Updated: November 3, 2023
There are over 100 betting sites and apps in Australia that allow you to legally bet on the Melbourne Cup.
The most popular places where you can bet on the Melbourne Cup include Neds, PlayUp, Bet365, Unibet, and Ladbrokes.
Below we list the easiest betting sites to use, as well as the 10 best betting sites and apps for placing a bet on the Melbourne Cup..
Easiest place to bet on the Melbourne Cup
If you're not a big bettor and feel overwhelmed with some of the bigger betting sites, we recommend the below betting sites to place a bet for the Melbourne Cup.
These three websites have the same skin, and are very easy to use, that even the least tech savvy person will have no trouble getting a bet on.
They all provide the best tote on every Aussie horse race, so you are guaranteed to get the best odds of the TAB.
Website | Why we like them |
Easy to navigate Opening specials | |
Top Tote Odds Racing promos | |
Best tote on all Australian gallops |
What is the best place to bet on the Melbourne Cup?
The best place to bet on the Melbourne Cup is neds.com.au.
Neds is easy to use, has detailed race comments, stats and form information as well as high 'Place' odds, Top Fluc odds and Best Tote odds for the Melbourne Cup. With all these options and extras, Neds is especially good for newer betters.
However, the best place to bet on the Melbourne Cup for more experienced punters is playup.com.au.
PlayUp also offers Best Tote odds but their fixed 'Win' and 'Place' odds are often slightly higher. That means that if you are looking to maximise your winnings, the Melbourne odds offered by PlayUp will give you slightly more value.
You can check out the 10 best betting sites and apps for the Melbourne Cup below or on our Melbourne Cup betting sites page. Clicking the red links for any brand will take you to a more detailed overview of what each offers for the big race.
Best Sites & Apps to Bet on Melbourne Cup 2023
- Neds - Great all-round. 'Place' odds are especially high.
- PlayUp - Best 'Win' odds in Australia with high 'Place' odds.
- Bet365 - Best 'Place' odds and best odds on outsiders.
- Unibet - Easy to use and best 'Win' and 'Place' odds for certain horses.
- Palmerbet - Speedmaps, early speed, special markets & predictions.
- BlueBet - Australian-owned with Best Tote and special odds.
- Ladbrokes - Racing insights and live streaming
- Winnersbet - Great customer support
- VicBet- "Best of the Best" tote odds on every Aus horse race
- Dabble - Copy experts bets, follow tipsters
Where should I bet on the Melbourne Cup?
If you are less experienced and want extra statistics, information, and an easy-to-use bookmaker with competitive odds then you should bet with Neds. However, if you are looking for the best odds then PlayUp is where you should bet on the Melbourne Cup.
Each betting site and app offers something slightly different though, so we'll go through the top 10 best places to bet on the Melbourne Cup in detail below.
#1 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - Neds
Neds
✅ High 'Place' fixed odds
✅ Same Race Multis & exotics
✅ Detailed comments & price info
✅ Best of the Best, Best Tote + SP & Top Fluc
❌ Better fixed odds do exist
The Most Complete Melbourne Cup Bookmaker
Neds offers the most comprehensive site for those who want to bet on the Melbourne Cup.
For new punters, the site is easy to use, packed with helpful race comments and suggested runners, and the price of their odds are competitive, especially for 'Place' bets.
For more experienced punters, Neds offers extra features like money back odds, pick your own odds, special racing markets, same race multis, price fluctuation information, and speedmaps, as well as popular markets like Best of the Best, Best Tote + SP, and Top Fluc odds.
What Neds Offers
- Website: neds.com.au
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best of the best, best tote + starting price, exotics, same race multi, money back odds, pick your own odds, and special bets (eg. odds vs evens)
- Melbourne Cup Features: Price fluctuations, speedmaps, money tracker, form guides, race comments, and expert tips
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Apple Pay, PayID, POLi, BPAY, EFT/Bank Transfer, Flexepin, Cash In, Neds Card, and Cheque
#2 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - PlayUp
PlayUp
✅ Best 'Win' fixed odds
✅ High 'Place' fixed odds
✅ Simple, easy & Aussie-owned
✅ Best Tote + SP & Best of the Best odds
❌ Limited extra features
Professional-Level Melbourne Cup Bookie
PlayUp is one of Australia's newest betting sites and they have quickly become a favourite for horse racing punters across the country, especially the pros.
PlayUp is proudly Australian-owned and they launched right before the 2019 Melbourne Cup. At all the races since then, they have consistently had the best fixed odds i.e. the highest prices & the most winnings for customers.
PlayUp is also great for betting on the Melbourne Cup because their site was designed for mobile so it is very easy to use and navigate. The PlayUp app is also really simple.
