Horse Racing Betting Sites UK

Our picks for the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in December 2023

To assist you further in making an informed choice of where to bet on horse racing online, we have handpicked a selection of trusted horse racing betting sites in the UK that offer a first-class service:

1. bet365

We consistently found bet365 offering the best price on horses and their 'Best Odds Guaranteed' feature ensures that if you place a bet after 8am and the Starting Price (SP) is bigger, you'll get paid out at those better odds.

Additionally, new and eligible customers enjoy daily horse racing boosts and a 'Price Promise' means that their odds on all UK and Irish races shown live on ITV are never beaten (from 10am until 15 minutes prior to the race).

There is also live streaming of most races, allowing you to watch them live or to bet in-running as races unfold, while we particularly like their 'Each Way Extra' functionality, which allows you to choose your own place terms. 

2. Unibet

While Unibet might be one of several relatively new horse racing betting sites in the UK, they have already achieved recognition as the 'Horse Race Betting Operator of the Year' at industry awards in both 2021 and 2022.

They also provide live streaming of UK and Irish races and the 'Best Odds Guaranteed' feature, plus various racing promotions, including three 'Uniboosts' a day on any horse you choose and a daily horse racing 'Acca Boost'.

Sponsors of the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as Kempton All Weather meetings, they have enlisted top trainers Nicky Henderson and Richard Hannon as ambassadors, providing exclusive insight.

3. Betway

Betway is another horse racing betting brand that sponsors a feature race at the Cheltenham Festival - the Betway Champion Chase - and they have trainer Ross O'Sullivan and former jump jockey Katie Walsh as ambassadors.

An official betting partner of The Jockey Club, Betway also offer 'Best Odds Guaranteed' on horse racing bets, while their live streaming coverage extends to races in France, Australia and the US.

Additionally, there are 'Betway Boosts' for enhanced odds, a 'Free Bet Club' that rewards you with two weekly £5 free bets if you place £25 in qualifying multiples and a daily 'Extra Place Special' on a selected race.

4. BetGoodwin

BetGoodwin is a new horse racing betting site from an established operator: Goodwin Racing is a longstanding telephone betting service and what sets them apart are their horse racing money back specials.

For example, if your horse is beaten by a nose (half a length in a chase), falls at the last when in front, or finishes second to a 50/1+ winner, BetGoodwin will refund your stake as a free bet of up to £100. 

As with many new betting sites, they feature a line up of racing ambassadors, including trainers Alan King and Chris Gordon, jockeys Hayley Turner and Tom Cannon, plus racing broadcaster Mike Cattermole.

5. BoyleSports

BoyleSports is another to make our list of the best horse racing betting sites thanks to their unique promos, such as money back as a free bet of up to £20, if your horse finishes second to the SP favourite at a selected daily meeting.

Additionally, they provide daily 'Extra Place Races' and an 'Acca Loyalty' program where you'll earn a £5 free accumulator bet for every five £5 accumulator bets you place (with minimum odds of 3/1). 

Sponsors of the Boylesports Irish Grand National, they have former Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winning jockey Robbie Power and leading trainer Gordon Elliott as horse racing ambassadors. 

How to Choose Between Horse Race Betting Sites: Key Questions to Ask

Getting to grips with online horse racing betting can be tricky for newcomers. In this segment, we'll highlight the key factors to bear in mind when selecting from the best horse racing bookmakers:

How attractive is the welcome offer?

An enticing welcome offer can extend your horse racing betting budget. However, it's important that this offer is free from overly restrictive terms.

Do they offer live streaming?

Numerous horse racing betting sites now provide the option of live streaming for all UK and Irish races and sometimes of races from farther afield. Typically, you'll need to have placed a bet on the race or have a funded account to access live streaming.

What payment methods can be used?

The array of available payment options directly affects your ability to make fast deposits and withdrawals according to your preferences. The best horse racing betting sites UK should accept a variety of debit cards, e-wallets and mobile wallet services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Are there regular horse racing promotions?

Regular promotions go beyond the initial welcome offer, showcasing a bookmaker's commitment to rewarding loyal customers. Top horse betting sites feature daily promotions, free cash prize prediction games and loyalty free bets for regular bettors. These aspects are pivotal when evaluating and comparing horse racing bookmakers.

Are there special offers for the big races and festivals?

Bookies should ramp things up for the big days in the racing calendar. The likes of the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Grand National should be accompanied by an array of special offers such as extra each-way places, free bets and odds boosts. Moreover, ante-post betting markets should be available for major races all year round. 

What betting limits and responsible gambling tools are available?

Betting on horse racing should always be fun and racing sites should enable you to set daily, weekly and monthly betting or deposit limits on your accounts, This enables you to budget and bet responsibly at all times.  

Are there horse race form guides and tips?

When betting on a horse race it's crucial to be able to see a list of all the runners and riders, with colours, recent form, weights, plus jockey and trainer details. Furthermore, the inclusion of a form guide and insights from expert tipsters can significantly enhance your racing betting experience.

Horse Racing Betting Offers to look out for

We've highlighted the horse race betting sites with the best offers in the UK. If you're unsure about the details of each offer, here's a quick breakdown:

• Free Horse Racing Bets: Free bets can allow you to back a horse without using your own money. Look out for free horse racing bets as part of welcome bonuses, promos for big races or loyalty rewards.
• Best Odds Guaranteed: With best odds guaranteed, if you take an early price on a horse and the starting price (SP) turns out to be higher, you will be paid out at the higher odds if your bet wins.
• Price Boosts: The best horse betting sites have enhanced odds for numerous runners across different races each day. Some sites will also offer their customers a certain number of boosts per day or week to use on whichever horses they like.
• Money-Back Specials: Money-back specials are promotions where bookmakers refund your stake, often as a free bet, if a specific event occurs during a race. For example, you might get money back if your horse finishes second to the favourite, or if it falls at the final fence.
• Extra Places: Bookmakers may increase the number of each-way places paid, especially for high-profile races. For a race with a large field like the Grand National, the best horse racing betting sites sometimes pay as much as seven or eight each-way places.
• Non-Runner, No Bet (NRNB): With NRNB you won't lose your stake if your chosen horse doesn't run. This concession often applies to significant events like the Cheltenham Festival, typically available from around January onwards.
• Acca Insurance: Insurance on horse racing accumulator bets is sometimes available if just one leg of your accumulator lets you down, usually with your stake refunded as a free bet.

The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites: In summary

You should now have all the tools you need to choose your next horse racing betting site. 

Remember that all online bookmakers recommended by The Independent have been reviewed by our horse racing betting team and are licensed, regulated and legal to bet with in the UK.

Once you've made your choice, you may wish to track our daily horse racing tips from our esteemed experts. Keep an eye on today's racecards. for the latest runners and odds too.