PointsBet Rating:

3/5

PointsBet Review

Australia's Only Spread Betting Site

PointsBet Overview

Mason Kelliher
Mason Kelliher - Editor-in-Chief

PointsBet entered the Aussie betting scene in 2017 as Australia's only spread betting site. Since then, PointsBet has also introduced a wide variety of fixed-odds betting markets and a number of unique offerings like their Name-a-Bet feature which lets you create your own individualised bets. Overall, PointsBet is a solid choice but it is not that easy to use and is not a reliable bookie if you're looking for consistently good odds.

PointsBet Pros & Cons

  • Name-a-Bet & multis
  • Fast withdrawal times
  • Many betting markets
  • Sup-par for racing
  • Only bank withdrawals
Deposit Match & Promos
20 10 0 -10 -20
2/5
Betting variety
40 30 20 10 0
4/5
Mobile experience
35 25 15 5 -5
3.5/5
Payment options
25 15 5 -5 -15
2.5/5
Racing
30 20 10 0 -10
3/5
Support
30 20 10 0 -10
3/5
Summary
30 20 10 0 -10
3/5
PointsBet quick facts
Website pointsbet.com.au
Game TypesSportsbook
Deposit methodsVisa, MasterCard, Bank Transfer, POLi, Cash Deposit
Withdrawal methodsBank Transfer
Odds providerPointsBet
Betting functionsSpread Betting, Name-a-Bet, Live Betting, Multi Betting
AppsApple (App Store), Android (Google Play)
SupportEmail, Live Chat, Phone, Phone Betting, Post
OwnerPointsbet Holdings Ltd
Founded Year2017
HeadquarterMelbourne

PointsBet Review

PointsBet is one of the fastest-growing betting sites in Australia. After launching in 2017, as Australia's only spread betting site, PointsBet has since grown to expand its offerings to include fixed-odds betting (traditional betting) as well as multi betting and Name-a-Bet options giving punters a lot of betting options to choose from.

Actually, PointsBet offers over 1,000 different betting markets for every AFL, NRL, and NBA match - the most of any bookmaker in the world.

PointsBet is Australian-owned and operated, with its headquarters in Melbourne and its gambling licence coming from the North Territory government. PointsBet is listed on the ASX - Australian Securities Exchange - and it is also one of the fastest-growing betting sites in the USA.

Even though PointsBet has tons of fixed odds, spread betting, and multi opportunities, we've found that their odds are generally not very competitive, particularly for horse racing, same game multis, live bets, and derivative betting markets.

PointsBet is also missing important sections like a play-by-play betting interface, live streaming options, and many special bet types for racing.

Why we like PointsBet ✅

  • PointsBet's withdrawal times are generally pretty fast (bank withdrawals only)
  • The only bookie in Australia with spread betting - earn more based on how 'correct' you are
  • The most betting markets for AFL, NRL, and NBA in the world with fixed odds, spread betting, multi and Name-a-Bet options

Why we don't like PointsBet ❌

  • PointsBet's payment options are limited, especially for withdrawals
  • PointsBet is pretty bad for racing and its features are too gimmicky for serious players
Key points about PointsBet
Mason Kelliher
Mason Kelliher - Editor-in-Chief

PointsBet is a good choice for casual bettors but there are pretty better alternatives that have better odds and more valuable features.

Still, PoinstBet covers popular sports markets like rugby, cricket, footy, soccer, racing, tennis, and more. With PointsBet's betting previews, you'll get tips and statistics to help you make informed bets although these aren't widely available and are generally pretty thin.

PointsBet's live chat and FAQ sections are nice features if you need help understanding parts of the PointsBet site (that can be hard to use).

Casual punters will love to know that PointsBet offers heaps of Multi options as well as the opportunity to Name-a-Bet meaning that you can bet exactly how you want to on PointsBet.

Punters looking for something may also find PointsBet's spread betting offerings fun. With spread betting, you can earn more money based on how 'correct' your bet is. This makes the rewards (and the risks) of spread betting higher. You'll find more information on spread betting at PointsBet here.

