Sports · Other Sports · 12 hrs ago
World Pool betting draws complaints over lower returns for Australian punters
The World Pool is a Hong Kong-based betting system that joins with Australia’s TAB for major races and race days.
It was introduced to attract international bettors and build larger betting pools.
Punters have complained that its winning payouts can be lower than the odds offered by bookmakers.
At Caulfield, Point Barrow paid $2.60 through the World Pool TAB, compared with $3.20 with bookmakers.
Another winner, Land Legend, returned $44 through the pool despite being rated a 70-to-1 chance by bookmakers.
Professional punter John Walters says the pool retains a higher share of bets, which he argues means poorer value for punters over time.
Complaints continued on social media as Melbourne Cup week approached.
Australian punters have complained that the World Pool betting system returns less on some winning bets than bookmakers.
The Hong Kong-based system is merged with Australia’s TAB tote for big races and race days.
At Caulfield, Point Barrow paid $2.60 through the World Pool TAB, compared with $3.20 with bookmakers.
Professional punter John Walters said the World Pool retains a higher percentage of investments, reducing returns.
The World Pool was introduced to attract international betting and create larger pools of money.
- Who
- Australian punters and the Hong Kong-based World Pool system used with the TAB.
- What
- Punters have complained that winning bets through the World Pool can return less than bets with bookmakers.
- When
- The complaints continued over the weekend described in the article, published October 11, 2026.
- Where
- At major Australian races, including Caulfield and Rosehill.
- Why
- Walters said the World Pool retains a higher percentage of investment, leaving less for punters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
literal brutality for all punters
The market percentage is higher, so, on average, all horses will be poor value in comparison long term
Doesn’t matter what you back.
The Hong Kong-based World Pool was introduced as an alternative to fixed-odds betting and to attract international bettors into the Australian market.
World Pool betting was used for seven races at Caulfield and 10 at Rosehill.
Social media users again complained about the World Pool’s returns.
- Point Barrow
- Paid $2.60 with the World Pool TAB and $3.20 with bookmakers
- Land Legend
- Returned $44 through the World Pool TAB; bookmakers rated it a 70-1 chance
- Caulfield races
- World Pool used for seven races
- Rosehill races
- World Pool used for 10 races
- World Pool market percentage
- 123 per cent, according to Walters
- Fixed-odds market percentage
- 115 per cent, according to Walters
Sources
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