Ladbrokes.com.au vs Sportsbet - In-Depth Betting Site Comparison

By Jake McEvoy

20 Apr 2023

Jake McEvoy 20 Apr 2023

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In a battle that pits a two of Australia's biggest bookmakers, we take a look at how often, if ever, does Sportsbet outperform Ladbrokes in the key metrics that determine an Australian betting site's overall quality?

The corporate backgrounds of these two companies are more similar than you would first guess, with Flutter Entertainment - the company that owns Paddy Power, Pokerstars and more - driving the operations behind Sportsbet.

This is why Sportsbet itself isn’t trying to take on the world - they’ve got multiple brands taking on different regions.

Ladbrokes, on the other hand, is run by Entain, which also owns some of world’s biggest betting brands like Ladbrokes and Neds in Australia, Coral, Sportingbet and BetMGM in the United States.

Let’s take a look at how these two bookies compare in a direct head-to-head scenario.

Ladbrokes Australia vs Sportsbet Comparison

In order to establish which of these two betting brands is the best, we have to look much deeper than just the overall betting experience. We need to break down each site into particular categories and compare them at each and every level.

Once we’ve got all of the information we need and we’ve tallied up the points, we can then make a much more informed decision about which site is better without any level of bias.

Here are all of the criteria we take into account when comparing two betting sites:

Odds Value: The likelihood of a successful wager is dependent on the odds offered by various bookmakers. The difference between picking one bookmaker over another might come down to this.

Available Markets: The more choices available, the happier sports bettors will be. A bookmaker with a wider variety of markets is preferable to one with a narrower selection.

Betting Features: Bookmakers have had to provide more functionality to their online platforms in order to attract and retain punters. The bookmaker with extras like live streaming, in-play betting, and those that actually pay out within a reasonable timeframe will have a leg up on the competition.

Betting App: The most successful bookmakers understand the need for a top-notch mobile app. The ability to bet on the move is a must for today's punters, and the bookies' app must support both iOS and Android to appeal to this demographic.

VIP Program: Bettors are more inclined to continue with a bookmaker that offers a VIP Program because they know they will be rewarded for their loyalty. It's often based on a points system where players earn rewards for their wagers.

Safety & Security: When you bet online, your money and personal information should be secure. The use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and cutting-edge virus prevention software is mandatory.

Payment Methods: Online betting sites must provide a number of different safe methods of depositing money. Bettors are more likely to stick with a bookmaker if it's easy for them to fund and cash out their accounts.

Live Betting & Live Streaming: Live streaming and live betting (also known as in-play betting) are two of the most popular options in the modern online betting market. It enhances the excitement by putting bettors in close proximity to the event.

Customer Support: Bettors are more likely to use and stick with a betting site that provides round-the-clock assistance if they have a positive customer service experience. Additionally crucial are convenient means of communication, prompt responses to questions, and happy previous customers.

Promotions: Bettors are always looking for ways to maximise their returns, so it's great when sportsbooks reward their loyalty with special incentives and promotions. Having a wide variety of deals to choose from is a great way to keep clients interested, loyal, and involved.

Licensing and Regulation: The laws and policies governing internet gambling in Australia's various jurisdictions vary widely. A bookmaker should be authorised to do business, regulated, and audited by a neutral party.

Responsible gambling practices: Good bookmakers encourage responsible play and do all they can to aid customers who are struggling with gambling issues. Better betting sites provide more than just deposit restrictions and self-exclusion; they also provide free access to trained professionals and a helpline that is open around the clock.

Our Verdict: Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet

When it comes to determining which contender is superior across the board, this matchup was one of the least difficult we've observed.

In each of the most crucial areas, here is the victor:

Best Betting Odds: Ladbrokes Australia
Available Markets: Ladbrokes Australia
Best Features: Ladbrokes Australia
Mobile App: Ladbrokes Australia
VIP Program: Draw
Safety and Security: Draw
Deposit and Withdrawal Options: Ladbrokes Australia
Live Betting and Live Streaming: Ladbrokes Australia
Customer Service: Ladbrokes Australia
Safer Gambling: Draw
Licensing and regulation: Draw
Best Offers: Ladbrokes Australia

Ladbrokes is nothing short of a household name, operated by itself with no parent company interfering with a chance of misdirection. Well, we say “no parent company” - we mean nothing more than a merger between themselves and Neds.

