Horse racing is one of the oldest sports known to man. It’s also one of the oldest sports people have placed their money on. In today’s digital era, you don’t need to go to the races to place your bets. I have the best international horse racing betting sites in one spot, where you can bet on UK, US, Ireland, UAE, and Australia-based competitions.
Rebecca is a Liverpool gal and a big fan of the club. She likes nothing more than sharing tips and predictions on sports betting. Her other favorite sports include horse racing, snooker, and golf. Rebecca is in charge of writing and media at BetZillion. You can thank her for making our articles look so great.
The best horse racing bookmakers online are ranked and reviewed for convenience in my article. I will guide you to the best sportsbooks where you can put your money on the top races, including Cheltenham, Preakness Stakes, and action from tracks around the USA.
List of Online Horse Racing Bookmakers
I have worked hard to deliver the top horse racing online bookies to bet on all the major competitions and lesser-known events. After thoroughly examining the website, every sportsbook review has been carefully written. As a result, you get a list of trusted sportsbooks with plenty of surprises up their sleeves.
Why bet on your PC or laptop when you can do it on the go anytime you like? The best horse betting sites will have downloadable apps that make betting online more effortless than ever. It’s fast and way more convenient, and it may come with special offers or boosts that will amplify the experience.
Mobile betting apps are all the rage these days. While not all sites have them, the top ones certainly do. They are usually available from the respective Android and iOS app stores and can be downloaded in seconds. Once you install them, and that’s as easy as it gets, you’ll be immersed in a world of mobile bets and possibly great mobile offers.
You only need an Internet connection and an active betting account at that particular bookmaker.
The only problem is that not all bookies have apps. Even if they don’t, they have mobile websites that work just as well as the desktop versions. The best betting app for horse racing has the same layout and design, so you won’t have trouble accessing and using them on your phones.
Keep in mind that not all horse racing sites on the internet offer live streaming, and where it is available, it is open to registered users only.
Fantasy Horse Racing Gambling Sites
Fantasy betting on sports is highly popular these days, and horse racing is no exception. Many horse racing online betting sites add fantasy horse contests where you bet on two horses in the races, hoping for a good return. Points are picked up depending on your picks’ performances. They don’t necessarily need to win – sometimes, even a show would be great.
The Best Horse Racing Online Bookmakers in the US 🇺🇸
Bookmakers in the US offer an impressive selection of betting markets. The legalization of sports betting in many states of the US has contributed to this market’s astonishing growth.
State
Online Betting
Retail Betting
Arizona
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Arkansas
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Colorado
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Connecticut
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Delaware
No ❌
Yes ✅
Illinois
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Indiana
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Iowa
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Kansas
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Kentucky
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Louisiana
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Maine
Yes ✅
No ❌
Maryland
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Massachusetts
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Michigan
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Mississippi
No ❌
Yes ✅
Montana
No ❌
Yes ✅
Nevada
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
New Hampshire
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
New Jersey
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
New Mexico
No ❌
Yes ✅
New York
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Ohio
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Oregon
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Pennsylvania
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Rhode Island
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
South Dakota
No ❌
Yes ✅
Tennessee
Yes ✅
No ❌
Vermont
Yes ✅
No ❌
Virginia
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
West Virginia
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Wisconsin
No ❌
Yes ✅
Wyoming
Yes ✅
No ❌
Moreover, the availability of mobile apps and reputed sports betting platforms has made the betting market much more accessible to the US audience. The best horse racing betting sites in the USA are Bovada, Everygame, Betwhale, XBet, and BetAnySports. So, with so many options available, choosing the best site can feel a bit complicated. If you are wondering where to start, here are some of the best ones.
The Best Sportsbooks for Horse Racing Betting in the UK 🇬🇧
The betting scene in the United Kingdom is no less impressive than that of the USA. With great names like William Hill and Bet365, the UK betting scenario is just as noteworthy.
Statista reports that among the top European sports betting markets, the United Kingdom accounted for 23% of that industry in 2021.
Horse betting sites in the UK have extensive betting options, and punters are expected to witness a well-regulated, fair gameplay with consumer protection. With a rich history in betting, UK betting markets are guaranteed to provide players with some of the best sports wagering experiences in the top-rated sites that offer advanced and innovative betting experiences.
7 Best Horse Racing Bookies by Category
So, now that you are familiar with the top betting sites based on countries, let’s look at the best bookies by category. This will include the best and most notable features and a list of the sites’ pros and cons.
Each site mentioned here is unique and has attractive features that distinguish it from the rest. With this, the user can find the right place to bet based on what they are looking for.
