Online betting in Australia has changed drastically. It was once dominated by a few major ticket events that drew the majority of interest. However, nowadays, digitisation has changed the game. The number of different sites and the exposure to different sports that Aussies now have access to is massive.
iGaming has certainly changed the game. In the past, horse racing and rugby were usually counted among the most popular Australian sports for betting. According to gambling expert Brett Curtis, these sports remain favourites because they’re fast-paced, deeply rooted in local culture, and supported by strong fan bases. However, they are now joined by a myriad of other sports too.
This has all come about as a result of the sheer degree of choice now provided by online sites. What helps boost their betting appeal is the sheer variety of markets, everything from first goals to total scores, combined with fast payouts and generous sign-up bonuses.
Sports betting platforms in Australia tend to focus on what sells. They prioritise odds for matches that attract large crowds or high TV ratings. That makes sense. If thousands are already watching a game, there’s a better chance they’ll bet on it too. Still, the tide may be shifting. A new contender is moving into view, slowly but surely: athletics.
While track and field isn’t yet pulling in the same numbers as cricket or rugby league, it’s making progress in ways that matter. The rise of global streaming, better athlete branding, and shorter event formats has made athletics more accessible to new fans. For punters, that means fresh betting options, sprints, jumps, relays, each with its own pace and tension. Unlike team sports, where a single match can stretch for hours, athletics delivers rapid results. That’s appealing for casual bettors who want quick outcomes without waiting all day.
Betting sites have started to take notice. In recent years, odds on athletics events have become more detailed. You’ll now see lines on individual heats, outright winners, and even head-to-heads between two runners. Major championships like the Olympics or the World Athletics Finals attract more betting traffic every time they roll around. These tournaments are short, intense, and easy to follow.
Local interest is also playing a role. Australia has produced several stars in athletics, and that helps draw attention. When a home-grown athlete competes on the world stage, punters naturally tune in. It’s personal. National pride mixes with betting interest, creating a stronger connection to the event. In the same way footy fans rally behind their club, athletics fans are starting to rally behind individual names.
Another factor driving interest is mobile access. Most Aussies place bets from their phones now. That shift has made fast-moving events more attractive. With just a few taps, a user can bet on a men’s 1500m heat while watching it live. The convenience factor adds fuel to the fire. Fast internet, clean app interfaces, and flexible deposit options have made casual betting easier than ever. If someone’s already on the app for a rugby match, there’s a good chance they’ll notice the odds on the women’s long jump too.
Live betting could push athletics even further. Some events now allow odds to update between heats or jumps. That gives punters the chance to adjust their bets based on performance. A sprinter pulls up with a cramp? Odds shift. A pole vaulter clears a personal best? Markets respond in real time. It keeps users engaged. It rewards quick thinking. It also suits a sport where momentum can shift with every round.
If recent trends hold, athletics might not just be an extra line on a sportsbook. It could become one of the main draws. Especially during major meets, where Aussie pride is on the line and punters are looking for action they can trust, athletics offers something fast, clean, and easy to follow. That’s a strong mix, one that betting sites may soon place front and centre.
