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NSW bookmakers online & list of best betting sites in New South Wales

Stake
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Register 18+ | Curaçao No. 8048/JAZ
Playamo
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🎁 advantage Aussie payment options & cryptos
Register 18+ | Curacao license no. 8048/JAZ2020-013
Leon Bets
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🎁 advantage Accepts crypto in addition to AUD
Register 18+ | Curacao N.V. №140186
Table of contents
    Meet our author
    Betting expert Elizabeth Winnie

    Through a ranking system and serious and consolidated standards, we make a point of evaluating the best authorized betting sites in Australia. This information will not only allow you to have access to the best bonuses, but also to the best conditions to make the best sports bets online.

    Updated: 2024-04-10

    Gambling/betting is legal to some degree in every state of Australia. The extent of this can vary and, for example, some states may have chosen to legalize only on-course betting, but it is possible to find betting agencies Australia nationwide. This is also true for New South Wales: you can find many NSW bookmakers online in this state as well.

    The problem, as always, is choice. Local NSW best online betting sites Australia cannot provide a satisfactory service because of many reasons, which we will explain below. The internet offers many options but finding the best local bookmakers online can be quite difficult, especially for beginners. We decided to make this guide to help you get started as fast as possible. We'll first share a list of NSW bookmakers online we recommend, and then share important information for punters living in New South Wales. Let's start with our list first, what do you say?

    List of NSW Bookmakers online

    • Actionbet
    • Bbet
    • Bossbet
    • EliteBet
    • Goldbet
    • Midasbet
    • TopSport
    • Ultrabet

    But before you pick one of the NSW bookmakers online on this list and start playing, we suggest you read on, as below we'll cover everything you need to know about the gambling/betting industry in the state of New South Wales.

    Despite the bookmakers that hold a government-issued licence, as the ones mentioned above, there are hundreds of NSW bookmakers online that offer even better odds, more lucrative bonuses, and various perks - and are also available to Australians. From regular odds boosts to generous risk-free bets, these Aussies can claim the offers at these sites and enjoy a hassle-free online betting experience.

    Province / State NameNew South Wales
    AbbreviationNSW
    Population8,172,500 residents as of 31 December 2020
    Biggest citiesSydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Parramatta, Albury, Nowra
    Popular sports
    • Netball
    • Tennis
    • Soccer
    • Rugby league
    • Australian rules football
    Best clubs
    • AFL - Sydney Swans, Greater Western Sydney Giants
    • NBL - Illawarra Hawks
    • Cricket - Sydney Thunder
    • NRL - Parramatta Eels, Newcastle Knights

    Bambet

    Bambet is an international betting site that is owned by the reputable Dama N.V. group and offers a complete sportsbook alongside a casino section. There are more than 20 available sports to bet on, including Aussie Rules, cricket, and even e-Soccer, among the many popular sports such as basketball, soccer, and tennis.

    New punters are welcomed with an AllWin free bet of €25 for deposits of €500 or more. The offer can be used on any sporting event with odds from 1.01 to 2.00 and is available for the first three deposits. Alternatively, players can get a 10% deposit match-free bet bonus for all deposits of up to €100.

    The site is fully mobile optimized, and players don’t have to download any additional software or a dedicated app. Alongside the long list of betting types available, users can also place bets in-game bets through the Live Betting section.

    Leon Bets

    Leon Bets is a reputable betting site that offers sports betting and casino gaming services. It holds a valid license issued in Curacao. The betting section offers hundreds of betting markets daily, including some of the most popular leagues and competitions worldwide. Aussie punters can bet on matches from the National Cricket League as well as Aussie Rules matches. Overall, the sports coverage is solid, and the experience is further improved by Leon Bets’ promotional page.

    Newcomers are eligible for the Sports Welcome Offer, which provides a 200% deposit bonus match of up to $200. The offer is valid for new users only and can be used on lines with odds of 1.60 to 3.00. Besides the welcome deal, there are several ongoing promotions for regulars as well.

    The site is fully mobile-available, and while Android users can download the dedicated mobile app from the official Leon Bets website, an iOS app is not available at the moment.