Note that Aussies can only use a few different payment methods to make withdrawals and deposits. Another thing that irked us what that the full website is not accessible for punters who haven't created a free account yet. This means that some of PointsBet's features, markets, and features can be viewed until you have registered.

Points Bet Welcome
How does PointsBet compare to other betting sites?
Mason Kelliher
Mason Kelliher - Editor-in-Chief

"PointsBet is not one of our favourite Australian betting sites for a few reasons.

For example, many other bookies like Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, BlueBet, PlayUp, Unibet and Bet365 almost always have higher odds across the board as well as more betting markets and payment methods (like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Flexepin, and paysafecard).

Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Unibet, and Bet365 also have betting blogs with previews and tips and all (except Ladbrokes) offer live streaming - something which PointsBet does not."

PointsBet Australia FAQ

❓ How does PointsBet work?

PointsBet works like any other Australian betting site - you create a free account, deposit some money and then choose a sport to bet on. If you win your bets, then PointsBet will add funds to your account and these can then be withdrawn as real Australian dollars.

There are a number of features that make PointsBte popular with more un-serious punters.

PointsBet features include:

  • Fixed-odds betting - Bet on the outcome of a match, a specific player, and hundreds of other scenarios at fixed prices. With fixed odds, the odds that you see are the odds that your winnings will be paid out at.
  • Spread betting - Bet on the outcome of a match, the more 'correct' your bet is, the more you win. Conversely, the more wrong your bet is, the more you will lose. More information on Spread Betting can be found here.
  • Multi Betting - Combine multiple bets into one and receive a multiplied payout if all of your selections are correct.
  • Name-a-Bet - Request a bet not offered by PointsBet and they will quote you a price.
  • Live Betting - Bet on live sports matches over the phone so you can take advantage of changing odds and make informed bets based on how a game is currently progressing.
💻 How do you use PointsBet?

Using PointsBet is easy. To start betting with PointsBet you'll want to follow these simple steps.

  1. Click on the 'Visit PointsBet Australia' Button above the FAQ's
  2. Click 'Sign Up' on Pointsbet's website and create your free account
  3. Deposit funds using one of the approved payment methods
  4. Find a betting market by selecting your chosen sport and event
  5. Click the odds you want and enter your bet stake
  6. Click 'Place Bet'
📈 How does PointsBet spread betting work?

Spread Betting is a form of sports betting where your potential winnings (and losses) are not set in stone.

Instead of your bet being correct or incorrect, your bet's success varies by degree - the more 'correct' your bet is, the more you win, conversely, the more 'wrong' your bet is, the more you will lose.

If your bet wins by one point (or unit) you will win 1x your bet stake, if it wins by 5 points (or 5 units) you will win 5x your bet stake. On the other hand, if your bet losses by 5 points (or 5 units), you will lose 5x your bet stake.

For example, let's say that you are betting on the winner of an AFL match between Richmond and St Kilda.

PointsBet will set a line, let's say -22 for Richmond and +19 for St Kilda. These lines represent the handicap that is applied to each time's total points.

Let's say that you want to bet $10 on Richmond to win the match. They will need to win by more than 22 points to cover the line and for your bet to be successful.

A bet on St Kilda to win would require that St Kilda lose by 18 points or less.

When the final whistle blows, Richmond are up 79 to 50, a difference of 29 points. With the -22 point handicap applied, Richmond win the game 67 to 60, a difference of 7 points.

Therefore your bet on Richmond covers the spread and your bet is 'correct' by 7 points (units).

Therefore you win 7x your bet stake - $70

If you had bet $10 on St Kilda to win, the final score with the +19 handicap applied would have been 79 - 69. Your bet would have lost by 10 points (units) and therefore you would have been eligible to pay 10x your bet stake - $100.

Read more about spread betting on PointsBet here.

📲 How do you download the PointsBet app?

The PointsBet app is free for Apple and Android devices in Australia. You'll find it on the Australian App Store and the Google Play Store.

To download the Pointsbet Android app:

  1. Tap here to visit the PointsBet website from your Android device & create an account if you haven't already
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the site and tap on the Android app download icon
  3. From the Google Play Store, download the PointsBet app

To download the Pointsbet Apple app:

  1. Tap here to visit the PointsBet website from your Apple device & create an account if you haven't already
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the site and tap on the Apple app download icon
  3. From the App Store, download the PointsBet app
💼 What is PointsBet Holdings Ltd?

