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Melbourne Cup Betting Sites

Written by Pavel Kateliev
Pavel Kateliev is a popular sport journalist, particularly in the fields of football, basketball, tennis, and hockey. He writes daily for Sportingpedia and his work has been translated into at least 20 languages and featured on renowned outlets such as BBC, Yahoo, MCN, Sun, and Evening News, in Italian, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
, | Updated: January 2, 2025

Find our expert reviews of reputable and regulated Melbourne Cup horse racing betting sites. Each bookmaker has been thoroughly checked by our team with real money .

One of the strictly specific aspects of horse racing is that on-site betting enjoys a continued interest centuries after the pastime became part of people’s lives. What has resulted from the advancement of technology and the advent of the internet is simply that the total number of punters has increased tremendously. Modern online sportsbooks enable wagering on horses regardless of time, place, and location. We have selected for you the best of the best horse racing bookmakers and invite you to familiarize yourself with the most important information about each of them.

Melbourne Cup Betting Sites Ranked by Trustpilot Rating

Sportsbook Reviews Rating
22Bet 1,632 3.7 ⭐
BetOnline 6,179 3.6 ⭐
XBet 9 2.2 ⭐
Betsafe 250 1.8 ⭐
Everygame 48 1.7 ⭐
Mr Green 4,160 1.5 ⭐
Betsson 190 1.5 ⭐
Bovada 956 1.4 ⭐
Karamba 791 1.3 ⭐

Comparison of Melbourne Cup Betting Sites

Sportsbook Sports on Offer Min Deposit Min Withdrawal Min Bet Bonuses Bonus Wagering Requirements In-Play Betting Licenses
Everygame Football, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Golf, and 10+ other sports $10 $100 - $150 $1

• 50% Bonus up to $200
• 4 x $100 free bets
• $50 Weekly Free Bet on Losing Parlay Bets

• 8x deposit + bonus amount at min. odds of -200 (1.5) ( Bonus)
• All free bets must be fully wagered

Yes

No official license information

Bovada American Football, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, and 20+ other sports • $10 - Crypto, Player Transfer, MatchPay• $20 - Bank Cards• $50 - Direct Bank Transfer • $10 - Voucher, MatchPay• $250 - Check by Courier• $1,500 - Bank Wire• $10 - All crypto except USDT and ETH• $50 - USDT and ETH $0.50

• 75% Welcom Crypto Bonus up to $750
• 50% Welcome Fiat Deposit Bonus up to $250

5x deposit + bonus (both types of Welcome Bonus)

Yes

Union of the Comoros

Mr Green Football, Tennis, Esports, Horse Racing, and 30+ other sports $/€10 $/€10 $/€0.10

First Deposit Free Bets

2x€10 free bets must be fully wagered within 7 days

Yes

UKGC (#039264-R-319432-018)
Ireland’s Revenue Commissioner (#1011600)
MGA (#MGA/CRP/121/2006)
Danish Gambling Authority (#18-0457046)
Swedish Gambling Authority (#23Si2199)

XBet Basketball, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MMA, Motor Sports, and 25+ other sports • $45 - MasterCard, VISA• $20 - Cryptocurrencies• $100 - Person2Person • $100 - for all payment methods except Bitcoin ($25) $1

• 50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200
• 100% Crypto Welcome Bonus up to $200
• 5% Crypto Re-Up Bonus up to $100
•7% Horse Rebate

• Min $50 Deposit; 1x Playthrough (50% Credit Card Welcome Bonus up to $200)
• Min Deposit $50; 1x Playthrough (100% Crypto Welcome Bonus up to $200)
• Min Deposit $50; 1x Playthrough (5% Crypto Re-Up Bonus up to $100)
• No playthrough requirement (7% Horse Rebate)

Yes

Curacao

Betsafe Football, Tennis, Basketball, American Football, and 30+ other sports $/€10 $/€10 $/€0.10

* Welcome Offer 100% up to €100 + €15 Free Bets
* Daily Multiples Refund up to €45 (3 refunds of up to €15 per day)

* 8x WR on deposit on odds of 1.50 or greater within 30 days; 1x WR on free bet on odds of 1.50 (Welcome Offer)
* No WR on refunds (Daily Multiples Refunds)