    PlayUP

    PlayUP is another gaming site that’s available to Australians and offers the complete package. It combines a complete sportsbook with a horse and greyhound racing page and an online casino.PlayUP holds a valid license issued by the Government of South Australia and its regulatory body and has its operations governed and overseen by the South Australian Gambling Codes of Practice. The list of available sports to bet on is plentiful and includes rugby, Aussie Rules, cricket, soccer, basketball, tennis, and others. There are thousands of betting markets available daily, and the promotional page is updated regularly.

    Unfortunately, due to the new regulations that were brought by the Australian government in 2018, users are not allowed to claim a deposit bonus or a free bet upon signing up at PlayUP nor any other NSW bookmakers online. However, the operator regularly offers promotions in the form of cashback or other prizes.

    The mobile experience at PlayUP is extraordinary, with excellent dedicated apps being available for Android and iOS through the Google Play Store and iOS App Store, respectively.

    Bitstarz

    Bitstarz is an award-winning crypto casino that primarily works with cryptocurrencies. Although the site doesn’t offer sports betting services just yet, it has a massive game library with thousands of casino games - including popular headlines from top-notch software developers. Moreover, users can engage in bets along with live streamers, and there are streams available 24/7.

    The welcome offer is a massive deposit match of up to $10,000 or 5 BTC and additional 180 free spins, spread out through the first four deposits as deposit matches. Overall, the site provides an excellent gaming experience and is available cross-platform. While there’s no dedicated Bitstarz app, the site is fully mobile-optimized and works flawlessly on any Android or iOS device.

    Betwinner

    Betwinner is a popular international betting site that combines a sportsbook, a casino, a bingo hall, and a live casino all in one place. The site is licensed in Curacao and is famous for its competitive odds. The payout rate is above 98%, and it offers betting lines and markets for over 30 sports and hundreds of leagues and tournaments, including all major and minor competitions. Additionally, users can bet on eSports matches and tournaments.

    The welcome deal includes a 100% deposit match of up to €100 (or currency equivalent) and can be used on an accumulator bet with three events with odds of 1.40 and up. Moreover, the site offers several ongoing promotions for regulars, including cashback offers and daily odds boosts.

    The site is available cross-platform and is fully mobile-optimized. However, users can also download the Betwinner app, which is available for Android and iOS.

    New South Wales sports betting

    Sports and horse racing betting has been around in New South Wales since the 60s, but the laws that began to regulate this industry began to take effect in the 90s. In 1996, Racing was established with the “Thoroughbred Racing Act” and authorized to issue licenses for horse racing betting. The "Totalizator Act", which came into force in 1997, also allowed for licenses for sports betting but gave this right to the Minister of Racing. The same law provided an exclusivity for on-course race betting to a company called “TAB Limited”. As we will point out below, this situation still continues.

    The "Betting and Racing Act", which came into force in 1998, updated both laws, determined what the license conditions would be, and decided to establish a commission to regulate the process. This commission is now known as “Liquor & Gaming NSW”. Originally established to issue liquor and land-based casino licenses, this commission was also authorized for sports and horse racing betting.

    As of 2024, TAB Limited's exclusivity for on-course race betting continues and we can say that it has almost become a monopoly. This greatly hinders new NSW bookmakers online from entering the market. To get a new registered NSW betting websites license, you need to apply to Liquor & Gaming NSW, but at the same time, permission must be obtained from the relevant sports controlling bodies too. For example, all bookmakers also require separate authorization from the AFL when they wish to offer Australian Football League (AFL) bets on their website. In addition to the Liquor & Gaming license, new NSW bookmakers online must also get authorization from the following bodies:

    • Australian Football League (AFL)
    • Australian Rugby Union (ARU)
    • Basketball Australia
    • Bowls Australia
    • Cricket Australia
    • Football Federation Australia (FFA)
    • National Rugby League (NRL)
    • Netball Australia
    • Tennis Australia

    This much bureaucracy makes it very difficult for new bookies to enter the market. Apart from a few local brands, we can say that TAB Limited still dominates the online sports betting sector too. Even when new companies enter the market, they are subject to many restrictions. For this reason, we recommend using the international options rather than the local bookies to place sports bets from this territory. You can choose any of the New South Wales online bookmakers we have selected: you can be sure of a more satisfying and productive experience than local brands.

