1. #1
    fertdmond
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    Australian Bookies

    great bookies. Centrebet, Sportingbet.com.au and sportsbet.com.au are great i see you guiys in the U.S have a lot of problems with dodgy bookmakers these guys are great Ive never had a problem with them.

  2. #2
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by fertdmond View Post
    great bookies. CentreBet, Sportingbet.com.au and sportsbet.com.au are great i see you guiys in the U.S have a lot of problems with dodgy bookmakers these guys are great Ive never had a problem with them.
    You must be either a pretty small punter or a loser then.

    They were once great but all of the books you mention have now adopted the pathetic Pommie strategy of very severe limiting on sports in particular.

  3. #3
    fertdmond
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hareeba! View Post
    You must be either a pretty small punter or a loser then.

    They were once great but all of the books you mention have now adopted the pathetic Pommie strategy of very severe limiting on sports in particular.
    Lose the arrogance. Centrebet has a wide variety of sports better than most american bookies. centrebet.com, you telling me that they dont offer a wide variety of sports? If so youre totally clueless. If youre referring to stake amount you're also clueless and I know this because Ive wagered big with all bookies mentioned.


    Small punter or loser, no, but by the sounds of your negative attitude you clearly are.

    Good day.
    Last edited by fertdmond; 10-30-11 at 04:09 AM.

  4. #4
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by fertdmond View Post
    Lose the arrogance. Centrebet has a wide variety of sports better than most american bookies. centrebet.com, you telling me that they dont offer a wide variety of sports? If so youre totally clueless. If youre referring to stake amount you're also clueless and I know this because Ive wagered big with all bookies mentioned.


    Small punter or loser, no, but by the sounds of your negative attitude you clearly are.

    Good day.
    Read what I posted.

    No reference to range of options or odds at all. It's now all about being limited. I can't bet as much as $200 on any sports event with any of those shops and mostly a lot lot less than that. I've closed my accounts with Sportingbet and Centrebet because they are just a waste of time for me now. And I know of several other punters who've been forced into the same action. I do maintain an account at Sportsbet but it is only any good for their racing specials, certainly not sports. IAS is the same. Luxbet much the same.

  5. #5
    fertdmond
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hareeba! View Post
    Read what I posted.

    No reference to range of options or odds at all. It's now all about being limited. I can't bet as much as $200 on any sports event with any of those shops and mostly a lot lot less than that. I've closed my accounts with Sportingbet and Centrebet because they are just a waste of time for me now. And I know of several other punters who've been forced into the same action. I do maintain an account at Sportsbet but it is only any good for their racing specials, certainly not sports. IAS is the same. Luxbet much the same.
    My apologies champ It's just because ive bet thousands at a time very recently. Very strange that you should encounter this.

  6. #6
    Jontheman
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    Quote Originally Posted by fertdmond View Post
    My apologies champ It's just because ive bet thousands at a time very recently. Very strange that you should encounter this.
    Obviously it depends what bets you take. They won't give me more than 15$ on most things but if you're betting the square side on high juice lines or taking market average price or worse all the time I'll bet they give you all you want for ever.

  7. #7
    ultrasouth
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    Sportingbet are pretty good been with them for a while with no hassles what so ever

  8. #8
    shari91
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jontheman View Post

    Obviously it depends what bets you take. They won't give me more than 15$ on most things but if you're betting the square side on high juice lines or taking market average price or worse all the time I'll bet they give you all you want for ever.
    Yes and often whatever basis they use for limiting people doesn't even make as much sense as your post. I think some of their guys are just drinking on the job. If my bets weren't constantly hanging on Centrebet while I waited for them to approve it, I was wasting time re-entering bet amounts so I could finally get one accepted since they don't bother telling you your new limits.

    I've given up on all Aussie books now that the Centrebet sale has gone through. Odds are bad enough as it is without that other nonsense.

  9. #9
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by shari91 View Post
    Yes and often whatever basis they use for limiting people doesn't even make as much sense as your post. I think some of their guys are just drinking on the job. If my bets weren't constantly hanging on Centrebet while I waited for them to approve it, I was wasting time re-entering bet amounts so I could finally get one accepted since they don't bother telling you your new limits.

    I've given up on all Aussie books now that the Centrebet sale has gone through. Odds are bad enough as it is without that other nonsense.
    You're pretty right there Shari. They are really no better than the UK books.
    Other than for racing they are really mostly a waste of time for anyone who they figure has a clue.
    TAB is okay on the infrequent occasions that they have the pick of the odds as you can get a reasonable sized bet down.
    I find almost all my sports action these days is at Betfair, Matchbook and Pinnacle with a little at Greek. Precious little else.
    Last edited by Hareeba!; 10-30-11 at 05:57 AM.