Yes

MGA (MGA/CRP/108/2004)
Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners (#1011286)
Swedish Gambling Authority (#23Si2178)

22Bet Football, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Volleyball, and over 40 other sports $/€1 $/€10 $0.10

• 100% Welcome Bonus up to €122
• Friday Reload Bonus
• 100% Refund on Acca Bets
• Refund on Losing Bets
• Weekly Rebate

• 5x bonus funds on accumulator bets (Welcome Bonus)
• 3x bonus funds on accumulator bets (Friday Reload)
• Full free bet wagered (100% Refund on Acca Bets)

Yes

Curaçao (#8048/JAZ2017-067)
Kahnawake Gaming Commission (#00882)

Betsson Cricket, Baseball,Basketball, Soccer, and 30 other sports €10 €20 €0.10

Welcome Package: €100 Bonus
and €30 in Free Bets

Daily Acca Insurance: €15 cashback
up to 3 times a day (€45 in total)

8x the bonus at min.
odds of 1.80, 1x the
net win for
free bets at min. odds
of 1.50 (Welcome Offer)

No WR on Acca
Insurance

Yes

Malta Gaming Authority
(MGA/CRP/108/2004)

Swedish Gambling
Authority (SGA)

Danish Gambling
Authority (DGA)

Karamba Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Rugby, Bton, Boxing, and 30+ other sports €/£/$10 €/£/$10 £0.1

Welcome Offer: 100% match up bonus up to £50 + 100 spins
Sign Up Offer: £10 Free Bet

Welcome Offer: 35x bonus amount
Sign Up Offer: No wagering requirements

Yes

UKGC (39483), MGA (MGA/B2B/147/2007, MGA/CRP/148/2007, MGA/CRP/148/2007-01)

BetOnline Hockey, Tennis, Soccer,Volleyball, and 20+other sports Cards: $25Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500 Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500Courier Check: $500 $1 online$25 for phonewagers

Welcome Offer: 50% up to
$250 in free bets and 100 free
spins

1x for free bets from the
welcome offer

Yes

Panama

Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites

  1. Everygame

    Review
    Licenses
    No official license information
    Min Deposit
    $10
    Min Withdrawal
    $100 - $150
    Withdrawal Time
    * Bitcoin and ecoPayz - 48 hours* Checks (the US only) - 5 business days* Bank wires - up to 15 business days* SEPA - up to 4 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logo Mastercard logo Bank Transfer logo Bitcoin logo Litecoin logo ecoPayz logo eZeeWallet logo Neosurf logo Bitcoin Cash logo Discover logo American Express logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: [email protected] Phone: Scheduled calls only
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    • Sportsbook, casino, and poker categories
    • US sports coupon
    • Separate welcome offer for North American s
    • Parlay bet promotions
    • $10 minimum deposit
    • One payout per week

    Everygame is a respected gambling brand with extensive experience of over 30 years. It is a preferred platform for lots of American betting enthusiasts as it puts an obvious emphasis on locally popular sport disciplines such as American football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. Horse racing is also part of the bookie’s portfolio with the majority of featured races being conducted on US tracks.

    The sportsbook not only enables placing parlay bets but has introduced different promotional incentives to stimulate its clients to use this particular bet type. The first gives free bets in case a parlay loses by exactly one selection while the second awards the punter who enjoys the highest net profit from a single parlay bet within one calendar month. Make sure you read the clearly presented bonus rules and rollover requirements before opting in for any of the bonuses.

    The setup of Everygame’s main betting site is so designed that it enables easy navigation through the different categories with little chance not to find the information you are looking for. We do consider simplicity is an advantage, especially from a rookie’s point of view, so thumbs up for this approach. The overall impression left after reviewing this bookmaker’s offering is pretty good. We would like to see even more diligence regarding horse racing because it is certainly not a question of knowledge or resources on the part of the team.

