Cheltenham Festival is a four-day horse racing event held in the United Kingdom and one of the world’s most prestigious festivals. Not only is the Festival known for welcoming some of the best horses and jockeys, but it’s also a trendy destination for sports bettors.
Top 3 bookmakers for betting on Cheltenham Festival
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.
There is a perfect reason why the Cheltenham Festival attracts thousands of bettors each year, and there are good reasons why anyone should try betting on it at least once. If you’ve never done it before, you’ve come to the right place, as this guide covers everything you need to know to choose the best Cheltenham betting sites.
List of the Best Cheltenham Festival Betting Sites ⭐
First, you need to register with a bookie that will accept your wagers. Finding an online bookmaker is simple, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind when picking betting sites.
Good online horse race bookmakers need to have solid betting odds, offers of gambling markets, and preferably betting offers and bonuses. So the best betting sites for Cheltenham races need to check all these marks, and it’s always a plus if they offer mobile betting apps.
List of the Best Cheltenham Betting Apps 📱
Betting apps are an excellent tool for anyone who wishes to bet on the go, anytime and anywhere. Due to its usefulness, as of 2024, betting apps have become more of an industry standard rather than an added feature. So, while picking a bookmaker, make sure first to check whether it has a mobile betting app available.
Admittedly, you can still wager via a mobile browser; however, betting apps are often much more efficient, work better, and have added features that make your life easier. Some horse race bookmakers will even have special offers for Cheltenham Festival betting for those using the betting apps, so they’re definitely worth using.
Check out my list of the best betting apps for Cheltenham races.
The Best Bookmakers for Cheltenham Festival in the US 🇺🇸
The United States sports market is the fastest growing in the world. In the short time that states were allowed to legalize sports betting in 2018, the market has grown immensely. According to Statista, in 2024, its annual revenue is projected to reach around $14.30 billion, with a CAGR of 10.73% from 2024 to 2029. Although the Cheltenham Festival is less popular in the US, dedicated fans still enjoy betting on this iconic horse racing event.
American sportsbooks like BetUS offer excellent coverage for Cheltenham, featuring competitive odds, early lines, and live streaming. BetUS stands out for its VIP program, where users earn rewards like free bets and merchandise. New customers can also enjoy generous bonuses, including a 100% welcome bonus of up to $2,000.
bet365 is another great option for US punters who follow Cheltenham. Known for its live betting features, it allows members to bet in real time with various in-play options and access to detailed stats. Bet365’s user-friendly interface, low minimum deposits, and diverse betting options make it a reliable choice for both casual and experienced bettors. It also provides live streaming, so users can watch the races as they unfold, enhancing their betting experience. The range of traditional and digital payment options further adds to its appeal.
Check out my list of the best bookmakers licensed by state authorities in different states.
The US market is undoubtedly huge. However, there are still limited available sportsbooks compared to the global scene. If you need more legit options to bet on Cheltenham Festival, I’ve got you covered with the offshore bookies below.
The UK sports betting market is well-established, with betting legalized since the 1960s. Revenue in 2024 is estimated to be around $10.87 billion, with a steady growth rate of 2.90% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. Cheltenham Festival is one of the most anticipated horse racing events in the UK, drawing an average attendance of 65,000 fans. Beyond physical attendance, many fans turn to online sportsbooks to place their bets, enjoying a variety of betting markets and features.
William Hill is a top choice for UK bettors, offering lucrative bonuses and a range of pre-match and live betting options. The standout feature is its Bet Builder, which lets punters customize bets for a more personalized experience. Enhanced odds and promotions like the 2 Up bonus give users extra value, while the platform’s smooth interface and reliable app ensure ease of use. The minimum deposit is as low as £5, with payment options ranging from bank cards to e-wallets like PayPal.
Betfair is the best for those looking to trade bets on a betting exchange. It allows users to bet against each other, often resulting in better odds and more flexibility. Features like Cash Out, Price Rush, and Acca Edge further enhance the betting experience. Betfair’s platform is designed for both new and seasoned punters, and the app makes it easy to manage bets on the go.
