Discover the best horse betting sites in the UK for 2025. Expert reviews and comparisons of top bookmakers offering competitive odds, live race streaming, exclusive bonuses, and a wide range of betting options. Find your ideal platform for your online horse racing betting experience.
Top 10 Horse Betting Sites in UK
- Bet365 – code 365GMBLR
- Betfred – #1 UK’s best horse betting online operator
- William Hill
- BetVictor
- Ladbrokes
- Grosvenor UK
- Unibet
- SBK – best app
- Betfair
- Sky Bet
What are some of the best online horse betting sites in the UK? Top sites include Bet365, Betfred, William Hill, SBK and BetVictor, known for their comprehensive coverage, competitive odds, and user-friendly apps.
When it comes to punting on the Sport of Kings, UK bettors are spoiled for choice. The pastime that has entranced princes and paupers alike for centuries is thriving in the world of devices and mobile betting. Such is the competition among rival bookmakers, players are inundated with offers, promotions and enhancements to win over their business. If a punter is canny and discerning, these sweeteners can be turned to your advantage. With 50% or more of betting business now done on the go, a good App is absolutely key.
Let’s have a look at the best sites for online horse betting in the UK today.
Betfred
With a massive presence on the UK high street, Betfred are a familiar face to UK Horse racing punters. The Betfred App has a 4.3/5 rating in the Apple Store, from over 17,000 reviews. The service is superb, with live-streaming on EVERY horse race in the UK and Ireland and full to all the race cards, featuring form, jockey colours and ratings.
The “Betfred Specials” offer prices on winning favourites, top jockeys and distance betting. They also have a large number of ante-post markets, so you can bet on big races several weeks or even months away, if you have a fancy.
Betfred have some superb horse racing promotions, including Extra Places on selected races, so you will get paid out if your horse finishes 4th or even 5th, when places usually only extend to the 3rd or 4th spot. They also offer a “Money back as a free bet if your horse finishes 2nd” promotion, worth up to £10 each time.
New Customers can grab £30 worth of Free Bets when you have a £10 bet on any sports or horse racing market at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater.
Bet365
As you would expect, the Bet365 horse racing offering is phenomenal. All UK and Irish racing is live-streamed, but that is just the start of it. The “In-play 9” is a set of featured races that allow you to bet DURING the race. Very few rivals offer this facility. This means you can watch the first few fences of a race, see how the horses ae going, and then wager.
The “My Horses” feature allows you to save your favourite horses and then Bet365 will send you a notification when they are next running. With so many horses to keep in your mind, this is a boon for punters.
The Bet365 “Price Promise” assures players that the Bet365 site price on selected races will at least match those a number of leading bookies, including Ladbrokes, William Hill and Paddy Power.
The Bet365 ante-post service is streets ahead of most rivals, with over 15 UK races priced-up, over the next 12 months, as well as the biggest events in the US, Australia and New Zealand. They also include extras, such as a Frankie Dettori performance market for 2025.
Get £30 in Free Bets when you place your first £10 on any sports bet at odds of 1/5 (1.2) or greater. If you only wager £5 you can still claim £15 in Free Bets. Promo code is 365GMBLR.
Skybet
Another major firm with a huge reach, Skybet has a superlative horse racing service. They offer live-streaming on all UK and Irish races, as well as a really wide international spread, taking in France, Germany and South African races as well.
They offer a “Cashback if your horse finishes 2nd OR 3rd” in selected races; a terrific enhancement.
The “Popular Bets” option allows punters to see the most-back horses of the day. You can also bet instantly into the Tote betting pool if you prefer. This includes access to the ITV7 betting competition, which covers 7 televised races on ITV and regularly has prize pools north of £1 million.
The Skybet “RequestABets” allows you to receive a bespoke price on any bet, as well as seeing all the other requested bets.
The Skybet specials section is unique in the industry, with Premier League “Cross Sport” doubles, offering enhanced prices on a selected horse winning, as well as a Premier League team winning. This can also include your favourite striker scoring a goal!
You can also bet on top tipster’s selections direct from the App, including those of the leading TV pundit Alex Hammond.
