Best Horse Race Betting Sites - Top Bookmakers Picked by Expert
Based on our extensive review of top bookmakers, the best horse racing betting sites include Betway, 1xBet, and BetMGM, offering competitive odds, live streaming, and extensive betting markets to enhance your racing experience and maximize your winning potential.
Based on our extensive review of top bookmakers, the best horse racing betting sites include Betway, 1xBet, and BetMGM, offering competitive odds, live streaming, and extensive betting markets to enhance your racing experience and maximize your winning potential.
The Trifecta bet is a popular bet to take, and whether you are quite a weathered enthusiast or a novice punter, we break down everything you need to know before placing your next horseracing bet.
Horse racing is regarded as the 'Sport of Kings' but when it comes to betting, there are no levels or titles as to who can and cannot bet on Horse Racing. In recent years, betting online for the sport has grown rapidly. Betting online is fast becoming the way to wager on Horse Racing but with so many websites and bookmakers online, it can be quite confusing and overwhelming for everyone.
3 Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
We’ve analysed online Horse Racing Betting sites and picked the best bookmakers that provide value for money.
Betway
Betway has been a bookmaker since 2006, covering racing and sport from around the world, and while their focus is on sport, they do cover Horse Racing, predominantly in the United States and Europe, where they are based.
They have a simple but effective layout for their website and that is much the same with their mobile app, with the sign-up process proving to be quite simple and easy to do for new customers, as well as sign-up bonuses and promotions for eligible customers, to go with Odds Boosts, Money Back Specials and Free Bets, as well as Exclusive Offers and Odds.
If there is a negative with Betway, it is that there are a stack of cases where they will make it very difficult for punters to withdraw winnings. They are not alone in terms of Horse Racing betting sites when it comes to doing this, but from a punter's perspective, it's quite disappointing and hopefully, it can be rectified before too long.
Pros:
• Sign up bonuses
• Exclusive offers
• Odds boosts
Cons:
• Restricting punters
• Odds can be quite short with certain runners
1xBet
1xBet has been an online bookmaker since 2007 and they have established themselves as one of the best Horse Racing Betting Websites going around. To start with, and even today, they are very strong when it comes to the sports side of things, but they have put attention towards Horse Racing Betting and it seems to have paid off.
A quick look at their website sees their odds being very strong and high versus other online bookmakers. They also have Live Betting available, which is one of the fastest-growing forms of Horse Racing Betting, and having that available for punters is a big tick
Their Customer Service is very good too, having live chat available, as well as email. With some bookies, you can tell straight away that those in Customer Service have no idea what they are talking about but with 1xBet, that is indeed not the case.
If there was a negative, it is the withdrawal process. You need to turn over a certain amount of money before withdrawing and then it can take up to two days for you to receive it, which is far too long compared to most, who do same-day fast withdrawals.
Pros:
• Good customer service
• Live Betting
Cons:
• Turnover requirements
• Slow withdrawal times
BetMGM
BetMGM was formed when the iconic MGM Resorts teamed up with Entain to create the bookmaker, which is fast becoming one of the giants of the UK betting landscape, starting with Sports, but it's now gradually getting bigger and better when it comes to Horse Racing. For UK Horse Racing bettors, there are many reasons to bet with BetMGM.
Firstly, they offer daily odds boosts across race meetings and certain runners that are sure to be popular with punters. There are also many bonuses available, whether it be through races or when you sign up.
As well as that, they will offer bonus bets for punters who are loyal when it comes to betting with them on a consistent basis.
Pros:
• Bonus bets
• Sign up offers
• Loyalty rewards
• Live Streaming
Cons:
• Can restrict punters
• Inflated odds can be misleading
• Scratching deductions are too high
Best Horse Racing Betting Bonuses
There are a host of Bonuses and Promotions when it comes to Horse Racing Betting. Bonus is king when it comes to engaging and enticing new punters to join because they want more for their money.
The main one punters want is Bonus Bets, especially with the first deposit, and a host of bookmakers provide that, as well as Odds Boosts, Free Bets and Bonus Bets on certain races. In terms of the leading bookmakers that provide these, the best are:
- Playa Bets: Live Streaming, Bonus Bets for Racing and when Depositing/Signing Up
- Bet365: Stack of racing offers, odds boosts and competitions for punters to sign up for
- 1xBet: Live Streaming is available as well as Sign Up Bonuses and Live Betting.
