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I have taken the time to list the bookmakers I have used in order from best to worst, including my reasons.
1) Betstar
They offer promotions more frequently than any other bookmakers. Their $2 favourites, Double Fixed Odds, $2 powerlines, free bet reloads and their $500 sign up bonus are all quality. Their website is user friendly, their customer service is very good, and you never have a problem getting a bet on (their exotics are capped at $250 max bet, but this is advertised at the time of placing your bet). They don't have as many betting markets as some other bookies, but importantly for me they offer plenty of player performance specials on AFL, NRL and NFL (last year they also had NBA Player Exotics, so it's a shame they don't offer them anymore). They also offer $1.90 lines for their exotics, which isn't great, but it's good compared to most competitors.
2) Bet365
Their huge range of betting markets is next to none. Their free live streaming is also a huge plus. Their customer service is decent, and the layout of their interface is user friendly. They offer a $200 sign up bonus, plenty of exotic markets (importantly player exotic markets like NBA, AFL, NRL, NFL), and their fixed price markets on Horse Racing are the best around. In contrast, their odds on exotic markets are terrible ($1.83 lines). Don't win too much, though, because they will limit you quickly and revoke your live betting service.
3) Topsport
Only new to online bookmaking, Topsport has got off to a very impressive start, offering a $600 sign up bonus and promising higher limits. So far they are true to their word. Their money back Bonanza special for the Spring Carnival was extremely good. Their customer service is also very good. I placed a bet on Emirates Stakes day over the phone, and my horse came second, which I thought entitled me to a refund. I wasn't refunded, so I called them up to question it, and they informed me that offer is only for those who place the bet online (not over the phone). Out of goodwill, they refunded my bet anyway. They don't offer player exotics, which lets them down. In fact, their range on sports betting is quite poor. They should be called Topracing instead.
4) Centrebet
Another user friendly layout with a good variety of betting markets. Not as many betting markets as Bet365 or Sportsbet, but they're definitely up there. They offer a decent $200 sign up bonus, and a lot of their promotions are extremely good (their money back specials for the MLB Playoffs was incredible). They offer a lot of player exotic markets and their customer service is decent. If you win too much from them, though, they will quickly limit you. If you bet on errors, they will shut your account down for good.
5) Pinnacle
They offer the best odds around and they actually encourage arbitrage betting. They are an International book, which is a bad thing, and they charge you a fee for CC deposits. Their POLi deposit limit is set at $501 in 24 hours, which is bad if you want to invest in arbitrage betting. Their interface isn't the best going around, mainly if you aren't used to them, because to open markets you have to click on the + symbol, which would definitely confuse newbies, like it used to confuse me. They offer some player exotic markets, but not enough. I have actually found their best exotics to be on Athletics, but only in Olympics, World Championships and Diamond League events. During the NBA Playoffs, they offer good player props. Customer service is limited due to be an International book. I only ever contact them via emails, but they are good at replying within two hours, even though they might not always answer your specific questions.
6) TAB
They are the biggest book in Australia, due to being able to bet in TAB outlets. 95% of the time, I bet with them online compared to in outlets, but this can be a good thing if you ever get limited on your TAB account (meaning you can walk into an outlet to place the bet in person). I'm not sure if this happens, but it may. Their layout takes a bit of getting used to, but it's not too bad. Their customer service is generally quite good, but the fact that you can't talk to anyone in live chat is disappointing. Their odds are usually pretty poor ($1.87 lines), but at the same time they don't limit you. They offer a huge range of betting options in AFL, including player exotics. They also offer player exotic markets for the NRL, NBA and NFL.
7) Sportsbet
There's only one bookie who limits you quicker than Luxbet. That is Sportsbet. And Sportsbet will limit you to $6.90 bets on a lot of their markets (at $1.87 lines, limiting you to a payout of $6). Their betting range is simply massive, though, and they offer good promotions such as sign up bonuses, money back specials and justice payouts. But then is only good when your account hasn't been limited and is eligible for promotions. Their customer service is generally good, and their interface is user friendly. One time a friend of mine didn't have access to Internet Banking or a CC, and she gave me money so I could transfer it into her Sportsbet account. They instantly locked her account due to a third party deposit (we both weren't aware of those conditions at the time), her bet won, and it took her ages until they finally paid her out. We honestly thought she was going to lose her $500. The way she was treated was like she was a thief, or participating in dodgy practices. This is perhaps a big part as to why they are rated so low by me. Their player props are of a very high standard, perhaps the best going around. Their live streaming is also another good point about them.
