Australian Sports Betting: My Pro Gambler Guide
It’s a national pastime, a source of endless debate down the pub, and for some of us, a profession. Over the years, I have had the privilege of finding my way around the Australian sports betting industry, from the roar of the racetrack to the roar of the footy crowd, and I can tell you one thing. Being a professional gambler I can tell you that this, it is a wild and exciting time.
But it’s not all beer and skittles. To be profitable, one has to have more than just a hunch of who will be the winner. You require strategy, discipline, and a good understanding of the market. So, whether you’re a regular punter or you are new to the whole idea of Australian Sports Betting, in this article, I will be sharing some of the insights that I have gained over the years.
The Lay of the Land: Popular Sports and Markets
Australia is one of the biggest consumers of sports betting and the evidence of this can be seen in the numerous options that are available. You name it, we bet on it! Here’s a rundown of the big hitters:
- AFL (Australian Rules Football): The undisputed king. Futures, prop bets, totals, first score, and more, you will never get bored.
- NRL (National Rugby League): Another very popular sport, with pretty similar options to AFL when it comes to betting. Another big event is the State of Origin series.
- Horse Racing: Racing is part of our culture and we have racing from the Melbourne Cup to the local country races. It is not a complex form of betting as you can see, from win, place, each-way, quinellas, trifectas and many more. Check out UPC Showdown for a new and exciting way of placing your bets on the races.
- Cricket: Test matches, One Day Internationals and the Big Bash League (BBL) are some of the most popular betting events.
- Soccer: The A-League is slowly emerging as a force and the English Premier League (EPL) is very popular in Australia.
- Other Sports: You will also find markets on nearly every other sport, including basketball (NBA and NBL), tennis, golf, motorsports, and even esports.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Betting Strategies
To understand the sports is one thing, but to understand the betting is another. Here are a few strategies that I’ve found can help you increase your chances of winning:
- Value Betting: This is the cornerstone of my approach. This is where one is able to identify those bets that have higher odds than the probability of the event that is to take place. It’s not about picking winners; it’s about finding value.
- Bankroll Management: This is crucial. No one should bet more money than they can lose and make sure you have a certain amount of money set aside for betting. I would suggest that every bet should be placed using a small portion of the bankroll (e.g., 1 – 5%).
- Specialisation: Don’t try to be a jack-of-all-trades. If you are interested in a certain sport or even a certain type of bet, then concentrate on that.
- Research, Research, Research: Form guides, stats, team news, weather conditions, expert opinions… Try to gather as much information as you can.
- Shop Around for Odds: The same event can be covered by different bookmakers and they may have different odds for the event. Try using the odds comparison websites and see which one provides the best value.
- Consider In-Play Betting: In-play betting can also provide some opportunities, but this is only suitable for those who can make decisions quickly and have self-discipline.
- Don’t Chase Losses: Every person has bad days. Do not try to increase your bets in order to try and win back what you have lost. Stick to your plan.
- Join a Punting competition app. The UPC Showdown is a new daily competition that operates across a broad spectrum of sports. These are exciting racing events that are built around both skill, and a bit of luck, as well as strategy. Choose your runners for several races, known as legs. The goal? To gather as many points as you can from your selected runners.
UPC Showdown: A New Way to Compete
For the past few weeks, I have been involved with a great program called UPC Showdown.
It is a great way to challenge yourself and possibly make some money. And you aren’t just betting on one outcome, you’re making selections across multiple races.
Here is what I like about UPC Showdown.
- Multiple Winners.
- Strategic Depth.
- Dynamic Competition.
- Re-entry option.
The Legal Landscape: Responsible Gambling
Sport betting in Australia is legal and regulated however as with anything that involves spending money, there is the issue of responsible gaming. Each state and territory has its own regulatory body and there are many resources that are available to help those who may be struggling with problem gambling. It is always important to remember that betting is supposed to be fun. If you are experiencing problems or if you are struggling with debt as a result of your betting, then you should seek help.