Our latest series of reviews have been to do with a number of the best Australian bookmaker’s mobile betting apps. More specifically we have been looking towards the horse racing section of each app and how well they perform. This article will be looking at how each app performs up against each other. We have taken into account that these companies are very much smaller than your bigger European counterparts and it’s for this reason that we are comparing them against each rather than against ‘industry standard’.
The bookmakers we will be looking at are Sportsbet.com.au, Iasbet.com, Luxbet.com, Centrebet.com and Sportingbet.com.au.
The bookmakers we will be looking at are Sportsbet.com.au, Iasbet.com, Luxbet.com, Centrebet.com and Sportingbet.com.au.
DESIGN
The design of an app can make or break it before you even get started. Something that looks like it was designed for a WAP connection on a Nokia 3210 simply isn’t going to cut it. But then on the flip side something that is too intricate and full of graphics will drain resources, thus increasing loading times.
The SportsBet and IASbet apps are both very similar, mainly because they are both owned by the same company in Paddy Power. In fact, without the change of colour they would be 100% identical. They both offer a tidy design however and make it easy to flick between sections of their app.
Centrebet have the most unique design, with the black and white theme running throughout. This is very appealing on the eye but also what it does do is reduces load times and that means that it runs smoothly of even the slowest connections.
Luxbet probably have the simplest layout in terms of design. It looks a little dated to be honest and certainly doesn’t capture the imagination. To sum it up in one word would be ‘bland’. This is very contrasting to SportingBet who probably have the most recognisable app, mainly due to them being one of the most popular betting apps out there. The app feels modern and the graphics feel as though they just belong.
The design of an app can make or break it before you even get started. Something that looks like it was designed for a WAP connection on a Nokia 3210 simply isn’t going to cut it. But then on the flip side something that is too intricate and full of graphics will drain resources, thus increasing loading times.
The SportsBet and IASbet apps are both very similar, mainly because they are both owned by the same company in Paddy Power. In fact, without the change of colour they would be 100% identical. They both offer a tidy design however and make it easy to flick between sections of their app.
Centrebet have the most unique design, with the black and white theme running throughout. This is very appealing on the eye but also what it does do is reduces load times and that means that it runs smoothly of even the slowest connections.
Luxbet probably have the simplest layout in terms of design. It looks a little dated to be honest and certainly doesn’t capture the imagination. To sum it up in one word would be ‘bland’. This is very contrasting to SportingBet who probably have the most recognisable app, mainly due to them being one of the most popular betting apps out there. The app feels modern and the graphics feel as though they just belong.
 William Hill Racecard |  IASbet Racecard |
WINNER: The winner of the design section falls between Centrebet and SportingBet, and if we were pushed we would just give it to SportingBet for having that slightly more polished feel to it. READ OUR SPORTINGBET APP REVIEW.
RACING MARKETS
The range of markets can often define a racing app and it’s essential that there is a comprehensive amount to keep racing fans interested in the bookmaker. This doesn’t just mean those that are based in Australia, but with the way the world is these days, internationally.
As SportsBet and IASbet are essentially the same app, they have exactly the same markets and races on offer. This is actually an impressive list for both and we are under no illusions that the take over from Paddy Power has seen them branch on to a much more international stage. Racing from United States, Ireland, South Africa and the UK, as well as Australia provide a really good amount of diversity in their racing channels.
Centrebet certainly can’t compete with either the above to when it comes to markets. It’s good to see that they offer both domestic and international races, but the numbers simply don’t stack. Australian racing is pretty well covered but international meetings are sporadic at best and are mainly just the higher profile meetings around the world.
SportingBet on the other hand definitely rival the first two. They also include Asian markets which is something that is very rare with bookmakers outside of the country.
The range of markets can often define a racing app and it’s essential that there is a comprehensive amount to keep racing fans interested in the bookmaker. This doesn’t just mean those that are based in Australia, but with the way the world is these days, internationally.