Established in 1902 in the United Kingdom, Ladbrokes expanded to Australia in 2013 and quickly became one of the country's most well-known betting websites. Ladbrokes has the upper hand because of their superior knowledge and many years in the business.

Sportsbet, on the other hand, feels a bit like the ugly duckling in a group of brands with a global reputation. While it is certainly a competent brand, it definitely doesn’t compete with its siblings: Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Pokerstars, Betfair, Fanduel and Tombola, among others.

Ladbrokes Australia Pros & Cons

Live video stream of horse racing (and some sports).

Ladbrokes card for easy deposits and withdrawals.

Excellent selection of sports markets.

Multi-builder tool for easy betting.

Lack of variety of futures betting markets.

Fixed odds are relatively low.

Customer support can improve.

Sportsbet Pros & Cons

Live racing stream.

Aussie-based betting provider.

“Justice refund” feature.

A small selection of sports.

Dated website design.

Very basic betting service.

We’ve made it abundantly clear that Ladbrokes Australia is better in many aspects, and even when simply trying to list some “pros” for Sportsbet, it’s difficult to list anything further than its unique betting features.

Comparing Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet Betting Odds

As we’re used to seeing with Australian betting sites, both sites here provide competitive odds, so you know you can place your bets knowing you’re not being ripped off - in comparison to other betting sites, anyway.

We've learned, and new betting companies will too, that sites that attempt to charge too much don't last very long in the market. But it doesn't mean you shouldn't double-check just in case.

What Markets Are Available at Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet

Ladbrokes is known in Australia as a fantastic online destination to place bets on all kinds of racing events, whether horses, harnesses or dogs. This doesn’t mean the service is limited to just these markets, though.

At Ladbrokes, you can also bet on a variety of popular sports, including football, tennis, cricket, Aussie rules, basketball, cycling, golf, table tennis and more. Within each of these sports, there is a lengthy list of markets to wager on and test your sporting knowledge.

Sportsbet has a similar selection of sports to wager on. The full list consists of NRL, AFL, NBA, soccer and tennis. Within each of these sports, all of the main tournaments and events are covered, however there aren’t as many markets to actually bet on within each event.

Which Sportsbook Offers the Best Features?

If there’s one area in which Sportsbet may stand out from the crowd, it is with its betting features. There are a few unique offerings in this department.

While these features may be good enough to position the bookie above several others in the ranks, they aren’t quite enough to take on Ladbrokes, and as far as betting features are concerned, we’ll still be choosing Ladbrokes as the victor in this department.

Does Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet have the best mobile app?

If you like betting on the go or from more comfortable positions than your desk, Ladbrokes should be your obvious choice out of these two bookies.

The Ladbrokes application features all of the betting site’s offerings, so you can play on your iOS or Android device regardless of where you are as long as you have an internet connection.

If you want to bet with Sportsbet on your smartphone or tablet, you will need to do so on your mobile browser, which is far from as efficient as an official betting app.

Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet VIP Program Comparison

While Ladbrokes does reward loyal customers in various ways, there isn’t an actual VIP program like those seen at similar betting sites.

There is no mention of a specific VIP program at Sportsbet, either, so if you’re trying to work your way up through loyalty tiers to earn exclusive rewards, you’ll have to head elsewhere.

Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet Safety and Security

Both companies are completely trustworthy since they use state-of-the-art security measures and put the virtual well-being of their customers first. Both use secure socket layer (SSL) technology so that no unauthorised parties may access user data.

Comparing Deposit and Withdrawal Options

For deposits, Ladbrokes Australia takes not just Mastercard and Visa, but also PayPal, Poli, Pay ID, and EFT bank transfers. Ladbrokes also allows deposits made via Cash In, Flexepin, and BPAY in addition to these more common payment options.