Feature
Sportsbook
Available in the UK 🇬🇧
Available in the US 🇺🇸
Best Betting Site ⭐
bet365
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Best for Bonuses 🎁
William Hill
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Best Horse Betting App 📱
Bovada
No ❌
Yes ✅
Best for Live Betting 🔴
Unibet
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
High Payout Bookie 💰
Solisbet
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Safe Bookmaker 🛡️
Betway
Yes ✅
Yes ✅
Best Odds 🎲
Betfair
Yes ✅
No ❌
Bet365 is the Best Horse Racing Betting Site ⭐
Bet365 Website
When it comes to choosing the ultimate betting site, Bet365 is an easy bet. This British gaming site has been around since 2000, and its popularity has steadily increased through the years.
The platform is an ideal all-rounder with a wide variety of betting markets and types of games, great promotions, user-friendly navigational features, and excellent customer support. Comparing all the features, both the good and bad, Bet365 emerges at the very top.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Wide range of markets and areas of bettings
Best odds are guaranteed
The mobile app has excellent navigability with a great user experience
Good bet boosts and super boosts
Both partial cash-out and automatic cash-out are excellent
If the promise of bonuses is something that attracts you, William Hill is just the site to try. Founded by and named after the same person, William Hill first came into existence in 1934, making it one of the oldest betting companies.
The company has expanded over the years and now has a prominent place in many other locations worldwide, including Australia and the USA. As of now, William Hill’s sportsbook has more than 30 sports. And while you cannot live stream football games on William Hill, you can still watch and enjoy a lot of UK and Irish horse racing events on their William Hill TV.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Easy navigability of the site and app
Great customer services
Provides detailed and helpful information for their users
Particularly looking for a place to bet on horse races? The Bovada betting site is just what you are looking for. Even though it has a wide range of options, like casino games and football matches, the Bovada betting app is the home of the best horse race bettors.
You might have noticed that most sites offering horse race betting options are more focused on casinos. But with Bovada, you can place your wagers on a site primarily focused on horse races.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Offers more and better bonuses compared to many other sites
Unibet is the Best Horse Racing Bookmaker for Live Betting 🔴
Unibet Website
If the live betting aspect of the gambles thrills you, Unibet is just the site to visit to place your wagers. This site will reward you with a real-time experience and let you enjoy the games to the fullest.
A part of Kindred Group, Unibet has offices in both the big cities of London and New York. Since its launch in 1999, the company has continued to grow, with the introduction of its live betting service in 2003 and the mobile site in the following year. The mobile version has outstanding navigational features that further help with the exciting aspects of live betting.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Attractive bonuses for both new and existing users
Very competitive odds
Great welcome bonus
Mobile app with good navigability and user experience
Multiple free-to-play games
Live streaming with in-play betting
CONS
Limited winnings
Their cash-out options on sports are lesser compared to other sites
Solisbet is the Highest Payout Bookie for Horse Racing 💰
Solisbet Website
While having fun is the most important part of betting games, good payouts are no less important. Most users are here to win, making high payouts an attractive feature for betting sites.
So, if bagging the highest possible payout is your priority, you should try your luck at Solisbet. The platform has quickly become a favorite among bettors, with a great range of games sourced from several industry-leading software providers.
With a vast and impressive collection of sports and live dealer experiences, exclusive sportsbooks, and big welcome bonuses, SolisBet has firmly established its reputation among the top betting sites.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Deposit and withdrawal options with cryptocurrency
Exclusive sportsbook
Significant minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits
In a world of fraud and cybercrimes, customers always look for sites promising top security. Unless a user can trust the company with their own safety, they will not be comfortable providing their personal details or bank account information necessary for making payments and withdrawals.
The Betway site and app are famous for their safety measures in all transactions related to betting deposits and withdrawals.
Since its origin in 2006, this site has become a trusted home for placing bets. Along with that, it offers users access to a growing platform of betting markets, great odds, and safe payment options. They also come with excellent 24/7 customer support and that can address all the queries and grievances of the bettors very quickly.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Top-notch safety and security measures
Multiple global accredited licenses
Wide range of betting markets
Simple and easy-to-understand online sportsbook & app
Mobile app with great navigational features and user interface
24/7 customer support
CONS
Lesser welcome bonus compared to other sites
While its mobile site is excellent, the desktop version needs improvement
Most users look for places where they feel the chances of winning are the best. With Betfair, the odds will likely be in your favor.
Operating one of the biggest betting exchanges, this British firm was founded in 2000. Along with the UK, Betfair has expanded to the USA and Australia. The site offers all genres of betting that you can imagine – horse racing, football matches, and live games!
PROS
CONS
PROS
Generally market leading odds with a considerable market coverage
Detailed guides with expert tips and tutorials
You can lay selections to act as a bookie yourself
By understanding which categories each site excels in, you can choose the right one for yourself.
