"bluebet" sports betting cricketBlueBet 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.
BlueBet is an Australian-owned bookmaker that was launched in late 2015. The owning company is BlueBet Pty Ltd (ABN 42 607 521 835). 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.
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.”
BlueBet was initially licensed in New South Wales, but switched to a Northern Territory bookmaker’s licence in June 2021.
BlueBet is an approved betting partner of the Australian Rugby Union, NRL, Tennis Australia, Football Federation Australia, Cricket Australia and PGA of Australia.
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 close to the survey average for racing margins and slightly below average for sports margins, with an average margin of 5.5% compared to the survey average of 5.7%. BlueBet recorded the best odds for numerous sporting 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
BlueBet‘s market offerings per fixture have increased dramatically since we first reviewed the service. Where previously we observed 22 to 25 markets per AFL and NRL fixture, BlueBet has since recorded 60-71 markets in our 2021 survey.
Other typical market counts are 15 for tennis, 25 for MLB, 70 for the EPL and 180 for the NFL.
The markets on offer increase leading up to each fixture. Across the AFL, EPL, NFL and NRL, BlueBet averaged 57 markets on Wednesday, 66 markets on Thursday and 96 markets on Friday.
While the range isn’t industry-leading, BlueBet’s range of markets is sufficient to make it suitable as a standalone membership for casual sports betting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In-play phone betting is not offered.
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
POLi offered as a deposit method
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
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
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 and BlueBet’s odds were better than average in our latest bookmaker margin survey. BlueBet would serve well as a beginner-friendly service for someone is new to betting. It also would serve well within a portfolio of bookmaker memberships for those who like to shop around for odds.
http://abr.business.gov.au/SearchByAbn.aspx?SearchText=42607521835
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/nsw-racing/michael-sullivan-returns-to-being-a-rails-bookie-in-sydney/news-story/85f6253a0cf9368d01ed32abd6d04f9a
https://www.bluebet.com.au/blog/pressrelease/michael-sullivan-is-back-with-bluebet/
POLi facilitates online bank transfers that are acknowledged by the bookmaker instantly. This enables you to log into your banking provider, transfer money to the bookmaker, and place bets immediately.
"bluebet" sports betting cricketBlueBet Reviews & Ratings Australia 2022
If you do not have a BlueBet AU account it may at first appear as though there are no offers or promotions to speak of on the website. Do not be dismayed, this is merely the law in Australia that stipulates that no promotions (like the latest bonuses from PlayUp) can be advertised openly. However, once you have signed up you will be able to view the available deals on the site.
When you view some BlueBet reviews they will attest to the fact that their promotions are of top quality. There are a few promotions on offer for a Bluebet punter, including boosts, deposit matches, and more. Click here to see what you get with? DraftStars promo codes.
The promotions that are currently on offer are of a high standard and are sure to attract new punters to the site. Be sure to compare the deals on offer with other stalwarts in the industry, like Draftstars, Sportchamps, and Moneyball.
Everything about using the BlueBet website feels like a breeze, thanks to its simple format and user-friendly navigation tools. When you first enter the homepage it is far less overwhelming than many of the other bookmakers out there.
The homepage has a list of different racing events that are currently happening, as well as the accompanying odds attached to them. There is an easily viewable tab on the left of the screen where you can alternate between racing and sport. Once you’ve selected the sport there is a list of all the individual markets BlueBet AU has to offer. The sports betting markets are diverse and easy to view in terms of what is currently available to bet on. BlueBet reviews are on the whole very positive when it comes to analyzing the website interface.
Viewing promotions, FAQ’s, customer service, or anything else you may need is easy to access at the bottom of the page all in alphabetical order. Furthermore, trying to open an account or deposit funds on the site is an uncomplicated experience that includes only three easy steps:
Hit Sign-up on the screenFill in the form submissionPlace your depositPlease note that you will need to verify your account before you can make a cash out on the platform.
The desktop site is perfect for a larger monitor display, but if you want to bet from your mobile, we suggest downloading either the Android or iOS app for your device. This will enhance your experience and optimise the platform for your smaller phone/tablet screen. The intelligent menu system ensures that you can see your betting options, odds, and more without being swamped with pop-ups and other additional information. BlueBet ensures a clean site no matter what device you pick up to bet on.
Simply head to the BlueBet main page and click on your app of choice to begin the download. It takes a few seconds to access and install. Once done, open the app, enter your sign-in credentials and start placing your bets.
