# PointsBet review (2026)

> PointsBet publishes rules for elections, US and UK/European politics, and entertainment and novelty markets such as awards ceremonies, and backs them with the fastest withdrawals we found for event betting: in most cases within 30 minutes, from $5, by bank. It's a bookmaker, so you bet at its odds, with a margin we found no published figure for. Support runs 24/7 by chat and phone. It ranks third because ACMA made it pay a $500,800 spam penalty in 2025 for marketing messages sent to self-excluded people, and its Android app is rated only 3.3.

- URL: https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/pointsbet-review/
- Markdown version: https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/pointsbet-review/index.html.md
- Last updated: 2026-10-25 (re-checked when an operator changes its terms or a regulator or court acts)
- Author: SafeBet.ai Research Team (SafeBet.ai)
- SafeBet.ai score: 7.8/10
- Ranking: #3 of 5 in [Best event betting sites in Australia](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/) — Quick withdrawals
- Official website: https://pointsbet.com.au/
- Operator: Pointsbet Australia Pty Ltd
- Notice: Advertising. SafeBet.ai may be paid by the operators shown when you register through our links. We only link to betting services on ACMA’s register of licensed providers. 18+ only. Online casinos and prediction markets aren’t legal in Australia, and we don’t link to any.
- Statutory warning: Chances are you’re about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Editorial policy and advertiser disclosure: https://safebet.ai/editorial-policy/

## Key facts

| | |
|---|---|
| Operator | PointsBet Australia Pty Limited, ACN 606 814 920, licensed by the Northern Territory Wagering Commission; on ACMA's register of licensed providers |
| Regulatory record | ACMA: a $500,800 spam penalty and enforceable undertakings (May 16, 2025) for 508 marketing messages sent to self-excluded people in August and September 2023; NT fines of $22,137 (March 9, 2023), $13,345 (June 30, 2023) and $23,936 (May 6, 2026), the last with a finding that PointsBet should return $73,691.17 to a customer |
| Event markets | Rules for elections, US politics (the 2024 presidential election), UK and European politics, and entertainment and novelty markets; next-leader markets are offered all in, run or not; bets on a cancelled awards ceremony are void |
| Pricing | Fixed odds with a margin built in; we found no published figure for PointsBet's margins. Maximum win $1,000,000 per bet; minimum stake $1 online, $10 by phone |
| Deposits | Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID and PayTo, from $5; PayID and PayTo deposits arrive in about a minute; no credit cards; no fees on debit card deposits or withdrawals |
| Withdrawals | Usually within 30 minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours, from $5, fastest to a bank on the New Payments Platform; a $10 monthly fee on accounts inactive for more than 18 months |
| Apps | PointsBet: 4.56/5 from 14,650 ratings on the Australian App Store, and 3.3 from 2,358 on Google Play (October 23, 2026) |
| Responsible gambling | Deposit and spend limits over 1, 7, 14 or 30 days (increases after a 7-day cooling-off period), breaks of 1 to 30 days, self-exclusion, BetStop, monthly activity statements, and identity checks at sign-up |
| Support | Live chat and phone (13 72 38), 24/7; email within 12 hours; in-play sports bets by phone on 1800 PB LIVE (1800 725 483) |

## Scores

- Licensing & safety (25%): 7.5/10
- Event markets (25%): 7.5/10
- Commission & pricing (15%): 6.0/10
- Payments & payouts (10%): 10.0/10
- App & experience (15%): 7.5/10
- Support & responsible gambling (10%): 10.0/10

## Pros

- Most withdrawals reach your bank within 30 minutes
- Published rules for elections, politics, entertainment and novelty markets
- Support by chat and phone 24 hours a day
- Deposits from $5 by PayID and PayTo, credited in about a minute

## Cons

- A $500,800 ACMA spam penalty in 2025 over messages to self-excluded people
- Three Northern Territory fines since 2023 over how it dealt with individual customers
- A bookmaker: you bet at its odds, with an unpublished margin
- Its Android app is rated only 3.3 on Google Play

## What is PointsBet?

PointsBet is an Australian online bookmaker run by PointsBet Australia Pty Limited. Besides sport and racing, it publishes rules for betting on elections, politics, and entertainment and novelty events. It ranks #3 in [our ranking of the legal alternatives to prediction markets in Australia](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/); for sport, see our [PointsBet sports betting review](https://safebet.ai/au/sports-betting/pointsbet-review/).

A note on our sources: pointsbet.com.au was blocked to us from outside Australia, so this review relies on PointsBet's help centre, which stayed readable, ACMA's and the Northern Territory's records and its app listings.

