What is a horse racing betting site?
A horse racing betting site is an online platform that you can go to if you are looking to place a wager on any of the upcoming races. Some sportsbooks offer horse racing exclusively, but at many
sports betting sites, horse racing is included.
At these online betting sites you can place a range of different bets on your favorite horses and races from your computer or mobile device. With some sites offering live streaming, you could even think of it as a digital grandstand where you can watch events unfold.
- Bet on horse racing from your computer or mobile
- Enjoy betting on an entire world of horse races
- Legally and safely bet on horse racing
- Get help in betting responsibly
Pros and cons of the best horse racing betting sites
The appeal of using the best online bookmakers for horse betting should be fairly self-evident, but here are the main pros and cons for doing so:
- Generous bonuses
- Frequent promotions
- Competitive odds
- Live streaming options
- Not available in all countries
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Key features of the best horse racing gambling sites
Now that you know what a horse racing betting site it, let’s get into some of the benefits of playing at these sites:
These bonuses and promos can come in the form of a welcome bonus, deposit bonus, or when they offer a range of promos for the biggest upcoming races. By looking for a place that offers these different bonuses and promotions you are effectively getting your hands on some extra credit that you can use to place a wager with. Here are just some of the bonuses that you may be able to use for horse betting:
- Deposit match bonus: This is where you have to make a qualifying deposit and the size of this deposit will be matched in credit that you can then use for a horse betting bet.
- Bonus bet offers: Here you will have to make a qualifying horse betting bet and doing so will give you extra credit that you can use for making more bets.
- Losing bet refunds: This is where your net losses from horse betting will be refunded up to a certain amount. Just note that this refund tends to come in the form of site credit rather than withdrawable cash.
- Horse betting specific promos: Some bookmakers will give you extra places for specific races, while others may offer best odds guaranteed deals. This is where you will get the best odds if they lengthen after you place your bets.
2. Competitive odds
If you are looking to maximize your potential returns, then you have to sign up at a betting site that is offering the most competitive odds. All of the best sites listed in the banners of this guide will offer the best odds on the big races to make sure that you are getting a fair deal.
A lot of the
new betting sites, as well as the most reputable operators, will also offer you a range of odds boosts. Odds boosts are great ways to get some better returns on your wager, as they will allow you a one-time chance to swap the odds in your favor. If you go to sites that are known to have the
best sports betting app, then you get to enable push notifications which can notify you when these odds boosts occur.
3. Variety of horse racing markets
Here is a range of the main betting options that you can choose from at the best horse racing betting sites out there.
- Win bet:
A wager where you bet on a single horse to win the race.
- Place bet:
When you bet on a single horse to finish in the top two or three, depending on the specific race rules.
- Show bet:
Betting on a horse to finish in the top three.
- Each way bet:
A combination of a win and a place bet; you get paid if the horse wins or places.
- Exacta:
Betting on the first and second finishers in the exact order.
- Quinella:
Betting on the first and second finishers in any order.
- Trifecta:
Betting on the first three finishers in the exact order.
- Superfecta:
Betting on the first four finishers in the exact order.
- Daily Double:
Betting on the winners of two consecutive races.
- Pick 3, Pick 4, etc.:
Betting on the winners of three, four, or more consecutive races.
- Specials:
Additional bets on specific outcomes, such as leading jockey or trainer.
4. Live streaming
Live horse betting has been slow to get off the ground but it is starting to appear at a few
live betting sites. It is also quite common for online bookmakers to have live streaming available. Be sure to check out which sites have live streaming for the big races like the Kentucky Derby, the Grand National, the Melbourne Cup and so on.
5. Safe and secure payment options
Probably the most important thing to look for at a betting site is the security of their payment options. At all of the top sites, you’ll have a selection of the world’s best payment methods to choose from. Here’s a table that shows the kind of options that are available with the biggest and best horse racing gambling sites:
| Payment method | Providers | Description |
| Credit and debit cards | Visa, Mastercard, American Express | These are some of the most commonly accepted payment methods, known for their safety and reliability. |
| E-wallets | PayPal, Skrill, Neteller | Many betting platforms also accept e-wallets, which typically offer quick deposit and withdrawal times; however, they may not always be eligible for bonuses. |
| Bank transfers | ACH, Wire Transfers | Bank transfers are a dependable option, widely accepted on major platforms, though they can sometimes experience longer processing periods.
|
| Prepaid cards | Paysafecard | Prepaid cards provide a great way to manage your online betting budget since you can control the exact amount loaded onto the card, but acceptance can vary across different betting sites.
|
| Cryptocurrency | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin | Cryptocurrencies are gaining popularity, and while some platforms are beginning to accept them as a payment method, they are still not commonly available.
|
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Walkthrough guide for using an online horse racing sportsbook
Here is a quick guide that will help you through the process of registering a new account and making your first horse betting bets:
- Select your horse betting site: Pick any of the online bookmakers listed in the banners of this page to get a quality horse betting experience.
