BlueBet Review

Introduction

BlueBet review

The following is an in-depth BlueBet review. The review covers the history, features, interface, sports & racing markets, upsides and downsides of the service.

This review is part of our comprehensive Bookmaker Reviews section. The Betting Agencies page provides information and reviews for other sports betting agencies that are suitable for Australians. The following details are updated periodically to keep them up to date.


UPDATE

BlueBet merged with betr in August, 2024. The new betr website employs BlueBet’s betting platform.

Click here to view the betr review.

 

History, Location and Licence

BlueBet is an Australian-owned bookmaker that was launched in late 2015. The owning company is BlueBet Pty Ltd (ABN 42 607 521 835).1 The founder and CEO is Michael Sullivan, who is the former Chief Executive of William Hill Australia. Sullivan had led Sportingbet starting back in 2002 and was also CEO of Centrebet.2

Michael Sullivan said he launched the Australian betting company to take on the English-owned bookmakers who currently dominate the industry. “I really believe these big English bookmakers don’t understand what the Australian punter is after and we will be offering a far more personalised service. Back when we started Sportingbet in Australia in 2002, we really gave punters an experience they hadn’t been exposed to before and we will be servicing all punters in the new business whether they bet in $1 or $100,000.”3

BlueBet was initially licensed in New South Wales, but switched to a Northern Territory bookmaker’s licence in June 2021.

BlueBet merged with the Australian bookmaker Betr in 2024. As part of the merger, Betr’s owner, the Tripp Group, received a majority of shares in BlueBet. BlueBet founder Michael Sullivan will remain executive chairman until next year when he will be replaced by Matt Tripp.4

BlueBet is an approved betting partner of the Australian Rugby Union, NRL, Tennis Australia, Football Federation Australia, Cricket Australia and PGA of Australia.

Services and Features

Deposit options Visa & MasterCard debit cards, bank transfer, Paypal, BPAY, telegraphic transfer, cheque
Withdrawal options Bank transfer, PayPal
Transaction fees BlueBet may pass on any charges applied by their bank in relation to telegraphic transfers
Currencies AUD
Languages English
Odds formats Decimal
Minimum deposit $10 for credit/debit card, PayPal and POLi, none that we’re aware of for BPAY or bank transfer
Minimum bet The minimum online bet is $1. The minimum bet via the telephone is a total of $50. The minimum wager for Flexi Betting is $1.
Maximum bets & payouts Unless otherwise agreed, the maximum amount that may be paid out (either single, exotic or multiple wager) is $200,000 on any telephone wager and $100,000 on any Internet wager.

Unless otherwise approved in advance by BlueBet, the maximum Bonus Bet wager on any one event is $500. The maximum winnings payable on any bonus bet is $10,000. The maximum odds for a bonus bet is 101.00.

An All-Up wager may only be up to four legs. Unless otherwise agreed with BlueBet, the maximum that a Client can win from an All-Up wager is $50,000. The maximum multibet odds are 1,001.00. Top Fluctuation racing wagers are subject to a maximum payout of $20,000, with maximum odds of 101.00. The maximum odds payable for SP, Home Tote, Middle Tote and are: 26.00 for greyhound racing, 51.00 for harness racing and 101.00 for thoroughbred racing.
Deposit turnover requirements 1x. Only bets placed on the first selection in any event, both pre-match and for live betting, will count towards the turnover requirements.
Bonus bet turnover requirements 1x at odds of 1.50 or greater. Only bets placed on the first selection in any event, both pre-match and for live betting, will count towards the turnover requirements.
Credit facilities Members can apply for a credit facility
Forbidden Jurisdictions Based on the sign up process it appears BlueBet only accepts Australian residents, however promotion terms and conditions state they are only available to clients who reside in Australia or New Zealand
Mobile betting Android and iPhone Apps are available. The website uses a responsive design that will tailor the layout to the screen size of the device you’re using.
Identity checks Members must provide ID that shows proof of name, age and current residential address. A copy of a driver’s license and/or passport would be sufficient. This can be achieved online using the greenID tool. Alternatively this information can either be sent via email or via fax. Adequate Identification must be received prior to the first withdrawal from the Account or within 30 days of opening an account.

If you use a credit/debit card to fund your account, legible copies of the front of the card may be requested by BlueBet.

If your initial deposit is via POLi they will need to see the initial deposit located on your bank statement before any withdrawal request will be accepted. This can be emailed in.
Dormant account fees None that we’re aware of
Support Live chat, email, phone (1800 number), fax, post

 

Bookmaker Margin

The bookmaker margin (overround) is a measure of the bookmaker’s profit margin for an event and is a hidden transaction cost for punters. This profit is how bookmakers finance their services but bookmakers vary in the margins they apply. From a punter’s perspective, the lower the margin, the better.