Bet on the Cheltenham Festival with peace of mind. My recommended UKGC-licensed bookmakers offer fantastic odds, promotions, and live betting features. Check below to see my complete list.
Looking for more options beyond UKGC-licensed platforms? Check out my list of reliable offshore Cheltenham Festival bookies for UK punters who want greater variety and bigger rewards.
Betway is one of the best bookies for Cheltenham Festival for many reasons. It offers a diverse range of betting options, from simple win and place bets to advanced accumulators and extras, catering to both beginners and seasoned punters. Betway’s odds are particularly attractive due to their low margins, meaning better returns on your stakes. Plus, early line releases ensure you get the best prices before the odds fluctuate. Daily Betway Boosts enhance odds across various events, including pre-match and in-play bets, giving more value to your wagers.
Betway’s live betting experience is top-notch, featuring real time stats and analysis to guide your decisions. Additionally, the live streaming option lets you watch the action unfold, enhancing the thrill.
The minimum deposit and withdrawal is $/£10, with payment methods including bank cards, PayPal, and online banking, making transactions simple and accessible. UK newcomers get a £10 free bet after placing a minimum £10 wager, while US users can enjoy a tailored welcome bonus.
Aside from horse racing, Betway offers bets on over 25 sports markets, ensuring variety. For those who like to bet on the go, the Betway mobile app is available on both the Google Play Store and the App Store, providing a seamless experience wherever you are.
William Hill is one of the oldest bookmakers, and it remains a top contender for Cheltenham Festival betting. It offers a variety of pre-match and live betting options, ensuring you can find a market that suits your style. One standout feature is the Bet Builder, allowing punters to customize their bets by combining different selections, which increases potential payouts and adds a personalized touch to your wagering. Plus, the live streaming service ensures you never miss the action.
Beyond horse racing, William Hill covers 30+ sports markets, from football and tennis to niche sports like darts and snooker. This variety makes it a versatile choice for those who enjoy different types of betting.
The platform is renowned for its excellent bonuses. New UK punters can grab a £20 Vegas Bonus and an additional £40 after placing a £10 bet, while US users can take advantage of a bet $50, get $50 offer. Enhanced odds and the 2 Up bonus (payout if your team leads by 2 goals) are just some of the daily perks available.
The app is available for Android and iOS, making it easy to claim promotions and place bets from anywhere. With a minimum deposit of £/$5 and payments through cards, Skrill, PayPal, and more, William Hill ensures a smooth and user-friendly experience.
bet365 was launched in 2000 and has carved out a strong reputation, particularly for its live betting options. It’s a standout choice for Cheltenham Festival fans who enjoy in-play betting, offering a variety of real time wagers that keep you engaged throughout the race. bet365 also excels in pre-event markets, with diverse options like each-way, exacta, and trifecta bets, providing ample choices for both new and experienced punters. During events, you can bet on key moments, with options such as next to finish, winning distance, and more.
To help you make informed decisions, bet365 offers comprehensive stats, including jockey performance, horse speed, and track conditions. This ensures you’re betting with all the necessary information. Live streaming is another highlight, allowing you to watch races directly on the website or mobile app. The cash out feature gives you control, letting you close bets early with full, partial, or automatic options.
Outside of Cheltenham, bet365 covers 25+ sports, making it a well-rounded betting platform. It supports deposits starting at $10 or £5, with options including bank cards, PaySafeCard, Skrill, and more. New users receive a $/£30 bet credit after depositing and wagering a minimum of $/£10. Support is available 24/7 via email and live chat, ensuring help is always on hand.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Has a live streaming option.
Cash out tool is available on pre-match and live events.
Solisbet, launched in 2023, is ideal for high-stakes punters seeking substantial payouts. It offers a maximum monthly payout limit of $100,000, making it one of the best options for bettors looking to deposit and withdraw large sums. Besides Cheltenham Festival betting, Solisbet covers 15 other sports markets, including football, tennis, baseball, darts, and Esports. The pre-match section features straightforward bets, while the live betting section includes options with low margins and flexible wagering choices, ensuring you can adjust your strategy as the action unfolds.
