When you search for the best bookies in Australia, Ladbrokes will likely be one of the top brands on the list. Why? It has built a solid reputation in the country since its launch.
My Ladbrokes review is your go-to guide to learn everything about the online betting platform. Here, I have covered the most important things bettors want to know before deciding to sign up at an online bookie. You will find the betting markets, sports coverage, odds, payment methods, and other features that make the brand stand out.
My First Impression and Experience with the Ladbrokes Website
The first thing I noticed when I launched Ladbrokes was the site's simplicity. Unlike the dark theme I found during my
PlayUp review, Ladbrokes has a light background complemented by red and black colours.
Yes, it is not the most visually appealing, but I must commend the clear graphics that give the overall website a more sophisticated atmosphere. Additionally, I tend to favour functionality over design, and Ladbrokes performs exceptionally well.
The basics are clearly visible from the moment you visit the site. To the left is a list of the available sports, while the content of your selected tab is visible in the larger part of the screen. On top of this grid are other main tabs like Racing, and My Details.
I had to conduct a speed test to see how quickly the bookmaker loaded on computers. Thankfully, I had no hiccups — I used a solid internet connection — and everything loaded without hassle. It made it a breeze for me to navigate from one section of the gaming platform to another.
An Excellent Mobile Experience at Ladbrokes
The Ladbrokes app has a reputation that precedes it, with a 4.6 rating on the App Store and a 4.4 rating on Google Play. However, I know more than to believe just ratings; I had to try out the mobile platform for myself. So, I proceeded to download the Android version on my Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iOS option on my iPhone 16.
Although the layout on both devices varied slightly, they operated pretty much the same. I must mention that the mobile layout is more streamlined, which is understandable, considering that you are using a smaller screen. But this did not affect the overall experience.
For starters, I found everything I was looking for, from betting markets to great odds for highly anticipated events. The Ladbrokes app also has faster loading times than the desktop version. You can easily fund your account, cash out your winnings, and reach out to customer support when necessary. If you do not want to download anything, you can play on the web version — the offerings are the same as those of the mobile app.
Wide Coverage at Ladbrokes – Over 25 Sports to Bet on
Similar to how I conducted my
Unibet review, I visited the lobby and explored before actually placing a bet. This is when I discovered that, while Ladbrokes stands out for covering horse races, there are over 25 other sports you can bet on. Some of them are:
- Australian Rules
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Tennis
I was even more impressed to find novelty markets for unique events, such as the Sports Personality of the Year, the Oscars, TV specials, and even political events. Betting on them follows the same process as what you will find at any other online bookie. You select the sport, pick a market, set your odds, decide on your bet amount, and confirm your stake.
Interestingly, you don't necessarily have to peruse each sport to find the most popular betting markets. That is because the bookmaker has provided quick links to these events below the list of sports. For instance, I could easily bet on the Women's French Open by tapping the option right below the list. This opened the available betting markets from which I selected my odds and proceeded to place a bet.
If you’re wondering about the different types of bets you can place on the platform, then know you have multiple options to choose from. Moneylines are my top options, as I am simply selecting the possible winner. Other simple alternatives available include totals and player props. For more complex options, you have handicaps and accumulators, just to mention a few.
Great Odds for Various Events
One of the best things I confirmed during my Ladbrokes sportsbook review was that the brand has some of the best odds in the market. I compared these lines with those of other established brands and was pleased to find that they met my expectations. These odds and margins vary, becoming better for more popular events. However, the margins often range between 4% and 9.5%, depending on the sport and market.
Live Betting and Other Features Available at Ladbrokes for Australian Bettors
The live betting section is the place to be if you want to bet on events as they play out. Here, you will find markets for ongoing games under various sports, including popular and niche ones.
Speaking of odds, Ladbrokes ensures to update them quickly based on what happens during a game. However, you must note that due to Australian law, you won’t be able to place live bets directly online. You can only do this via telephone. This means calling the Ladbrokes betting service on the phone to place your live bets.
During my Ladbrokes review, I was curious about the availability of live streaming. However, after thoroughly perusing the live section, I learned that this feature was not available. The only viewing option that the brand has for Aussies is the Live Vision player. This function allows you to stream only live racing events; it is not available for other sports. On the bright side, the bookmaker provides many other tools such as:
Reliable Payment Methods for Safe Transactions at Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes makes it easy for players to fund their accounts and withdraw their winnings. It does this by supporting only reliable and well-known payment methods. For deposits, you can pick from debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, PayPal, Bpay, and Bank transfers. Being the old-fashioned punter that I am, I opted for bank transfer when depositing, and here are the steps I followed to complete the payment:
- Log in to your account and tap the deposit icon at the top of your screen.
- Pick one of the supported payment methods.
- Enter the amount you want to deposit.
- Use the bookie's details to make the transfer.