What PlayUp Offers
- Website: playup.com.au
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best of the best, best tote + starting price, and exotics
- Melbourne Cup Features: Form guides and expert tips
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, POLi, BPAY, and EFT/Bank Transfer
#3 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - Bet365
Bet365
✅ Best 'Place' fixed odds
✅ Best odds on underdogs
✅ Most payment options
✅ Best Tote & Top Fluc odds
❌ No speedmaps or same race multis
Best Bookie for Place Bets and Roughies
Bet365 is one of Australia's biggest betting websites and is the world's biggest betting site with over 60 million global customers.
Bet365 became popular by offering a simple betting service, with high fixed odds and plenty of payment options. Bet365 is particularly good for punters wanting to bet on outsiders and their odds for these horses are much better than with competitors, making them also popular among professional bettors.
Bet365 is great for the Melbourne Cup because they have great odds and many ways to bet including Win & Place bets or exotics like Quinellas, Exactas, and Trifectas.
What Bet365 Offers
- Website: bet365.com.au
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best tote, exotics, and special bets (eg. 'cover bets')
- Melbourne Cup Features: Form guides
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, PayPal, Apple Pay, POLi, EFT/Bank Transfer, Flexepin, Paysafecard, Cash Top Up, Bet365 Card, ClicktoPay, and Cheque
#4 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - Unibet
Unibet
✅ Best fixed odds for certain horses
✅ Very user friendly with betting tips
✅ Speedmaps & price fluctuations
✅ Best Tote + SP & Top Fluc odds
❌ Customer support not available 24/7
Easy To Use Melbourne Cup Bookie
Unibet may not be the biggest betting site in Australia, nor the one that you immediately thought of when you were wondering where to bet on the Melbourne Cup - but it is still one of our favourite Melbourne Cup bookies.
Unibet is known for its terrific racing offerings which include high odds for particular horses and plenty of form information and tips to help you make the right picks.
Unibet also has of the cleanest, easiest to use online betting sites in the country and offers a range of payment options.
What Unibet Offers
- Website: unibet.com.au
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best tote + starting price, and exotics
- Melbourne Cup Features: Price fluctuations, speedmaps, form guides, race comments, and expert tips
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Apple Pay, POLi, BPAY, EFT/Bank Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, Flexepin, Ecopayz, and Cash In
#5 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - Palmerbet
Palmerbet
✅ Best fixed odds for certain horses
✅ Race comments and predictions
✅ Weather and track information
✅ Best Tote + SP & Top Fluc odds
❌ Doesn't offer some special markets
Comprehensive Bookie with Plenty of Extras
Palmerbet has been around for nearly a decade now. When it comes to the Melbourne Cup they have one of the most comprehensive offerings with everything from runner comments to stats, tips and even weather information.
While it's true that the bookies above may have more Melbourne Cup runners at higher prices, depending on the horse you want to back, there's chance Plamerbet's price is the best.
With plenty of ways to pay and a modern app, Palmerbet shouldn't be counted out.
What Palmerbet Offers
- Website: palmerbet.com
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best tote + starting price, and mystery bets
- Melbourne Cup Features: Price fluctuations, speedmaps, form guides, race comments, early speed, predictor, and expert tips
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, POLi, BPAY, EFT/Bank Transfer, and Osko
#6 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - BlueBet
BlueBet
✅ Competitive odds all-round
✅ Quick multis & mystery bets
✅ Protest payout & special bets
✅ Best Tote + SP & Top Fluc odds
❌ Slight delay in streaming
The True Blue Melbourne Cup Bookie
100% Aussie-owned and operated, BlueBet is among the most complete and competitive Melbourne Cup betting sites and apps that you can use. They have a complete range of single and exotic markets as well as specials, same race multis and mystery bets.
To be honest, there's not much that separates BlueBet from the bookies above except that their fixed odds prices aren't always the absolute best and that they don't have a few payment options like PayPal or Pre-Paid Card.
Otherwise, BlueBet is a great option for betting on the Melbourne Cup, especially if you want to use a smaller, locally owned bookie.
What BlueBet Offers
- Website: bluebet.com.au
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best tote + starting price, exotics, same race multi, mystery bets, and special bets (eg. odds vs evens)
- Melbourne Cup Features: Price fluctuations, speedmaps, form guides, race comments, and expert tips
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, POLi, BPAY, EFT/Bank Transfer, Cash In, and Cheque
#7 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
✅ High 'Place' fixed odds
✅ Same Race Multis & exotics
✅ Detailed comments & price info
❌ Same odds and options as Neds
❌ Better fixed odds do exist
Reliable Bookie, Established in 1886
Ladbrokes is arguably the most comprehensive Melbourne Cup betting site in Australia with all the same options and extras as Neds. That's because both Ladbrokes and Neds are owned by the same company.
