Melbourne Cup Betting Sites

Written by Pavel Kateliev

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: July 24, 2026

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

1. 

   MyBookieRating: 4.9 ★

2. 

   BovadaRating: 4.8 ★

3. 

   XBetRating: 4.7 ★

4. 

   EverygameRating: 4.6 ★

5. 

   BetUSRRating: 4.5 ★

6. 

   VaveRating: 4.4 ★

One distinctive aspect of horse racing is that on-site betting has remained popular for centuries. Technological advances and the advent of the internet have simply increased the total number of punters tremendously. Modern online sportsbooks enable wagering on horses regardless of time or location. We have selected the best horse racing bookmakers and invite you to familiarize yourself with the most important information about each one.

Melbourne Cup Betting Sites Ranked by Trustpilot Rating

Comparison of Melbourne Cup Betting Sites

Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites

1. Everygame

   

   Bet Now Review

   Licenses

   No official license information

   Min Deposit

   $6 - $20

   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

   

   Sponsorships

   N/A

   Contact Details

   Live Chat: Yes Email: bet@everygame.eu Phone: Scheduled calls only
   

   

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   • Sportsbook, casino, and poker categories
   • US sports coupon
   • Separate welcome offer for North American users
   • Parlay bet promotions
   • $10 minimum deposit
   • One payout per week

   Everygame is a respected gambling brand with over 30 years of experience. It is a preferred platform for many American betting enthusiasts, as it places a clear emphasis on locally popular sports such as American football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. Horse racing is also part of the bookmaker’s portfolio, with most featured races held on US tracks.

   The sportsbook not only allows parlay bets but also offers promotional incentives encouraging customers to use this particular bet type. The first awards free bets when a parlay loses by exactly one selection, while the second rewards the punter who earns 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 into any promotion.

   Everygame’s main betting site is designed to provide easy navigation through the different categories, making the information you need simple to find. We consider simplicity an advantage, especially from a beginner’s perspective. The overall impression left after reviewing this bookmaker’s offering is positive. We would like to see even stronger horse racing coverage, as the team appears to have the necessary knowledge and resources.

2. Bovada

   

   Bet Now Review

   Licenses

   The Union of the Comoros

   Min Deposit

   •$10 - MatchPay; •$20 - card payments; •$50 - Direct Bank Transfer; •0.0001 BTC - Bitcoin; •0.001 BCH - Bitcoin Cash; •0.2827 BSV - Bitcoin SV; •0.01 LTC - Litecoin; •0.002 ETH - Ethereum; •5 USDT - USD Tether; •0.0002 BCL - Bitcoin Lightning

   Min Withdrawal

   •$75 - Bitcoin; •$10 - MatchPay, Voucher, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Bitcoin Lightning; •$50 - Ethereum, USD Tether; •$250 - Check by Courier; •$1,500 - Bank Wire

   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

   

   Sponsorships

   N/A

   Contact Details

   •Live Chat: Yes •Email: service@bovada.lv •Phone: N/A
   

   

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   • Experienced online bookmaker
   • Designed with US punters in mind
   • Cryptocurrencies accepted
   • Various horse racing betting markets
   • Rewards program
   • Not authorized in DE, MD, NJ, NV, and NY

   We continue our selection of top Melbourne Cup betting sites with another online bookmaker that has proven to be a user-friendly platform for US gambling enthusiasts. Bovada is among the largest and most recognizable operators in the American sports betting landscape, even after its formal separation from the Bodog family. In addition to its sportsbook and horse racing sections, the brand provides casino, poker, and live dealer options, ensuring that its customers have plenty of choices while using the platform.

   Bovada’s online racebook features multiple horse racing events held at prominent racetracks, mainly in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The number of available bet types depends on the popularity of the event. Punters can place Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Pick 4, and other wagers on major horse races.