8) Betfair
I like the betting experience offered by Betfair. There's no need to worry about getting limited, because you're betting in a market exchange against other customers. They take a big commission (6.52%) in racing and (4.9%) in sport, but with the accumulation of Betfair points, these rates decrease over time. The lay betting feature is what separates Betfair from their competitors. They also offer decent promotions from time to time, including a money back refund for first losing bet and a sign up bonus. If you're smart enough to know which way the market will move, then Betfair is really good and easy to make money. For 99% of people, they can't anticipate which way and how much a market will move, so there's no "easy money". A lot of professional punters use Betfair. It's annoying having to transfer money between wallets and it gets A LOT of getting used to. Many people, including myself two months ago, are turned off because it's too confusing. Once you're used to it, though, as I mentioned, the betting experience is great. Another bad thing is the CC fee charged for deposits.
9) Luxbet
They have the best sign up bonus around ($700 bonus). Their layout is similar to the TAB with all sports/events at the top of the screen in horizontal lines, as opposed to most other bookies where the sports and events run in one vertical line down the left hand side of the page. Their promotions and money back specials are very good, but they are poor due to the fact they limit you very quickly and their customer service is absolutely piss poor, the worst going around by a long, long way. The amount of times you wait for a response from an operator in the chatroom and don't get a response makes me sick. And when they finally respond, most of the time they can't be stuffed helping you. If you place a bet by mistake, they won't refund your bet, whereas plenty other bookmakers will usually cancel your bet. They are good for their exotic markets (player props), but they limit you to $50 bets after a while. Not being able to multi free bets is also a turnoff.
The above bookmakers are the only ones I really like. Below are a list of bookmakers I will never both with. I won't include examples, but they are rated from best to worst. I haven't included Sportingbet and IASBet, due to them being affiliated with Centrebet and Sportsbet respectively.
10) Ladbrokes/Bookmaker
11) Tattsbet
12) Betezy
13) Tom Waterhouse
14) Palmerbet
I have taken the time to list the bookmakers I have used in order from best to worst, including my reasons.
1) Betstar
They offer promotions more frequently than any other bookmakers. Their $2 favourites, Double Fixed Odds, $2 powerlines, free bet reloads and their $500 sign up bonus are all quality. Their website is user friendly, their customer service is very good, and you never have a problem getting a bet on (their exotics are capped at $250 max bet, but this is advertised at the time of placing your bet). They don't have as many betting markets as some other bookies, but importantly for me they offer plenty of player performance specials on AFL, NRL and NFL (last year they also had NBA Player Exotics, so it's a shame they don't offer them anymore). They also offer $1.90 lines for their exotics, which isn't great, but it's good compared to most competitors.
2) Bet365
Their huge range of betting markets is next to none. Their free live streaming is also a huge plus. Their customer service is decent, and the layout of their interface is user friendly. They offer a $200 sign up bonus, plenty of exotic markets (importantly player exotic markets like NBA, AFL, NRL, NFL), and their fixed price markets on Horse Racing are the best around. In contrast, their odds on exotic markets are terrible ($1.83 lines). Don't win too much, though, because they will limit you quickly and revoke your live betting service.
3) Topsport
Only new to online bookmaking, Topsport has got off to a very impressive start, offering a $600 sign up bonus and promising higher limits. So far they are true to their word. Their money back Bonanza special for the Spring Carnival was extremely good. Their customer service is also very good. I placed a bet on Emirates Stakes day over the phone, and my horse came second, which I thought entitled me to a refund. I wasn't refunded, so I called them up to question it, and they informed me that offer is only for those who place the bet online (not over the phone). Out of goodwill, they refunded my bet anyway. They don't offer player exotics, which lets them down. In fact, their range on sports betting is quite poor. They should be called Topracing instead.
4) Centrebet
Another user friendly layout with a good variety of betting markets. Not as many betting markets as Bet365 or Sportsbet, but they're definitely up there. They offer a decent $200 sign up bonus, and a lot of their promotions are extremely good (their money back specials for the MLB Playoffs was incredible). They offer a lot of player exotic markets and their customer service is decent. If you win too much from them, though, they will quickly limit you. If you bet on errors, they will shut your account down for good.