BlueBet was below the survey average for racing margins and slightly below average for sports margins, with an average margin of 5.9% compared to the survey average of 5.8%. BlueBet recorded the (joint) best odds for 22% of the surveyed racing selections. This shows that it would make a useful addition to a portfolio of memberships for those who like to shop around for the best odds.

View the full survey results
Learn more about bookmaker margins

Sports Markets

BlueBet‘s market offerings per fixture have increased dramatically since we first reviewed the service. BlueBet recorded 50+ markets for the AFL, A-League, EPL, NBA, NRL and State of Origin in our 2023 survey.

The markets on offer increase leading up to each fixture. Across the AFL, EPL, NFL and NRL, BlueBet average 50+ markets on Wednesday, 60+ markets on Thursday and 90+ markets on Friday.

Of the eleven sports and leagues we included in our latest bookmaker margins and markets survey, BlueBet supported same-game multis for five of them.

While the selection isn’t industry-leading, BlueBet’s range of markets is more than sufficient to make it suitable as a standalone membership for casual sports betting.

Betting Interface and Website Layout

BlueBet sports markets display

The BlueBet website received an overhaul in October 2021. It uses a responsive web template that tailors the display to suit the screen size of the device you’re using. You will either see one, two or three columns depending on your screen. This review will focus on the three-column layout that is displayed on laptops and PCs.

The three-column layout uses the familiar positioning of having sports listed on the left, markets and odds displayed in the centre and the betting slip shown on the right. The sports navigation displays the most popular upcoming fixtures and races. Above this are racing and sports tabs. When you select Sports (A-Z) you are shown the the full line-up of sports. ‘SG’ logos are displayed to indicate which sports support same-game multis.

The menu doesn’t use a nested link approach. When you click on a sport the centre panel is refreshed to display popular upcoming fixtures for that sport. To view the full list of leagues you then click on the All… tab at the top of the centre column. This approach has become more common with bookmakers in recent years, but it may trip up the odd newcomer who doesn’t spot the ‘All…’ tab.


BlueBet odds display

The markets and odds display make it clear that the template is designed to cater for touch screen devices. The odds have a boxy look, which makes them easy to select. Also, only the head-to-head odds are shown for the list of fixtures when a league is chosen.

Above each fixture is a link to view all markets. A number indicates how many markets in total are available for that fixture. When you click on the link the page is refreshed to show the popular markets for that fixture. Tabs are provided below it to access the remaining markets, broken down by category. A ‘CO’ icon appears next to any market where Cash Out is available.

On all pages breadcrumb links are provided at the top of the page. From any fixture you can use these links to return to the league or main page of the sport for which the event applies. If you’re on the odds page for a specific fixture, a drop down link is displayed at the top of the centre column that enables you to jump to another upcoming fixture in the same league.


BlueBet betting slip

The betting slip also has a boxy feel to it which highlights the template’s dual purpose of supporting mobile devices and larger screens.

If you add enough selections the betting slip it will take up more than the length of the page with only a tiny grey scrollbar displayed on the right. To scroll down to the bottom of the slip the best approach is to move your cursor over the betting slip and use the scroll wheel on your mouse.

Exotic multi options are shown when three or more items are added. Unlike some bookmakers, the stakes you enter into these fields represents the overall stake for that exotic multi, not the stake per leg of the exotic. For example, if you have three items in your slip and enter $10 into the stake for a Trixie (which consists of four bets: 3 doubles and a treble), the total wager is $10, not $40. For those who are unfamiliar with exotic multis, the BlueBet interface offers Info icons that tell you what each exotic multi consists of. You can learn more about exotic multis in our Beginner’s Guide to Multi Betting.

Overall, the BlueBet interface is simple and clean, with many of the elements designed to be usable by touch devices. Our biggest criticism is that the interface only shows the head-to-head markets when a league is selected. We would have loved for it to show line and total markets as well, or offer a drop down menu to change which market is shown for the list of fixtures. Our favourite feature is the breadcrumbs that facilitate easy navigation back to higher categories.


Horse Racing

BlueBet racing markets interface

The BlueBet racing interface is clearly designed with mobile users in mind, much like the sports betting interface. Each race is displayed as a block, which will take up two or more rows per venue on smaller screens to avoid any left-to-right scrolling.

The racing selection is strong. Australian and international venues are covered for horse, harness and greyhounds. Fixed odds are made available for all races, both domestic and international. Estimated Tote odds are shown for Australian meets. As part of the October 2021 upgrade, “Bluey’s Tips” are now provided for many races. These give a race commentary for key contenders along with four race picks and a top tip.


