Horse betting in Australia is an established and regulated way to play. There are over 300 racecourses, and top online bookmakers popular with Aussie bettors. It’s great that there are so many options, but it can feel overwhelming for new players.
Our expert guide will help newbies get started. It also helps experienced gamblers get new tips while finding the best bookies and horse racing in Australia.
Our Recommended Australian Horse Betting Sites 2025
The Top Aussie Horse Betting Sites Reviewed
After reviewing all the available online platforms for horse betting, we have a list of the best bookies around. Discover these sites below.
- Mafia Casino – Features a fantastic array of horse-themed casino games
- Spinsy – Simple, effective betting interface with clear, understandable odds
- Instant Casino – Gain up to 40% extra with the Combi Boost promotion
- InstaSpin – Supports instant transactions via cryptocurrencies
- CrownPlay – Enjoy a welcome bonus of 100% up to $150
- Roby Casino – Purchase crypto via Skrill and Neteller for instant withdrawals
- Kingmaker – Easily navigate between races in different countries for fast wagering
- Prontobet – Impressive sportsbook for live betting
- Golden Panda – Leading Aussie sportsbook with innovative live bet features
- SpiNight – Quick Bet function, so you never miss out on placing wagers
The Best Horse Betting Sites Reviewed
Learn more about Australia’s best online horse racing betting sites in our expert reviews below.
1. Mafia Casino – Impressive range of horse-themed pokies
Mafia Casino is a favourite online gambling site, providing a gaming section and a sportsbook. While Mafia Casino doesn’t currently offer real horse race betting, it features horse-themed pokies popular with Aussies. You can also experience a range of other horse and horse racing themed games.
One of the best is the 50 Horses pokie, from the EGT brand. Released in 2016, the game features five reels and four rows, with free spins, scatters, and more included. Other horse-themed pokies at Mafia Casino include Treasure Horse, Black Horse Deluxe, 4 Horsemen, and more.
You can claim the sports betting welcome bonus of 100% up to $150 if you want to enjoy the sportsbook, but there is a separate offer for casino players. The casino offers a 100% match up to $750 and 200 free spins.
While we’d love to see Mafia Casino add online horse racing betting to its sportsbook, the betting experience is impressive enough to earn it the top spot. It’s a user-friendly and generous offshore gambling platform for Aussies looking for great sports betting.
Pros
✔ Selection of entertaining horse racing and horse-themed pokies
✔ Inviting welcome offers for casino and sports betting
✔ Captivating website design with a Mafia theme running through it
✔ Supports instant payments and withdrawals via cryptocurrency
✔ Features software from over 60 developers
Cons
✖ Does not yet include horse betting in the sportsbook
✖ Wagering requirements apply to bonus funds and deposits
2. Spinsy – Claim 50% Sports Reload Bonus Every Week
Spinsy is a solid pick for anyone who wants a premier horse racing Australia betting experience. It offers simple navigation throughout the sports betting lobby, allowing you to find the races you want easily.
What adds to the horse betting experience at Spinsy is the inclusion of live streaming for many races. This way, you can bet on and watch the races unfold all in one place. Plus, the odds at Spinsy are always competitive, giving you the best prices.
You’ll get to kick off your betting experience with a 100% up to $150 welcome bonus, but there is a 50% weekly reload bonus for regular bettors to claim, too. Plus, you can benefit from the site’s accumulator boost of up to 100% for multiple selections.
Spinsy is a fun website with a nice theme, though it occasionally lags. It’s not a huge issue; it is likely an easy fix for the operator in its next site update. You can play on mobile without this affecting your experience.
Pros
✔ Great selection of sports betting promotions
✔ Features live streaming of horse races
✔ Easy-to-use sports betting lobby
✔ Available via the Telegram app
✔ Competitive odds on horse racing events
Cons
✖ Jarring website that often gets stuck
✖ Low maximum withdrawal limitations
3. Instant Casino – Excellent Bet Builder and Quick Bet Services
Instant Casino is one of several recommended betting sites not on BetStop, but this doesn’t make it any less appealing for horse racing fans. Many of the best horse racing betting sites operate this way, and you can look forward to some great features on this platform.
Useful tools exist in the sportsbook, such as the Bet Builder function for creating wagers just how you like them. Instant Casino also has a quick bet tool, letting you place swift bets on your preferred races.
The platform’s design makes it easy to find the races you want to wager on, too, while the welcome offer of up to $7,500 ensures you get more from your initial experience.
While there are plenty of real-life sports to bet on, Instant Casino offers a wide range of virtual sports. These are on-demand and computer-simulated versions of real-life betting. They combine the thrill of live betting and the convenience of random number generated (RNG) gambling.
Our only gripe with Instant Casino is that there is a maximum withdrawal limit of $4,000 in place. Anyone who is a high roller may find this a little limiting.