5) Pinnacle
They offer the best odds around and they actually encourage arbitrage betting. They are an International book, which is a bad thing, and they charge you a fee for CC deposits. Their POLi deposit limit is set at $501 in 24 hours, which is bad if you want to invest in arbitrage betting. Their interface isn't the best going around, mainly if you aren't used to them, because to open markets you have to click on the + symbol, which would definitely confuse newbies, like it used to confuse me. They offer some player exotic markets, but not enough. I have actually found their best exotics to be on Athletics, but only in Olympics, World Championships and Diamond League events. During the NBA Playoffs, they offer good player props. Customer service is limited due to be an International book. I only ever contact them via emails, but they are good at replying within two hours, even though they might not always answer your specific questions.
6) TAB
They are the biggest book in Australia, due to being able to bet in TAB outlets. 95% of the time, I bet with them online compared to in outlets, but this can be a good thing if you ever get limited on your TAB account (meaning you can walk into an outlet to place the bet in person). I'm not sure if this happens, but it may. Their layout takes a bit of getting used to, but it's not too bad. Their customer service is generally quite good, but the fact that you can't talk to anyone in live chat is disappointing. Their odds are usually pretty poor ($1.87 lines), but at the same time they don't limit you. They offer a huge range of betting options in AFL, including player exotics. They also offer player exotic markets for the NRL, NBA and NFL.
7) Sportsbet
There's only one bookie who limits you quicker than Luxbet. That is Sportsbet. And Sportsbet will limit you to $6.90 bets on a lot of their markets (at $1.87 lines, limiting you to a payout of $6). Their betting range is simply massive, though, and they offer good promotions such as sign up bonuses, money back specials and justice payouts. But then is only good when your account hasn't been limited and is eligible for promotions. Their customer service is generally good, and their interface is user friendly. One time a friend of mine didn't have access to Internet Banking or a CC, and she gave me money so I could transfer it into her Sportsbet account. They instantly locked her account due to a third party deposit (we both weren't aware of those conditions at the time), her bet won, and it took her ages until they finally paid her out. We honestly thought she was going to lose her $500. The way she was treated was like she was a thief, or participating in dodgy practices. This is perhaps a big part as to why they are rated so low by me. Their player props are of a very high standard, perhaps the best going around. Their live streaming is also another good point about them.
8) Betfair
I like the betting experience offered by Betfair. There's no need to worry about getting limited, because you're betting in a market exchange against other customers. They take a big commission (6.52%) in racing and (4.9%) in sport, but with the accumulation of Betfair points, these rates decrease over time. The lay betting feature is what separates Betfair from their competitors. They also offer decent promotions from time to time, including a money back refund for first losing bet and a sign up bonus. If you're smart enough to know which way the market will move, then Betfair is really good and easy to make money. For 99% of people, they can't anticipate which way and how much a market will move, so there's no "easy money". A lot of professional punters use Betfair. It's annoying having to transfer money between wallets and it gets A LOT of getting used to. Many people, including myself two months ago, are turned off because it's too confusing. Once you're used to it, though, as I mentioned, the betting experience is great. Another bad thing is the CC fee charged for deposits.
9) Luxbet
They have the best sign up bonus around ($700 bonus). Their layout is similar to the TAB with all sports/events at the top of the screen in horizontal lines, as opposed to most other bookies where the sports and events run in one vertical line down the left hand side of the page. Their promotions and money back specials are very good, but they are poor due to the fact they limit you very quickly and their customer service is absolutely piss poor, the worst going around by a long, long way. The amount of times you wait for a response from an operator in the chatroom and don't get a response makes me sick. And when they finally respond, most of the time they can't be stuffed helping you. If you place a bet by mistake, they won't refund your bet, whereas plenty other bookmakers will usually cancel your bet. They are good for their exotic markets (player props), but they limit you to $50 bets after a while. Not being able to multi free bets is also a turnoff.
The above bookmakers are the only ones I really like. Below are a list of bookmakers I will never both with. I won't include examples, but they are rated from best to worst. I haven't included Sportingbet and IASBet, due to them being affiliated with Centrebet and Sportsbet respectively.
10) Ladbrokes/Bookmaker
11) Tattsbet
12) Betezy
13) Tom Waterhouse
14) Palmerbet
