PointsBet Review

What PointsBet does well

PointsBetting spread-style wagering is a genuine product innovation. Instead of fixed-odds payouts, PointsBetting scales winnings and losses with the margin of victory relative to the spread. If the spread is 5.5 and you bet on the favorite winning by more, you gain proportionally more per point above 5.5; if you lose, you lose proportionally more per point below 5.5. This is fundamentally different from fixed-odds and mathematically similar to financial spread-betting. For skilled bettors who want variable payout magnitude matched to conviction level, PointsBetting is unique in the AU market.

Traditional fixed-odds coverage is also available. Users who don't want spread-style betting can use PointsBet for standard fixed-odds markets on all major Australian and international sports.

ASX-listed public company structure provides transparency. Regular financial reporting and regulatory disclosures accompany the public company structure.

Irish market presence is notable. Following the 2023 US sale, Ireland has become the operator's secondary primary market, with mature Irish regulatory licensing and product tailored to Irish horse racing, Gaelic games, and soccer preferences.

The mobile app is modern and reasonably well-polished, reflecting the investment level during the US expansion era.

Racing coverage is solid across Australian thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound racing with fixed-odds markets and some PointsBetting options.

Where PointsBet falls short

US operation closed in 2023. For US users who used PointsBet before the Fanatics acquisition, the product is no longer available under the PointsBet brand. Existing US accounts transferred to Fanatics. US users interested in similar spread-style mechanics should research Fanatics' offerings, which have not directly replicated PointsBetting.

PointsBetting carries variable risk magnitude. Users who don't understand spread-style wagering mechanics can lose (or win) significantly more than their stake depending on margin of victory. Unlike fixed-odds where maximum loss equals your stake, PointsBetting creates open-ended loss exposure unless stop-loss mechanics are used. This isn't a flaw of the product but a characteristic that requires user understanding. New users should start with small PointsBetting stakes until they understand the mechanics.

Post-US sale, the company is significantly smaller. Revenue, user base, and operational scale all contracted substantially following the 2023 US exit. For users who valued PointsBet's growth trajectory, the company is now a focused AU/IE operator rather than a global-expansion play.

Pricing on fixed-odds main markets is rarely the sharpest. PointsBet prices fixed-odds consistent with recreational positioning, meaning line-shopping users will typically find better fixed-odds prices at BlueBet, Betfair Exchange, or sharp specialists.

Promotional activity is more modest than at major Australian brands given the smaller scale.

Account limiting practices apply consistent with Australian operator patterns.

Market depth trails Sportsbet on broader coverage including international sports and niche markets.

Licensing and regional coverage

PointsBet is licensed by the Northern Territory Racing Commission in Australia, serving residents across all Australian states under the federal framework. Irish operations run under Revenue Commissioners licensing.

Age requirements: 18+ in AU and IE. KYC and AML procedures follow each regulator's standards, including BetStop integration in Australia.

The product: markets, app, live betting

Fixed-odds coverage spans Australian racing (thoroughbred, harness, greyhound), AFL, NRL, cricket, rugby, European soccer, NBA, NFL, tennis, UFC, golf.

PointsBetting spread-style markets available on selected events, primarily main-league soccer, AFL, NRL, NBA, and NFL events where margin-of-victory spreads are natural product fits.

AFL: home and away season, finals, premiership futures, team markets, player markets (fixed-odds and PointsBetting).

NRL: home and away season, State of Origin, finals, player markets.

Horse racing: comprehensive Australian plus international (UK, Irish, Hong Kong, Japan).

Irish market focus: Premier League, Champions League, Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) hurling and football, Irish racing, international rugby (Six Nations).

Same Game Multi (fixed-odds parlay). Cash-out available on qualifying fixed-odds bets (not typically available on PointsBetting stakes).

Deposits, withdrawals, and responsible gambling

Australian methods: debit card, PayPal, PayID, POLi, BPAY, bank transfer (credit card prohibited). Irish methods: debit card, PayPal, bank transfer.

Responsible gambling tools are comprehensive: deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits, self-exclusion (BetStop in Australia), reality checks. Special note: PointsBetting users should set loss limits given the open-ended loss potential of spread-style wagering compared to fixed-odds.

Who PointsBet is best for

If you're an Australian bettor interested in PointsBetting spread-style wagering, PointsBet is the original operator of the product and the primary place to engage with it. The mathematical structure creates genuinely different betting dynamics from fixed-odds that skilled bettors may prefer.

If you're an Irish bettor who appreciates an Australian-parented operator with local market presence, PointsBet's post-US-sale Irish focus provides that option.

If you want an ASX-listed public company as your AU operator choice, PointsBet (alongside BlueBet) represents the publicly-traded side of the market.

PointsBet is not the right pick if you want fixed-odds pricing edge (BlueBet and Betfair Exchange lead), deepest market menu (major brands lead), US operation (closed 2023), or if spread-style wagering and its variable risk magnitude don't match your preferences.

How Compare n' Bet displays PointsBet odds

PointsBet is displayed alongside every other licensed sportsbook available in Australia and Ireland on the live odds page. PointsBet's fixed-odds prices appear next to Sportsbet, TAB, BlueBet, Paddy Power, and other regional operators with the best-available price highlighted. PointsBetting spread-style markets are a distinct product that doesn't directly compare to fixed-odds pricing and are not currently shown on the Compare n' Bet platform given the different wagering mechanic.

For Australian users running a multi-book approach (covered in the line shopping guide), PointsBet fits as a specialty account for PointsBetting access, rarely as a primary fixed-odds book given the sharper alternatives available.

Related reading

BlueBet Review · Sportsbet Review · Fanatics Review (now operates former PointsBet US) · Paddy Power Review (Irish market leader) · All sportsbook reviews