The top betting sites worldwide deliver you the best possible experience. However, based on things like live gaming, payouts, bonuses, and safety measures, we can compare these sites.
As you can gather from the list, each of the sites is perfect for their unique offers.
While Betway is the safest bet for security, the chances of best odds are with Betfair. So, think about which of the features is the best for you, and choose the perfect site for yourself accordingly.
Free bets and sign-up bonuses are among the best things when betting with the Internet. Online bookmakers offer many bonuses and promotions to keep you on your toes when betting on the top events. Free bets are usually handed out by the top horse racing betting sites, with each offshore bookmaker also offering a nice welcome bonus.
Kick off your new GTbets.ag account with our top-rated CASH sign up bonus. Make your first deposit to receive a 100% cash bonus up to $500, and then 50% up to $250 on your second deposit. Full T&Cs apply.
Earn a 50% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000 on your first-ever deposit at Jazz Sports. Use Promo Code JAZZ50 and your extra 50% will be added to your sports betting balance. Full T&Cs apply
All our recommended bookmakers are licensed and safe.
My guide will tell you how to claim those offers and get the best ones. Not all free bets and sign-up bonuses are the same. Just because a reward is large doesn’t mean it’s fair. I recommend the best ones in this guide to top up your bankroll without spending money out of pocket.
Getting sign-up bonuses and free bets usually requires you to sign up and make a deposit. You must also make your first bet and settle it at some online horse race betting sites. The conditions will be written right beneath the bonus to let you know what you need to understand to get your hands on the extra money.
Keep in mind that these offers rarely come for free. Nothing is ever free at a gambling site. The good news is that I have ranked the top proposals with the fairest terms, so you never make the wrong choice. I have the top bonuses and free bets for dummies you can use to bet on the top races.
How Does Horse Racing Betting Work?
In the past, you had to go to the races to place bets, but online, things are different. The best bookmakers for horse racing will have odds on major and minor events, including pre-match and live betting odds and many offers that look too exciting to pass up.
Before placing your bets, you must register at a bookmaker first. It means going through my list and choosing one, then listing the horse racing section. Find the track you want to bet on and click on the odds to add it to your slip. It’s that simple, even for beginners.
At the same time, most betting sites for horses offer a slew of expert predictions that should make things much easier for you. With them, you’ll learn how to choose exotic bets, a daily double, or match betting.
How to Bet on Horse Racing
Online betting is very easy in 2024. You can do it from your PC, phone, or tablet, and if you sign up at the best betting sites for horse racing on my list, you won’t have trouble, even if you’re new to the game. And while that portion is accessible, winning your bets is a bit harder. Read the instructions below to learn how betting works and how to win.
Join the best horse racing sportsbook from my list – this should be pretty easy;
Claim a free bet if there is any (or a welcome bonus);
Place your first bet;
Wait for the race to end;
Choose a payment to withdraw and get your money!
Now, regarding how to bet and win, that’s a whole different thing. You must read tips and predictions frequently to learn the ropes and bet successfully. You will also need to learn betting strategies to raise your chances of winning.
Odds
Horse racing is not exclusive to the UK, but the oldest tracks are tied to the UK and Ireland. Thanks to that, it’s a prevalent sport in those countries and is usually represented with fractional odds. The best bookies for horse racing will have a simple toggle to help you switch them to what you please. You can see races in Texas or Connecticut in American odds or bet on fractional odds on UK races. As I said, the top bookies will have a simple odds toggle to make things easy. If you’re wondering where bookmakers get their odds, they do it after the track announces them before the races.
Live Betting
There are plenty of various bets that you should be aware of. I’m not just talking about pre-race odds; live bets are even better. Among the different bets, live bets may be the best.
Live betting allows you to watch the races live and place your bets while the event is on. It’s much more exciting than any other type of bet. In-play odds constantly change, so you’ll need to be quick on your feet to act accordingly. Live betting sites often include streaming, so you don’t constantly lose track of what’s happening.
Most Popular Competitions
Since horse racing is far more popular in the UK, it makes perfect sense for the most popular races. However, the top races in the world include some in the USA and France. The Dubai World Cup holds merit, too, being the world’s richest competition. The Australian Gold Cup must also be among the best horse races in history.
However, the events I have for you below are considered the crème de la crème in horse racing.
Grand National: the premier horse race in the UK and possibly the world, the Grand National takes place every April at the Aintree racecourse. The field contains over 40 horses running for the ultimate prize. It’s one of the most popular races to bet on as well. It’s the best way to bet regardless if you’re new or a seasoned punter, thanks to the excellent odds year in and year out.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: the ultimate French horse race, the Arc has a long history dating back to the 1920s. It is open to horses aged three and over every first Sunday in October. Even today, the Arc manages to bring Europe to a standstill when it starts.