    Featuring Horse racing at NSW bookmakers online

    Like almost every other Australian state, NSW distinguishes between betting on horse racing and betting on sports. This is because betting on horse racing has been legal for almost the last 50 years: sports betting became legal much later. In the '60s, before the internet, companies that got bookmaker licenses had a certain monopoly. Legally, new bookmakers can apply for a new horse racing betting license too, but it is extremely rare for new NSW bookmakers online to hit the market as the approval process is handled by industry controlling bodies.

    The best example of this is TAB Limited. This is actually a publicly-traded company but has been operating there since 1964 and has almost become a monopoly for horse racing betting in this state. When new NSW bookmakers online wish to obtain a license, they must follow this process:

    • There must be at least one, at most four directors in the applicant company, and all of them must have at least 5% of the shares,
    • The applicant must show local racing commission a trading guarantee. (What that will be and how much is decided by Racing NSW.)
    • The applicant must complete an interview with agency, which reserves the right to refuse approval for any reason.

    Because of all this, the introduction of new local bookmakers to the online market is extremely rare. Liquor & Gaming NSW is authorized to regulate this process, so it can step in if an unfair decision is made, but Racing of New South Wales basically determines whether you can get a license for horse racing bets. Even then, new NSW bookmakers online that successfully complete the process are subject to many restrictions. For example:

    • New South Wales online bookies must adhere to the minimum betting limits set by Racing commission.
    • These bookmakers cannot accept live bets from their website. It is possible to accept live horse racing bets by phone only and this requires a separate authorization.
    • As we will point out below, it is not possible for them to offer any promotions (free bets, bonus bets, etc.).

    As you can imagine, these restrictions make it extremely difficult to achieve an ideal experience. Therefore, we recommend that you choose one of the international NSW bookmakers online we have selected for you. The bookmakers we have chosen also offer a licensed & legal service and accept members from the state of New South Wales. But most importantly, they are able to provide a much more satisfying service as they are not subject to Racing NSW's restrictions. If you play at one of the NSW bookmakers websites we recommend, you can place your live bets online, claim useful bonuses, and get many more advantages.

    Gambling and betting laws for NSW bookmakers online

    Compared to other Australian states, New South Wales has fewer gambling/betting laws. NSW bookmakers online are responsible for complying with all provisions in these laws. Below you can see all the laws governing the betting industry in this state.

    • Thoroughbred Racing Act (1996): With this law, horse racing betting became legal and started to be regulated for the first time. It was obligatory for bookmakers to provide this service to obtain a license.
    • Totalizator Act (1997): A year later, sports betting was also legalized, and it was decided that the licenses for it would be given by the Minister of Racing. However, the most important regulation of this law was the granting of exclusivity to TAB Limited for on-course race betting.
    • Betting and Racing Act (1998): This is the law that still applies to betting on sports and horse racing. NWS bookmakers online are still regulated by it. The law clearly defined the license terms and authorized the Liquor & Gaming commission for them.
    • Unlawful Gambling Act (1998): As the name suggests, this law established the penalties for unlawful gambling/betting acts.
    • Harness Racing Act (2009): This law introduced special provisions for harness racing bets and established a body called “Harness Racing New South Wales”.
    • Greyhound Racing Act (2009): Similarly, this law introduced special regulations for betting on greyhound racing.