We put Neds in the #1 spot because we liked their website design and functionality more - it's a bit easier to use. However, if you choose Ladbrokes instead you'll still get everything from Best Tote odds to race comments, to tips, form information, speedmaps and more.
Ladbrokes does have the added benefit of their 'mates mode' where you can chat, share bets and bet together - which is ideal for creating your own Melbourne Cup pool bet.
What Ladbrokes Offers
- Website: ladbrokes.com.au
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best of the best, best tote + starting price, exotics, same race multi, money back odds, pick your own odds, and special bets (eg. odds vs evens)
- Melbourne Cup Features: Price fluctuations, speedmaps, money tracker, form guides, race comments, and expert tips
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, PayID, POLi, BPAY, EFT/Bank Transfer, Flexepin, Cash In, and Neds Card
#8 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - WinnersBet
WinnersBet
✅ Best Tote Odds & Protest Payout
✅ Small Melbourne-based bookie
✅ Simple, no-nonsense site
❌ Fewer features than the big bookies
❌ Fewer markets than the big bookies
Aussie Owned, Racing Focused
WinnersBet is hardly a household name for the average punter- but many seasoned punters have it in their repertoire due the Best Tote + SP on all Aussie racing. This means, if you don't like WinnersBet's fixed odds, you can choose Best Tote + SP, and you will get the best out of the three national totes, and the starting place. Which is a much better option that selecting the TAB at whichever state you are in.WinnersBet are also generous with their opening specials and member promos, which is another reason they are popular with punters.
What WinnersBet Offers
- Website: winnersbet.com.au
- Apps: None
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best of the best, and exotics
- Melbourne Cup Features: Price fluctuations and form guides
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, POLi, and EFT/Bank Transfer
#9 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - VicBet
VicBet
✅ Unique markets
✅ Request your own bets
✅ Market-leading odds
❌ No betting apps
❌ Fewer extra features
Best of the Best on Every Race
VicBet is a small racing only betting site, that has been around for a long time. Although their website is very basic and has no features like live streaming, they provide Best of the Best on every Australian horse race.
Best of the Best is a special tote feature that some bookies offer occasionally, which will automatically give you the best price out of the 3 national totes, the starting price, or the top fluctuation prior to the jump. These are all tote products on their own (Best Tote + SP, Top Fluc), and the aptly named Best of the Best brings them altogether.
What VicBet Offers
- Website: vicbet.com.au
- Apps: None
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top fluctuation, best of the best, best tote + starting price, exotics, pick your own odds, head to head, and special bets (eg. odds vs evens)
- Melbourne Cup Features: Price fluctuations and form guides
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, POLi, BPAY, EFT/Bank Transfer, Cheque, and Direct Deposit/Cash
#10 Best Place to Bet on Melbourne Cup - Dabble
Dabble
✅ Copy experts' bets
✅ Banter with punters
✅ Top 4 option
❌ No betting website
❌ Fewer traditional features
Social Bookie, App Only
Dabble is an interesting bookmaker for a few reasons - firstly, they are app based only so you have to download their app (but you can still sign up from the link below). They are also a kind of social media betting app, where you can chat with mates, or follow tipsters.
Copying bets however, is the best part of Dabble. As you can follow tipsters or professional punters, and with the easy possibility of copying their bets means you can reap the awards of someone who has been doing this their who life.
What Dabble Offers
- Website: dabble.com.au
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Melbourne Cup Markets: Fixed 'win', fixed 'place', top 4, best tote + starting price, and exotics
- Melbourne Cup Features: Follow tipsters, copy bets, and banter with punters
- Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, and EFT/Bank Transfer
Why to bet on the Melbourne Cup online
The primary reason to bet on the Melbourne Cup online, is because it is the fastest and easiest way to make your bet.
You can bet on the Melbourne Cup online with your mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer or desktop computer - basically whatever you are reading this article with will work.
Getting started takes just 5 minutes. Simply click or tap one of the buttons on this page, register with the betting site, make a deposit and find the bet you want to make.
You can learn more about how to bet on the Melbourne Cup online here.
If you're new to betting then betting online with a laptop or desktop computer can also be easier because the big screen is easier to navigate and see all of your options on.
What to consider when deciding where to bet on Melbourne Cup
We can give you all the recommendations in the world but ultimately the best betting site and app for the Melbourne Cup is different for every person.
Here are the things that we looked at when coming up with the 10 best Melbourne Cup bookmakers - they might be helpful things to consider when choosing a Melbourne Cup betting site or app for yourself.
