ClearyBet offers a traditional, personal betting experience that stands apart from the large online sportsbooks dominating the Australian wagering market. Operated by experienced Victorian rails bookmaker Brendan Cleary and his team, ClearyBet primarily accepts bets over the phone and in person at selected race meetings.
With more than 20 years of bookmaking experience, ClearyBet may appeal to racing punters who prefer dealing directly with an experienced bookmaker rather than placing every bet through an automated website or mobile app.
Find out more as we break down all the details in our ClearyBet review.
| CLEARYBET POSITIVES |
CLEARYBET NEGATIVES |
| More than 20 years of bookmaking experience |
No online betting platform |
| Personal service |
No mobile app |
| Excellent odds and willing to take a bet |
Account balances by request only |
| Telephone and on-course betting |
Less convenient than major online sportsbooks |
About ClearyBet
ClearyBet is operated by licensed Victorian rails bookmaker Brendan Cleary. Rather than competing directly with major digital-first betting sites, ClearyBet retains a more traditional bookmaking model centred around horse racing, on-course betting and wagers placed directly with the bookmaker.
The ClearyBet website describes the business as one of Victoria’s leading on-course bookmakers, with more than 20 years of industry experience. Brendan, Bev and the ClearyBet team promote a personal, punter-first approach, with new customers invited to place bets by telephone.
ClearyBet is also listed by the Victorian Bookmakers Association among Victoria’s registered bookmakers, while Racing Victoria includes ClearyBet among the wagering providers approved to publish and use Victorian thoroughbred race fields.
Is ClearyBet Legal in Australia?
ClearyBet states that it is licensed through Racing Victoria and operates as a registered Victorian bookmaker. It is also a member of the Victorian Bookmakers Association.
The relevant Victorian gambling regulator is now the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, commonly known as the VGCCC. ClearyBet’s responsible gambling page still refers to the regulator by its former name, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, so this section of the website would benefit from being updated.
The Victorian Bookmakers Association provides a limited guarantee covering the payment of winning wagers in the event of a registered bookmaker default. However, the guarantee does not extend to customer deposits held in betting accounts.
ClearyBet Betting Markets
ClearyBet is first and foremost a racing bookmaker. Its offering is built around Australian horse racing, particularly metropolitan meetings, Group 1 events and feature races.
Customers may be able to request prices across:
- Australian thoroughbred racing
- Major metropolitan race meetings
- Group 1 and feature races
- Selected interstate racing
- Selected sporting events
Because wagers are placed directly with the bookmaker, the exact range of available markets and betting options may vary. Customers should contact ClearyBet before betting to confirm whether a particular race, sport, bet type or market is available.
This personalised approach can be an advantage for experienced racing customers who would like to discuss a price or place a larger bet. However, it does not provide the convenience of browsing thousands of markets instantly through an online sportsbook.
ClearyBet Odds
ClearyBet promotes competitive racing odds and references “Best of Bookies” official prices as part of its offering.
As an on-course bookmaker, ClearyBet may adjust its prices based on activity in the betting ring, market movements and the bookmaker’s own position. This can occasionally create opportunities for punters to secure a different price from those available through larger corporate bookmakers.
However, the absence of a complete online market means customers cannot easily compare every ClearyBet price against rival bookmakers. Punters may need to contact Brendan directly to request the current price for a runner or event.
How to Open a ClearyBet Account
Opening a ClearyBet account is a more personal and manual process than registering with a typical online sportsbook.
Customers generally need to:
- Contact ClearyBet by phone, text, WhatsApp or email.
- Complete and sign a client-bookmaker account form.
- Supply identification confirming they are at least 18 years old.
- Make an initial deposit.
- Contact the bookmaker when ready to place a bet.
ClearyBet says that the required account form will be sent directly to the customer. Identification can then be supplied to complete the age and identity-verification process.
There is no automated online registration form, so opening an account may take longer than joining a major online betting site. On the positive side, customers receive direct assistance throughout the process.
How to Bet With ClearyBet
ClearyBet customers primarily place wagers by contacting the bookmaker directly.
Available contact methods include:
- Telephone
- SMS
- WhatsApp
- Email
- In person at selected race meetings
To place a wager, customers should provide the race or event, selection, bet type and stake. The bookmaker can then confirm the available odds and whether the bet has been accepted.
This approach will feel familiar to traditional telephone-betting customers, although it lacks the speed and convenience of clicking a price and confirming a wager through an app.
ClearyBet Website
The ClearyBet website is an informational site rather than a transactional online sportsbook.
Visitors can find information covering:
- ClearyBet’s bookmaking history
- Available betting services
- Feature racing events
- Contact information
- Account registration
- Banking
- Responsible gambling
- Frequently asked questions
The site is relatively simple and makes it easy to find contact details. However, customers cannot browse live odds, monitor their account, place bets or process withdrawals through an online dashboard.
Some pages also contain outdated wording, inconsistent navigation and duplicated headings. ClearyBet would benefit from modernising the site and introducing a secure customer portal, even if telephone betting remains its primary service.
