Quick Facts About Greyhound Betting
- Greyhound racing is a sport where dogs run around a track to determine the fastest.
- Sportsbooks have different betting markets on greyhound races.
- The Melbourne Cup and Golden Easter Egg are annual events Aussies can bet on.
- Research and practical betting techniques can help improve your chances of making informed wagers.
- PlayUp, Picklebet, bet365, and Betr are among the best greyhound betting sites.
Pros and Cons of Greyhound Betting Sites
Here are the pros and cons of using betting sites that allow wagers on greyhound racing events:
Greyhound Racing Defined
Greyhound racing is a competitive sport where greyhounds run around a track to determine the fastest of the lot. Due to the fast pace and unpredictability of greyhound racing, related events attract thousands of spectators.
This sport has also become a staple on Aussie sports betting sites. As such, gamblers can place wagers on greyhound racing events. If their forecasts are accurate, they'll get a payout.
Notable Online Greyhound Betting Markets
Greyhound betting doesn't just involve betting on the dog that crosses the finish line first. The table below highlights some of the most common greyhound betting markets that exist at Australian sportsbooks:
| Bet type |
Description
|
| Win
|
This is the most popular greyhound racing online betting market. As the name implies, a win bet involves predicting the greyhound that'll finish the race first. |
| Place |
This is staking on a dog to finish in first or second place. |
| Show |
Involves betting on a greyhound to finish in the top three spots |
| Across the Board |
Betting on a particular dog to win, place, and show in one event. If your selection wins the race, you'll receive the wins tied to all three bets. If it runs second, wins from the Place and Show bets will be added to your account. That said, if it finishes third, you'll get the Show bet’s winnings. Keep in mind that an Across the Board bet costs three times more than a standard bet. |
| Quinella
|
Bet on the two dogs of a race to finish first and second in any order. |
| Exacta |
This is the opposite of the Quinella bet. It involves betting on two dogs to finish first and second in the exact order. |
| Trifecta |
Betting on the top three dogs to finish the race in first, second, and third in the correct order. |
| Superfecta |
Wagering on four dogs to finish the race in first, second, third, and fourth in the correct order. |
Greyhound Racing Glossary – Terms to Note Before You Start Online Greyhound Betting
Before you start betting on dogs, here are some greyhound racing slang and jargon you need to know:
- Form:
Describes the past performances of a greyhound.
- Maiden:
Refers to any greyhound that hasn't won a race. It's also used to define a greyhound set that hasn't crossed the finish line first before.
- Railing:
Used when a greyhound moves inside the field and follows the rail during a race.
- Wide:
This is the reverse of railing, and describes a situation where a greyhound moves to the outside part of the field as the race progresses.
- Scratching:
This explains a scenario where a greyhound is removed from a race and replaced with a reserve.
- Markings:
Refers to features (i.e., patterns and toe colours) that set a dog apart from others on the field.
- Check:
Describes interference caused by a greyhound during a race, which results in another losing momentum.
- Trap:
The numbered box where greyhounds start the race from.
- Drag Lure:
A battery-operated winch with an artificial material that entices greyhounds to run across the track.
- Field:
Used to describe all the greyhounds involved in a race.
- Plumpton:
This is a unique greyhound race where two dogs come out from a slip lead (instead of the regular starting box) to compete on a straight track.
Top Greyhound Events Aussies Can Bet on
Greyhound racing is quite popular in Australia. This country is home to prestigious greyhound racing tournaments that attract domestic and international gamblers. Notable mentions include:
1. The Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is widely considered one of the most prestigious greyhound races in the world. This 515-metre race happens once a year at Sandown Park. The 2025 edition includes a $1.65 million prize pool and a $1 million winner's prize, placing it among the most lucrative greyhound racing events.
2. The Golden Easter Egg
The Golden Easter Egg event made its first appearance on the greyhound racing calendar back in 1990. Its trophy is one all Australian trainers want on their mantelpiece. The winner of the Golden Easter Egg’s 520-metre race takes home $300,000.
3. The Australian Cup
The Australian Cup is one of the biggest greyhound races in Australia. Tied to the Australian Cup Carnival, this race is 525 meters long and has been won by some of the most prolific greyhounds in history. Like the Golden Easter Egg, the Australian Cup has a winner's purse valued at $300,000.
Greyhound Racing Live Betting
Live betting (also known as in-play betting) involves placing wagers on events as they happen. However,
live betting in Australia
has limitations.