## Is PointsBet licensed in Australia?

Yes. PointsBet Australia Pty Limited, ACN 606 814 920, is licensed by the Northern Territory Wagering Commission to accept bets by electronic transmission 24 hours a day, and pointsbet.com.au is on ACMA's register of licensed interactive gambling providers.

Its record: on May 16, 2025 ACMA said PointsBet had paid a $500,800 spam penalty and entered enforceable undertakings after sending 508 marketing messages to self-excluded people in August and September 2023; ACMA found that no excluded customer was able to bet in that period. The Northern Territory fined it $22,137 on March 9, 2023 over its VIP dealings with one gambler, $13,345 on June 30, 2023 for a late response to its own red-flag report, and $23,936 on May 6, 2026, when it also found that PointsBet should return $73,691.17 to a customer. Check any site with our [legality check](https://safebet.ai/au/sports-betting/licence-check/).

## Event markets

PointsBet's betting rules have sections on elections, US politics, with rules written for the 2024 presidential election, UK and European politics, and entertainment and novelty markets. Next-leader markets, such as next party leader, next Prime Minister or next President, are offered on an all-in, run-or-not basis; PointsBet may settle election markets on projected results; and bets on an awards ceremony are void if it's cancelled or not held in its scheduled year. Which events you can bet on depends on the regulators: the Northern Territory declares elections, awards and other events as betting events. We couldn't see which politics markets are open now, because PointsBet's site was blocked to us.

## Pricing

PointsBet is a bookmaker: it sets fixed odds with a margin built in, and we found no published figure for its margins. Winnings are capped at $1,000,000 per bet, and the minimum stake is $1 online or $10 by phone. Online in-play bets on sport are banned in Australia; PointsBet takes them by phone on 1800 PB LIVE (1800 725 483).

## Deposits and withdrawals

You can deposit from $5 by debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID or PayTo; PointsBet says PayID and PayTo deposits arrive in about a minute, and it doesn't take credit cards. Most withdrawals reach your bank within 30 minutes, though some take up to 24 hours; the minimum is $5, and the fastest need a bank on the New Payments Platform. PointsBet charges no fees on debit card deposits or withdrawals, but accounts inactive for more than 18 months pay $10 a month.

## App and experience

The PointsBet app is rated 4.56 out of 5 from 14,650 ratings on the Australian App Store, but 3.3 from 2,358 on Google Play (October 23, 2026).

## Safety, responsible gambling and support

You can set deposit and spend limits over 1, 7, 14 or 30 days, with a 7-day cooling-off period before an increase takes effect; take a break of 1 to 30 days; or self-exclude, which can't be undone. Like every licensed provider, PointsBet must keep anyone registered with BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, from betting; it verifies your identity when you sign up and lets you download monthly activity statements. Support runs 24/7 by live chat and phone on 13 72 38, with email answered within 12 hours. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858, 24/7, and our [guide to gambling help in Australia](https://safebet.ai/au/guides/gambling-help-australia/).

## Who is PointsBet best for?

- **Punters who want their winnings fast**, usually within 30 minutes.
- **Anyone who wants help at any hour.**
- **Not for** punters who want to set their own price, or a well-rated Android app.

## Our verdict

PointsBet pairs published election and novelty rules with the fastest withdrawals and round-the-clock support in our ranking, held back by its 2025 ACMA penalty and a weaker Android app. Compare it in [our ranking](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/), or see the [best PointsBet alternatives](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/pointsbet-alternatives/).

## How PointsBet compares

| # | Event betting site | Score | Licence | Type | Event markets | Commission or margin | Payments | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Betfair](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/betfair-review/) | 8.5/10 | Betfair Pty Ltd, NT betting exchange licence | Betting exchange: back or lay against other punters | Elections and politics, awards, sport and racing | Commission on net winnings: 6% on sport (politics rate not published) | Debit card ($10), PayPal ($15), Osko/PayID ($30) | iOS 4.5 · Android 4.2 |
| 2 | [bet365](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/bet365-review/) | 8.5/10 | Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Ltd, NT | Bookmaker (fixed odds) | Australian, UK and US elections; Eurovision, weather and TV specials | Margin built into the odds (not published) | Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay ($5), PayID, PayPal; withdrawals 1–4 hours | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.6 |
| 3 | [PointsBet](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/pointsbet-review/) | 7.8/10 | Pointsbet Australia Pty Ltd, NT | Bookmaker (fixed odds) | Elections, US and UK/European politics, entertainment and novelty | Margin built into the odds (not published) | Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, PayTo ($5); withdrawals usually within 30 min | iOS 4.6 · Android 3.3 |
| 4 | [Sportsbet](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/sportsbet-review/) | 7.6/10 | Sportsbet Pty Ltd, NT | Bookmaker (fixed odds) | Elections, Australian, UK and US politics, novelty and awards | Margin built into the odds (not published) | Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, PayPal ($5), BPAY | iOS 4.6 · Android 3.1 |
| 5 | [Bet Right](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/betright-review/) | 7.2/10 | IRPSX Pty Ltd (Bet Right), NT | Bookmaker with exchange-style yes/no prices (InfoMarket) | Sport, Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, politics where approved | Prices in cents (1c–99c), margin included (not published) | Not verified (its sites blocked us) | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.7 (Bet Right app) |