  2. Bovada

    Review
    Licenses
    Union of the Comoros
    Min Deposit
    • $10 - Crypto, Player Transfer, MatchPay• $20 - Bank Cards• $50 - Direct Bank Transfer
    Min Withdrawal
    • $10 - Voucher, MatchPay• $250 - Check by Courier• $1,500 - Bank Wire• $10 - All crypto except USDT and ETH• $50 - USDT and ETH
    Withdrawal Time
    • Bitcoin - Up to 24 hours • Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Tether, and Litecoin - Up to 1 hour• Check by Courier - Approximately 10-15 Business Days • Bank Wire - Approximately 10-15 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logo Mastercard logo Bank Transfer logo Bitcoin logo Ethereum logo Tether logo Litecoin logo Bitcoin Cash logo Amex logo MatchPay logo Papara logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: [email protected] Phone: N/A
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    • Experienced online bookmaker
    • Designed with US punters in mind
    • Cryptocurrencies accepted
    • Various horse race betting markets
    • Rewards program
    • Not authorized in the DE, MD, NJ, NV & NY states

    We continue our selection of top Melbourne Cup betting sites with another online bookmaker which has proven itself as a -friendly platform for US gambling enthusiasts. We can safely say that Bovada is among the largest and most famous players in the American sports betting landscape even after its formal separation from the Bodog family. In addition to the sports and horse racing section, the brand provides a number of casino, poker, and liver dealer options thus making sure its clients cannot get bored while using the platform.

    Bovada’s online racebook features multiple horse racing events conducted on prominent race tracks mainly in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The number of bet types available depends on the popularity of the particular event with punters being able to place Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Pick 4, and other wagers on major horse races.

    The ed payment solutions are so selected as to satisfy the requirements and preferences of as many US bettors as possible. Punters can fund their balances via the universally accepted Mastercard, Visa, and American Express credit cards, several cryptocurrencies, as well as Zelle, which is a secure US-based digital payments network. The most advantageous transaction method is undoubtedly the cryptos since they allow for fast withdrawals with no upper limit.

  3. Mr Green

    Review
    Licenses
    UKGC (#039264-R-319432-018) Ireland’s Revenue Commissioner (#1011600) MGA (#MGA/CRP/121/2006) Danish Gambling Authority (#18-0457046) Swedish Gambling Authority (#23Si2199)
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    • Credit/Debit cards - up to 3 days• Bank transfers and Trustly - up to 5 business days• E-wallets and Paysafe wallets - up to 2 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logo Mastercard logo Neteller logo Skrill logo Paysafecard logo Trustly logo Bank Transfer logo Sofort logo MuchBetter logo Giropay logo Revolut logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: [email protected] Phone: N/A
    Chart loading...
    • Rich sports portfolio
    • Useful educational content
    • 10+ language versions
    • Good selection of horse racing events
    • Free bet club
    • Fast e-wallet payouts

    Mr Green is a trustworthy sports betting brand whose operations are regulated by the most reputable authority bodies in the industry – the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. The betting environment’s high level of security provided by the bookie is additionally guaranteed through the licenses issued by the respective institutions in Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden.

    Since Mr Green entered the world of sports betting eight years after its foundation in 2008, it is still better known for its online casino. However, the fancy sportsbook is attracting the attention of an increasing number of avid punters each year, so we would not be surprised if it eventually turns into a flagman of the brand. The sophisticated dark green color is a kind of landmark for the bookmaker that makes it one of the most recognizable players on nowadays online betting scene.

    Although as abundant as they may be, the transaction methods accepted by Mr Green comprise most of the commonly used options, namely credit/debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and prepaid vouchers. Given the many positives this bookmaker comes with, we tend to turn a blind eye on the lack of cryptocurrencies. The only thing that impedes us from giving an excellent rating to Mr Green is the fees it applies to all withdrawals.

  4. XBet

    Review
    Licenses
    Curacao
    Min Deposit
    • $45 - MasterCard, VISA• $20 - Cryptocurrencies• $100 - Person2Person
    Min Withdrawal
    • $100 - for all payment methods except Bitcoin ($25)
    Withdrawal Time
    For customers with verified s - within 48 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Mastercard logo Bitcoin logo Player/Person-to-Person Transfer logo Visa logo Litecoin logo Bitcoin Cash logo Ethereum logo Solana logo Cardano  logo Tether logo Shiba Inu logo Dogecoin logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Details
    Live Chat: Yes Us Form Phone: 1-855-219-5809
    Chart loading...
    • Parented by the reputable Betsson group
    • EGR-awarded horse racing operator
    • Several sport-related promotions
    • Bitcoin, BitcoinCash, Litecoin, and Ethereum accepted
    • Extensive help center
    • Generous bonus