Be sure to check the lists above or our betting site reviews for even more information about what each bookmaker offers for the Melbourne Cup.
How to Choose where to bet on the Melbourne Cup
- Are the Odds high?
Consider if the odds are high (high is good as it means you get more money if you win). A good way to check is to pick a couple of your favourite betting sites for the Melbourne Cup and then compare the odds for the horses that you want to bet on.
PlayUp, Unibet, Neds, and Bet365 tend to have the best odds for the Melbourne Cup (depending on the horse and bet type you choose).
- How easy is it to use?
- What payment options are available?
It's important to make sure that the payment method you want to use is offered by the Melbourne Cup betting website you like before you sign up. If you're reading this on Melbourne Cup day you'll also want to choose an instant deposit option like debit card or PayPal.
You can check all of the payment methods available at betting sites in Australia here.
Otherwise, Unibet and Bet365 accept the most common forms for depositing including credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, POLi and Flexepin. There are various other options at some bookies including paysafecard, ClicktoPay, Flexepin, BPAY Neteller and Skrill.
- Are form guides & stats available?
It's Melbourne Cup season so finding information about horses, jockeys, and who might win is not hard but still, betting sites with full form guides, raceday previews, and other statistics are invaluable for helping you make the right choices.
All Melbourne Cup bookies have runner form and other stats on their sites but Neds or Unibet are probably the best of them.
- How many ways to bet are there?
For many punters, betting on the winner, or a horse to place (1st, 2nd or 3rd), is enough. However, in true Melbourne Cup style, there are hundreds of other ways to bet.
These include Quinellas, Exactas, Trifectas, First 4, and Quadrellas as well as special bets like Mystery Bets or Odds vs Evens. All betting sites for the Melbourne Cup offer win/place and exotics betting options but only some - like BlueBet and Palmerbet - have special bet types.Read more about how to bet on the Melbourne Cup here or the best ways to bet on the Melbourne Cup here.
- Is there a betting app?
If you're looking to place a one-off bet then a good betting app might not be worth the hassle of downloading. However, if mobile betting is your thing then you'll want an app with all of the features above, plus one that is easy to use and fast.
PlayUp has the best Melbourne Cup betting app for all of these reasons.
Placing a bet on the Melbourne Cup
All Australian betting sites offer odds for the Melbourne Cup which means that betting on the Melbourne Cup is quite straightforward, as long as you know what you're looking at.
We recommend choosing a top Melbourne Cup bookie from this page and creating an account (which takes around 2 minutes).
From there all you need to do is make a deposit, go to the Melbourne Cup section, pick a horse, a bet type (most punters choose 'Win' or 'Place') and then submit your bet!
For more information about this process, check out our post about the best ways to bet on the Melbourne Cup.
Where to bet on Melbourne Cup FAQs
Here's everything you need to know to bet on Melbourne Cup 2023.
How to bet on Melbourne Cup 2023
- Choose an online betting site from the list at the top of this page
- Create a free betting account by entering your basic ID info
- Make a deposit using one of the available payment methods
- Search for the 'Melbourne Cup' in the menu or search bar
- Select one or more horses and/or bet types from those displayed
- Enter your bet amount and then confirm your bet(s)
Read more about How to Bet on Melbourne Cup 2023
Our experts think that the best place to bet on the Melbourne cup is online at betting websites like Neds, PlayUp and Bet365.
Neds is our favourite because they have great odds and the site is easy to use, there's plenty of ways to pay and they also have heaps of tips, previews, form guides and features like speedmaps, price fluctuations and same race multis.
You can bet on the Melbourne Cup from anywhere in Australia - that includes the land, air and sea - as long as you have internet connection and an online betting account.
(In fact, if you are overseas, you can still bet on the Melbourne Cup with Aussie betting sites if you're using a VPN to hide your web address.)
It is easy to bet on the Melbourne cup at Neds, PlayUp, Unibet, and Bet365. These sites are all simple to sign up with, find Melbourne cup odds, and place bets.
PlayUp is probably the easiest of the four with a site that is designed really well for mobile.
Professional bettors use many different betting sites but generally, they only care about two things - betting odds and markets.
Melbourne Cup markets don't really differ much between bookies but the odds offered can. Fixed odds are the best on PlayUp, exotics odds tend to be the best on Bet365 and Neds offers Top Price fluctuations, Starting Price and Best Tote odds.
Most Melbourne Cup betting is just for fun anyway so most online betting sites and on-course bookmakers will satisfy your betting needs.
However, if you're serious about making money, or just want the best betting experience, avoid any of the betting sites that aren't on this page.