The Skybet Welcome Offer gives you £20 in Free bets (4 x £5) when you deposit a minimum of £5 and then place any bet of just 5p or more.
William Hill
“Billy’s”, as they are often known, are as much a part of the UK horse racing betting online scene as any company and their App only enhances that glorious history. A rating of 4.7/5 from 0ver 140,000 reviews on the Apple Store tells its own story.
The New Customer Offer of “Get £40 in Free Bets when you stake £10” is industry-leading and great start to your horse-punting career.
As well as full live-streaming on all UK, and Irish races, as well as many European ones, William Hill have a huge range of Virtual horse racing. A race goes off every 3 minutes, so you never have to wait long.
William Hill Betting TV covers ALL horse and greyhound races and is a professional, studio-produced service that is hugely impressive. With detailed form study and professional tips on each race, many punters use this as their go-to source of information.
There are many “Enhanced Odds” races across each day, with price boosts on selected horses. Each punter also receives 1 Price Boost on ANY horse, EVERY day. This also applies to Accas.
Bet Victor
Victor Chandler was one of the most famous faces in the betting ring back in the day and is regarded as one of the Godfathers of online gambling. The Bet Victor App is a testament to his years of bookmaking expertise and houses a very impressive horse racing section.
There is live-streaming of all UK and Irish races, as well as many more from around the world, although you do need to bet a minimum of £1 on a race to unlock the pictures. There is also virtual horse racing, with races starting every 3 minutes.
There are daily “Bet Boosts” on selected races, with fancied horses, jockeys and trainers being the main focus. The “Betfinder” is another superb innovation, allowing you to choose the search criteria to find a fancied horse. These include star ratings, trainers and jockeys in form and horses that have had a recent run.
There are a large number of promotions and offers at Bet Victor. The App Welcome Offer is a “Bet £10 Get £50” deal when you download the App and a specific Horse Racing Welcome Offer gives you £40 in Free bets when you opt-in and wager at least £20 on a horse race at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater.
Betway
Betway has a growing profile and is a superb addition to the horse racing online betting community in the UK. With a 4.7/5 rating on the Apple Store, from over 32,000 reviews, punters are voting with their fingers.
One of the great Betway innovations is the “Betting Clips” feature, which allows punters to film their own tips on races and post them for others to see. Successful tipsters can develop a strong following.
“4 to Win” is a daily racing competition with a jackpot up for grabs if you can name the winners of all 4 selected races, with access to Timeform ratings on the App to help you make your picks.
There are several promotions to enjoy on the Betway App, starting with the £10 Free bet Welcome Offer. Just opt-in and place a minimum of £10 on any event at odds of 1.75 or greater.
You can also claim a £30 matched Free Bet if your first Acca loses (with a minimum of 3 selections on Football or Horse Racing). The minimum qualifying stake is £5.
Ladbrokes
In a competitive and crowded field, Ladbrokes still manages to maintain plenty of its “Magic Sign” legacy. Their “Build Your Own Racecard” allows you to assemble a bespoke card covering 10 races each day, from the UK and Ireland as well as international races.
The range of ante-post horse racing markets is one of the best in the industry and there are a number of daily specials, Pirce Boosts and Daily Doubles. These include betting on the winning distance of a heavy favourite, so punters can still get a decent price on a horse that would otherwise have prohibitive odds.
New players can claim £20 in Free Bets on the Ladbrokes App, when you opt-in and place a minimum £5 bet on any sports event at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater.
Unibet
The Unibet Horse Betting Site has a solid 4/5 rating at the Apple Store and has a very broad scope, taking in all UK and Irish racing, along with European harness racing and a well-stocked Virtual section. The lay-out is easily one of the most convenient out there, with ALL horse and dog race cards readily accessible and a button to create your own Multiple Race Coupon.
The “Specials” section contains daily match-bets (putting two horses in a specific race up against each other) and “Bundle Bets”, selecting TWO horses in the same race for you to back, at one, combined price.
There are Season-long bets, covering the top jockeys, trainers and horses and the ante-post coverage of races is excellent.