    In our opinion, quality is always more important than quantity, and when we come across an online bookmaker that bases its activity on the same principle, we willingly spend more time to familiarize ourselves with its features. Not that Xbet offers a very limited number of sports to wager on, but around 20 disciplines are far from a myriad. However, the selection has been made so that there is a suitable option for both US punters and European betting enthusiasts. The same can be said about the deposit methods that include Visa and Mastercard prepaid, credit, and debit cards, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, P2P transfers, MoneyGram, etc.

    If you still hold onto abundance, you will find it in Xbet’s online racebook, especially as regards the offered horse racing bet types. For the most popular races featured on the platform, punters can choose between Straight, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, or Parlays. Once you make your selection, the bookie automatically displays the minimum and maximum bet limits at the bottom of the respective racecard.

    One of the reasons for Xbet falling under the radar of thousands of avid bettors around the globe is that it provides them with a whole selection of bonuses and promotions. The lucrative first-deposit sports bonus, the horse rebate promotion, and the other incentives introduced by the bookmaker are capable of spicing up your time with the sportsbook.

  5. Betsafe

    Review
    Licenses
    MGA (MGA/CRP/108/2004) Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners (#1011286) Swedish Gambling Authority (#23Si2178)
    Min Deposit
    $/€10
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    * Bank cards - up to 5 business days* E-wallets - up to 24 hours* Bank Transfer - up to 5 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logo Mastercard logo Neteller logo Skrill logo Paysafecard logo Trustly logo Bank Transfer logo Bitcoin logo MiFinity logo Interac logo Luxon Pay logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: [email protected] Phone: +44 808 238 0028
    Chart loading...
    • Great in-play section
    • Horse racing live streams
    • Price boost promotions
    • Several gambling products
    • High withdrawal limit
    • MGA regulation

    Betsafe is a secure gambling platform that offers an abundance of entertaining options for the fans of wagering on sports. Its services can be used via the main betting site as well as the dedicated mobile applications developed for both Android and iOS devices. The sportsbook features a dark scheme with hi-tech graphics and images which give the layout a sense of sophistication. This, combined with the excellent selection of disciplines and the up to 24h payouts, make Betsafe one of the most popular online bookies.

    Despite the huge popularity of horse race betting, there are online bookmakers that have not included the sport in their portfolios or if they have, the event coverage is often poor. Betsafe not only does not fall into any of these two categories but offers one of the most extensive online racebooks nowadays. UK & Ireland, the US, , and Australia are just part of the locations whose horse races are featured. High-definition live streams are available for selected events with the only requirement for punters being to have logged into their s.

    As regards the payment methods you can fund your betting balance with, Betsafe accepts deposits via Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, and Trustly. The minimum deposit amount accepted by Betsafe is $10 or equivalent in another currency. Betting enthusiasts are allowed to withdraw up to $50,000 per day unless there is a preliminary exclusive agreement for a larger amount.

  6. 22Bet

    Review
    Licenses
    Curaçao (#8048/JAZ2017-067) Kahnawake Gaming Commission (#00882)
    Min Deposit
    $/€1
    Min Withdrawal
    $/€10
    Withdrawal Time
    • Cryptocurrencies - 15 minutes• E-wallets - up to 24 hours• Credit & debit cards - up to 7 business days
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logo Mastercard logo Neteller logo Skrill logo Skrill 1-Tap logo PayPal logo Pay4Fun logo Perfect Money logo Stiay logo Boleto logo Bitcoin logo Dogecoin logo Ethereum logo Dash logo ZCash logo Tether logo Ripple logo Litecoin logo UnionPay logo Astropay logo Jeton logo Bitcoin Cash logo Cardano  logo Stellar  logo EOS logo Avalanche logo Binance Coin logo Chainlink logo Polygon logo Shiba Inu logo Bitcoin Gold logo Verge logo DigiByte logo Tron logo Itaú Unibanco logo Bradesco logo Banco do Brasil logo Caixa logo Santander logo Airtm logo Dai logo Polkadot logo NEM logo QTUM logo TrueUSD logo Pax Dollar logo Loterica logo Juventus logo Basic Attention Token logo Toncoin logo Cosmos Atom logo Paris Saint-Germain Token logo AS Roma logo Binance USD logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Details
    Live Chat: Yes email: [email protected] Phone: +357 99 816806
    Chart loading...
    • Multi-language betting platform
    • Low minimum deposit
    • Fast withdrawal methods
    • Great in-play section
    • Diverse horse racing bet types
    • Dedicated mobile applications