PointsBet Holdings Ltd is the name of the company that owns the PointsBet betting site. PointsBet Holdings is listed on the ASX, the Australian share market, and is beginning to roll out its sportsbook in the competitive, yet potentially lucrative US betting market.

🇦🇺 Who owns PointsBet Australia?

PointsBet Australia is owned by PointsBet Holdings Ltd. Pointsbet's founders and executives are veterans of the Australian betting industry. CEO Sam Swanhell and COO Andrew Fahey both worked for TomWatehouse.com (later acquired by William Hill), and PointsBet's chair Brett Paton was a one-time director of both Tabcorp and its spin-off The Star Entertainment Group.

🌏 Where is PointsBet located?

PointsBet was founded in Australia and is headquartered in Melbourne. PointsBet is also active in the USA with offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Illinois, Iowa, and more states.

🔐 Is PointsBet Australia safe?

Yes! Here at My Betting Sites Australia we only list betting sites with great records that are fully licensed to operate in Australia.

PointsBet is Australian owned and operated and is licensed by the Northern Territory Racing Commission. PointsBet complies with the NT Code of Practice for Responsible Online Gambling and the South Australian Responsible Gambling Code of Practice.

PointsBet's customer service team can be contacted 24/7 via live chat, on the phone, by email or even at their postal address.

How To Use PointsBet

With fixed odds, spread betting, multi betting and Name-a-Bet options, there are tons of ways to bet on PointsBet Australia. In fact, for every AFL, NRL and NBA match there are over 1,000 betting markets available to bet on.

But before you bet, you're going to need to create your free account, and deposit funds.

Here's everything you need to know about betting on PointsBet.

1. PointsBet Sign-Up

PointsBet's sign-up process is quick, easy and free.

To sign-up at PointsBet simply:

  1. Click on the 'Visit PointsBet Australia' button below
  2. Click 'Sign Up' on the PointsBet website
  3. Enter some basic personal information
  4. Click 'Join PointsBet'
PointsBet Sign Up Information Required
  • Promo Code (a PointsBet promo code will automatically appear in the text box)
  • Name(s)
  • Email
  • Salutation (Mr, Mrs etc.)
  • Date of Birth
  • Mobile Number
  • Address
  • Username
  • Password
Points Bet Australia Sign Up
Points Bet Australia Sign Up 2

Creating a PointsBet account is really simple, click the button above to get started!

2. PointsBet Verification

Based on the information you give PointsBet when signing up, they will automatically try to verify your account with the Credit Bureau. Note that this does not mark or alter your credit history in any way.

If unsuccessful, you will get an email prompting you to manually verify your PointsBet account.

To verify your PointsBet account you need to:

  1. Go to the 'My Account' section of the PointsBet site
  2. Click on the 'Verify Account' button
  3. Choose a document to use to verify your identity (eg. passport, medicare card, drivers license)
  4. Upload a picture or copy of the document you selected

Note that you have 14 days to verify your PointsBet account before betting activity will be suspended. You can still access your suspended PointsBet account but you will not be able to place any more bets. Your PointsBet account also needs to be verified before you can withdraw any funds.

3. PointsBet Payment Methods

Perhaps the weakest aspect of PointsBet's betting site is their payment options. While there are certainly enough ways to deposit and withdraw for the average Aussie punter we would love to see a few more options like PayPal and Apple Pay.

PointsBet Payment Methods

PointsBet Deposit Options

  • Visa (Instant)
  • MasterCard (Instant)
  • POLi (Instant)
  • Bank Transfer (2 hours if the deposit is made on a business day before 5 pm)
  • Cash Deposit (2 hours if the deposit is made on a business day before 5 pm)

Your first Bank Transfer can take up to 2 days. Cash Deposits can be made at any Commonwealth Bank Branch or CBA Instant Deposit ATM in Australia.

PointsBet Withdrawal Options

  • Bank Transfer (Same business day if the withdrawal request is submitted before 3pm)

Bank Transfers will take a maximum of 2 business days to reach your account.