How To Bet On Horse Racing?
Betting on Horse Racing can be such a thrill and an exhilarating experience for people, whether you are a professional punter or someone who is new to the caper and is unsure how it all works. For those people, betting on Horse Racing can be done quite simply. Down below is a step-by-step guide on how to bet on Horse Racing.
- 1
Choose a bookmaker to bet with.
- 2
Sign Up and verify the account
- 3
Deposit into your betting account and depending on who you bet with, you will be eligible for bonus bets soon after depositing
- 4
Start betting and enjoy the thrill of Horse Racing.
How We Rank The Best Horse Racing Betting Sportsbooks?
The world of Horse Racing Betting is rapidly growing online, with a stack of bookmakers now having websites and apps to give punters the chance to bet on Horse Racing. We have our thoughts on who the leading bookmakers are, but the way that can be sorted out is explained down below.
Bonus Quality: As stated earlier, with the modern punter, Bonus is king. Punters want more for their money and having bonuses available when depositing is very exciting for new punters. Those that provide that are always going to be popular.
Features/Promotions: This is similar to Bonuses. Features and Promotions are important when it comes to betting on Horse Racing. Some websites will have Features and Promotions available on key races and race meetings, whether it be things such as Odds Boost, Bonus Back for 2nd/3rd and even a bet type such as a Same Race Multi.
User Experience: What we have found with Horse Racing betting sites is the difference, the stark difference, between a good website and a poor website. The poor sportsbooks have far too many graphics and the navigation process can be quite confusing. The reputable horse racing bookmakers have a simple, clean layout and are easy to use as to how to bet on Horse Racing. To go with that, the good ones make the verification process very simple and it only takes moments.
Payment Methods: There are some Horse Racing sportsbooks that are quite limited when it comes to the options they have available. The good sportsbooks have pretty much all the options you can think of available, whether it be credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfers, Buy Now Pay Later services and much more.
Customer Service: We've observed that some horse racing gambling sites may not meet the standards we expect, particularly in their customer service. When placing bets on a website, it's essential that the customer service team is knowledgeable and responsive to provide a positive experience.
Best Horse Racing Betting Offers
As has been discussed on a couple of occasions prior, punters in Horse Racing love to have offers available to them, by any means possible. Down below is a list of key Horse Racing Betting Offers.
Bonus Bets: The main one is Bonus Bets. This can be available to punters via a couple of ways, firstly via Deposits, where bookmakers will offer bonus bets with a Deposit, or they could offer bonus bets from certain races, where some bookmakers will offer a bonus if a horse gets beaten, or if it runs second or third.
Odds Boost: Punters love getting a better price when it comes to Horse Racing Betting so having the Odds Boost available is a big tick for a website. At a time in Horse Racing Betting when odds are important, getting the best available, even if via Odds Boost, is a big advantage and one that most punters take advantage of.
Live Streaming: It is an important component for betting websites and having Live Streaming available for Horse Racing is a big tick. Being able to bet and watch races at the same place is such an advantage for them given some of the other new Horse Racing Betting websites don't have streaming available.
Same Race Multis: The younger punters love having a multi. To start with, it was mainly around sport, but in recent times, Horse Racing was one of the only sports that kept going. With that, punters cottoned on to Same Race Multis, which has quickly become one of the more popular ways to bet, and some bookmakers have bonus offers with this betting option.
Double Your Winnings: While some Horse Racing Betting Bookmakers offer 2nd/3rd in Bonus if your runner doesn't win, some bookies will also provide an offer of Double Your Winnings in Bonus Bets if your horse greets the judge first. This sort of offer isn't available to many, so do your research when it comes to finding that offer, but it's one to take advantage of.
Major Horse Races To Bet On
Whilst most rostered punters will bet on any Horse Race that is available to bet on, there are some punters who just stick to betting on major races, and down below is a key list of Major Horse Races To Bet On.