   The supported payment methods are selected to meet the requirements and preferences of as many US bettors as possible. Punters can fund their account balances using widely accepted Mastercard, Visa, and American Express credit cards, several cryptocurrencies, and Zelle, a secure US-based digital payment network. Cryptocurrencies are the most advantageous transaction method, as they allow fast withdrawals with no upper limit.

3. XBet

   

   Bet Now Review

   Licenses

   Costa Rica

   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 accounts - within 48 hours

   Deposit Methods

   

   Sponsorships

   N/A

   Contact Details

   Live Chat: Yes Contact Us Form Phone: 1-855-219-5809
   

   

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   • Around 20 sports covered
   • Wide selection of horse racing bets
   • Several sports-related promotions
   • Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum accepted
   • Automatic bet-limit display
   • First-deposit sports bonus

   In our opinion, quality is more important than quantity, and we appreciate online bookmakers that take the same approach. Although Xbet does not offer a vast number of sports, its selection of around 20 disciplines provides suitable options for both US punters and European betting enthusiasts. The same applies to the deposit methods, which include Visa and Mastercard prepaid, credit, and debit cards, as well as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, P2P transfers, MoneyGram, and other options.

   If you value variety, you will find plenty of it in Xbet’s online racebook, especially among its horse racing bet types. For the most popular races featured on the platform, punters can choose from Straight, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Parlay bets. Once you make your selection, the bookmaker automatically displays the minimum and maximum bet limits at the bottom of the relevant racecard.

   One reason Xbet has attracted thousands of avid bettors worldwide is its wide selection of bonuses and promotions. The first-deposit sports bonus, horse racing rebate promotion, and other incentives introduced by the bookmaker can enhance your sportsbook experience.

4. Betsafe

   

   Review

   Licenses

   • MGA (MGA/CRP/108/2004, MGA/B2C/959/2022)
   • Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA)
   • Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

   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

   

   Sponsorships

   N/A

   Contact Details

   Live Chat: Yes; Email: support-en@betsafe.com; Phone: +44 808 238 0028
   

   

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   • 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 offering an abundance of entertaining options for sports betting fans. Its services are available through the main betting site and dedicated mobile applications developed for Android and iOS devices. The sportsbook features a dark color scheme with high-tech graphics and images that give the layout a sophisticated appearance. Combined with its excellent selection of sports and payouts processed in up to 24 hours, this makes Betsafe one of the most popular online bookmakers.

   Despite the widespread popularity of horse racing betting, some online bookmakers do not include the sport in their portfolios, while others offer poor event coverage. Betsafe avoids both shortcomings and provides one of the most extensive online racebooks available. The UK and Ireland, the US, France, and Australia are among the locations whose horse races are featured. High-definition live streams are available for selected events, with the only requirement being that punters log into their accounts.

   As for the methods available to fund your betting balance, Betsafe accepts deposits through Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, and Trustly. The minimum deposit accepted by Betsafe is $10 or the equivalent in another currency. Betting enthusiasts can withdraw up to $50,000 per day unless a larger amount has been agreed upon in advance.

5. 22Bet

   

   Bet Now Review

   Licenses

   Kahnawake Gaming Commission (#00882);Curacao Gaming Authority (OGL/2024/590/0758)

   Min Deposit

   • $10 for MiFinity; • 0.001 BTC for Bitcoin; • $11.64 for most other methods

   Min Withdrawal

   Depends on payment provider

   Withdrawal Time

   • Cryptocurrencies - 24 hours • E-wallets - 15 minutes • Credit and debit cards - up to 7 business days

   Deposit Methods

   

   Sponsorships

   N/A

   Contact Details

   Live Chat: Yes email: support-en@22bet.com Phone: +357 99 816806
   

   

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   • Multilingual 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 serving punters in more than 100 countries, including Canada, where it holds a license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Despite allegations that it is too restrictive with successful bettors, 22bet maintains a large customer base that praises its abundance of sports and nearly limitless selection of payment methods.