4. How to bet on PointsBet

Note that to see the full range of betting markets and promotions available on PointsBet you will need to create your free account and log in.

Once logged in, you'll see that the PointsBet homepage is packed with the most popular sports betting markets. At the top of the screen are images that can be clicked to enter the given league or sport that you want to bet on. Below this, you'll see featured sports which can be selected to display all of the betting markets available. On the right-hand side of the screen are all of the upcoming races and sports, each with a countdown timer showing you how close they are to starting.

To find a sport that is not featured you'll want to click on the menu icon in the top-left hand corner of the screen. You can also access your account at any time by clicking on your email address in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Points Bet Australia Homepage

PointsBet Homepage

How do you place a bet on PointsBet?

  1. Make sure you have signed up with PointsBet
  2. Log in and make a deposit
  3. From the homepage, select the sport you that want to bet on
  4. Find the market you want to bet on by scrolling and clicking through your options
  5. Select the odds you want and enter your stake
  6. Click 'Place Now' or 'Place Bet'
Points Bet Placing A Bet

Placing a Bet on PointsBet

For more information on spread betting see the section below.

PointsBet Betting Example

Let's say that you want to place a bet on an AFL finals game between Geelong and Collingwood.

To find all of the available markets for this game choose 'AFL Finals' or 'AFL' from the featured sports on the homepage or from the menu.

Select the Geelong vs. Collingwood match.

You will now be able to see all of the available Fixed Odds markets for this match. For Same Game Multis and Spread Betting options click on the appropriate tab above the Featured Markets Section.

Let's say that you want to bet $10 on Collingwood to win the match.

Under Match Result you'll see that Collingwood is paying 2.15 to win and Geelong is paying 1.70 to win.

Select the box that reads Collingwood - 2.15.

In your Bet Slip, you'll want to enter your bet stake of $10.

To place your bet click 'Place Bet' or 'Place Now'.

If Collingwood wins the match you will win $21.50, if they lose you will lose $10.

📨 How do you Name-a-Bet on PointsBet?

To Name-a-Bet (essentially ask PointsBet to quote you a price for a unique bet) you need to head to the menu in the top right-hand corner of the screen and scroll down to Name A Bet in the Sports section of the menu and then click on this tab.

From here you will see existing Name A Bet options or instead you can select Request A Bet to get unique odds for the bet that you want to place. When requesting a bet you will need to provide your email, choose a sport and tell PointsBet what bet you want.

Note that you will also find existing Name A Bet options listed for all sports markets where requests by other Aussie punters have already been made.

🔢 How do you place a Multi bet on PointsBet?

To place a Same Game Multi on Pointsbet simply go to the sports match that you want to bet on by selecting it from the homepage or menu. You will find that there are usually three types of bets available for a match - Fixed Odds, Same Game Multi and Spread Bets - select Same Game Multi.

Now simply choose the odds that you want to combine in your Multi, enter your bet stake and place your bet.

Note that if a Same Game Multi is not available for the match that you want it will not appear as an option.

To place a Multi across different matches, head to the Quick Multi section of PointsBet in the menu and select the odds you want for your bet.

🕘 How do you bet live on PointsBet?

To place a Live bet on PointsBet you will need to use their live phone betting service. This is because betting live online is illegal in Australia whereas betting live on the phone is not.

Call 1800 PB LIVE (1800 725 483) to bet live on PointsBet.

You'll find all live betting markets on the In-Play section of the Pointsbet betting site. You'll need to quote your username to the phone betting operator. The minimum live bet stake on PointsBet is $10.

💸 How do you cash-out on PointsBet?

First things first, your bet must be eligible for Cash Out for you to use this feature. If it is then you'll see that there is a Cash-Out option in your Bet Slip under the Pending Bets section.

When cashing out, your bet must be winning. Pointsbet will quote you a price, lower than what you are eligible to receive should you wait for your bet to come through.

Cashing out gives you security by locking in a win, but it also can reduce your winnings so keep this in mind.