According to the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) of 2001, which regulates gambling activities within the country, Australian-based sportsbooks are barred from offering live betting services. However, some Aussie betting companies let you place in-play bets over the phone, a setup that’s still allowed under current rules.
The IGA applies specifically to operators licensed in Australia. If you're using a site licensed overseas, live betting may be available depending on that jurisdiction’s rules.
Important Greyhound Racing Betting Tips for Beginners
Greyhound racing betting is a thrill, but if you’re starting, it might take a few goes to get a grip. As a newbie, adopting the right insights can make this activity more enjoyable and informed. If you want to make this a reality, consider adopting these tips:
📊 Explore Previous Performances
⚠️ Avoid Always Backing the Favourite
Top Greyhound Racing Betting Sites in Australia
Hundreds of gambling sites offering greyhound betting markets to Australian players exist. However, not all these sites might meet your wagering preferences. If you'd like to bet on dogs without hassles, I recommend the following brands:
PlayUp – The Leading Greyhound Betting Site in Australia
You might think the best site for greyhound and
horse racing betting
in Australia is one that has operated for decades. However, it's actually PlayUp, a sports betting service that opened its doors to players in 2019.
PlayUp has an intuitive site layout. You can access its greyhounds section without hassles and find events around Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other countries. Each greyhound event has a countdown; this add-on lets players place bets on the race before it starts.
This gambling site also has responsible gambling tools to help you stay in control of your greyhound betting adventure. PlayUp also offers 24/7 support via phone and email to sort out your issues in record time.
Picklebet is another Australian-based gambling site with greyhound racing betting markets. Launched in 2017, Picklebet has a detailed greyhound wagering section.
During my review of the site, I discovered that each race had tips on the top four dogs. Picklebet also delivers written commentaries on each greyhound. With these add-ons, you can make informed wagering decisions.
At Picklebet, you can access different markets. This includes Win, Place, Trifecta, Quinella, and Exacta. The brand also allows bettors to uncover greyhound events according to their dates.
Bet365 – Best for Live Betting
As I've established,
live betting in Australia
is restricted to sports betting sites based within the country. However, bet365 has its headquarters in a different jurisdiction. It lists multiple sports for wagering, with greyhound racing included in the available options. For live bets, Australian punters typically place wagers via a phone call, in line with local regulations. In the case of bet365, this may not be necessary due to its overseas licensing.
The markets on live greyhound events at bet365 are limited to the event’s winner. However, the brand goes the extra mile to offer live streaming of these events. These broadcasts are in high definition, so you can tell what's happening on the track with ease. That said, you'd need to be logged into your account to access these streams.
Betr – Strong Option for Mobile App Users
Are you searching for the
best horse betting app Australia
with greyhound racing events? If yes, consider what Betr has in its arsenal.
Besides having a mobile-friendly site that aids smooth navigation, the brand goes further with an application compatible with Android and iOS devices. This app lets you place bets on greyhound events without using a web browser.
Betr’s greyhounds section hosts events within and outside Australia. Each race has varying markets, including rare variants such as the Trifecta and First Four. The greyhound betting odds at Betr are also competitive; as such, your payouts could be higher if your picks land.
Conclusion – The Best Sites to Bet on Greyhound Racing Events
This guide has detailed everything you need to know about greyhound racing betting, ranging from markets and must-know terms to top events and valuable betting tips. When you're all set to explore betting on this exhilarating sport, consider getting started on any of the four brands I've recommended. These sites are licensed and regulated, offering greyhound betting markets with competitive odds, responsive customer support, and easy-to-use designs. You can sign up simply by clicking on our banners.
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Greyhound Racing Betting FAQs
Gamble Responsibly
Playing at online sportsbooks, real money casinos, and sweepstakes sites should always be safe and enjoyable. Keep control of your activity by following
responsible gambling
guidelines such as:
Set a Budget:
Decide on a budget you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Once it’s gone, stop playing.
Don’t Chase Losses:
Trying to recover losses often leads to overspending.
Play with a Clear Head:
Avoid playing under the influence, or when angry, stressed, or tired.
Set Time Limits:
Take breaks and ensure gambling doesn’t cut into time with family or friends.
Know Your Stuff:
Learn the rules, bet types, odds, and payouts before playing to avoid mistakes.
Use Responsible Gambling Tools:
Make use of features like budget limits and self-exclusion.
If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by
Nick Slade
as part of our fact-checking process.
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