Pros
✔ Good range of horse betting markets and live eHorse Racing
✔ Useful betting tools, including Quick Bet and Bet Builder
✔ Mobile-friendly website for Android and iOS users
✔ Rewarding welcome bonus of up to $7,500
✔ Chance for instant crypto withdrawals
Cons
✖ The maximum withdrawal limit of $4,000 is in place
✖ No access via Telegram or Discord
Understanding Horse Racing Betting
Placing horse racing bets is a favourite pastime of many across Australia, with figures suggesting that around 1 million people gamble on these events monthly. The simplicity of betting on horses draws people in, as does the thrill of watching each race play out.
You need to understand betting on these races before you start, though. We have insight into the best Australian horse racing betting sites and helpful advice to help you get started.
Key Horse Racing Terms
There are specific terms linked to horse race betting to know about, including:
- Runner – Each participating horse in a race is called a “runner”.
- Form – The past performances of a horse, usually displayed by its name.
- Barrier – Another name for the starting gate, where each horse begins the race.
- Weight – The weight of each horse, providing potential insight into how each horse will run.
- Maiden – A maiden race is for horses that have never won.
- Spell/Spelling – A spell is a horse that has had at least a 60-day break from racing.
- First-Up and Second-Up – A horse’s form in the first and second races back following any breaks.
- Heavy/Soft/Good/Firm – Relating to the moisture in the ground at the racetrack. The drier a ground is, the firmer or faster the going becomes.
- Late Scratching – Horses withdrawn from a race after 8 am on the event day.
How to Bet on Horses
There is a huge choice of horse racing events around the world that you can bet on, such as the UK’s Grand National and the Kentucky Derby. With so many races and wagering options, betting online can be confusing. That’s why we have put together a helpful guide for you to follow to make things easier.
Step-by-Step Horse Betting Guide
To help you get started at your chosen online sportsbooks, we’ve created a step-by-step guide for you below:
Step 1: Sign Up for an Account
Read through our expert reviews and pick a site that matches your interests. Click the link to open the site. Navigate to the “Sign Up” button, click it, and complete the registration process. Complete any verification steps the sportsbook requests.
Step 2: Make a Deposit
Once you’ve created your account, log in to your chosen horse betting site. Navigate to the deposit or cashier section. You’ll see a list of options. Pick the payment method that works best for you. Enter the value and click to confirm.
Step 3: Find Horse Races in the Lobby
Open the sportsbook lobby and navigate to the horse race betting section. You’ll see all the races and odds available on the sportsbook.
Step 4: Place a Bet
Pick a race and a horse, and you’ll open a bet slip. Enter the amount you want to wager, then click the button to place your bet.
Popular Types of Horse Racing Bets
A wide range of wagers is available at Australia’s best horse racing betting sites. It’s important to know what these are and how they differ, which you can discover more about below.
Straight Bets
- Win – This bet requires selecting the horse you think will win the race.
- Place – Wager on a horse to finish first or second in the race.
- Show – Bet on a specific horse to finish first, second, or third.
Exotic Bets
- Exacta/Perfecta – Choose two horses you think will finish first and second.
- Trifecta – Predict which horses will finish first, second, and third in the exact order.
- Superfecta – Bet on which four horses you think will finish in the top four positions.
- Quinella – Select two horses to finish in positions one and two in either order.
- Quadrella/Quaddie – Select the winning runners of four consecutive races.
- Daily Double – Choose the winners of two consecutive horse races.
- Pick 6/Big 6 – Wager on which horses you think will win six consecutive races.
- Boxed Bet – A wager where you can include multiple finishing orders for the same group of horses. Any combination of your selected horses finishing in the top positions yields a payout.
- Flexi Bet – You can increase the number of selections in your bet without affecting the wager’s cost.
Top Tips for Picking the Right Horse
There are no guarantees when betting at horse racing betting sites, just as with anything related to gambling. However, you can use specific top horse betting tips to enhance your chances of winning.
🔹 Checking the Form and Performance
An integral part of picking horses is checking the form of all runners. This gives valuable insight into their recent performance and potential chances in the next race. The numbers next to a horse’s name tell you how it finished in previous races. So, if you see 36131 next to a horse, it means they won the last race, finished third in the one before that, won the one before that, etc.
If a horse has won more races recently, it stands a good chance of winning again.
🔹 Consider the Odds
Before you place any wagers, consider the racing odds. Look at different Aussie online sportsbooks to find the best odds. Compare them and determine the best payout if you place a wager on a horse.
🔹 Analyse the Track, Conditions, and Distances
You should always research the track before a race. Whether this is firm, good, soft, or heavy will impact how the runners perform in an event. Some horses are much better suited to firmer ground, while others will perform better in other conditions.
Ensure you know the distance of the race(s) you intend to bet on, too. Some horses may be better with shorter, almost sprinting races, while others display endurance over longer tracks.
🔹 Trainer and Jockey Influence
Races don’t rest solely on the hooves of the horses running. Jockeys and trainers have an impact, too. A more experienced rider can pair well with horses that frequently perform well. Some trainers may also be known for training runners who often win, so bear that in mind.
🔹 Tips from the Experts
Some of the best horse betting tips come from experts online. Follow the guidance of the best bettors and tipsters to locate the best wagers available. Don’t make all your decisions under this insight, though. Consider all betting factors before parting with your funds.
