odds will be very short.
Total Points/ Goals/ RunsThis involves choosing whether the total points etc. will go over or under the designated line. The line will continue to change throughout the game, depending on how many points have been scored and how long is left.
Net Goal/ Point/ RunHere, you are betting on which team or player will score the next goal etc. The odds will change, but it likely won’t be at the same level as some of the other bet types.
HandicapA handicap bet is when you choose how much a team or player will win or lose. There is a margin of points that you choose over or under for and this will change as the game progresses.
Race to Points/ GoalsThis is where you bet on which team or player will get to a certain amount of points first. As one team or player gets closer to the specific number, their odds will shorten dramatically.
Half-Time/ Full-Time ResultThis is where you choose what the result will be at half-time and full-time. It is quite similar to the match-winner bet type and will see the odds dramatically change as the match unfolds.
Correct ScoreFor this bet type, you choose the exact final score of the match, this is easier to do in some sports (like soccer) than others (like AFL).
Individual Player PerformanceYou are betting on a specific player to achieve a certain amount of a particular action, usually in the form of over or under. For example, in basketball, actions would include; total points scored, rebounds and assists.

Live Betting Tips and Strategies

When it comes to in-play betting, things naturally move very fast. So, it’s a good idea to get some tips under your belt and develop a strategy that can help you remain as agile as possible, taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves.

Some of the best tips and strategies we have to make your experience a more enjoyable (and hopefully a more profitable one) include:

  • Develop strategy in advance - With things moving as fast as they do with live betting in Australia, you must develop your strategy in advance. For example, this could include betting on a team to win when they are a certain amount of points down, because you know they are a good comeback team.
  • Choose specific markets - It’s important to remember that bookies have a greater margin with live betting markets, so don’t get caught up in markets that don’t present any real value. It’s a good idea to stick with bets that involve what the final outcome may be.
  • Hedge your bets if needed - If you’ve placed a pre-match bet and it isn’t turning out the way you had hoped, don’t be afraid to cover that with an in-play bet, meaning you won’t lose as much at the end of the day.
  • Specialise in one or two sports - With the bookie margin being higher for live in-play betting, you are better off focusing on just one or two sports and becoming an expert in them. You can pick up on trends just as they start to happen and potentially get better odds for your efforts.

Live Betting in Australia FAQs

While we have endeavoured to answer any and all questions you may have about live betting in Australia, we do understand that the scope of the topic is significant. This is why we have put together this FAQ section for you. We have gone through and found all the most common questions people have about the topic and answered them in this section.

How to bet on live horse racing?

Live betting on horse racing is a little more difficult due to the fast-paced nature of racing events. If a bookie accepts live bets, head to their “in-play” or “live betting” section and choose the market you wish to bet on. You’ll then get a code that you quote to a customer service agent after you’ve called them.

Is live betting allowed in Australia?

Yes, live betting is allowed in Australia and there are even live horse racing betting sites available for you to bet with. Not all bookies accept live bets, so it is important to do your research before signing up if this is something you are looking for.

Is it possible to live betting without calling in Australia?

Many people want to know if live betting without calling in Australia is possible. At this stage, this is not possible and the only way you can place live bets is to call the bookie’s customer service team. Most of the time, bookmakers that accept live bets will have a separate customer service phone line, specifically for those wishing to place live bets.

How does a live bet work?

A live bet is an interesting bet type that is becoming more popular among bettors and it involves betting on an event while it is still going. Things can change pretty quickly in these types of events and you can easily find value in the odds.

What is the best betting site for live betting?

There are plenty of betting sites that accept live betting in Australia. Some of the best that you should consider include; PlayUp, Picklebet, Bet365, Unibet, Palmerbet and Colossalbet. All of these bookies have a streamlined process in place to make live betting as fast as possible.

Can you cash out live bets?

The “cash out” feature is usually only available on a selected range of markets and events. On top of this, it is different for each bookie and at this stage, most bookies don’t offer cash out for live bets. However, it is a good idea to check around as it is different for each bookie.

What is the best live betting strategy?

There are a few things involved when it comes to developing the best live betting strategy. One of the most important aspects is to ensure you develop a plan before the event. Things happen very fast in the world of live bets, so if you want to take advantage of potentially higher odds, a pre-match or pre-race plan is important.

Can live bets be cancelled?

No, as is the case for pre-match or pre-race bets, you won’t be able to cancel your live bet once it has been placed. This is why it is important to listen closely to the customer service agent when they repeat your bet back to you before they confirm it. They will likely repeat the market as well as the bet amount for you to confirm.

Are there live streaming and live betting sites?

Yes, there are betting sites where you can do both. Even when it comes to major events, like the Melbourne Cup, you can watch the race and even potentially bet on the race live as well. Live streaming sites like Bet365 and Unibet are available in Australia. So, that solves the question of how to watch the Melbourne Cup!