RacingBetter News
	Wednesday 24th January 2024

Off to the Races - a Guide to the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

Horse racing has been popular in the UK for hundreds of years. The first officially recorded horse racing event was back in the 1100s, but it is possible that events were happening well before this. In the past 1,000 or so years, we’ve seen an incredible revolution in the way horse racing works.

Wagering has become easier and easier, partially because of the laws (which have continually changed) but also because of technology that has made it easy to place a bet.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best horse racing betting sites, as well as a look at the horse racing industry in the UK, and what actually makes a good horse racing betting site. There are certain criteria that help you to understand the horse racing sites on the market and why some are better than others for your needs.

The horse racing industry has, as you may expect, been driven forward by gambling, which is a massive industry in the United Kingdom. Since the 1700s, when the Jockey Club created the Rules of Racing and turned it into a more formal event, there have been loads of world-renowned events and courses opening.

People flood to events like the Cheltenham Festival, as well as The Epsom Derby, The Gold Cup, and The Grand National.

Jockeys from the UK include Lester Piggott and Fred Archer, and the lineage of racehorses is also very impressive in the country. Horse racing is also very popular in a number of other countries, including Australia, some areas in the Middle East, and the US, but few locations can boast the history that the UK does when it comes to horse racing, which dates all the way back to Roman times.

Gambling Sites

Some of us can remember the first gambling sites cropping up in the UK. They were nothing compared to the sort of sites that are available today, but they did bring us into a new era of gambling. Now, the industry in the UK is huge, with over 14 billion GBP generated annually through the industry.

Websites are now much more advanced than they used to be, often offering mobile functionality, too. So, what makes a great gambling site for horse racing fans? We explore the criteria for a top site below.

Coverage

Horse racing fans will probably have an idea of the sorts of events they want to gamble on. Many fans cover racing all through the calendar year, and this means that they don’t just want the top events, they also want some markets on more obscure events or those taking place at racecourses all across the UK. Some of the top sites have coverage of lots of different events and race meets, giving more choice to the players who wish to gamble.

Choice of Markets

Similarly to the coverage of different events, players also tend to really value a choice of markets. While some might think that most horse racing gambling is all about betting on who is going to win the race, there are loads of other potential markets, including the place market and even markets relating to times or different trainers. The more choices that bettors tend to have, the more they appreciate the site.

Odds

Odds have always been competitive. At in-person meets, you may have seen bookmakers with live odds moving all the time based on what other people are doing and whether any other factors, such as weather and conditions, are influencing the race. Some of the top betting sites for horse racing have a reputation for offering the best odds time after time, which means more bettors are drawn to these in the search for value.

Horse Racing Streaming

Some sites also offer a way for players to watch the races as well as bet on them. This is a bonus for a lot of bettors who want to place a bet but then watch the potential outcome. Some of the sites have specific deals that allow them to cover the races and provide a real-time video stream, but punters may need to place a bet to take full advantage.

Promotions and Bonuses

Signing up for a site usually means checking out the promotions and bonuses they offer, such as signup bonuses. A signup bonus can be a good way to maximise the first deposit you make on a site, and bookmakers are keen to encourage new customers to sign up.

Safety and Security

Of course, safety and security are always important when it comes to using a website. In the UK, the Gambling Commission is a key figure and provides licences for companies to operate and provide odds.

Usability

The site should be really simple to use as it can be frustrating if you can’t find the markets that you want. Sites should be intuitive and easy to use, and many of them are, so there’s no need to persevere with a betting site that doesn’t offer this kind of quality.

Mobile Use and Apps

A lot of us want to be able to gamble while we are on the move. This means that it is much easier with a mobile app, or at least a site that has excellent mobile functionality. The top horse racing betting sites allow people to gamble, even when they are on the go.

Top Gambling Sites

Let’s look at a few options for those who are interested in horse racing betting, and sites that allow them to do so.

Bet365

Bet365 is one of the biggest names in the UK when it comes to all kinds of gambling. As well as providing options for loads of different sports, the site also provides a way for players to bet on horse racing.

As well as being a widely known and top-rated bookmakers, they also have a lot of different bonuses and promotions for new and existing customers. People will also find that a lot of horse racing events covered by the bookmakers also have some streaming functions to watch along.

The accumulators are limited to fourteen legs if you’re the kind of person who likes to place a wild longshot, but most people don’t find this to be a problem.

William Hill

For those who are looking for another long-established casino brand, William Hill could be an option. The site dates back to the days of high-street gambling being the main method and has made the switch to online with ease. There is a bet builder function that punters can use, as well as a huge range of markets including horse racing.

For those who want to use some of the more modern and varied payment methods, William Hill may not be the best option, but for most, it provides the sorts of markets they are looking for.

Conclusion

Horse racing is such a popular hobby in the UK, and there are a lot of horse racing betting sites catering to people’s needs, including those that have mobile apps, many ways to deposit and withdraw, and a secure and straightforward experience offered to all of the customers. The above are some examples of top horse racing sites on the market.