    In less than 10 years on the online gambling scene, 22bet has become an impressively popular betting operator that serves punters residing in more than 100 countries including Canada thanks to the license acquired by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Despite the allegations of being too sharp with successful bettors, 22bet maintains a large customer base that praises the abundance of available sports and an almost limitless selection of payment methods.

    Punters who set up s with 22bet can fund their betting balances with credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Jeton), online banking services (AstroPay, Perfect Money, etc.), cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, etc.), and others. No upper withdrawal limit is stated on the website as it largely depends on the payment solution used and the respective country of residence.

    While exploring the horse racing section of 22bet’s website and mobile applications, it made a good impression to us that the bookie is far from offering the Win and Place betting markets only. For some of the major races, quite a few interesting bets can be places such as Match-Ups and Win Without Leaders. As regards the Melbourne Cup, at the time of writing, 22bet accepts the following two bet types – Winner and In Top 4. Clicking on a horse’s name opens a new window with detailed information about the entrant.

  7. Betsson

    Review
    Licenses
    Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/CRP/108/2004)Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA)Danish Gambling Authority (DGA)
    Min Deposit
    €10
    Min Withdrawal
    €20
    Withdrawal Time
    Bank Transfer: 2 to7 daysCards: 2 to 5 daysE-Wallets: Up to 24hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logo Mastercard logo Neteller logo Skrill logo Paysafecard logo Trustly logo Bank Transfer logo Maestro logo Bitcoin logo Interac logo MuchBetter logo
    Sponsorships
    Atletico NacionalInter MilanOFI CretePremier Padel
    Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: [email protected]: +356 2260 3300
    Chart loading...
    • Experienced online bookmaker
    • Separate horse racing section
    • Detailed statistical information
    • Fast withdrawals
    • Strict security measures
    • Available in 10+ languages

    Betsson is a trustworthy European bookmaker whose shares are listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange while its operations are monitored by several reputable authority bodies. Among other products, the brand’s online gambling hub comprises a sportsbook with around 30 disciplines to bet on and a well-organized horse racing section that features both major and less popular races.

    A feature Betsson is highly valued for is the detailed statistical information it provides on all sports, including horse racing. Given the complexity of making the right prediction, it is of great convenience to have useful data on hand. The information related to horse races includes age, weight, and last performances of the horses as well as starts, wins, places, and earnings of the jockeys. What is more, data can be displayed in more than 10 languages which further contributes to making informed decisions by the punters.

    Currently, Betsson gives betting enthusiasts the opportunity to wager on races held in Australia, the UK, South Africa, , Sweden, Norway, Turkey, and Chile. You can find the Melbourne Cup in the Ante Post section where both Win and Place bets are accepted way before the event starts. Placing the cursor over the win odds shows “Fixed odds history”. Thus, the wagering tendencies preceding the next edition of the Melbourne Cup can be seen.

  8. Karamba

    Min Deposit
    €/£/$10
    Min Withdrawal
    €/£/$10
    Withdrawal Time
    Bank Cards: 0-6 business daysDigital Wallets: 0-2 business daysAstroPay: 3 business daysBank Transfer: 2-6 business daysPay4Fun: 0-4 business daysBoleto: n/aPix: 0-4 business days
    Deposit Methods
    PIX logo Pay4Fun logo Boleto logo Banco do Brasil logo Itaú Unibanco logo Jeton logo ecoPayz logo MuchBetter logo Bank Transfer logo Visa logo Mastercard logo Astropay logo Neteller logo Skrill logo Trustly logo PayPal logo Paysafecard logo
    Sponsorships
    N/A
    Details
    Live Chat: Yes Email: @karamba.com
    Chart loading...
    • Rich selection of sports
    • Extensive horse racing section
    • Multiple currencies accepted
    • 7 language versions
    • Lucrative odds boost promotion
    • Strong licensing

    Karamba is one of the safest online sportsbooks holding valid licenses by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and Ireland’s Revenue commissioners. All personal data exchanged through the betting platform is protected via 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology. Some additional verification measures have been introduced to ensure the maximum level of security. The main aspects of the bookmaker’s activity that attract many loyal s are the diverse sports selection and the various instant deposit methods.