    Timeline of changes in NSW gambling legislation

    • 1996 – Horse racing betting was legalized and TAB Limited, which entered the state in the 60s, became the first operator to apply for a license. Racing NSW was established by this law and authorized to issue licenses for horse racing betting.
    • 1997 – Sports betting became legal the following year. Sports betting bookmakers are required to obtain a license issued by the Minister of Racing. TAB Limited has been granted an ongoing exclusivity for on-course racing. In addition, it has been decided that this company will be the only operator that can offer services for "computer-simulated racing" (virtual races). This is why no NSW bookmakers are currently able to offer virtual races.
    • 1998 – The terms of licenses for sports and horse racing betting are clearly defined and a commission (Liquor & Gaming NSW) is authorized for these licenses. In the same year, another law was enacted on how to punish unlawful gambling acts. Although some changes have been made in the meantime, the law concerning these betting sites came into force in 1998.
    • 1999 – All existing laws are updated to comply with the federal gambling law.
    • 2009 – New legal regulations for harness racing and greyhound racing came into effect.
    • 2018 - Existing laws have been updated in line with The National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF) and bookies NSW were required to make the necessary changes.

    NSW Bookmakers Gambling licenses issued by the government

    According to data from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA bookmakers) and Liquor & Gaming Commission, NSW bookmakers online with a government-issued betting license as of 2024 are:

    • Bet Nation
    • Elite Bet
    • Goldbet
    • Midasbet
    • PalmerBet
    • Puntondogs
    • TAB Limited
    • TopSport

    Note that there are rehistered NSW bookmakers on this list that offer both horse racing and sports betting. So, some may only offer horse racing bets. Others may not have bets on certain sports & leagues (e.g., NRL) because they have not received the necessary permits. This is due to the fact that the NSW bookmakers online licensing procedure is complex and subject to numerous restrictions, as mentioned above. If you are looking for an operator that supports both all races and sports leagues in Australia, we recommend you take a look at our NSW bookmakers online list. We reviewed all bookies that accept members from Australia – New South Wales and selected the best bookmakers in New South Wales.

    Can you claim bookie bonus bets at NSW sites?

    Let's give the short answer first: no, you cannot take advantage of any of the gambling promotions at New South Wales bookmakers such as bonus bets, free bets, welcome packs, and cashback. This applies to all of Australia, not just NSW betting sites. There are two reasons for this: first, the federal The National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF) law, which went into effect in 2018. This law introduced several provisions to protect consumers, one of which was the prohibition of bonuses that could encourage gambling. Because of the NCPF, all Australian states had to make changes to their laws, and gambling promotions were banned throughout the country.

    But New South Wales was one of the states that made the fewest changes because of the NCPF, as the laws binding on online bookmakers were already strict enough. In other words, even before the NCPF, NSW bookmakers could not offer any gambling promotions. But in 2019, one of the licensed bookmakers started offering a bonus called "odds boost". New online bookie described this bonus as a “product” and claimed that it would, therefore, fall outside the scope of current bans.

    Unfortunately, the New South Wales government was thinking differently. In August 2019, the "Gambling Legislation Amendment (Online and Other Betting) Bill" was passed by the NSW Parliament and very clearly stated that "enhancements" are also prohibited. Currently, NSW betting brands cannot offer any promotions that can encourage opening a betting account, inviting other players to open an account, or ensuring that an account is not closed. In this regard, New South Wales has even stricter regulations than the NCPF. If you play at local bookmakers, you won't get any kind of bonus - period. Therefore, as we mentioned above, we recommend that you take a look at our list of NSW betting sites, as the brands on our list can freely offer bonuses to their members. This is very common practise for them to lure in some new players.

    FAQs

    ⓵ Is online betting legal in New South Wales?

    Yes. Online betting is legal in New South Wales, but it’s subjected to several rules and regulations. Local bookmakers must obtain a licence from the Liquor and Gaming NSW commission as well as the relevant sports controlling bodies, such as the AFL, NRL, ARU, and more.

    ⓶ Which bookmakers offer the best odds?

    Traditionally, international bookmakers offer better odds than local bookies. Due to the fact that the competition among international online bookmakers is very strong, operators have to attract customers by offering more competitive odds and lucrative bonuses - which is not the case with local NSW bookmakers.

    ⓷ Could I register with several NSW bookmakers?

    Absolutely. You can register with several NSW bookmakers online, and you can choose which site you like the most. Since the only local option currently available is offered by the same company, TAB Limited, you can easily open an account at any of its betting sites as long as you’re of legal gambling age of 18 or over. Additionally, you can open an account at any international site of your preference.