Solisbet also offers live streaming, allowing you to watch events in real time and make informed in-play bets.
The minimum deposit is $10, making it accessible for more conservative punters as well. Payment options include Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, and G2A vouchers. For those who prefer cryptocurrency, Solisbet accepts Bitcoin, USDT, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum, which allows for fast, anonymous transactions — an added perk for privacy-conscious bettors.
New users can claim a 100% deposit bonus up to $100, while crypto enthusiasts get weekly cashback of up to 9%, capped at $400.
A detailed FAQ section covers essential topics, and 24/7 customer support is available via live chat for any issues or inquiries.
Betfair revolutionized the industry as the pioneer of betting exchanges, which allows users to bet against each other instead of a traditional bookmaker. This model often results in better odds and more control, as you can choose to back (bet for) or lay (bet against) outcomes, offering more flexibility during the Cheltenham Festival. With Betfair, you’re not just betting; you’re trading, and that can mean higher returns.
Innovative features like Cash Out, Price Rush, and Acca Edge make Betfair a top choice. Cash Out allows you to secure profits or cut losses by closing your bet early. Price Rush automatically enhances odds on certain bets, maximizing potential wins. Acca Edge offers insurance, giving you a refund on accumulators if one leg fails, adding a layer of security to your multi-bets.
While betting starts at $1 — higher than some — but being an exchange, the value often justifies it. The minimum deposit and withdrawal is £10, with payments via cards, PayPal, and bank transfer.
Betfair’s app is optimized for both Android and iOS, making it easy to manage your bets on the move.
Support is available through email and live chat, and the site offers guides to help you understand how betting exchanges work.
Jackbit is a top choice for those who prefer using cryptocurrencies for Cheltenham Festival betting. It offers competitive odds and a variety of bet options, from standard win bets to advanced features like bet builders and cash out tools. Jackbit also excels in live betting, with a live streaming feature that allows punters to watch races directly, making it easier to adjust in-play bets. Beyond horse racing, Jackbit supports over 30 sports, including popular Esports titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Rocket League, offering over 2,000 events daily.
One of the main advantages of Jackbit is its cryptocurrency support. Alongside traditional payment methods like bank cards and transfers, it accepts Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and a dozen other digital currencies. This means faster transactions and enhanced privacy, with no need to share sensitive banking details. The minimum deposit is low, making it accommodating for both low-stakes bettors and high rollers.
New users get a no-risk welcome bonus of up to $100, ideal for easing into Cheltenham betting. Additional perks include a free bet on every three qualifying bets and a 10% cashback up to $100 for acca bettors if one leg fails.
Support is accessible via email and live chat, ensuring help is always within reach.
BetUS has a long-standing reputation as a premium bookmaker as it was launched in 1994. The bookie offers bets on over 100 leagues, including popular sports like NFL, NHL, NBA, and MMA. It’s also a top pick for Cheltenham Festival betting, known for impressive odds and low-margin pricing, which boosts potential winnings. The pre-match section is extensive, with options like win, place, each-way, and forecast bets. BetUS also has excellent in-play features, allowing you to make bets as the race progresses, and even provides live streaming for select events.
Aside from Cheltenham, BetUS covers over 25 sports markets, so fans looking for variety will find plenty of options. BetUS stands out in its VIP experience, rewarding punters with player points for every wager. These points help you climb the VIP ranks and can be redeemed for free bets, merchandise, or even airline miles. Bettors are automatically enrolled in the loyalty program, so you start earning rewards from your first real-money bet.
New users receive a 100% bonus of up to $2,000 on their first three deposits or a 150% crypto bonus of up to $1,500, which applies to the next two deposits as well. Referral bonuses are generous, offering up to $3,000 in rewards.
The minimum deposit is $10 for crypto and $50 for fiat, and withdrawals start at $50, ensuring flexibility for all types of bettors.