   Punters who create accounts with 22bet can fund their betting balances using credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, and Jeton), online banking services (AstroPay, Perfect Money, and others), cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and others), and additional methods. No upper withdrawal limit is stated on the website, as the applicable limit largely depends on the payment method and the customer’s country of residence.

   While exploring the horse racing section of 22bet’s website and mobile applications, we were pleased to find that the bookmaker offers much more than Win and Place markets. For some major races, several interesting bets can be placed, including Match-Ups and Win Without Leaders. For the Melbourne Cup, 22bet accepted two bet types at the time of writing: Winner and In Top 4. Clicking a horse’s name opens a new window containing detailed information about the entrant.

6. 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 days; Cards: 2 to 5 days; E-Wallets: Up to 24 hours

   Deposit Methods

   

   Sponsorships

   Atletico Nacional, Inter Milan, Club Atlético Boca Juniors, Racing Club de Avellaneda

   Contact Details

   Live Chat: YesEmail: support-en@betsson.comPhone: +356 2260 3300
   

   

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   • 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 and whose operations are monitored by several reputable regulatory authorities. Among its products, the brand’s online gambling hub includes a sportsbook with around 30 disciplines and a well-organized horse racing section featuring both major and less popular races.

   One feature for which Betsson is highly valued is the detailed statistical information it provides for all sports, including horse racing. Given the complexity of making the right prediction, having useful data readily available is highly convenient. The information related to horse races includes the age, weight, and past performances of the horses, as well as the starts, wins, places, and earnings of the jockeys. In addition, the data can be displayed in more than 10 languages, further helping punters make informed decisions.

   Betsson gives betting enthusiasts the opportunity to wager on races held in Australia, the UK, South Africa, France, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, and Chile. You can find the Melbourne Cup in the Ante Post section, where both Win and Place bets are accepted well before the event begins. Hovering over the win odds displays “Fixed odds history,” allowing users to view the betting trends preceding the next Melbourne Cup.

7. Karamba

   

   Review

   Licenses

   • UKGC (52894)
   • MGA ( MGA/B2C/370/2017)

   Min Deposit

   €/£/$10

   Min Withdrawal

   €/£/$10

   Withdrawal Time

   Pending period: 1-2 days; Up to 3 days

   Deposit Methods

   

   Sponsorships

   N/A

   Contact Details

   Live Chat: Yes; Email: support@karamba.com
   

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   • 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 licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners. All personal data exchanged through the betting platform is protected using 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology. Additional verification measures have been introduced to ensure the maximum level of security. The main aspects of the bookmaker’s offering that attract loyal users are its diverse sports selection and variety of instant deposit methods.

   The leading disciplines in Karamba’s portfolio are soccer, American football, tennis, basketball, and horse racing. Horse races are available for both pre-race and live betting, covering the UK, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Brazil, France, Australia, including the Melbourne Cup, and the US, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Event availability may vary depending on the country from which you access the sportsbook. When you select a horse race, you see not only the entrants and their odds of winning but also information about the track condition (standard, good, firm, etc.) and current weather conditions.

   The team behind Karamba provides registered users with a varied selection of payment methods. Cryptocurrency transactions are not accepted, but the other available options include credit and debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers, and online banking services.

8. BetOnline

   

   Licenses

   Panama Gaming Control Board

   Min Deposit

   •Cards - $25; •Crypto - $10; •Money Orders - $300; •P2P - $100

   Min Withdrawal

   •Crypto - $20; •Wire Transfers and Courier Checks - $500; •P2P - $50; •Money Orders - $1,000

   Withdrawal Time

   •Wire Transfer - up to 15 days; •Courier Checks - Up to 15 days; •Crypto - 1 to 24 hours; •Money Orders - 7 days

   Deposit Methods

   

   Sponsorships

   La Liga Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) Matchroom Sport Golden Boy

   Contact Details

   Live Chat: YesEmail: help@betonlinecs.agPhone: 1-888-426-3661
   

   

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   • Good coverage of US sports
   • Long list of payment methods
   • Risk-free bets on horse races
   • Horse racing match-ups
   • Separate crypto bonuses
   • Advantageous betting features

   If you are looking for information about the best online betting operators accepting US customers, the name BetOnline is likely to appear. Few bookmakers provide as many sports-related promotional offers alongside a conventional welcome bonus and an exclusive first-time crypto bonus. Few global sportsbooks also accept such a broad variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, prepaid vouchers, online banking services, and cryptocurrencies.

