The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in the UK for 2024

The UK is home to some of the best horse racing betting sites in the world due to the fact that there is a huge demand on fair, trustworthy and high-quality horse betting bookmakers. In this expert guide, we’ve provided an in-depth guide on how to find decent betting sites and other related topics.

You will find a detailed overview on how to sign up with bookies, what options you have when betting on horse racing, payment options and the odds. By only recommending licensed and regulated UK sites, we’re confident that you’ll find the ideal legal sites for your needs.

Why is Horse Racing Betting Popular in the UK?

Horse racing is a rich part of UK history, and its enduring popularity throughout the years has been helped by the advent of stable and reliable horse racing betting sites. The sport is the second-most popular spectator sport in the UK after football, which should give you some indication about how beloved it is.

Every year, millions of people wager on horses, whether it be on a daily basis or a once-a-year punt on Grand National. There are several reasons why horse betting remains one of the most sought after options at UK retail and online sportsbooks, such as

• Events are available to bet on around the clock
• Events can be short, with many around 15 seconds long
• Racetracks are easy to visit, with 60 dotted around the UK
• There are around 9,000 betting shops in the UK, making it extremely accessible
• Equestrianism is a rich part of UK culture
• The racetrack experience is often a thrilling and joyous occasion
• Payouts can be huge
• Horse racing appeals to people of all financial backgrounds
• With plenty of betting options, the activity is very versatile

How to Register with a Bookmaker

While retail sports betting is still popular in the UK, more than half of all sports wagers are now made through online and mobile betting sites. This is quite a considerable value, considering a normal year tends to generate more than £4 billion in wagers in the UK on horse races alone.

If you are new to horse racing betting sites, you may be wondering whether or not it’s worth the effort to register for an online account. We assure you that the process is extremely fast and simple, and if your identity verification is fast, can be completed within hours.

The following is a step-by-step guide that covers creating an online bookie account to placing your first bet.

1. Find an online betting site that offers horse racing odds.
2. Click on the Register or Join button on the site’s homepage.
3. Fill out the registration form. This will need to include your name, date of birth and valid address.
4. Submit a digital copy of your identity to prove that you’re of age. Wait until this has been verified.
5. Make a deposit. If a welcome bonus is available, be sure to enter the promo code when necessary and read the terms and conditions to ensure you meet the minimum deposit value.
6. Head to the horse racing betting lobby. Choose the event on the schedule.
7. Click to find odds backing a winner or specials. Click the odds horse to add them to your bet slip.
8. Build your bet by adding more odds or set your stake below each market. Toggle if you want to make an Each Way bet.
9. Click to place your bet and confirm.

Criteria for the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

With so many bookmakers out there that offer horse racing betting odds, it can be difficult to know which will provide the best betting experience. In the following section, we’ve covered the different elements to look out for that the best horse racing betting sites will include.

Odds

The quality of a bookie’s horse racing odds should be high on your list of priorities when choosing where to gamble. This is because the odds will directly impact how much you will win if your wager is successful. The best horse racing bookmaker sites will have consistently competitive odds throughout the year for all events.

An easy way to check the odds levels yourself is to browse through several top-ranking bookmaker’s betting lobbies. You will not need to create a new account to do this. Choose the same event on all of the bookies and compare their prices. Do this for a few events to see if one site performs better than others.

Platform and Race Selection

Horse racing betting should be a fun experience. One thing that can effect this is the quality of a website’s platform. If the pages are slow to load, difficult to navigate, unresponsive, unstable or simply unattractive, this will effect your experience. We suggest you test each operator before depositing a penny.

Furthermore, you’ll want to make sure that the lobby offers odds for the events that interest you, especially those where the Equestrian Team GBR takes part in. This could include UK events such as the Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup or the Victor Chandler Chase, or international events such as the Melbourne Cup and the US Triple Crown races.

Live Betting and Streaming

Live betting has become one of the most popular betting options in the UK in recent years thanks to high-quality online betting platforms. In the case of the best horse race bookies, you will be able to wager on horses as events are unfolding in real-time, making for a particularly exciting time.

On this same note, there are several sites that now give you the option to live stream events as you bet on them. This is a huge perk that enhances the betting experience tenfold, with updated odds and betting recommendations appearing on screen as you wager. Just make sure that your internet connection is strong enough.

Bonuses and Promotions

When you sign up with the best online horse racing betting sites, you will be able to claim a new player welcome bonus. These can be varied, offering everything from enhanced odds, free bets, matched bets or risk-free bets. You’ll want to choose bonuses that have realistic terms and conditions, such as low minimum deposits and decent odds restrictions.

It is essential to read and understand the terms of any bonus before you accept it, as it may not be very valuable in the first place. Also, it’s worth taking a look at the promotions page of your current sportsbooks, as you may be able to claim perks by simply making additional deposits into your account.

Mobile Compatibility

Mobile betting allows you to easily wager on horse races while on the go. This type of betting is becoming more popular due to its convenience and simplicity, with the best bookies providing mobile apps or custom web browser versions that allow for easy navigation and seamless bet building.

Some bookies will even allow you to make live bets and live stream from your mobile, which is about as good as it gets. The ideal mobile betting sites will be compatible on iOS, Android and Windows devices and allow basic functions such as deposits and withdrawals.