    The leading disciplines in Karamba’s portfolio are soccer, American football, tennis, basketball, and horse racing. As regards horse races, they are available for both pre-race and live betting with the regions covered being the UK, Argentina, , Spain, Brazil, , Australia (incl. the Melbourne Cup), and the US (the Breeders Cup Classic). The exact event’s presence may differ depending on the country you are accessing the sportsbook from. As soon as you select a particular horse race you will not only see the entrants with their odds of winning but also information about the track state (standard, good, firm, etc.) and the current weather conditions.

    The team behind Karamba has taken care to provide its ed s with varied payment methods. Cryptocurrency transactions are not accepted but the rest of the transaction solutions are quite enough – credit and debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers, online banking services, etc.

  9. BetOnline

    Licenses
    Panama
    Min Deposit
    Cards: $25Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500
    Min Withdrawal
    Crypto: $20Wire Transfer: $500Courier Check: $500
    Withdrawal Time
    Wire Transfer: up to 15 daysCheck: Up to 7 daysCrypto: Up to 24 hours
    Deposit Methods
    Visa logo Mastercard logo Discover logo American Express logo MoneyGram logo Bitcoin logo Bitcoin Cash logo Ethereum logo Bank Transfer logo Litecoin logo Avalanche logo Binance Coin logo Cardano  logo Dogecoin logo Polygon logo Player/Person-to-Person Transfer logo Tether logo Ripple logo Shiba Inu logo Solana logo Stellar  logo USD Coin logo Tron logo Money Order logo Check by Courier logo
    Sponsorships
    Major League WrestlingVantage Tag Systems
    Details
    Live Chat: YesEmail: [email protected]: 1-888-426-3661
    Chart loading...
    • Good coverage of US sports
    • Long list of payment methods
    • Risk-free bets on horse races
    • Horse march-ups
    • Separate crypto bonuses
    • Advantageous betting features

    If you are looking for information on which the best online betting operators accepting US customers are, the name of BetOnline will inevitably appear. We cannot think of another bookmaker that provides such a great number of sport-related promotional offers in addition to a conventional welcome bonus and an exclusive 1st-time crypto bonus. Noth that many global sportsbooks accept such a variety of payment solutions – credit and debit cards, prepaid vouchers, online banking services, cryptos, etc.

    The sports covered by BetOnline include both US-popular disciplines like baseball, American football, basketball, and golf and global favorites such as tennis, soccer, and boxing. Special attention is paid to horse racing as it is separated in an individual section of the bookie’s website. Proof that the racebook is not just one of all the categories on the betting platform is a section called Racebook 101. It accommodates several extremely detailed horse racing betting guides, useful articles about different aspects of the wagering process, and last but not least, track profiles narrating the history and key data of the featured events.

    Just one click on the respective odds adds the selection to the betslip that automatically displays the risk amount and the potential payout. Right below the Bet button you punters have the opportunity to enable two options, Show Confirmation and Accept Odds Changes.

Melbourne Cup Betting Overview

Horse racing is among the sports in Australia viewed and visited by the greatest number of spectators, only behind Aussie rules and rugby league. Gambling related to the discipline is a very popular pastime with billions of dollars wagered every year. The Australian racing calendar is a busy one with over 360 ed race tracks (more than any other country). Known as “the race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous and bet-on horse racing event. With over 160 years of history, the thoroughbred race held each first Tuesday of November has become a natural constituent of the local culture.

Proof of the significance of the Melbourne Cup is the fact that since 1877, the day of the race has been considered an official holiday so that local fans are free to crowd the Flemington Racecourse and cheer the entrants. They have the opportunity to enjoy as many as ten races that take place throughout the day. The distances, the level of the participants, and the prizes offered are different, making the Carnival a celebration for everyone.

