Betting has been a beloved pastime for Australians since the 1800s, possibly earlier. The Melbourne Cup, a renowned race, is celebrated with a public holiday in Victoria.
What has changed over the years is how bets have been placed. Originally bets could only be placed at the racetrack on race days, which led to the introduction of illegal” SP Bookmakers,” who held bets for punters who could not make it to the track. This was unregulated and led to many societal issues, including violence and corruption.
The government introduced “totalisation” to combat illegal betting operations, which enabled punters to legally place a bet without heading to the track with bookmakers operating on the way. However, this remained the status quo for decades, with many pundits fearing the industry had become stale and wasn’t attracting any fresh faces.
The betting industry has grown significantly since the 2000s, with the Internet emerging as the most influential factor. Sports betting, in particular, has become the primary source of betting turnover. And it has never been easier to place a bet within Australia. In addition, bettors can watch sports and racing 24/7 and place bets from their mobile devices, something unheard of in the past.
Which Sports are Commonly Bet on in Australia?
In Australia, it is customary for sports enthusiasts to watch football during winter and cricket during summer. At the same time, horse racing is a year-round activity. This was mirrored in the early years of sports betting. Below are the three most popular sports to bet on in Australia:
Rugby League betting is one of the most popular pastimes in the Australian winter, especially in the northern states of Queensland and New South Wales. With nine NRL matches each week, there is something for all punters, from traditional win and line betting options to novelty bets or the first try scorer. The annual State of Origin series generates fantastic TV ratings and betting action nationwide.
Australian Rules Football betting is another great way to keep busy during winter. The AFL is the main competition, with teams from Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland participating. There are several betting options for each match every weekend. At the same time, odds on the Brownlow Medal and Premiership fluctuate throughout the season.
Cricket has always been the most popular sport in the Australian summer. Betting on cricket used to revolve around Test Matches and One Day Internationals. However, the emergence of Twenty20 cricket and leagues all around the globe have seen cricket betting grow at a rapid rate. Tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash League provide traditional, novelty, and proposition bet options.
Horse Racing is the oldest and most popular type of racing in Australia. Horse racing tracks spread across Australia, with night racing becoming popular with the TV audience. Before placing your bets on horse racing, it’s essential to carefully analyse the horse racing betting odds to maximise your potential winnings.
List Of Other Sports You Can Bet On In Australia
The introduction of Cable TV and the Internet has led to an explosion in online sports betting on overseas sports in Australia. Below are some of the popular and emerging sports to bet on in Australia:
Basketball is played worldwide by the National Basketball Association (NBA) in America, the biggest competition in the world. Betting on basketball is hugely popular. Bets can be placed on the traditional markets, such as win or line, with many proposition markets also available.
Tennis is another sport that has seen a significant rise in betting. With tournaments all year round and significant media coverage, betting on tennis can be very profitable. In addition, the four Grand Slams, Wimbledon, US Open, French Open and Australian Open, provide terrific yearly opportunities for the astute bettor.
Soccer is known as the global game with good reason. The English Premier League (EPL) and Serie A in Italy are two of the most popular punter competitions. At the same time, the World Cup played every four years, creates enormous betting interest. Match betting, goal scorer selections and tournament winner markets are amongst the most common bet types.
The betting world has a significant interest in Mixed Martial Arts, particularly in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which has become popular in the sports betting industry. UFC betting can be very profitable, with only two combatants in each fight and a limited number of bet types available.
Baseball is America’s national pastime, and baseball betting is prevalent. Match results, run line and handicap betting are the main markets for astute bettors. With so much statistical data available on baseball, it is a “stats nerd” dream!
Golf is an excellent sport for placing a bet. The four majors, the US Masters, US PGA, US Open and British Open, generate much interest and betting action each year.
Conclusion
Betting on sports betting odds is fun and profitable with the right approach. However, it is crucial to bet with a licensed and respected bookmaker. Palmerbet are third-generation bookmakers and are part of the NSW Bookmakers Co-Op.
Visit Palmerbet.com and start betting today!
