Bureau comparison
Online Bookmakers vs On-Course Bookmakers
Both online wagering operators and on-course bookmakers are licensed, regulated forms of Australian wagering — but they are licensed differently, work differently at the point of a bet, and suit different people. This page sets out the factual differences so you can understand each. Gambling is entertainment that carries risk; neither option is universally "better".
What each option actually is
Online bookmakers are Australian-licensed interactive wagering providers. You open an account, deposit funds and place bets through a website or app (many also take bets by phone). Every brand listed on this register appears on the ACMA register of licensed interactive wagering providers. These operators typically offer fixed-odds betting across racing and sport, and some also offer tote (parimutuel) products.
On-course bookmakers are individually licensed people who "field" in the betting ring at a racetrack — from metropolitan carnivals to small country meetings. They stand at a stall, display prices on a board or screen, and settle bets in person on the day. On-course bookmaking is a face-to-face, at-the-track activity, though some licensed on-course bookmakers also hold approvals to take telephone or internet bets under state rules.
How each is licensed and regulated
Australian wagering is regulated at the state and territory level, not federally, so the specific regulator depends on where the operator is licensed.
-
Online bookmakers hold a wagering or bookmaker's licence issued by a state or territory regulator — for example, the Northern Territory Racing Commission, Liquor & Gaming NSW, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, or the equivalent body in another jurisdiction. Because their services are delivered online across Australia, they also fall under the Commonwealth Interactive Gambling Act 2000, administered by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority). Licensed online operators appear on the ACMA register.
-
On-course bookmakers are licensed by the racing/bookmaker licensing body or the gambling regulator in the state or territory where they field, and are also bound by the rules of the relevant racing control body (for example, the principal racing authority for thoroughbred, harness or greyhound racing). Their conduct on-course is supervised by stewards and betting-ring supervisors on the day.
All licensing facts above should be confirmed directly with the relevant regulator, as licence conditions and regulator names vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
How betting mechanically works with each
There are three common wagering structures:
- Fixed odds — the price is locked in when you place the bet. Both online bookmakers and on-course bookmakers commonly bet to fixed odds.
- Pooled dividends (tote / parimutuel) — all stakes go into a pool and the dividend is calculated after the event based on how the pool is divided. This is offered by totalisator operators and by some online bookmakers as a tote product.
- Peer-to-peer (betting exchange) — customers bet against each other rather than against the operator, which takes a commission. This model exists among some licensed online operators.
With an online bookmaker, you place the bet through an app, website or over the phone, funds move electronically, and settlement is automatic to your account. With an on-course bookmaker, you place the bet in person in the ring, typically settle in cash (or by approved electronic means), and collect winnings at the stall.
Factual feature differences
| Feature | Online bookmakers | On-course bookmakers |
|---|---|---|
| Point of bet | Website, app or phone | In person at the racetrack |
| Primary regulator | State/territory licensing body + ACMA (Interactive Gambling Act) | State/territory bookmaker licensing body + racing control body |
| Account required | Yes | No — bet on the day |
| Deposits/withdrawals | Electronic (bank transfer, cards, some digital methods) | Cash or approved on-course methods |
| Identity verification | Mandatory customer verification under law | Face-to-face; ID checks per venue/state rules |
| Minimum bet limit rules | Apply in some jurisdictions/products under state rules | Vary by state racing rules |
| Availability | Any time the operator's markets are open | Only during meetings you attend |
Verification: Online operators are legally required to verify customer identity and must offer responsible-gambling tools. On-course betting is face-to-face, with identity and record-keeping requirements set by state rules.
Minimum bet limits: Some jurisdictions require operators to lay a bet to lose a set minimum amount on certain racing markets. These rules vary by state, code and product, and should be checked with the relevant racing regulator.
The complaint pathway for each
-
Online bookmakers: Raise the issue with the operator first. If unresolved, complain to the state or territory regulator that issued the licence (for example, the NT Racing Commission for NT-licensed operators, or the relevant NSW/VIC body). Matters about prohibited or unlicensed interactive gambling services fall to the ACMA.
-
On-course bookmakers: Betting disputes on-course are usually handled first by the betting-ring supervisor or stewards at the meeting, then escalated to the state bookmaker licensing authority or racing control body if needed.
Confirm the exact pathway with the regulator named on the operator's licence.
Who each suits
Online bookmakers suit people who want to bet remotely, keep electronic records, use built-in tools like deposit limits, and access markets outside race meetings.
On-course bookmakers suit people who are attending the races and prefer betting in person, in cash, as part of the on-track experience.
Whichever you use, treat wagering as entertainment with real financial risk. Set limits before you start, and use responsible-gambling tools such as deposit limits and BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register. For free, confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. This information is for readers aged 18+.
FAQs
How is each type of bookmaker regulated?
Both are licensed at state or territory level by the relevant gambling or bookmaker licensing body. Online operators also fall under the Commonwealth Interactive Gambling Act 2000, administered by the ACMA, and appear on the ACMA register. On-course bookmakers are additionally bound by the rules of the relevant racing control body and supervised by stewards. Confirm details with the relevant regulator.
How do I verify that an operator is licensed?
For online operators, check the ACMA register of licensed interactive wagering providers, and confirm the licence with the state or territory regulator named on it. For on-course bookmakers, licensing is administered by the state bookmaker licensing body or racing authority; you can ask the venue or that regulator to confirm a bookmaker's current licence.
How do the complaint pathways differ?
For online bookmakers, complain to the operator first, then to the state or territory regulator that issued the licence; the ACMA handles matters about prohibited or unlicensed interactive services. For on-course bookmakers, betting disputes are usually raised with the betting-ring supervisor or stewards at the meeting, then escalated to the state licensing authority or racing control body.
Can an operator be both online and on-course?
Yes, in some cases. A licensed on-course bookmaker may also hold approvals to take telephone or internet bets under state rules, and some businesses operate both a fielding presence and an online service. The specific licences and approvals held vary, so confirm exactly what an operator is licensed to offer with the relevant regulator.
Do the same consumer protections apply to both?
Some protections overlap and some differ. Online operators must verify customer identity and provide responsible-gambling tools such as deposit limits, and their customers can use BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. On-course betting is face-to-face with identity and record-keeping requirements set by state rules and overseen by stewards. Check the specific rules with the relevant regulator.