Melbourne Cup Highlights

Melbourne Cup Highlights Australia and Melbourne in particular is a region where the saying that betting on horse races is as old as the sport itself applies in full force. The city was founded in 1835 and it was the same year when the first settlers built a racecourse right after constructing their homes. Back then, the track was way too far from its modern outlook – the winning post was marked by a coat stand and bets were in the form of rum bottles. In 1840 the event took on a slightly more formal form after moving to Flemington. During the next two decades, small clubs organized the races until Victoria Turf Club came and took over.

November 7th 1861 was the first edition of the Melbourne Cup with the first winner being Archer ridden by John Cutts. According to a widespread legend told with pleasure by the locals, Archer walked 850km from New South Wales to Flemington to be able to participate in the inaugural race. The horse won his second successive title in 1862 and was considered a favorite in 1963. However, due to a technical delay that had nothing to do with Archer’s owners, the acceptance nomination did not arrive on time. The organizers did not make an exception for the champion and he was not allowed on the track. As a sign of solidarity, many competitors of Archer were scratched from the 1863 Melbourne Cup by their owners. This resulted in the lowest number of participants in the history of the race – seven.

A series of interesting events and surprising title holders followed, some of which we tell you about a little later in our article.

Melbourne Cup Fashion

Melbourne Cup Fashion Not a typical heading for a sports betting article, is it? Well, when the race is as special as the Melbourne cup, things go far beyond horse racing itself. The interest shown by punters, horse owners, and ordinary fans is undeniable and quite logical. However, the glamor and fashion related to the event are a characteristic without which the spirit of the Melbourne Cup just would not be the same.

Pure horse racing lovers probably do not like the fact that nowadays, the audience and its expensive outfit are as much part of the show as the horses that compete on the race track. In 1962 flowers and other accessories were introduced as a means to promote the centennial anniversary of the Melbourne Cup and now, sixty years later, fashion shows and competitions are part of the official event’s program.

There is no formal dress code for the visitors of the Flemington Racecourse but they are politely invited to “dress for a smart occasion”. This does not apply to the of the Victoria Racing Club that is responsible for conducting the event. They need to obey strict rules with some of the funniest-sounding prohibitions being:

  • Pants tucked into socks or footwear
  • Torn or ripped clothing even if considered ‘designer’ tears
  • Leggings worn as pants
  • Pullovers or cardigans (without a jacket), rugby tops and football guernseys, even if wearing a tie
  • Strictly no denim

Melbourne Cup Special Winners

Melbourne Cup Special Winners Regardless of the circumstances, each champion deserves respect and praise for their talent, ingenuity, and effort. However, the history of the most prominent horse race in Australia already exceeds 160 years and it is not possible to tell you fully about all the winners. That is why we have selected a few iconic achievements that have left a lasting mark in the annals of the event.

The youngest horse to win the Melbourne Cup was ridden by… the youngest jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. In 1876, Bresis, a 3-year-old filly won the Cup as well as the VRC Derby and the VRC Oaks within six days. This information alone is impressive enough but adding the fact that the jockey was Peter St Albans, a boy who had not even turned 13 years of age, makes the achievement unique and memorable.

The shortest and the longest betting odds of Melbourne Cup winners clearly show how difficult it is to predict the next title holder. During his great 1930 season, Phar Lap won the horse race with odds of 11/8. Apparently, those were troubled times since the favorite had to be hidden until one hour before the event due to a shooting attempt. At the other extreme in of probability of victory were The Pearl (1871), Wotan (1936), Old Rowley (1940), and Prince Of Penzance (2015) which overcame their rivals despite the bookies asg them odds of 100/1.

Long after the start of its conduct, the Melbourne Cup neither witnessed nor allowed any form of female participation. In 1938, Mrs. A. McDonald became the first woman to train a Melbourne Cup champion (Catalogue). Back then, women could not be ed as trainers in Australia. That is why in the official statistics for that year you will not see the name of Mrs. McDonald but the one of her husband. As for female jockeys, the first to appear on the Flemington Racecourse was Maree Lyndon in 1987 who finished second last. So far, the only woman to win the Melbourne Cup as a jockey was Michelle Payne who rode Prince of Penzance in 2015.