  10. #10
    brucethebear
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    +1 for Pinnacle.
    The advantage of Ozzie books for US sports is that they are clueless and slow to update lines.
    (It is not uncommon for them to leave eliminated teams in futures markets.)

  11. #11
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by brucethebear View Post
    +1 for Pinnacle.
    The advantage of Ozzie books for US sports is that they are clueless and slow to update lines.
    (It is not uncommon for them to leave eliminated teams in futures markets.)
    Yes, I've noticed that a few times, at Luxbet in particular.
    But it's one thing to find them and a whole 'nother thing to get set.
    Many are the times I've attempted to pick off stale odds there only to find they reject the bet entirely (after looking at Pinnacle no doubt) and then slice the odds dramatically.

  12. #12
    QQPALLADIUM
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    how are the saints losing to the rams?
    Last edited by QQPALLADIUM; 10-30-11 at 01:40 PM. Reason: ...

  13. #13
    Santo
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    Just a terrible analogy.

  14. #14
    brettels
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    perfect for me, never limited and always paid.

  15. #15
    Optional
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    The main thing I liked about Aussie books was the feeling they were properly regulated and there was no way I could lose my money (apart from losing wagers) and could make them do the right the thing if they pulled any funny stunts.

    But the Sports Alive fiasco wiped out any thoughts that might be correct.

  16. #16
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Optional View Post
    The main thing I liked about Aussie books was the feeling they were properly regulated and there was no way I could lose my money (apart from losing wagers) and could make them do the right the thing if they pulled any funny stunts.

    But the Sports Alive fiasco wiped out any thoughts that might be correct.
    SA was regulated in the ACT. As far as I'm aware only they and the ACT TAB were registered in that jurisdiction.

    I still wouldn't be giving up all hope of some compensation coming from there.

    Most of the large corporate bookmakers are registered in the NT. I've had some dealings with them and I have a lot more faith in their supervision.
    Points Awarded:

    Optional gave Hareeba! 1 SBR Point(s) for this post.


  17. #17
    FourLengthsClear
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    Quote Originally Posted by Optional View Post
    The main thing I liked about Aussie books was the feeling they were properly regulated and there was no way I could lose my money (apart from losing wagers) and could make them do the right the thing if they pulled any funny stunts.

    But the Sports Alive fiasco wiped out any thoughts that might be correct.
    Would tend to agree. If everything I have read with regard to Sports Alive is true then the State Regulator's audit process has failed spectacularly. How can a book that had reported healthy profits for the previous two years and passed the 'segregated accounts' test just two months prior, suddenly be bust?

    It is either a) massive fraud on the part of the ownership or b) complete incompetence on the part of the regulator. On the basis that there is no allegations of a) then it looks very much like b).

  18. #18
    Optional
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    How about a) and b) ?

  19. #19
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Optional View Post
    How about a) and b) ?
    Most definitely both a) and b)

    Reports of SA making good profits in the previous few years are totally inaccurate. They were making losses and their own auditors issued qualified accounts questioning their ability to continue trading.

    When following up no pay claims by customers the ACT administrator was readily fobbed off with payment vouchers stamped "PAID", apparently not even requiring banking evidence to support them.

  20. #20
    brettels
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    What happened with Sports Alive is a once in a life time thing. As stated by Hareeba most of the larger and better known bookies in aus are licensed through the NT, they are safe even if you get limited your still going to be able to get your money back, safer than some banks. I wouldn't bet with a bookie that's not registered with NT, unless its a TAB associated bookie.

  21. #21
    McFly86
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hareeba! View Post
    Yes, I've noticed that a few times, at Luxbet in particular.
    But it's one thing to find them and a whole 'nother thing to get set.
    Many are the times I've attempted to pick off stale odds there only to find they reject the bet entirely (after looking at Pinnacle no doubt) and then slice the odds dramatically.

    Yep -- Lux and Sportsbet.com.au are the worst for this.

  22. #22
    Optional
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    Quote Originally Posted by brettels View Post
    What happened with Sports Alive is a once in a life time thing. As stated by Hareeba most of the larger and better known bookies in aus are licensed through the NT, they are safe even if you get limited your still going to be able to get your money back, safer than some banks. I wouldn't bet with a bookie that's not registered with NT, unless its a TAB associated bookie.
    You might 'know' that... and it may well be true. But my confidence in any Australian bookie is down by at least 50%.

    If Australian regulators ANYWHERE run their business like it's Costa Rica it reflects on the lot of them imho. How am I to know which state government is dodgy and which one isn't now?

    And what makes you so sure the tiny little rinky dink states of Tasmania or NT are more trustworthy than ACT btw?

    And for that matter why don't any of the 'real states' of Australia, like NSW or VIC or QLD administer these books? Because they leave it to the dodgy operators it seems.