Want an abbreviated version of the best online betting sites for Cheltenham Festival? Find the right bookie at a glance with this comparison table. The table shows you all the key details that could help pick the perfect sportsbook for you.
Finding a bookmaker that can provide you with the best betting offers will be a crucial step for anyone new to horse racing, mainly because bonuses and promotions are the easiest and most efficient ways to gain an edge. Depending on the bookmaker you choose, the offers will come in different shapes and sizes – even a free bet – so check the proposal.
The most common promotions will be odds boosts, added places for each-way betting, Acca boosts, reload bonuses, and even free bets. The odds quality should still be your main priority when picking a bookie, but don’t ignore the quality of the promotions either!
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.
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All our recommended bookmakers are licensed and safe.
How to Bet on Cheltenham Festival 💡
You should be familiar with all the basics of how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival, including identifying the best horse racing bookmakers and reading the latest odds and which bet types are available to you.
Now it’s time to put all that we’ve learned together and create a list of which steps you need to take before you place your first bets and succeed in betting on horse racing.
Find a bookmaker to provide you with competitive odds and enough market depth.
Consider registering at multiple bookies to take advantage of the promotions and be able to bet with the best odds.
An account with a betting exchange is advisable but unnecessary.
Always keep an eye out for the best Cheltenham offers bookies can offer you in the form of promotions and bonuses, which can be a valuable tool to gain an edge, especially if you’re a new customer.
Consider picking a bookmaker that provides in-play betting markets and has live streaming options.
Find a website that can provide valuable information, statistics, data, and betting predictions.
You can further expand your experience by exploring the special wagering markets. These provide an alternative way to bet on the event and might offer excellent betting opportunities, so specials are worth checking out for anyone making their picks.
Trainer
One of the more unusual wagers you can make is on trainers rather than on horses.
Cheltenham Festival does not have an event where the trainers would run. But instead, you can bet on which trainer will end the Festival with the most horses that emerge as the winner. Often, trainers bring several horses, and you can predict whose horses will be the most successful.
While very exciting, this bet type is not available to all horse racing bookmakers. But those that do have it will offer the odds under the “Outright” or “Special” sections, so double-check if the market is available.
If you want to find top trainer odds, your best bet is a known horse racing bookmaker William Hill.
Jockey
Betting on jockeys works very similarly to betting on trainers. You can wager on which jockey will win the most races in a single Cheltenham Festival, a bet available because some jockeys ride more than one horse in a single event.
If you’re looking for top jockey odds, those will often be available on known Cheltenham bookmakers such as William Hill or Paddy Power.
Horse
There are many ways you can bet on horses. Most commonly, you will wager on which horse will win any given race, so while you can bet on which horse will win the Gold Cup, there’s also an alternative way – by predicting which horse will win the most races.
Although it’s rare for horses to race at more than one race, some will, and if there are enough horses confirmed to race on multiple tracks, you can bet on their success.
Popular Bet Types
There are many betting offers and betting markets to explore. The most common bet types are to win or to place, but other great sports betting deals include a nice selection of exotic wagers, presenting a new challenge for those making their picks and much higher potential payouts.
Here are some of the most popular bet types you will encounter while visiting Coral, LVBet, Betfred, or any other horse racing bookmaker.
Win
To win or a single bet is the most common wager type and the simplest one to use. With it, you’re only predicting which horse will win the race. As the most common bet, “Win” is also the most popular among bettors, albeit it does not offer as much variety as other wager types.
Place
A “Place” bet in horse racing is similar to a top-x finish in motorsports betting. It’s essentially the same thing, albeit with a different name.
If you wager on a horse to place, you’re predicting that it will finish the race either first or second. Note that the number of places will vary depending on the race and the horse race bookmaker you choose; however, if it includes 3 places, this bet type is known as “to show” rather than ” place.
For example, Coral might offer 3 places in a race, while Paddy Power might cover 4 places. That doesn’t necessarily mean Paddy Power has a better offer since more places mean lower odds and lower potential payout.