- Sign up: Head to the official site or use the mobile app, navigate to the main menu, and choose the registration option.
- Fill in your details: Provide the necessary information, such as your email, phone number, and birth date.
- Verify your identity: The site will require you to confirm your identity to ensure you're of legal age and residing in a location where online betting is permitted.
- Look for bonuses: If there’s a deposit bonus, be sure to enter the promo code to get some extra betting credit.
- Deposit funds: Once registered, you can deposit money into your account by selecting your preferred payment method and confirming the transaction.
- Place your bet: With everything set up, you're ready to place a wager and test your predictions.
Now this is just a general guide as the registration process will change slightly depending on where you choose to sign up.
Top horse races to bet on
Each horse betting site should have literally dozens of featured races taking in locations like the UK, Ireland, France, the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, Argentina and so on. However, it is usually the following races that then to get the greatest amount of interest:
- UK: Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot
- US: Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup
- Australia: Melbourne Cup, The Everest,
- UAE, France, Japan: Dubai World Cup, Prix de l’Arc, Japan Cup
By using the following tools you can do plenty of analysis before the race happens, so that when you do place your wager, it is as informed as can be. Here is a list of our favorite sports betting tools.
- Odds comparison tool:
This tool enables bettors to compare odds from various sportsbooks, helping them identify the best odds for their chosen bet.
- Betting calculator:
A tool designed to estimate potential payouts, profits, and returns for different types of wagers, including parlays and accumulators.
- Betting tracker:
A tool or app that allows bettors to monitor their bets, track wins and losses, and analyze overall performance to spot trends and areas for improvement.
- Bankroll management:
A tool that assists bettors in managing their betting budget effectively, by setting limits, tracking spending, and promoting responsible betting practices.
Is horse racing betting legal?
It’s important to understand that horse betting is legal in some countries and not others. This means that it’s up to you to make sure that you are only using those horse betting sites who are licensed and regulated. Failure to do this could mean that you are using a betting site that is acting illegally.
This could cause you no end of problems as it means that you’d get nothing in terms of customer protection. So always play it safe by only using those fully licensed horse betting sites listed in the banners of this guide.
Top tips for horse racing betting
Now that you know whether or not you can bet on horse racing in your area of residence, here are some top tips for horse racing betting:
1. Don’t limit yourself to a single sportsbook
You should shop around to find which betting site has the most competitive odds, so that you can potentially maximize your returns.
2. Make the most out of your bonuses
All of the best sportsbooks frequently offer promotions and these offer a great opportunity to place some extra bets at no extra cost. Just make sure that you pay attention to the small print because most deposit match bonuses have tough wagering conditions.
If you find a winning formula, then stick to it. By focusing on a specific area, you can start to identify trends and opportunities that might be overlooked otherwise. Just remember that anything can happen in the world of horse racing, so don’t follow your formula too blindly.
Avoid making any betting decisions based on emotion. Be sure to always set limits so that betting remains something that is just for fun.
5. Stay informed with expert advice
All of the top betting sites offer expert tips. This can be a great way to quickly learn all about the different factors that will affect your race.
Final thoughts on finding the best horse racing sportsbook
Finding the best horse racing sportsbook for you can be a bit of a challenge, but we hope that you can leave here with a better idea of what to look for. Remember to look for the sportsbooks that offer generous bonuses, frequent promotions and a wide range of betting markets, so that you can maximize your chances for success.
Also have another look at these horse racing top tips so that you can get a headstart when you find your favored site. So, pick any of the horse betting sites listed here to get a great way to bet on the ‘Sport of Kings’.
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Horse racing betting sites FAQs
🏇 What is online horse racing betting?
Online horse racing betting is where you place wagers on a variety of the potential outcomes of a horse race at an internet-based betting platform. Bettors can choose from various types of bets and races globally.
🌐 How do I start betting on horse racing online?
Before you start you will need to choose a reputable online sportsbook or betting site that suits your needs. After you know where you want to play you need to create an account, deposit funds, and then place a bet on whichever market you decide is going to win.
🤔 What types of bets can I place?
At the best online sportsbooks you can place a heap of different bets. Common bets like betting on a horse to finish first are obviously possible, but there are a bunch of other options available. These include place bets, show bets, exactas and quinellas.
🔐 Are online horse racing betting sites safe?
Yes, as long as you decide to sign up at licensed and regulated sites. It is always a good idea to look for sites that have strong security measures like SSL-encryption and secure payment options.
🎁 Can I use bonuses for horse racing bets?
The best online sportsbooks out there will offer a range of bonuses or promotions that can be used on horse racing bets.
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