Which Payment Methods Are Accepted at Horse Betting Sites?
Online bookmakers accept various payment methods, many of which cater to Aussie bettors. These options include fiat currencies, while introducing digital currencies also allows for crypto betting. Here is some more insight into supported payment methods at horse betting sites.
🪙 Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin allow instant deposits and withdrawals. Transacting with these digital currencies always offers security and anonymity.
🌐 E-Wallets
An e-wallet offers high security and privacy for your funds, with popular options including Skrill, MiFinity, Jeton, and Neteller. Upload funds to the wallet and deposit and withdraw to and from sportsbooks for a fast, free transaction experience.
💳 Credit/Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards, like those available from Visa and Mastercard, are familiar to bettors. You can make instant deposits with them, and often, there are high limits to take advantage of. Keep in mind that withdrawals through a card usually take longer, though.
📱 Apple Pay/Google Pay
Use the mobile wallet on your handset from Apple Pay or Google Pay to make instant deposits at your chosen sportsbook. You may not be able to withdraw through these wallets, so you’ll need to request a bank transfer.
🏦 Bank Transfer
You can sometimes deposit and often withdraw higher amounts through bank transfers. This method offers secure transactions at the top horse-betting Australia sites; payments can take longer.
Can You Bet on Horse Racing on Your Mobile?
Most licensed and verified horse betting sites feature mobile compatibility, allowing you to place your favourite bets on the races you want wherever you are. Even though this is the case, not all of them provide apps to download. Instead, you will likely need to bet this way through your mobile web browser.
The great part about this is that you don’t need to install anything onto your handset. Mobile sports betting websites are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. The platforms are designed to be responsive to the different screen sizes, so whether you’re playing on a smartphone or a tablet, you’ll have a great experience.
Some horse racing betting sites also offer services via the Telegram app, providing secure mobile gambling.
How We Rate the Best Online Horse Betting Sites
We always provide honest, in-depth sportsbook reviews. We do this by joining, depositing, and placing bets at popular betting sites, giving us the same experience you’ll have. When reviewing these sites, we look for specific features, including:
- Security Features – We ensure that each site we review uses SSL encryption to protect your data. We also look for clear and comprehensive privacy policies to ensure that the bookies we review take your privacy seriously.
- Betting Options – A key check for each sportsbook is the range of betting options available for Aussie horse bettors. We consider the odds offered, the bet types supported, the quality of the live betting, and more.
- User Experience – We browsed the website to ensure all links work, everything adheres to the screen size, accessing the betting markets is easy, and there are no site issues.
- VPN Compatibility – We browsed the website to ensure all links worked, everything fit different screen sizes, and the sportsbook was easy to use and loaded quickly.
- Mobile Gambling Support – Testing the site via a mobile device is key. We ensure it provides as good an experience as betting on a desktop computer and operates smoothly on tablets and smartphones.
- Range of Promotions – We browse and claim the bonuses and promotions, making sure there is a good selection of these, that they activate properly, feature fair terms and conditions, and provide a rewarding experience.
- Customer Support – We review the FAQ section and the help centres to find important information and speak with customer support using various methods to ensure they offer friendly, professional, and insightful assistance when needed.
The Best Online Horse Betting Sites Australia – Final Thoughts
Through this online guide to horse betting online in Australia, we have put together insight into the top platforms and information on how to best proceed with placing wagers.
Locating a safe and secure sportsbook when betting on horses. We recommend Spinsy, which has exciting promotions, various betting markets, and thrilling live streaming of races. Despite the desktop website being slow at times, Spinsy is fantastic as a mobile betting platform.
Responsible Gambling at Horse Betting Sites in Australia
It’s essential to stay safe when participating in online horse racing betting. Only place sports bets for fun and don’t deposit and wager more than you can afford. Use deposit and bet limiting tools to control your gambling, and if you need extra help, you can turn to external organisations.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) provides links to gambling resources and articles to learn more about the subject.
Gambling Help Online provides active support options to help combat gambling addiction. You can find local services, start an online chat, call a dedicated helpline, and more.
Australian Horse Betting Sites – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best horse racing bet?
The best horse racing bet differs from player to player. If you’re new to this type of betting, it’s good to stick to straight bets – Win, Place, and Show.
How do you bet on horse racing in Australia?
Join one of our recommended sites for horse racing bets, deposit into your account, and then find the race(s) you want to wager on. Consider all insights into the race before you place a bet.
How do I choose a good horse to bet on?
Before betting on a horse, consider various factors within the race. Study the runners’ form, the influence of jockeys and trainers, the track conditions, and race length, and check out expert tips before you start.
What happens if my horse is withdrawn before the race?
If your chosen runner is withdrawn before the race starts, you will receive your stake back. However, it’s important to check with your chosen bookie, as they might have a different policy. Always keep track of your wagering so you have proof of bets in case of problems.
What are the best strategies for beginner horse bettors?
As a beginner, there are specific horse betting tips you can follow. Research the race(s) beforehand, look up expert picks, learn about the track, and start with smaller bets. Don’t be afraid to try different bets either, as sometimes, winning bets can be tough to succeed at as a novice.