You can get up to £40 of your money back as a Bonus if your first bet loses, in addition to a £10 Casino Bonus. Unibet also have a Best Odds Guarantee (BOG) every day, on ALL races, and up to a £20 Free Bet if your selected horse finishes 2nd or 3rd in selected races. The minimum qualifying bet for this is £1.
Betfair Sportsbook
The Betfair Exchange is considered by many to be the engine of Horse Racing odds in the UK and the Sportsbook App harnesses this energy and delivers a superb horse racing service, confirmed by the 4.6/5 rating at the Apple Stores, from over 93,000 reviews.
Uniquely, Betfair Sportsbook has a number of sponsored interviews with top trainers and jockeys on Youtube, with links on the App. These can provide valuable insights into dark horses whose true merit is yet to show on the course.
“Popular Racing Multiples” is a feature that automatically bundles together 3 fancied horses that day. Some bundles will contain the shortest-priced horses, others will be less fancied. You can also see on the App how many times each bundle has been backed.
The New Customer Offer gives you £30 in Free Bets when you place a minimum of £10 on any horse racing market, at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater.
Paddy Power
The Irish-based comedians have to make the list; partly for the light-hearted advertising that has amused, bemused and, occasionally shocked punters over the years, but mainly because their horse racing offering is superb. 4.7/5 on the Apple Store, with over 190,000 reviews, shows they are more than just cheeky chappies.
“Power Prices” enhance the odds for fancied horses in selected races and the “Extra Places” promotion will pay out on 4 places instead of the usual 3 for certain races, every day. You can also contact Paddy Power on the App, via Twitter/X, using #WhatOddsPaddy, and their oddsmakers will price up your requested special.
The “Paddy Power News” is a joint blog with Timeform and throws a detailed spotlight on certain races every day, with tips from leading industry figures like Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald.
There is an impressive Virtual Racing collection and all major domestic and international races are priced up months in advance.
New Players can claim £20 in Free Bets when you place your first £5 minimum bet on any sports bet on the App at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater.
Comparing Best Sites for Online Horse Betting in the UK
Here is a quick overview of what each site with betting features and bonuses, that can help you compare and choose the best site for your horse racing betting in the UK.
Rank | Site | Features | Bonuses |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Betfred | Live-streaming for UK & Ireland races; Extra Places promotion | £30 Free Bets for New Customers |
2 | Bet365 | Live-streaming for all UK & Irish races; In-play betting with “In-play 9” | Up to £30 Free Bets for New Customers |
3 | Skybet | Live-streaming including international races; Cashback for 2nd or 3rd finishes in selected races | £20 in Free bets for New Customers |
4 | William Hill | Extensive live-streaming; “Enhanced Odds” races and daily Price Boosts | £40 in Free Bets for New Customers |
5 | Bet Victor | Live-streaming for UK & Irish races; Daily “Bet Boosts” on selected races | Bet £10 Get £50 deal; Horse Racing Welcome Offer – £40 in Free bets |
6 | Betway | “Betting Clips” feature; “4 to Win” daily racing competition | £10 Free bet Welcome Offer; £30 matched Free Bet for first Acca loss |
7 | Ladbrokes | “Build Your Own Racecard” feature; Extensive range of ante-post markets | £20 in Free Bets for New Customers |
8 | Unibet | Broad coverage including European harness racing; Specials including match-bets and Bundle Bets | Up to £40 back as a Bonus if first bet loses; £10 Casino Bonus |
9 | Betfair | Sportsbook harnessing Betfair Exchange; Popular Racing Multiples feature | £30 in Free Bets for New Customers |
10 | Paddy Power | “Power Prices” for enhanced odds; Extra Places promotion daily | £20 in Free Bets for New Customers |
Top 5 Horse Betting Site Bonus Offers in the UK
Bet365 | Up to £100 in Bet Credits | New customers only; Min deposit £5; |
William Hill | Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets | New online customers only; Min £10 stake; Win only; Min odds 1/2; Free bets paid as 4 x £10; 30-day expiry |
Betfred | Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + 60 Free Spins | New UK customers only; Deposit and place first sports bet of £10+ in one transaction; Evens+ (2.0) cumulative odds; |
Paddy Power | £20 Risk-Free First Bet | Limited to one per person; If you’ve previously had a Paddy Power account, you will not qualify for the offer; |
Ladbrokes | Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets | 18+ New UK+IRE customers; Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded; Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets; |
Note: Always read the terms and conditions for each offer, and gamble responsibly.