Safety and Security

There’s no bigger priority when gambling online than staying safe, legal and secure. This is why it’s essential that you only choose to join sites that have been regulated by the UKGC. Licensing guarantees that sites use strong encryption to protect your data and adopt responsible gambling practices to protect vulnerable players.

Licensing will also ensure that the available local horse races are regulated by the British Horseracing Authority. This organisation is in charge of maintaining fairness and integrity in the racing industry, and also works to guarantee strict animal welfare standards. Unregulated races could be rigged and untrustworthy.

Customer Support

We believe that all horse racing gambling sites should offer easy-to-reach and helpful customer support. This means that there should be numerous contact methods, such as telephone and live chat, and that agents are ideally available 24/7. This is especially important if you’re a late time bettor. Accessible customer support indicates a trustworthy gambling site.

Virtual Racing

Virtual horse racing betting is a gamble on video simulated racing. These are great as they can be wagered on around the clock every day of the week. These will never be cancelled or delayed so your bets will always go through as expected.

If this sounds exciting to you, you’ll be pleased to discover that virtual racing is a common feature at top bookies. The outcome of the events are decided by using random number generators, which is the same technology as slots. This keeps games fair and impossible to be manipulated by licensed bookies.

Best Payment Methods to Place Bets

High-quality online bookies will cater to the needs of all of its players by accepting numerous payment methods. Ideally, these should include debit cards, eWallets, bank transfers and prepaid cards. Using credit cards to gamble is illegal in the UK, so you won’t find this option at licensed bookies.

Each payment method will have varying characteristics when it comes to its withdrawal times, minimum deposit limits, versatility and even fees. At times, some promotions will exclude deposits made with certain payment methods. This is especially common to see with Neteller and Skrill. In any case, we’ve listed the best payment methods for horse race betting below.

• PayPal – a fast, secure and no-fee option
• Skrill – a reliable ewallet for deposits and withdrawals
• Neteller – instant transfers available
• Visa and Mastercard debit cards – a reliable brand with strong security features
• Paysafecard – a convenient method for deposits only

Things You Should Consider Before Betting on Horse Racing

No matter whether you intend to bet with online horse racing bookmakers or in person, there are always steps you can take to improve your chances of winnings. Below, you’ll find a list of expert tips that are essential to consider, no matter your skill or experience level.

Preparation is Key

It’s surprising how many people who bet on horse races will not do research before placing their wagers. Especially considering the fact that often, betting sites will provide you with plenty of information relating to the race. Horse racing forms are usually listed, and these contain some pertinent details about the horses and riders in competition.

For example, you’ll be able to find the horse’s starting position in the stalls, their ranking in previous races and how many horses are in play. Outside of this form, you could also research the length of the track, the track condition and the weather. All of these details will affect the outcome of the race and will suit some horses more than others.

Understand the Betting Options

Many bettors will stick to a single line bet, which is a wager on which horse will win. But there are actually several other options to choose that, when understood, could help you to boost your profits. Horse racing betting is renowned for its many betting type options, some of which we’ll describe below.

• Single – a wager on the final place of a horse on a single event.
• Double – a multiple bet on the final place of two different horses in two different races.
• Treble – a multiple bet on the final place of three horses horses in two races.
• Accumulator – the same as a double/treble, with four or more selections.
• Trixie – a bet comprising of three double bets and a treble – equalling four selections.
• Patent – a bet comprising of three singles, three doubles and and a treble – equalling three selections.
• Each-Way – a two-part bet, with half the stake going on the pick to win and the other on the selection to place.

It’s important to note that each bet has characteristics that will determine whether or not you will earn a payout. For example, both bets will need to come through in a Double to earn a payout. For a Trixie, two selections must win in order to earn a payout.

There are many more forms of wagers similar to Trixies and Patents with more selections, including Yankees, Canadians, Heinzes and Round Robins. Each-ways are also very popular as it can earn punters a return even if the backed horse doesn’t come first

Understand the Types of Races

There are two main types of horse races that UK bettors usually wager on. The first of these is flat racing, which is a race over a course that doesn’t include obstacles. These tend to be the most common type of horse racing, and counts the US Kentucky Derby and the Melbourne Cup as two notable examples.

Steeplechashing is a race that requires horses to jump over obstacles. The most notable example of this is the Grand National race. Sometimes, you’ll be able to wager on harness racing and endurance racing, though these aren’t as common. It’s important to understand these distinctions, as different conditions and horse qualities will affect the outcome.

Build Your Strategy

Now that you understand how to prepare, create your bet and understand the race type, you should be ready to build your betting strategy. If you intend to bet on a live event, it’s essential to do all of your preparation before the race as you will not have the time to do this while the race is being run.

Bets such as Doubles or Trixies require wagers on multiple events, so you may want to make these wagers for events that happen on the same day if you want a quick turn around on your investment. Create a budget and stick with it, and don’t hesitate to research expert commentators opinions before confirming your wager.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve reached the end of this guide to how to find the best bookies for horse racing, we hope you feel comfortable to register a new account and build your bets. Online horse racing betting doesn’t need to be intimidating. Just take the time to realise your own needs and choose a bookmaker site accordingly.

When it comes to the betting stage, it’s always worth doing your research and building a strategy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different betting types, even if you start off with low stakes. Once you’re experienced enough, try live betting to experience the most thrilling way to gamble online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in a rush? Do you still have queries about online horse racing betting or other related topics? In the following section, we’ve answered the most commonly asked questions about horse racing betting so that you don’t have to read the whole article above.