Since I was using a bank transfer, I expected a delay in the processing time, but there was none. The online bookmaker processed the transaction almost instantly, with my funds reflecting in my account in less than a minute. Keep in mind that the minimum deposit limit for most payment methods is $10, while the maximum varies based on your selected option.
How to Withdraw Your Winnings at Ladbrokes
When it comes to withdrawals, you can only process them directly to your bank account, PayPal, or your Ladbrokes card. If you don't have a Ladbrokes card and wish to get one, you can make a request on the sportsbook. The card works wherever Mastercard is accepted, both online and offline.
Withdrawing your funds is as easy as depositing. You only have to:
- Log in to your account and navigate to your account section.
- Pick "Withdraw" from the display options.
- Select the withdrawal method you want.
- Fill out the withdrawal form by entering your relevant payment information and the amount you want to cash out.
- Tap "withdraw now" to submit your request.
The time it takes for you to receive your winnings depends on the payment method you used. Again, I opted for bank transfer, so it took up to three days to get my funds. I noted that this time frame can be shorter if your bank supports fast payments via the New Payments Platform (NPP). For PayPal, the wait time is 24 hours or less, while the Ladbrokes card is funded immediately.
24/7 Customer Service
At Ladbrokes, you can get assistance whenever you want, which is identical to what I discovered during my BetVictor review. There are multiple ways to do this, my favorite being live chat. You will find the chat option in the left column on the Ladbrokes betting site, and you only have to click it to open the communication channel.
A bot named Beti greets you first and attempts to assist with your query. But if you don't want to waste time interacting with it, you can request to be transferred to a real agent. The bot will only request your date of birth, after which it links you up with an actual person. My experience with the support agent was great, as he provided swift and helpful answers to all my questions.
For an even faster interaction, you can call the helpline clearly displayed on the support page. It immediately connects you with an agent, so you don’t have to bypass a bot first. If you don’t have a time-sensitive query, I suggest you submit a support request by filling out the form that appears after you click “Contact Us.” The details you will need to provide include your full name, email, phone number, and the actual query.
Another alternative is to check out the help page. This section is detailed, as it provides answers to some of the most important betting topics that punters are curious about. For instance, it was from the help page that I learned how to request a Ladbrokes card and use the cash-out function.
Is Ladbrokes Legit? The Answer Is Yes, and Here’s Why
As an experienced bettor, I take security seriously. As such, knowing if Ladbrokes is safe was one of the first things I did when I first visited the bookmaker. And I didn’t have any reason to doubt its legitimacy once I confirmed that it was owned by Entain, one of the most reputable operators in the betting world.
In Australia, it is licensed and regulated by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission. To further ensure that punters can bet without worrying, the operator implemented 2048-bit encryption, providing the highest level of security on the platform.
I also checked if Ladbrokes had responsible gambling tools that punters can use to control their betting sessions. I found the following tools:
- Take a break:
This allows you to pause access to your account for a set period, up to six months.
- Market control:
With this, you can control the markets available to you.
- Deposit limit:
Use this to set the maximum amount you can deposit within a specific time frame.
- Curfew:
This option allows you to configure when you can sign into the betting platform.
- Block out:
With this feature, you restrict account access on specific days of the week.
- Bet limit:
Turning this on allows you to set the maximum amount you can use on each bet.
- Self-exclusion:
This is a permanent solution as it completely prevents you from accessing the platform.
A Detailed Guide to Getting Started at Ladbrokes
There are two main ways to join Ladbrokes in Australia: PayPal or Email. If you prefer using PayPal, click the corresponding icon, enter your PayPal email, and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process within a few minutes. I stuck to email because it allowed me to manually fill out a form and confirm how easy it was for non-PayPal users to register on the site. Here is how it works:
- Click the link on this page to open the online betting site on your device.
- Tap the "Join" button at the top of your screen.
- Enter the following details: first name, middle name, last name, and email. Ensure that your name matches how it appears on your identification document.
- Tap "Continue."
- Fill in your username and preferred password on the following page.
- Click "Continue."
- Enter your date of birth, mobile number, and residential address on the next page.
- Set a deposit limit if you want.
- Tap the "Sign up" button at the bottom of the page to complete the process.
Due to government regulations, the operator will require you to verify your identity before proceeding. Remember, I mentioned that you fill in your name exactly as it appears on your ID. Well, this is where it applies. You have to submit documents like a driver's license or an international passport that clearly show your details. This is alongside a soft copy of a utility bill that displays your address.
Ladbrokes Is an Excellent Option for Australian Punters
From my Ladbrokes review, you can see why the online bookmaker has become a household name in Australia. From extensive sports coverage to multiple bet types, live streaming, and betting features, the platform has several features that make it stand out. It is also a safe and reliable bookie, as it is owned by one of the big names in the industry and uses high-end security protocols to protect your account.
Ladbrokes FAQs
