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How to sync SN with your TVRecord number of NZ punters bet on 2026 Melbourne Cup
TAB • November 4th, 2026 2:30 pm
Jockey Ethan Brown reacts after riding Point of Law to victory in the Melbourne Cup | Photo: Martin Keep/AAP
The Kiwi love affair with the Melbourne Cup reached new heights yesterday, with a record 161,100 TAB and betcha customers placing a bet on the iconic race.
That continues a sustained rise in Cup betting, from about 105,000 active customers in 2021. More than 27,000 New Zealanders also placed their first bet of the year through their TAB or betcha accounts, while almost 1.2 million bets were placed on the Cup alone.
Point Of Law’s powerful three-and-three-quarter-length victory after starting as one of the favourites helped return $9 million to New Zealand punters.
The win made the day for two punters in particular – although one had to wait a lot less time than another to watch Point Of Law romp home.
One punter backed the horse for $2,000 at $8 on race day, but another displayed considerable foresight and placed a $500 "futures" bet at $34 before the son of star sire Frankel won the Geelong Cup impressively in late October.
The Melbourne Cup often produces great results for the small punters who have a go at winning a Trifecta or First4. Three $5 First4 tickets paid $15,585 each, while a $1.80 First4 ticket returned $5,530. One racing fan’s $5 Trifecta bet returned more than $12,000.
Chris Haigh, managing director for Entain NZ – the operators of TAB and Betcha - said the Melbourne Cup continues to be a special day on the racing calendar with New Zealanders getting involved in the Cup.
“You can feel the excitement right across New Zealand, from the traditional racecourses and TABs through to the pubs, clubs and offices up and down the country.
It’s great to have more Kiwis than ever making the Cup part of their day.”
Key stats:
• $13.3m bet on the 2026 Melbourne Cup, just $0.4m off last year’s record $13.7m, and up 17% on 2021.
• 158,5000 customers placed a bet through their TAB or betcha accounts, up 7.4% on 2025 and up 53% on 2021.
• $9.1m paid out to TAB and betcha customers.
• More than 9000 bets a minute placed through TAB or betcha at the pre-race peak.
Biggest wins:
• $2000 on Point Of Law at $8 to return $16,000
• $500 on Point Of Law at $34 (futures bet) to return $17,000.
• $5 First4 returned $15,585 (x 3)
• $6 First4 returned $12,568
• $5 Trifecta returned $12,111
• $4 First4 returned $8,044
• $8 Same Race Multi returned $6,390.
• $1.80 First4 returned $5,530