   The sports covered by BetOnline include popular US disciplines such as baseball, American football, basketball, and golf, as well as global favorites such as tennis, soccer, and boxing. Special attention is paid to horse racing, which has a dedicated section on the bookmaker’s website. Evidence that the racebook is more than just another category on the betting platform can be found in the Racebook 101 section. It contains detailed horse racing betting guides, useful articles about different aspects of wagering, and track profiles covering the history and key details of featured events.

   Clicking the relevant odds adds the selection to the betslip, which automatically displays the risk amount and potential payout. Directly below the Bet button, punters can enable two options: Show Confirmation and Accept Odds Changes.

Melbourne Cup Betting Overview

Horse racing is among the most widely watched and attended sports in Australia, trailing only Australian rules football 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 busy, with over 360 registered racetracks, more than any other country. Known as “the race that stops a nation,” the Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous and heavily bet-on horse racing event. With over 160 years of history, the thoroughbred race, held on the first Tuesday of November each year, has become an integral part of the local culture.

Proof of the significance of the Melbourne Cup is the fact that the day of the race has been considered an official holiday in Melbourne since 1877, allowing local fans to crowd the Flemington Racecourse and cheer on the entrants. They can enjoy as many as ten races throughout the day. The distances, participant levels, and prizes vary, making the Carnival a celebration for everyone.

Melbourne Cup Highlights

Australia, and Melbourne in particular, is a place where the saying that betting on horse races is as old as the sport itself applies in full. The city was founded in 1835, and that same year, the first settlers built a racecourse shortly after constructing their homes. Back then, the track was far from its modern appearance: the winning post was marked by a coat stand, and bets were made with bottles of rum. In 1840, the event took on a slightly more formal structure after moving to Flemington. During the next two decades, small clubs organized the races until the Victoria Turf Club took over.

November 7, 1861, marked the first edition of the Melbourne Cup, with Archer, ridden by John Cutts, becoming the inaugural winner. According to a widespread legend fondly told by locals, Archer walked 850 km from New South Wales to Flemington to participate in the race. The horse won his second successive title in 1862 and was considered a favorite in 1863. 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 to compete. As a sign of solidarity, the owners of many of Archer’s competitors scratched their horses from the 1863 Melbourne Cup. This resulted in the lowest number of participants in the history of the race: seven.

Melbourne Cup Fashion

This is not a typical heading for a sports betting article, is it? When a race is as special as the Melbourne Cup, however, things go far beyond horse racing itself. The interest shown by punters, horse owners, and ordinary fans is undeniable and understandable. However, the glamour and fashion associated with the event are defining characteristics without which the Melbourne Cup would not be the same.

Dedicated horse racing fans may not like the fact that the audience and its expensive outfits are now as much a part of the show as the horses competing on the racetrack. In 1962, flowers and other accessories were introduced to promote the centennial anniversary of the Melbourne Cup. Sixty years later, fashion shows and competitions are part of the official event program.

There is no formal dress code for visitors to Flemington Racecourse, but they are politely invited to “dress for a smart occasion.” This does not apply to members of the Victoria Racing Club, which is responsible for conducting the event. They must follow strict rules, with some of the most amusing 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 when worn with a tie
• Strictly no denim

Melbourne Cup Special Winners

Regardless of the circumstances, every champion deserves respect and praise for their talent, ingenuity, and effort. However, the history of Australia’s most prominent horse race already exceeds 160 years, making it impossible to cover every winner in detail. That is why we have selected a few iconic achievements that have left a lasting mark on the event’s history.