Melbourne Cup Betting Markets

Melbourne Cup Betting Markets The Melbourne Cup attracts a massive betting turnover each year, noticeably suring any other horse racing event in Australia. According to a report by the Victoria Racing Club, the domestic wagers on the 2021 edition of the Melbourne Cup Carnival amounted to $724 million, which represents a rise of more than 7% compared to the previous year’s figures. The same year marked a record in of US audience watching the race.

Among the variety of betting markets offered by online bookmakers for the Melbourne Cup, 5 are the main bet types used by punters.

  1. Win Bet – the simplest and therefore the most frequently placed horse racing bet. Betting enthusiasts need to predict which particular horse will win the Cup. Finishing on any other position or failing to complete the race makes the wager unsuccessful and the stake is lost. Betting on the shortest-odds entrant is often not the right strategy having in mind the only favorite to win the Melbourne Cup within the last ten years was Fiorente in 2013.
  2. Place Bet – the perfect option for those punters who prefer betting on one horse but need to reduce the risk level. Here the bet is a winning one if the participant you have placed your wager on ends the race in 1st or 2nd position. The better chance to make a correct prediction correlates to slightly less favorable odds. The payout of a Place Bet is at least one quarter lower than the one of a Win Bet.
  3. Each-Way Bet – this is a kind of combination of two standard horse racing bets – a Win Bet and either a Place or Show Bet. If your personal favorite wins the Melbourne Cup, you will be paid for both stakes. If the selected horse finishes in second and/or third place, you will get a return for that bet only. Before placing an each-way bet, make sure you will at least break even if your horse places.
  4. Quinella Bet – probably the easiest multiples bet for the Melbourne Cup. Betting enthusiasts need to predict which two horses will occupy the 1st and 2nd position after the final regardless of the exact order. Some online bookmakers offer a version of this horse bet called Boxed Quinella. It allows you to include three or more horses in your bet thus increasing your chances of winning. However, the greater probability of a successful prediction results in a higher wager cost.
  5. Trifecta Bet – a very appropriate option for punters aiming at higher winnings and hence the most often placed Melbourne Cup bet involving multiple horses. This is definitely not an easy wager since you need to guess the first three competitors to cross the finish line. Trifectas are offered in either a straight-out (only exact order matters) or boxed (horses can finish in any order) form.

Melbourne Cup FAQ

  1. What was the oldest horse to win the Melbourne Cup?

    In the century-and-a-half history of the race, there are only three horses that have won it after turning 8 years old. These outstanding animals were Toryboy in 1865, Catalogue in 1938, and Twilight Payment in 2020. The achievement of the latter is particularly worth noting since the “oldie” recorded the fourth fastest time ever in the Melbourne Cup.

  2. Who is the most surprising winner of the Melbourne Cup?

    On the eve of the 2015 Melbourne Cup, nothing foreshadowed that this would become one of the most memorable editions of the race. The favorite, Fame Game performed far below expectations and finished only in 13th place with odds of 5/1. The winner turned out to be the 100/1 avowed underdog, six-year-old gelding Prince of Penzance ridden by Michelle Payne, the fourth to compete and the first to win female jockey. In 2019, the movie Ride Like A Girl was filmed about the life and outstanding triumph of Michelle.

  3. Is the Melbourne Cup the richest horse race in the world?

    The Cup falls within the list of the horse racing events with the highest prize funds, however not at its top. As per the latest revealed data, the Saudi Cup is the richest horse race ever held with a purse of $20 million. Top 3 is complemented by the Everest with $15 million and the Dubai World Cup with $12 million.

  4. Which is the biggest Melbourne Cup bet payout?

    In 2020, a lucky New Zealand punter pocketed the life-changing amount of $1.16 million. He placed First4 bets for the total amount of $120 and one of the combinations gave a return of $38,939.50 for every dollar wagered.

  5. What are the most popular Melbourne Cup bet types?

    As difficult as it is to answer this question, we will still say that Trifecta bets enjoy notable popularity since it gives a chance to win a significant sum event with a not that big stake. This lucrative outcome results from the specificity of the pari-mutuel system combined with the difficulty of making a correct prediction.

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