Revenues, Laws and Regulations
The annual revenue from Horse Racing in 2024 was £1.4 billion, with over 4.8 million people attending racecourses. However, there are storm clouds hanging over the sport. Attendance has been in decline since 2015 and this trend has only been accelerated by the pandemic. Prize money has also been falling, making UK horse racing less attractive as a destination for domestic and foreign owners and trainers.
But the greatest threat to horse racing is undoubtedly the loss of betting revenue, caused in no small part, by the affordability checks that many UK bookmakers have been forced to make. Whilst the White Paper on reforming the 2005 Gambling Act is yet to be enshrined in law, the battle for the future of the sport is raging. Horse racing bookmakers, newspapers, administrators and punters need to let the government know that these intrusive checks are seeing huge numbers of bettors leave the arena entirely.
Live Streaming
Being able to watch the races you have bet on is a non-negotiable for many punters. With smart phones and tablets becoming more advanced year-on-year, bookmakers need to offer this facility if they are going to attract and keep their customers.
Types of Horse Racing bets you can place on an App
The most popular is the straight win bet. Whether “on the nose” or “each-way”, punters pick on horse to either win or be placed. Accas are when two or more races are involved and each horse has to win or be placed. The more selections you get right, the bigger the win.
Distance betting has become hugely popular in the last few years and many Apps will offer it. This requires you to estimate the aggregate winning distance of each race over an entire meeting, or for a specific race.
Betting on the winning SP is another growth market, with punters being able to anticipate an outsider winning, without having to name a specific horse. Other markets include betting on a specific jockey’s performance over a meeting and how many winning favourites will cross the line in front.
Most Apps will also show the full form guides for each race and have access to ratings and tips, sometimes from the main racing newspaper, The Racing Post, and sometimes from organisations like Timeform.
UK Online Horse Betting FAQ’s
What types of bets can I place on horse races?
Common bet types include Win (betting on a horse to win), Each-Way (betting on a horse to win or place), Accumulator (multiple bets combined), and Forecast (predicting the first two finishers in order).
How do I choose a horse to bet on?
Consider factors like the horse’s past performance, the track conditions, the jockey’s experience, and expert tips. Also, check for form guides and ratings provided by betting sites.
What are some major UK horse races to bet on in 2025?
Key races include the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National at Aintree, Royal Ascot, and the Epsom Derby, each offering a unique betting experience with high-profile races.
Are there any welcome bonuses for new bettors at online horse betting sites?
Yes, many sites offer welcome bonuses like free bets, deposit matches, or risk-free bets to new customers. Always read the terms and conditions for eligibility and wagering requirements.
How does live betting work in horse racing?
Live betting, or in-play betting, allows you to place bets on races as they are happening. Odds are updated in real-time based on the action on the track.
Can I watch horse races live on betting sites?
Yes, many UK online betting sites offer live streaming of horse races. You may need to have a funded account or have placed a bet on the race to access the stream.
What is an ante-post bet in horse racing?
An ante-post bet is a bet placed in advance of the race’s final declaration stage. It often offers higher odds but comes with the risk of losing the stake if the horse does not run.
How can I ensure responsible betting in horse racing?
Set a budget, never chase losses, and only bet what you can afford to lose. Most betting sites offer tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion to promote responsible gambling.
Are winnings from horse race betting taxable in the UK?
No, winnings from gambling, including horse race betting, are not taxable in the UK. However, this is subject to change, so it’s always good to stay updated with the latest tax laws.
Are these Horse Racing Apps safe to use?
Yes, they all use the latest SSL firewall technology and are all licensed and registered by the UK Gambling Commission.
Do you have to pay to watch the Live-Streaming of races?
It depends. Some Apps will give you full access to all races with no need to wager, others insist on a 50p or £1 minimum bet to unlock the pictures, so always check.
What are Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)?
This means that if you take an early price on a horse and it then wins at greater odds, you will be paid out on the Starting Price, not the inferior price you originally took.