See the [best PointsBet alternatives](https://safebet.ai/au/prediction-markets/pointsbet-alternatives/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I bet on elections with PointsBet?

Yes, when markets are open: PointsBet's betting rules cover elections, US politics and UK and European politics. Next-leader markets, such as next Prime Minister or next President, are offered on an all-in, run-or-not basis, and PointsBet may settle on projected results.

### How fast are PointsBet withdrawals?

PointsBet says most withdrawals reach your bank within 30 minutes, though some take up to 24 hours. The minimum is $5, and the fastest withdrawals need a bank on the New Payments Platform.

### Why did ACMA penalise PointsBet?

On May 16, 2025 ACMA said PointsBet had paid a $500,800 spam penalty and entered enforceable undertakings after sending 508 marketing messages to self-excluded people in August and September 2023. ACMA found that no excluded customers were able to place bets during that period.

## Sources

1. [Check if a gambling operator is legal (register of licensed interactive gambling providers)](https://www.acma.gov.au/check-if-gambling-operator-legal) — ACMA, last updated 2026-10-21; accessed 2026-10-25
2. [PointsBet Terms & Conditions](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/15151880236943-PointsBet-Terms-Conditions) — PointsBet, version 2.24, updated 2026-07-07; accessed 2026-10-23
3. [PointsBet Betting Rules](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/15152059329551-PointsBet-Betting-Rules) — PointsBet, updated 2026-10-22
4. [How long do withdrawals take?](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/5727485366031) — PointsBet, updated 2026-09-26
5. [Depositing with PayTo](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/10722758121871) — PointsBet, updated 2026-08-17
6. [Can I deposit with a credit card?](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/10829526992271) — PointsBet, updated 2025-09-09
7. [Deposit limits](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/360053185894) — PointsBet, updated 2025-11-01
8. [How do I contact PointsBet?](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/10870708453135) — PointsBet, updated 2026-09-07
9. [In-Play betting](https://support.pointsbet.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/10879946306703) — PointsBet, updated 2024-10-14
10. [PointsBet breaches spam and gambling self-exclusion laws](https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2025-05/pointsbet-breaches-spam-and-gambling-self-exclusion-laws) — ACMA, 2025-05-16
11. [Decision notice: PointsBet (Mr L)](https://dth.nt.gov.au/media/docs/boards-and-committees/racing-commission/racing-commission-decisions/prior-to-2019/2023/desicion-notice-pointsbet-mr-l.pdf) — NT Racing Commission, 2023-03-09
12. [K v Pointsbet Australia Pty Ltd](https://dth.nt.gov.au/media/docs/boards-and-committees/racing-commission/racing-commission-decisions/prior-to-2019/2023/ntrc-decision-notice-k-v-pointsbet-australia-pty-ltd.pdf) — NT Racing Commission, 2023-06-30
13. [Mr P v Pointsbet Australia Pty Ltd](https://dth.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/1635445/mr-p-v-pointsbet-australia-pty-ltd-update.pdf) — NT Wagering Commission, 2026-05-06
14. [PointsBet (App Store listing)](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/id1288441708) — Apple App Store (Australia), version 3.83.0 of 2026-10-19; accessed 2026-10-23
15. [PointsBet (Google Play listing)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pointsbet.app&gl=AU&hl=en) — Google Play (Australia), accessed 2026-10-23
16. [Declared sporting events for bookmaking](https://nt.gov.au/industry/gambling/licences/bookmaker-and-betting-exchange-licences-and-permits/declared-sporting-events-for-bookmaking) — Northern Territory Government, updated 2026-08-12
17. [About BetStop](https://www.betstop.gov.au/about/) — BetStop (Australian Government), accessed 2026-10-23
18. [Interactive Gambling Act 2001](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A00851/latest/text) — Federal Register of Legislation, compilation of 2024-10-14; accessed 2026-10-23