Kentucky Derby
The most iconic race in America and one of the most famous worldwide. Betting on this race is mainly for the once-a-year punters who fancy a flutter. The race is one where value can be found, with horses 10/1 or better having a good record, and the vast majority of bookmakers will have offers/promotions available.
Preakness Stakes
The second leg of the US Triple Crown with the Kentucky Derby being the main form reference in finding the winner of the Preakness. Much like the Derby, bookmakers will have bonus offers/promotions available for this iconic race.
Belmont Stakes
The third and final leg of the US Triple Crown and the race is quite testing with the distance for the three-year-olds. This race can throw up a rough result, sometimes with the form being away from the opening two legs of the Triple Crown. Again, most bookmakers will have bonus offers/promotions available.
Breeders Cup Classic
The Breeders Cup is one of the great Carnivals of world Horse Racing and the showpiece is the Breeders Cup Classic. Most bookmakers will have bonus offers/promotions available. The race is generally won by a horse that has a high world ranking and loves racing on the dirt, with leading US trainers having a great record in the race.
Types of Horse Racing For Online Betting
It's not just Horse Racing that is available for punters when it comes to Online Horse Racing Betting, with other forms of Horse Racing being available to bet on, as explained down below.
Thoroughbred Racing: This is the most popular form of betting from a Horse Racing perspective. Most online bookmakers will have Thoroughbred Racing to bet on from right around the world, including the US, Europe, Asia and even Australia.
Jumps Racing: Jumps Racing is a form of Horse Racing Betting that is fraught with danger for some given that a mistake from a horse could result in a fall and they are run over longer distances. With that, it means that some horses may struggle to run out of the trip. Generally speaking, Jumps Racing is best seen in the UK, mainly at famous race tracks such as Cheltenham and Aintree.
Harness Racing: It is also known as Standardbred Racing, and is in a similar boat to Jumps Racing. Mistakes can happen and that puts pay to the chances of respective runners. There are two forms of Harness Racing. There is Pacing and Trotting, with Trotting the one where mistakes happen more often compared to Pacing.
Benefits of Online Horse Race Betting
Online Horse Race Betting is rapidly growing worldwide and it's easy to see why given betting on Horse Racing has never been easier. Here is a list of advantages and benefits in regards to betting on Horse Racing.
Promotions: As we have said several times, Promotions are king for the modern punter, and having them available for Horse Racing is a great advantage to have when betting and very enticing for people who are looking to bet.
Live Streaming: It is an important component of betting. Being able to bet and watch races at the same place is such an advantage. Unfortunately, not all bookmakers have this available, which is disappointing.
Odds Boost: Already been discussed but it is such a key benefit when it comes to Betting on Horse Racing. Punters are always looking for the best price available so having an Odds Boost to get the better odds for their horse is always enticing.
Bonus Offers: Most bookies will offer Bonus in a variety of ways, either via depositing, certain races that provide a bonus for finishing second or third, or just getting beat outright. Punters love getting more for their money so having a bonus available is a big tick.
Top Horse Racing Bet Types
Win: Easiest and most popular form of betting. It explains itself really; Just back the horse that greets the judge first.
Place: Not quite as simplistic as the Win option, but it's pretty straightforward. Your horse has to finish first or second in order for your Place bet to be a winning one.
Show: This option is designed for punters in the US, and those outside the States may not be familiar with it. A Show bet refers to a wager placed on a horse that finishes in the top three, with the payout typically lower than that of a Win or Place bet.
Exacta: This Horse Racing Bet option sees the punter selecting the horse that finishes first and second, in the correct order.
Trifecta: A Trifecta is where the punter selects the correct finishing order of first, second and third. There are different forms of Trifecta betting, where punters can stand a runner out to finish in a certain position of the first three to collect. Or, box a certain number of horses up to get a slice of the dividend if successful.
Quinella: A Quinella bet is pretty much the same as an Exacta bet, but with the Quinella, the finishing order doesn't matter. You just have to find the first or second.
Pari-mutuel Wagering: This form of wagering is more commonly known as 'Tote Betting', where the betting pool by the wagering provider is divided up by winning punters and that is calculated into a dividend.
Fixed Odds Betting: Fixed Odds Betting is where punters back a horse at a certain price and they will get that price versus Pari-mutuel Betting where you don't really know what odds you have got until after the race, if you've won.