Does ClearyBet Have a Mobile App?
ClearyBet does not currently offer a dedicated mobile app for iPhone or Android.
Customers can access the informational website through a mobile browser, but wagers still need to be placed directly with the bookmaker. There is no mobile bet slip, live account balance, betting history or app-based deposit system.
Punters looking for a fully digital experience would be better suited to one of Australia’s leading betting apps. ClearyBet is aimed more towards customers who value personal access to a bookmaker.
ClearyBet Promotions
ClearyBet has an “Offerings & Promotions” section on its website, although publicly accessible details about current offers are limited.
Australian gambling advertising laws prohibit bookmakers from publicly offering inducements to open an account. Any ClearyBet promotions are therefore likely to be available only to eligible existing customers and may be subject to location, customer and event restrictions.
Customers should contact ClearyBet or check communications sent to their account to learn what offers are presently available. All promotion terms should be reviewed before participating.
ClearyBet Deposits and Withdrawals
ClearyBet primarily accepts deposits by direct bank transfer. The banking information published on the ClearyBet website lists bank-transfer accounts for customers depositing into their betting account.
The website does not advertise common digital deposit options such as Debit cards, PayID, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal.
Customers should speak to ClearyBet before depositing to confirm the correct bank account, payment reference and expected processing time. For security reasons, banking instructions should always be confirmed directly with the bookmaker before transferring funds.
ClearyBet says that withdrawals are paid using Osko, allowing funds to arrive in near real time once the request has been received and the customer’s available credit has been confirmed. This has the potential to be one of ClearyBet’s strongest features. Osko withdrawals can be significantly faster than standard bank transfers, although the overall timeframe will still depend on when the withdrawal is approved and processed.
Withdrawal requests must be made directly rather than through an online account dashboard.
| Deposit Methods |
Bank Transfer |
| Withdrawal Methods |
Bank Transfer (Osko) |
ClearyBet Customer Support
Customer service is one of ClearyBet’s strongest points.
Rather than dealing with a large support team or automated chatbot, customers can communicate directly with Brendan Cleary by phone, SMS, WhatsApp or email. This can be particularly useful when requesting a price, confirming a bet, checking an account balance or arranging a withdrawal.
The main drawback is that support may not operate continuously. There is no advertised 24-hour live-chat facility or large customer-service department.
Responsible Gambling
ClearyBet provides information about BetStop, Australia’s National Self-Exclusion Register, as well as Gambling Help Online and the national gambling-support telephone service.
Customers can register with BetStop to exclude themselves from all Australian-licensed online and telephone wagering providers.
What’s gambling really costing you?
For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit Gambling Help Online.
ClearyBet Review Verdict
ClearyBet offers something increasingly uncommon in Australian wagering: direct access to an experienced, traditional bookmaker.
Its strengths are its horse-racing knowledge, more than 20 years of bookmaking experience, personal customer service and potentially fast Osko withdrawals. Punters who enjoy betting on-course or speaking directly with their bookmaker may appreciate this more personalised experience.
However, ClearyBet is not comparable to a modern online sportsbook. There is no transactional website, mobile app, live account balance, digital bet slip or broad online catalogue of sports markets. Deposits, withdrawals, account enquiries and bets all require direct communication.
ClearyBet is therefore best suited to traditional racing punters who value service and bookmaker relationships over technology. Customers looking for app-based betting, Same Game Multis, live streaming and immediate access to extensive sports markets should consider one of our best rated online betting sites.
ClearyBet FAQ
Is ClearyBet a legal Australian bookmaker?
ClearyBet states that it is a licensed Victorian rails bookmaker and is listed by the Victorian Bookmakers Association. Racing Victoria also lists ClearyBet as an approved wagering service provider for Victorian thoroughbred race fields.
Can I bet online with ClearyBet?
ClearyBet does not offer a conventional transactional online sportsbook. Customers generally place bets by telephone, SMS, WhatsApp or directly with the bookmaker on-course.
Does ClearyBet have an app?
No dedicated ClearyBet iPhone or Android betting app is currently advertised.
What can I bet on with ClearyBet?
ClearyBet’s main focus is horse racing, including metropolitan meetings, Group 1 races and other feature events. Selected sporting markets may also be available by request.
How do I open a ClearyBet account?
Contact ClearyBet directly, complete the client-bookmaker form, provide identification showing that you are over 18 and make an initial deposit.
How do I check my ClearyBet balance?
ClearyBet instructs customers to contact Brendan directly by telephone or text to request their current account balance.
How fast are ClearyBet withdrawals?
ClearyBet says it uses Osko for withdrawals, with payments made in near real time after the request and available account credit have been confirmed.
Does ClearyBet offer promotions?
Existing customers may receive eligible offers, but public sign-up inducements are prohibited under Australian gambling advertising rules. Contact ClearyBet for current account-specific information.
Who is ClearyBet best for?
ClearyBet is best suited to horse-racing punters who prefer personal service, telephone betting and direct interaction with an experienced on-course bookmaker.