  23. #23
    Scooter
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    Quote Originally Posted by brettels View Post
    What happened with Sports Alive is a once in a life time thing.
    The last few years have seen many "once in a life time" financial catastrophes. The last dozen years many more.

  24. #24
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Optional View Post
    ...why don't any of the 'real states' of Australia, like NSW or VIC or QLD administer these books? Because they leave it to the dodgy operators it seems.
    No.
    The NT government's betting tax regime is the simple answer. All the big boys headed to Darwin (and Alice) to open their online betting sites.

  25. #25
    Optional
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    That's just because they wanted the business (NT). The question remains why the major states didn't/don't appear to want it.

    Where is Robbie Waterhouse registered do you know?

    Are any online sportsbooks regulated out of NSW/VIC/QLD?

  26. #26
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Optional View Post
    That's just because they wanted the business (NT). The question remains why the major states didn't/don't appear to want it.

    Where is Robbie Waterhouse registered do you know?

    Are any online sportsbooks regulated out of NSW/VIC/QLD?
    The major States all had good revenue coming from their respective TABs and strongly opposed the licensing of competition. The NT saw the opportunity and went for it.

    Tom Waterhouse's online business is registered in NT but he's licensed as a race bookmaker in Victoria. His dad, Robbie I understand has been operating Tom's stand at the races during the Melbourne carnival but I think he still fields in the Sydney betting ring, where he is licensed, at other times.

    Other than the TABs the only one I'm familiar with is Topsport which is regulated by NSW I think. Flemington Sportsbet I believe is regulated in Victoria.
    Last edited by Hareeba!; 11-01-11 at 05:29 AM.

  27. #27
    Optional
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    I meant to say Tom. Thanks for info.

    Never heard of Topsport. "All bets accepted on behalf of Merlehan Bookmaking Pty Ltd - Greyhound Racing NSW Licensed"

    The dishlicker racing board licences them?!

    And their phone number is in Brisbane.

    What a weird web of regulation appears to exist here in Aus.

  28. #28
    shari91
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    Books in NT: Betchoice, Centrebet, Sportingbet, Sportsbetting, Betezy, Luxbet, Tom Waterhouse, MyBetShop, Betstar, Sportsbet, IAS and whatever other subsidiaries you can think of for the big boys I guess

    Betfair's licenced in Tassie
    Last edited by shari91; 11-01-11 at 05:18 AM.

  29. #29
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Optional View Post
    I meant to say Tom. Thanks for info.

    Never heard of Topsport. "All bets accepted on behalf of Merlehan Bookmaking Pty Ltd - Greyhound Racing NSW Licensed"

    The dishlicker racing board licences them?!

    And their phone number is in Brisbane.

    What a weird web of regulation appears to exist here in Aus.
    Topsport isn't so well known but I use them quite a bit and been very happy with them.
    Mostly for racing but they are also very competitive on footy too and allow me on for heaps more than Sportingbet, Centrebet and Sportsbet.

  30. #30
    brettels
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    Top sport is a father/son business, i spoke to them at the beginning of this year. They want big punters. There work base is in tweed heads. While they do just like everyone else have risk management, they said they aren't that big on marketing themselves for small time online gamblers and cater for the big stakes. They need more markets to persuade me to cross over.

  31. #31
    brettels
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    Quote Originally Posted by shari91 View Post
    Books in NT: Betchoice, Centrebet, Sportingbet, Sportsbetting, Betezy, Luxbet, Tom Waterhouse, MyBetShop, Betstar, Sportsbet, IAS and whatever other subsidiaries you can think of for the big boys I guess

    Betfair's licenced in Tassie

    NT.....coming soon bet365.com.au (not official)

  32. #32
    brettels
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    Hareeba!!! As a player at TopSport can you give an in depth review of them?

  33. #33
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by brettels View Post
    Hareeba!!! As a player at TopSport can you give an in depth review of them?
    All I can say is that my experiences have been nothing but positive.

    I play there everyday betting on races at best tote.

    Other than Waterhouse I don't know any other bookie which offers that for all Aussie meetings. They also offer best fluc. betting on metrop races until such time as the horse has firmed in betting.

    They do offer a reasonable range of sports bets but frankly, other than for the Aussie footy codes the odds rarely ever get me. But I don't ever recall a bet not being accepted in full (up to $3k).

    Payouts have always been overnight EFT.

  34. #34
    brettels
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    how quick are there withdrawals?

  35. #35
    Hareeba!
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    Quote Originally Posted by brettels View Post
    how quick are there withdrawals?
    as I said, overnight EFT ... in my bank account next morning every time

    but best to fund them with EFT or BPay as they insist on paying back to your CC if you use that

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