When depositing funds into a bookmaker you are using for the first time, you may at first be skeptical in terms of the safety of your transaction. This is a natural hesitation to have at first but in the case of BlueBet it is an unnecessary one as the bookmaker has a host of safe PCI-approved payment options to use when depositing your funds into your online account.
The most prominent payment options for Aussies on the banking page include Credit/Debit cards (Visa/Mastercard), PayPal, POLi, and BPay. Withdrawals can also be conducted via Bank EFT.
When it comes to withdrawals, players will need to cash out using the same method they deposited with, unless the amount they are cashing out is more than they placed. In this case, players can withdraw the balance using a bank transfer. While e-wallet transactions are the quickest, bank transfers only take 1 to 2 business days, depending on what Aussie bank you are with.
So in answering the question “is Bluebet reliable and secure?” The punter can feel a little more at ease knowing that the payment methods available are upstanding and regulated by the bookmaker and your banking institution.
A bookmaker’s customer service quality is essential to keeping their users happy should they run into any problems or just have any general queries about something on the site. There are several ways you can contact the customer service team at BlueBet. This makes solving any issue you might have that much easier.
Furthermore, their customer service runs 24/7 allowing you to solve any issues at any time of your choosing. BlueBet reviews seem to appreciate the fact that the customer service is available around the clock! You can contact the operator via:
EmailLive Chat on the siteTelephoneAll the contact details are available for easy access via the “Contact Page”on the site.
You may also have your question answered without the need for customer service, as the BlueBet FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) section is detailed and covers most of the queries customers encounter. Start here first, and move onto a contact options if you cannot find your answers here.
A prominent question when it comes to using a new bookmaker is whether or not that bookmaker is reliable or not. If you want an answer to the question, ‘Is BlueBet secure?’ then it will put your mind at ease to know that BlueBet is governed by the South Australian Gambling Codes of Practice and is licensed and regulated by the Northern Territory Racing Commission.
Furthermore, they are a member of the NSW Bookmakers’ Co-Operative which is an association that ensures payment of all winning wagers placed with their users. BlueBet AU also operates an off-site hosting facility for secure and continuous recording and retrieval of data involved in internet betting transactions. Essentially, this keeps the data that you enter on the site (such as ban transactions and personal information) as safe as it could possibly be.
BlueBet AU has made the license and security of the bookmaker itself and the users’ sensitive information a top priority, giving users a sense of safety in their gambling experience. The IT security provided by Cloudflare encrypts your data so that no one can access it. The BlueBet ratings receive a positive bump when the quality of their license and security is factored in.
At the moment there is unfortunately no loyalty program or rewards for repeat users of BlueBet’s website which will undoubtedly result in negative BlueBet reviews and our overall BlueBet ratings. however, it is also not the end all be all of a quality bookmaker. Keep an eye out on the BlueBet AU website for changes in the near future.
"bluebet" sports betting cricketBlueBet Secures Sports Betting Market Access in Indiana
Australian sports betting provider BlueBet has announced that it has secured market access in Indiana, the fourth state its B2C brand ClutchBet will launch in over the coming year.
The company has signed a 10-year market access agreement with Caesars Entertainment through its Horseshoe Hammond casino. As part of the deal, BlueBet will launch its ClutchBet sportsbook brand in the state pending regulatory approval.
The deal now sees BlueBet have market access for Iowa, Colorado, Louisiana, and Indiana. The company hopes to accept its first sports wagers in Iowa in the coming weeks while Colorado and Louisiana are expected to follow in Q2 of FY23. ClutchBet is scheduled for launch in Indiana in H2 of FY23.
Speaking of the deal, BlueBet CEO, Bill Richmond said:
“We are excited to announce our agreement with Horseshoe Hammond, part of the Caesars Entertainment stable, to secure market access to Indiana, one of the US’s major sporting markets.
BlueBet now has market access in four US states, which provides a strong platform to roll out our B2C brand, ClutchBet, and demonstrated the capability of our technology and team to run profitable sportsbooks in the US.
There is no shortage of opportunities for further B2C expansion in the US, but out focus and capital are pointed firmly towards executing our initial four states as we seek partners for our Sportsbook-as-a-Solution B2B offer.
The size of the opportunity in the US continues to grow with Americans having bet $125 billion on sports in the four years since legislation.”
Richmond also added:
“We are well funded to execute our Capital Lite "bluebet" sports betting cricketBlueBet Secures Sports Betting Market Access in Indiana US market entry strategy and remian highly confident in our ability to capture this huge market opportunity”