Horse Racing Betting Sites Comparison
Finding a good website to bet on Horse Racing is very important, especially when it comes to new punters and being undecided as to where to sign up. There are a number of factors that are important for that, firstly the Website/App. Is it easy to navigate and simple to sign up to? Then there is Live Streaming, which we have discussed as being a very important component. The Support/Customer Service side of things is very important and lastly, but one of the main key factors, is the odds, and whether they are appealing from a punting perspective.
Down below is a table of what we think are 10 of the best bookies and whether it's a Yes (Y) or a No (N) for the factors mentioned above.
| Bookmaker | App | Streaming | Support | Odds |
| Bet365 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| 1xBet | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 10Bet | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| GgBet | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Melbet | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 1Win | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| BetWinner | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Bettlit | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Betfred | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Midnite | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Popular Horse Racing Betting Payment Methods
Having different Payment Methods is very important when it comes to Horse Racing Betting because there is a wide range of punters that are betting. With that, bookmakers, the good ones, have a wide range of payment methods. Down below are the popular Payment Methods and why they are indeed popular.
| Payment Provider | Availability | Bonus Eligibilty | Speed | Fees | Security |
| Debit Cards | High | High | Medium | Low | High |
| Bank Transfer | High | High | Low | Low | High |
| E-Wallets | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
| Prepaid Cards | Low | Medium | High | Low | High |
| Crypto | Low | High | High | Medium | High |
Best Crypto Horse Racing Betting Sites
As we just said, Crypto probably doesn't have the pull and popularity it once had say 2-3 years ago but with big punters, it is still there and popular with them. As to which websites are best for allowing Crypto, the leading ones we have come across are:
Horse Racing Live Betting
Live Betting on Horse Racing is where punters can bet on the race in the run and back a horse that they think is going well and can win during the race. This form of betting is getting more and more popular over time. Here are some popular Horse Racing Bookmakers with Live Betting features.
- Bet365
- 1xBet
- 1Win
What is meant by Horse Racing Betting Odds?
Horse Racing Betting Odds can mean many things. Basically, it means a price for the punter and their wager. There is Pari-mutuel Betting and Fixed Odds Betting.
Pari-mutuel betting is where the betting pool by the wagering provider is divided up by winning punters and that is calculated into a dividend. Fixed Odds Betting sees punters take a price for a horse and that is the price they will get no matter what happens with betting, whether it gets shorter in betting or drifts out.
Why You Should Go for a UKGC-Licensed Betting Site
Firstly, it's vital to know that you should only use horseracing betting sites which have a license from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). These licensed sites work under the rules that guarantee that you do not risk your money in any way and that the odds are real. It also covers safe gambling which includes measures to ensure you do not cross your limits. Moreover, these sites are visited rather often, so you can be sure they are honest. Thus, by choosing only a site that has a UKGC license, you can watch the races without thinking about your safety.
Responsible Betting
Responsible Betting is more and more important, especially in the modern world and mental health. If a punter continues to lose and is betting more than they can afford, then they can get into a dark spot and most bookmakers are very good when it comes to helping problem gamblers.
Conclusion
Betting on Horse Racing is one of the most enjoyable activities you can have in life. There are advantages and disadvantages to it, but that can be said about everything in life.
If you do your research properly and bet accordingly, within your reasonable budget, then it's very fun and hopefully, our comprehensive look at Betting on Horse Racing has helped.
FAQs
The Morning Line is the early market setting for a respective race whereas the actual odds are the proper odds come closer to post time when more money is invested.
If done properly and responsibly, yes.
Advanced deposit wagering is a form of gambling in which the punter must fund their account before being allowed to place bets.
This is Off Track Betting, where it is basically wagering away from the race track, aka betting online or in betting shops.
Bet365 provides relatively the best horse race betting odds.
Virtual Horse Racing Betting is where punters can bet on virtual/computer-generated Horse Races, which is provided by a host of Horse Racing Websites.
The best way to get a big collection is via the exotic betting options, mainly a Pick 4 or a Pick 6, where you have to pick 4 or 6 winners in selected races on a racecard.