BlueBet racing interface

Below is a description of the BlueBet racing products. Depending on the status of the race meeting, differing products will be available daily as stated on the BlueBet website.

  • Best Tote Plus SP
    This product is the best of either the “Best of the 3 Australian TAB Prices” or the “Official On-Course Starting Price (SP)”. SP only applies to the Win Portion of the bet. For any Place Only or Each Way bet, all bets are paid at Middle Tote, or the middle dividend as declared by the 3 Australia TAB’s.
  • Best of 3 Totes
    This product is the best of the 3 Australian TAB prices. For any Place Only or each way bets, all bets are paid at Middle Tote, or the middle dividend as declared by the 3 Australia TABs.
  • Best of 2 Totes
    This product is the better of the dividend declared by either NSW TAB or the Victorian Super TAB. For any Place Only or each way bet, all bets are paid at Middle Tote, or the middle dividend as declared by the 3 Australia TABs.
  • Middle Tote
    This product is the middle dividend of the 3 Australian TAB prices.
  • Home Tote
    For races within Australia, a reference to “Home Tote” dividend means the Win or Place dividend declared in the state in which the race is run with a
    maximum dividend of $101. In relation to races held in Europe, Africa or the Americas, “Home Tote Dividend” is defined as the dividend declared by NSW TAB, TAB Vic, Ubet or Middle Tote as made available by BlueBet at the time the wager is placed. For all other overseas races, “Home Tote” means Vic TAB.
  • Win & Place Tote + 5%
    BlueBet will pay a dividend 5% higher than the Victorian TAB (STAB) (On profit portion of dividend, not stake).
  • Exotics
    All Racing exotics (Doubles, Trebles, Quinella, Exacta, Trifecta, First Four and Quadrella) are paid at the dividend declared by the Victorian TAB (STAB)
  • Top Fluctuation
    This product is the Best Price declared by the official On-Course Bookmakers Fluctuations. Each Way Betting is only available on certain races; determined at BlueBet management discretion, based upon individual market percentages.
    Unless otherwise permitted by BlueBet, Top Fluctuation wagers:
    a) are only available up until 30 minutes to jump;
    b) are only available until the horse shortens;
    c) are to win a maximum of $20,000 (where a Client places a wager that would result in the Client winning more than the limits stated above on a Top Fluctuation bet, the balance of the stake that would result in a win in excess of the limits will be placed at the official SP, with a maximum dividend of $101.)
  • Best of the Best Premium (BOB)
    This product is the Best of either, “Best of 3 Australian TAB prices” or the “Official On-Course Top Fluctuation”. Each Way is only available on certain races at the discretion of BlueBet management. Bets must be placed 30 minutes prior to the advertised starting time on selected meetings as displayed on the BlueBet website.
  • MultiBets
    A MultiBet (All-Up Bet) is the combination of numerous single bets which multiply the individual odds creating the total dividend. BlueBet accepts
    MultiBets from 2-10 legs including a combination of Racing and Sports. BlueBet maximum dividend for this product is $1,001.
  • Fixed Odds
    Fixed win & place odds are the odds received at time of placement. Fixed odds are available on the BlueBet website and may be subject to deductions where
    there is a late scratching. Once confirmed, fixed odds are not subject to fluctuation.
  • Odds v Evens
    Select whether the winner of the race will have an ODD or EVEN saddlecloth or greyhound jacket number. This market is only available when fixed odds
    betting is available on an event. Please note, if a horse or greyhound is scratched that is $6.00 or shorter at the time of the scratching, all bets on the Odds Vs Evens market will be refunded. Dead heat rules apply.

Flexi betting is available, which enables you to take a Quinella, Exacta, Trifecta, First Four or Quadrella at an outlay to suit your own budget.


Live Sports Betting

In-play phone betting is not offered.

Upsides

  • BlueBet is Australian owned
  • Founded by Michael Sullivan, a well known name in the Australian sports betting industry
  • Intuitive, feature-packed interface with a clean, simple design
  • Flexi betting is available
  • PayPal is offered as a deposit method
  • Can quickly verify your identity online
  • Live chat support is available during office hours
  • The number of markets per fixture is increasing all the time

Downsides

  • No in-play phone betting
  • If your initial deposit is via POLi you will need to show the deposit on your bank statement before making a withdrawal
  • E-wallet services like Skrill / Moneybookers and Neteller aren’t offered

Bottom Line

BlueBet is among a number of new Australian brands that are trying to make inroads into an industry currently dominated by English and Irish-owned companies. The difference between BlueBet and the other new brands is the founder and CEO is Michael Sullivan – a well known name in the Australian online betting industry. The range of markets is growing all the time. BlueBet would serve well as a beginner-friendly service for someone is new to betting.

Notes and Sources

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