As SportsBet and IASbet are essentially the same app, they have exactly the same markets and races on offer. This is actually an impressive list for both and we are under no illusions that the take over from Paddy Power has seen them branch on to a much more international stage. Racing from United States, Ireland, South Africa and the UK, as well as Australia provide a really good amount of diversity in their racing channels.
Centrebet certainly can’t compete with either the above to when it comes to markets. It’s good to see that they offer both domestic and international races, but the numbers simply don’t stack. Australian racing is pretty well covered but international meetings are sporadic at best and are mainly just the higher profile meetings around the world.
SportingBet on the other hand definitely rival the first two. They also include Asian markets which is something that is very rare with bookmakers outside of the country.
WINNER: The winner of this section has to fall to that of Luxbet. The company have worked tirelessly to try and offer punters as many markets from around the world as possible. They started by making sure they had their domestic racing well and truly tied down and since then have gone on to include meetings from around the world. It’s not uncommon to see UPWARDS of 30 meetings covered every day. This is a staggering amount and they have definitely set the benchmark in Australian bookmaking.
RACE CARDS
The race card is very much the hub of the horse racing section on any app. We are looking here for bookmakers to be going to the extra mile in an attempt to become more than just a bookmaker but also a place where bettors can make informed decisions on which horse to essentially back.
Bottom of the pile between these apps is that of Luxbet. Whilst their race card is actually one of the most visually appealing, it’s very much on the basic side. After finding out the name of the horse, its silks and the price, there’s little all else to do. Whilst this is more than suffice for bettors simply wanting to place a bet, we feel it’s just lacking that edge to make it really good. Not far behind at the bottom of the pile is that of Centrebet and it’s for similar reasons. The race card is fine to a point but seems to lack any real sort of ambition and is a little basic in all honesty.
The card from IASbet and Sportsbet is much more detailed than the previous two. They have not only included a section that quick info on the horses form and weight, but you can expand this to get a look at other information including sire, dam, age, sex, colour, career, last 6 races, prize money, track form, win% and place %.
The race card is very much the hub of the horse racing section on any app. We are looking here for bookmakers to be going to the extra mile in an attempt to become more than just a bookmaker but also a place where bettors can make informed decisions on which horse to essentially back.
Bottom of the pile between these apps is that of Luxbet. Whilst their race card is actually one of the most visually appealing, it’s very much on the basic side. After finding out the name of the horse, its silks and the price, there’s little all else to do. Whilst this is more than suffice for bettors simply wanting to place a bet, we feel it’s just lacking that edge to make it really good. Not far behind at the bottom of the pile is that of Centrebet and it’s for similar reasons. The race card is fine to a point but seems to lack any real sort of ambition and is a little basic in all honesty.
The card from IASbet and Sportsbet is much more detailed than the previous two. They have not only included a section that quick info on the horses form and weight, but you can expand this to get a look at other information including sire, dam, age, sex, colour, career, last 6 races, prize money, track form, win% and place %.
WINNER: But the best card has to come from SportingBet. It’s a detailed look at each horse which has the betting information integrated into it. You can also flick between different betting types easily and choose your stake amount at the bottom. On top of that the iForm section provides information on each horse that will enable you to make more informed betting decisions for each. READ OUR SPORTINGBET APP REVIEW
VERDICT
On the whole there isn’t actually an awful lot between these 5 betting apps. Each has its strengths and weaknesses but in all honesty there are few weaknesses between them. By choosing any of these it’s likely you will be satisfied, it’s just a matter of finding which one fits your needs. But, we must pick a winner.
And that winner has to go to SportingBet. Overall the app has pretty much all you could need and is more of a horse racing hub than just simply a bookmaker. The inclusion of masses of international markets certainly help, but that combined with the design, race card and additional features all combine to make it our pick as number one Australian horse racing app.
And that winner has to go to SportingBet. Overall the app has pretty much all you could need and is more of a horse racing hub than just simply a bookmaker. The inclusion of masses of international markets certainly help, but that combined with the design, race card and additional features all combine to make it our pick as number one Australian horse racing app.
OVERALL WINNER: SportingBet/William Hill
For more information, visit our Australian racing bookmakers section.
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