Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites: 2025 Race Betting & Odds
Craig Jones 
The race that stops a nation, the Melbourne Cup, is nearly upon us!
A 4am start time on Tuesday morning won't deter punters in the UK, with many choosing to get up and watch the race unfold, while others will be quick to catch the action as soon as they get out of bed a couple of hours later.
Looking to place a bet on the contest, but not sure who with? Here we rundown the best betting sites for the Melbourne Cup, so you can claim the best free bets and value on offer.
Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites
Here at Free Bets we've got a long history of providing some fantastic offers, and pinpointing the best places to have a bet.
When it comes to Melbourne Cup betting sites, we've got a list of the top five below, with details about what each of them offers to punters, both in general and on this race specifically.
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1. Betfred
Betfred is a trusted and long established name in UK betting, with a strong presence on the high street and online. Known for generous promotions, it offers standout horse racing deals such as “Best Odds Guaranteed” and frequent extra place offers.
The site is simple to navigate, with fast bet placement and comprehensive race coverage from the UK, Ireland, and international meetings. In-play betting, live streaming, and detailed race cards add to the experience.
2. Bet442
Bet442 is an emerging player in the online betting scene that has quickly gained traction among horse racing fans. They combine competitive odds with a user friendly platform designed for speed and simplicity.
Punters benefit from live streaming, and integrated form guides that help decision making. The brand often runs racing specific promotions and accumulator boosts that set it apart from many others.
3 Tote
The Tote offers a distinctive betting experience, based on pool betting rather than fixed odds. This means winnings can often exceed those from traditional bookies, especially on major race days. Backed by a rich heritage in UK racing, the Tote contributes directly to the sport, supporting racecourses and prize money.
It provides access to exclusive bet types such as the Placepot, Quadpot, and Scoop6, which add extra excitement and potential for large returns from small stakes.
4. BoyleSports
BoyleSports is one of the largest independent bookmakers in the UK and Ireland, offering a well rounded horse racing betting service. It provides excellent market coverage across domestic and international meetings, enhanced by competitive odds and regular special offers.
The platform’s “Best Odds Guaranteed” feature, live streaming, andform guides make betting informative and easy for punters.
5. bet365
bet365 is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading betting platforms, offering unparalleled depth and quality in horse racing. With markets covering every major meeting globally, users enjoy competitive odds, “Best Odds Guaranteed,” and live streaming.
The site’s interface is smooth, and bet365’s mobile app is among the best in the industry, ensuring a seamless experience wherever you are betting from.
How to Watch the Melbourne Cup in the UK?
Want to catch the action live in the UK? The great news is that we've got Melbourne Cup coverage on Sky Sports Racing, with live coverage of the full meeting from Flemington available.
Coverage is strong, with things getting underway at 11pm tonight, all the way through until 6:30am on Tuesday morning, long after the race and presentation to the winner has taken place.