The youngest horse to win the Melbourne Cup was ridden by the youngest jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. In 1876, Briseis, a three-year-old filly, won the Cup, the VRC Derby, and the VRC Oaks within six days. This achievement is impressive enough on its own, but the fact that her jockey, Peter St Albans, had not yet turned 13 makes it truly unique and memorable.

Melbourne Cup Betting Markets

The Melbourne Cup attracts massive betting turnover each year, noticeably surpassing every other horse racing event in Australia. According to a report by the Victoria Racing Club, domestic wagers on the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival amounted to $724 million, representing an increase of more than 7% compared to the previous year. The same year also marked a record for the race’s US audience.

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

1. Win Bet: The simplest and, therefore, most frequently placed horse racing bet. Betting enthusiasts must predict which horse will win the Cup. Finishing in any other position or failing to complete the race makes the wager unsuccessful, and the stake is lost. Betting on the entrant with the shortest odds is not always the right strategy, as Fiorente was the only favorite to win the Melbourne Cup during the ten-year period covered by this analysis, doing so in 2013.
2. Place Bet: A suitable option for punters who prefer betting on one horse but want to reduce the level of risk. The bet wins if the selected participant finishes the race in first or second place. The greater chance of making a correct prediction corresponds with slightly less favorable odds. The payout from a Place Bet is at least one-quarter lower than that of a Win Bet.
3. Each-Way Bet: This combines two standard horse racing wagers, a Win Bet and either a Place or Show Bet. If your chosen horse wins the Melbourne Cup, both parts of the wager pay out. If the selected horse finishes second or third, only the place portion provides a return. Before placing an each-way bet, make sure you will at least break even if your horse places.
4. Quinella Bet: Probably the simplest multiple-horse bet for the Melbourne Cup. Betting enthusiasts must predict which two horses will occupy first and second place after the race, regardless of the exact order. Some online bookmakers offer a version of this wager called a Boxed Quinella. It allows you to include three or more horses in your bet, increasing your chances of winning. However, the greater probability of a successful prediction results in a higher wager cost.
5. Trifecta Bet: A suitable option for punters aiming for higher winnings and one of the most frequently placed Melbourne Cup bets involving multiple horses. This is not an easy wager, as you must predict the first three competitors to cross the finish line. Trifectas are offered in either straight-out form, where the exact order matters, or boxed form, where the horses can finish in any order.

Melbourne Cup FAQ

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

   In the race’s history of more than 160 years, only three horses have won it at eight years old. These outstanding animals were Toryboy in 1865, Catalogue in 1938, and Twilight Payment in 2020. The achievement of the latter is particularly noteworthy, as the veteran recorded the fourth-fastest time in Melbourne Cup history.

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

   On the eve of the 2015 Melbourne Cup, nothing suggested that it would become one of the most memorable editions of the race. The favorite, Fame Game, performed far below expectations and finished only 13th at odds of 5/1. The winner was the 100/1 outsider Prince of Penzance, a six-year-old gelding ridden by Michelle Payne, who became the fourth woman to compete and the first female jockey to win. In 2019, the movie Ride Like a Girl was made about Michelle’s life and remarkable triumph.

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

   The Cup is among the horse racing events with the highest prize funds, but it does not top the list. Based on the figures cited here, the Saudi Cup is the richest horse race ever held, with a purse of $20 million. The top three are rounded out 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 sum of $1.16 million. He placed First4 bets totaling $120, and one of the combinations returned $38,939.50 for every dollar wagered.

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

   Although it is difficult to provide a definitive answer, Trifecta bets enjoy notable popularity because they offer the chance to win a significant sum even with a relatively small stake. This potentially lucrative outcome results from the structure of the pari-mutuel system and the difficulty of making a correct prediction.