Kentucky Derby: horse racing is pretty big in the USA, thanks to the Kentucky Derby. It’s one of the most famous competitions ever and the most featured event at online bookmakers for horse racing. Often called the fastest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby has been a site of miraculous betting wins in the past.
Many other famous races in Japan, Canada, and other tracks deserve to be called the greatest. However, these three races are at the top.
Horse Racing Bet Types
There are plenty of different types of bets you should know. I’ve put the top ones below so you don’t scratch your head when you see them at the horse racing gambling websites.
Win
Also known as a straight bet or single allows you to pick the horse you believe will win the race (hence the name).
Place
When you bet on a horse to place, you’re putting your money that the horse finishes first or second.
Show
A show bet means collecting a payout if your horse finishes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. It concludes a trio of popular bets at all seasoned and horse racing betting websites.
Exotic
Exotic bets refer to a prevalent group of special bets that involve betting on several horses rather than just one.
Daily Double
This bet allows you to predict the winner of 2 consecutive races. It costs double, with the minimum set at $1 or $2 at the best online horse racing betting sites.
Pick 3, 4, 5, 6
A pick 3, for example, bet allows you to select the winner in three consecutive races. Betting on pick 4, 5, or 6 is the same as the corresponding number of events.
Exacta
Exacta is a pari-mutuel bet, and you can win if you predict the first two finishers in the official order.
Quinella
The Quinella bet allows you to pick two horses finishing in the first and second spots.
Trifecta
Like the Quinella, the Trifecta allows you to bet on three horses you believe will finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Superfecta
A variation of the Trifecta bet, the Superfecta, allows you to predict the first four finishers on the track.
A Brief Guide to Horse Racing Matched Betting
Matched betting involves placing opposing wagers on the same event twice, often with a free bet and the other with the bettor’s funds. The goal is to have an advantage irrespective of the result of the event. For horse racing, matched betting entails placing a lay and a back bet on the same event with different horse racing bet sites to generate a profit, regardless of which wager is successful. Matched betting typically includes the following steps:
Choose a race.
Locate a horse race bookie that provides free bets at specified odds.
Place your wager.
Say, a lay bet.
After locating another bookmaker offering the same game at comparable or identical odds, you place an opposite bet (e.g., a back bet) with an equivalent or nearly similar amount of staking as the lay bet.
Undoubtedly, one of the wagers will be successful, while the other bet will lead to a loss. The wagerer will then deduct the lost amount from the profits generated from the correct bet. However, the bettor will only profit if the returns from the rightful bet are greater than the amount staked and lost in the wrong bet.
To illustrate, suppose Bookmaker A offers you a complementary bet of £20 to stake on an event and use that free bet to place the wager on a specific horse to win the race at 4.5 odds. On the other hand, you find another Bookmaker B and place another #20 bet on the same horse to lose at the same event, this time, with 4.0 odds.
If the win bet on Bookmaker A succeeds, you will make a total of £90, while you lose the £20 wagered on Bookmaker B. The result is that you have £70 as net profit.
Matched betting rules permit the practice, so you’re not breaking the law when you make opposite bets simultaneously. However, horse racing betting companies discourage you from doing this as it often violates their terms and conditions; you may face penalties if they learn about your matched betting activities. You can take the following precautions so they don’t discover your matched betting:
Use different bookmakers – Using multiple sportsbooks, no single bookie will notice any suspicious activity from your accounts.
Place normal casual bets – Occasionally, place small, casual bets that are not matched wagers so bookmakers don’t notice any patterns that will suggest your involvement in matched betting.
Use different IP addresses – Changing your IP address will prevent sports betting companies from tracing dubious acts to you. Since you cannot change locations when making bets, using a strong VPN service is the best way to disguise your IP.
Bottom Line
Horse racing is a noble sport punters have been betting on for centuries. Here are a few interesting facts about it you should know:
The most popular events are the Kentucky Derby, the Grand National, the Gold Cup, the Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot, Cheltenham, and the Breeders Cup;
Horse racing is Britain’s second-favorite sport after football;
Racing contributes billions to the UK’s economy every year.
I hope my guide helped you learn more about betting on this sport. I have scanned the market deeply for the best online bookies for horse racing, giving you an overview of the latest odds, and free bets you can use to win big.
Give it a read if you want to learn more about the Sport of Kings and place your first bet – if you’re good at it, you can win a nice sum in return.
Rebecca is a Liverpool gal and a big fan of the club. She likes nothing more than sharing tips and predictions on sports betting. Her other favorite sports include horse racing, snooker, and golf. Rebecca is in charge of writing and media at BetZillion. You can thank her for making our articles look so great.
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