Spread Betting on PointsBet

Because Spread Betting is only offered by PointsBet in Australia, you may not be familiar with how it works. Don't worry, Spread Betting is easy to understand and it can be a very lucrative way of wagering (although it is very risky).

What is Spread Betting?

Spread Betting, or Points Betting as PointsBet likes to call it, is a more common way of betting in the USA.

In a nutshell, your potential winning and losses are not fixed when Spread betting. Instead, you choose an outcome, and the more that your bet beats this outcome by, the more money you will win. However, if your bet loses, then the more your bet falls short of the outcome by, the more you will lose.

How Does Spread Betting work on PointsBet?

Your bets win or lose, by varying degrees based on your bet type.

If your bet wins by one point (or unit), you will win 1x your bet stake. If your bet wins by 2 units, you will win 2x your bet stake. If your bet wins by 10 units, you will win 10x your bet stake. On the other hand, if your bet loses by 1 unit, you will lose 1x your stake. If your bet loses by 10 units, you will lose 10 x stake etc.

Note that Spread Betting is not available for every match on PointsBet. If Spread Betting is available for the sport that you want then you will find a Spead Betting tab at the top of the match you select. Spread betting is available for all US sports as well as other popular leagues like the AFL, NRL, EPL etc.

PointsBet Spread Betting Example - Total Points
Market:NBA - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat
Bet Type:Total Match Points
Bet:Over 210 Points
Stake:$20
Result:220 total points (10 point win)
Win: $200

PointsBet sets a line for the total number of points scored in an NBA match between the LA Lakers and the Miami Heat. You place a $20 bet on there to be over 210 points scored by both teams. The game ends 105-115 (220 total points). Therefore, you bet is 'correct' by ten points and you receive ten times your bet stake in winnings ($200).

PointsBet Spread Betting Example - Match Winner
Market:AFL - Geelong vs. Collingwood
Bet Type:Match Winner
Bet:Geelong to Win (-8)
Stake:$5
Result:Geelong win by 5 (3 point loss)
Loss:$15

PointsBet sets a line of -8 representing the handicap applied to Geelong in their AFL match against Collingwood. You place a $5 bet on Geelong to win with this margin applied (i.e. win by more than 8 points). The game ends 69-64 (Geelong win by 5). Therefore, you bet is 'loses' by 3 points and you must pay 3 times your bet stake ($15).

Images for this bet can be seen below. Note that I put a Stop Loss at x30 meaning that my winnings were capped at 30x and my losses were capped at -30x.

Points Bet Spread Betting AFL
Points Bet Spread Betting AFL Betslip
PointsBet Spread Betting Example - Time of Bet
Market:NRL - New Zealand Warriors vs. Sydney Roosters
Bet Type:Time of first try
Bet:Over 7 minutes
Stake:$10
Result:First try in the 11th minute (4 point win)
Win:$40

PointsBet sets a line for the minute that the first try of the match in an NRL game between the New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters will be scored in. You place a $10 bet on the first try to occur after the 7th minute. The Roosters score the first try of the match in the 11th minute. Therefore, you bet is 'correct' by 4 minutes and you receive four times your bet stake in winnings ($40).

PointsBet Spread Betting Example - Player Stats
Market:NFL - Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
Bet Type:Derek Carr Passing Yards
Bet:Over 246 Passing Yards
Stake:$1
Result:220 Passing Yards (26 point loss)
Loss:$26

PointsBet sets a line for the number of passing yards Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will have in an NFL match between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos. You place a $1 bet on Carr to have over 246 passing yards at the end of the match. Derek Carr ends the game with only 220 passing yards. Therefore, your bet 'loses' by 26 yards and you have to pay 26x your bet stake in losses ($26).

PointsBet Spread Betting Rules

Max Win & Loss Levels

All spread bets on PointsBet have a maximum win and loss level that can be found in your bet slip when you are placing your bet. Because Spread Betting returns and losses are unknown when you are placing your bet, Pointsbet will always tell you how much you are eligible to win, and how much you are eligible to lose, when placing a spread bet.

Withheld Levels

You maximum loss level will be withheld until the result of the match you are betting on is certain. This means that you will need to have the maximum loss level in your account when you place your bet as insurance that you can pay any losses that may incur.