Many bookies will have great sports betting deals on the “place” wagering markets which explains why this bet type is prevalent. However, it’s more frequently used with the “win” bet, which forms a new wager type.
An each-way bet is a wager made of 2 parts, with half the stake going on the selection to place and the other half choosing to win. It costs double a traditional bet on “to win,” but it will yield some return if your selection is placed. The best way to understand an each-way stake is with an example.
For example, you place a $5 each-way bet ($10 in total) on a horse at 8/1, with the bookmaker offering 1/4 of the odds for 3 places. If your selection finishes second or third, you will receive $15, but if your horse wins, you will receive $60 ($45 for the win and $15 for the place).
Each way combines 2 bets (win and place) and splits your wager into 2 parts. This bet type is very popular among horse bettors and is available on all Cheltenham races bookies, including William Hill, Bet365, and more.
Exacta
Exacta falls into the exotic wagers you can make on horse racing, generally reserved for more experienced bettors. Still, anyone can use Exacta, and many do, mainly due to the high potential payout you can get from it.
With Exacta, you must correctly predict the top 2 finishers in the correct order. So you need to predict which horse will win and which horse will finish second. Exacta is one of the more difficult bets you can make, but the potential profits make it worth it.
Quinella
Quinella is another example of an exotic bet you will find when looking through bookmaker offers and is essentially a simplified version of Exacta. Instead of predicting the exact order of the top-2 finishers of a race, with Quinella, you have to predict which 2 horses will end first and second – in any order.
Trifecta
If the offered odds are not high enough for you, you should try Trifecta, which provides another layer of complexity. With Trifecta, you’re required to pick the top 3 finishers in a race in the correct order, meaning it works on the same principle as Exacta with an added horse.
A Trifecta is more challenging to predict than any other bet mentioned so far, but it yields a much higher payout that can quickly multiply your wager by x100 or more. As such, it’s viral among horse racing bettors who seek higher profits.
Superfecta
A step further from Trifecta is Superfecta, which calls on horse bettors to predict the top four finishers of the race accurately. It is one of the most challenging picks you can make on any horse race, and if you can efficiently use Superfecta, you’re truly a champion of betting on horse races.
With Superfecta bets, you can expect to see odds that reach thousands, and it’s not too uncommon for those who hit a Superfecta bet with a small wager of $5 to walk away with several thousand dollars. So, I don’t need to specify why Superfecta is a popular exotic bet.
Bottom Line 🔚
Before you place your first bet on the Cheltenham Festival, let’s check out some interesting facts about this horse racing event.
Some of the most successful jockeys over recent years are Paul Townend, Rachael Blackmore, Nico de Boinville, Davy Russell, and Jack Kennedy.
Ruby Walsh was recognized as the top jockey 11 times, including 5 consecutive events between 2013 and 2017.
Some of the most popular and successful trainers are Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Nicky Henderson, Henry de Bromhead, Paul Nicholls.
Willie Mullins had trained the most winners in 10 Festivals between 2011 and 2024 (except for 2017 and 2018, when Gordon Elliott won the title).
Cheltenham Festival is an annual horse racing event that traditionally takes place in the United Kingdom in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It was previously also held at Warwick Racecourse and Prestbury Park.
Originally, the event occurred over 2 days before it changed to 3 and, in 2005, to 4 days to include more races.
Cheltenham Festival averages over 65,000 attendance per day.
Thanks to its popularity, Cheltenham Festival is a huge boost for the local economy, bringing over $100,000,000 into the economy annually.
Over the 4 days Cheltenham Festival is held, an estimated $600,000,000 is placed in bets.
Katie Walsh, sister of Ruby Walsh, became the first woman to win a Grade 1 race in 2018, followed by Bryony Frost and Rachael Blackmore in 2019.
Betting on Cheltenham Festival can be very exciting and highly lucrative, which explains why it is one of the most popular events among sports bettors. And if you’ve read through my betting guide, you should have all the knowledge you need to place smart wagers and make a profit!
Remember to visit the best Cheltenham bookies and bet only with the best odds!
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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