Pros and Cons of Using POLi
Making a Deposit with POLi
If you’ve been considering making a deposit at POLi betting sites but weren’t sure how it all worked, then I’ve got you covered here. With POLi you’ll be able to make secure deposits directly from your bank account, without the need for entering any payment card details. Making deposits using POLi is pretty straightforward and only takes a few minutes. To make it even simpler, I’ve put together this handy step-by-step guide:
🏟️ Step 1: Find a POLi betting site
📝 Step 2: Sign up to the POLi betting site
Withdrawals Are Not Available with POLi
One of the biggest drawbacks of POLi is that you usually can’t use it to request withdrawals from online sportsbooks, meaning that you’ll need to find an alternative for requesting withdrawals. There are several
sportsbook payment methods in Australia
to choose from, like bank transfer, debit cards and e-wallets. All betting sites will, at the very minimum, have bank transfers available as a withdrawal method, but the time this takes to process very much depends on your bank and on the sportsbook that you’re using. At bet365, for example, bank transfers can take 1-2 days to process - just keep in mind that this is usually working days too. Other common withdrawal methods include debit cards like Visa and Mastercard and e-wallets like PayPal. The fastest method is generally e-wallets, which can be processed within 24 hours and often takes considerably less time than this.
Something to keep in mind is that before you can request a withdrawal, you’ll need to verify your account with your chosen sportsbook. Some betting sites, like PlayUp, require accounts to be verified within 72 hours of signing up. I’d absolutely recommend that you verify your account as soon as possible, as you don’t want there to be any unnecessary delays when it comes to withdrawing your winnings. To verify your account, head to your sportsbook account, ensure that both your email and mobile number are verified if you haven’t already and then click ‘verify ID’. Make sure that you double check that all of your details are correct, like full name, date of birth and address, as these will then be checked against existing databases to confirm your identity. Once this is approved, you can then access all features of the betting site, including being able to withdraw funds.
POLi Security Features
One of the huge benefits of using POLi is that, just like with
Apple Pay betting sites, it’s incredibly secure. During a POLi transaction, your online banking login details can’t be accessed, and no information is stored either. When you use POLi to make deposits, you’ll be required to log in to your online banking and approve the transaction every single time. POLi’s software is regularly reviewed by independent security companies and it’s approved by some of Australia’s most trusted banks, which means that you can make your deposits with confidence.
A Quick Overview of POLi
POLi is an Australian-founded internet banking payment that was launched in 2006, designed specifically for the Australian market. The purpose of POLi was to allow users to make online payments directly from their bank account, rather than using a debit or credit card. A much improved version of POLi known as Version 3, was later released in 2012, which improved the overall accessibility of the payment company, allowing payments to be processed on mobile devices. In late 2014, POLi was acquired by SecurePay, who are owned by Australia Post, which helped boost POLi’s position and enabled it to continue to grow.
POLi Compared to Other Providers
Let’s take a look at how POLi compares to other payment methods that are commonly used to make deposits and withdrawals at betting sites. POLi is a great way to make deposits at sportsbooks directly from your bank account, without using a debit card, ensuring that your transaction is secure. Deposits made through POLi are processed immediately in real time, which means that they will typically hit your account balance instantly. This is the case with the majority of payment methods, including
BPAY betting sites, that you’ll find at online sportsbooks, with the exception of bank wire transfers, which can take several days to process.
| Payment method |
Deposit processing time |
Withdrawal processing time |
| POLi |
Instant |
Not usually available |
| Debit/credit cards |
Instant |
1-2 days |
| PayID |
Instant |
Within 24 hours |
| PayPal |
Instant |
Within 24 hours |
| Apple Pay |
Instant |
Not usually available |
| Bank transfer |
2-10 days |
2-10 days |
When it comes to different withdrawal methods, POLi is not usually available to withdraw winnings, but there are several other options that you can use. Typically, bank transfer or debit cards are the most commonly offered payment methods at most Australian sportsbooks and the time these take to process can vary from a few hours to a few days.
When you’re choosing a POLi betting site, make sure you take a quick look at the withdrawal methods that are on offer so that you have a rough idea of how long you can expect this to take. Many people choose to use e-wallets rather than bank transfer for withdrawals if available because it tends to be much faster. E-wallets also come with the extra layer of security that your payment details are not being shared with any betting sites, which can give you added peace of mind. However, it’s worth noting that POLi betting sites are typically licensed and regulated by the Northern Territory, which means that they have to meet strict requirements for protecting personal and financial information. Withdrawals using debit cards can be slow, depending on your bank and then withdrawals using bank transfer can be even slower.
Three Essential Facts About Using POLi Betting Sites
Here are three of my key facts about POLi to help you decide whether it’s the right payment method for you.
🇦🇺 Designed for Australian users
Final Thoughts on POLi Betting Sites
POLi is a secure payment platform that allows you to process payments, like deposits, directly from your bank account, without the need for a debit card. POLi betting sites are becoming more and more popular due to the added benefits of being able to make instant deposits without the need to enter any payment details. You can find POLi available for making deposits at PlayUp, Palmerbet and Picklebet, and for a more extensive list of sportsbooks, check out our page banners.
The Bookmakers We Recommend
POLi Betting Sites - 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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