Stop Losses

To minimize your losses, PointsBet will often let you set your own Stop Loss. This means that you can choose what the maximum win and loss levels for your spread bets are.

Market Information

If you are unsure of how your winnings and losses will be calculated, or exactly what your spread bet entails, you can click on the 'i' icon next to each market for more information.

PointsBet App

Pointsbet's newly designed betting app is a good option for new punters or Aussies who already have a couple of betting apps on their phone. After using the app for a couple of days we were a little bit unimpressed with how hard it was to access form information, find statistics, and navigate through the different betting markets.

PointsBet App Pros ✅

  • Free to download from the App Store and Google Play
  • Fast withdrawal times we've seen
  • Plenty of statistics, form, and information for races and popular sports markets
  • The only spread betting app in Australia
  • Customer support through live chat, phone, and email
  • Live betting via your phone

PointsBet App Cons ❌

  • Navigation can be confusing and slow
  • The app is a little dark so brightness may need to be turned up
  • There is currently no option to customize the homepage for your favorite sports
Points Bet Australia App

PointsBet have recently redesigned their app although we think that it could do with another update

How to Download the Bet365 App in Australia

Downloading the PointsBet app is easy, once you know where to find it. Links to the Pointsbet App download pages can be accessed at the bottom of the PointsBet website when you are on your mobile device.

How to download the PointsBet Android App

  1. Tap here to visit the PointsBet website from your Android device & create an account if you haven't already
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the site and tap on the Android app download icon
  3. Tap 'Download' on the PointsBet Android app page
  4. Open the 'PointsBetAndroidApp.apk' file once it has been downloaded
  5. Make sure you have allowed the installation of 'Unknown Sources' in your security settings
  6. Tap 'Install' on the install screen

How to download the PointsBet iOS App

  1. Tap here to visit the PointsBet website from your Apple device & create an account if you haven't already
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the site and tap on the Apple app download icon
  3. From the App Store, download the PointsBet app

PointsBet App Review ⚖️

As far as betting apps go the PointsBet app has some way to go before it is up there with Australia's best.

Despite this, things that we and other Australian punters love are the fast withdrawals and the wide range of betting markets available on the PointsBet app.

The major qualms we and other people have about the PointsBet app relate to the hard-to-see colour scheme, poor navigation and slow response time.

Overall, we recommend downloading other betting apps like the Sportsbet, Neds, and PlayUp apps which we think are much more intuitive and fast.

PointsBet Promo

If you're looking for a PointsBet promo like a sign-up bonus, bonus bets, boosted odds and money-back offers then we have some bad news.

Due to Australian betting regulations, betting sites are not allowed to advertise bonus incentives to Australian's who are not yet customers. This means that you will not find any PointsBet sign-up bonuses online, or on the PointsBet website unless you are already a customer.

PointsBet Sign-Up Bonus

Due to Aussie betting laws, PointsBet cannot advertise a sign-up bonus in Australia. However, PointsBet can advertise deposit bonuses to players who have accounts.

PointsBet Features

Despite there being better alternative betting sites in Australia, here are some of our favourite parts of the PointsBet betting site.

📋 Betting Previews

For top sports betting markets PointsBet will give you a unique preview with helpful information that makes placing informed bets even easier.

📈 Racing Stats

Pointsbet provides flucs, race day info, form, and stats for top Australian and international races giving you all the information you could possibly want.

📝 Name A Bet

You can request your own unique bet with PointsBet's name a bet feature. This is something we don't see any other Aussie bookie doing.

🔢 Same Game Multi

PointsBet lets you build your own Same Game Multi for popular sports like the AFL, NRL, Super Rugby, Cricket Soccer, and more.

⏳ Quick Multi

You can place a multi across many different sports on PointsBet with their Quick Multi feature.

🕘 Live Betting

You can place live bets on PointsBet over the phone at 1800 PB LIVE (1800 725 483).

💬 Live Chat

If you have any questions or concerns with your PointsBet account you can chat with someone from the PointsBet team live via their website 24/7.

Welcome to pointsbet

That's it for most of this PointsBet review, click here to create your free account!