At Sportsbet, there’s not quite as much choice, however the options that are available are both safe and popular. Your options here are Visa, MasterCard, POLi and EFT bank transfers.

Live Betting and Streaming Options: Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet

Both Ladbrokes and Sportsbet offer the ability to bet on sports live as they take place, as well as the ability to watch them as they unfold.

Ladbrokes has a service called “Ladbrokes Live”, which can be accessed by clicking the icon in the bottom right-hand corner of any page. To bet on the events, click the “Live Betting” link in the main menu.

At Sportsbet, it’s a similar process, where you simply need to click the “Live Racing” button, which is found at the bottom right of the page, and then head to the “Bet Live” tab in the main menu.

Comparing Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet Customer Service

Ladbrokes Australia's customer care agents put in a lot of time and effort to make sure they have the answers to your queries and can address your problems effectively. We are fortunate to get responses that are quick and enlightening.

You can have your questions answered quickly and go back to betting on your favourite games since Ladbrokes offers a large number of customer support specialists accessible for live chat.

If you need to contact the customer service team at Sportsbet, your methods for doing so include the live chat - available between 06:00 and 00:00 - as well as telephone and post.

The Sportsbet customer service team is also very helpful and you can usually expect any issues to be resolved within a short period of time.

Where Do Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet Stand on Safer Gambling

Ladbrokes Australia is dedicated to its role as a responsible business that values its customers' well-being above everything else. To that end, we take precautions to prevent underage users from registering on our betting sites and making bets.

Ladbrokes makes it simple for its patrons to contact support when they need it. Bettors may set deposit restrictions, engage in self-exclusion, or temporarily suspend their account on any site if they feel they need a break from gaming.

A link to Sportsbet's Responsible Gambling Policy can be found at the foot of every page on their website. This policy details the company's commitment to addressing the issue of problem gambling and the steps they've taken to that end.

Just like Ladbrokes, they offer a variety of tools which customers can use to avoid addiction and assist them once it is too late.

Where Are Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet Licensed and Regulated?

Ladbrokes is a licenced sports bookmaker in the Northern Territory. Their compliance with licencing and regulatory standards is guaranteed by independent auditors' scrutiny.

Sportsbet’s gambling operations are in accordance with the South Australian Gambling Codes of Practice and their license is provided by the Northern Territory Racing Commission.

Does Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet Have The Best Offers?

Incentives and sign-up bonuses from bookmakers are illegal due to new regulations. Bookmakers like Sportsbet and Ladbrokes have resorted to offering incentives and promotions to customers who sign up. Both Ladbrokes and Sportsbet have enticing promotions, but Ladbrokes is the clear winner.

Ladbrokes Australia members enjoy a wide variety of benefits, and gamblers are always informed of the most recent promotional offers.

Ladbrokes vs Sportsbet FAQs

Can you have both a Sportsbet and Ladbrokes account?

Australian punters can have accounts with as many different bookmakers as they like. This includes being able to own an account with both Sportsbet and Ladbrokes.

Which Bookmaker has been around longer?

Ladbrokes is one of the oldest bookmakers in the world, with operations dating all the way back to the late 1800s. Sportsbet is hardly a new betting site, having been established back in 1994, but Ladbrokes is the company that has been around for longer.

Do both bookmakers have mobile apps?

Yes. Both have apps you can download from the app stores.

Which betting site offers the better odds - Sportsbet or Ladbrokes?

Both Ladbrokes and Sportsbet offer competitive odds, with neither standing out from the other significantly in any of the markets that they offer for wagering.

Do Sportsbet and Ladbrokes allow for live betting?

If you like betting on in-play sports markets, you can enjoy doing so at both Ladbrokes and Sportsbet - however there are far more markets to choose from at Ladbrokes.

Who offers the better customer service, Sportsbet or Ladbrokes?

The customer service being offered at both of these sites is exceptional, however, we can’t help but feel we’d rather be assisted by the Ladbrokes customer service team.

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