When looking for a site to place all you horse racing bets, it’s important to know what to look out for when deciding which one is best for you. Here are a few pointers of what betting sites can offer which you should look out for.
The first thing to look out for is the markets that are available on different betting sites. With some only offering a limited selection of markets whilst others not providing any markets on horse racing whatsoever, it’s important to see what each site offers before signing up. All the big betting sites will offer some sort of markets on horse racing, but some may not feature markets for the racing events that maybe aren’t as popular in the UK, such as the Prix de L’arc Triomphe.
Having the best odds is a pivotal part of betting, with the odds giving you the better rewards. You don’t want to choose a bookmaker that has the worst odds, as you won’t be getting the most for your money. The superior betting sites are the ones that have the best odds as well as the best offers. Each bookmaker can vary on different markets, with some having the same price as others whilst some may be completely different – despite it being the same fixture. Look out for Price Boosts, Power Prices and other enhanced prices from sites, these may give you better odds than other sites and win you more for your money. It’s best to take a look around and see which sites have the best odds for the races of your choosing.
Choosing the best welcome offer is another factor that can be crucial when deciding which bookies is right for you. Bookmakers will tempt you to sign up with them with exclusive sign-up offers that give you a bonus when you create an account. A current welcome bonus by Ladbrokes is the bet £5 to get £20 in free bets offer. All you have to do is sign up, deposit and bet £5 and you’ll earn £20 in free bets after the bet has settled. The free bets cannot be withdrawn from your account but do allow you to use the free bet credits to place more bets for free. Free bets are not the only form of welcome bonus, some bookies offer free bets, whilst others offer bonuses such as money back if your first bet loses.
Some betting sites offer a 100% matched first deposit, another common welcome offer used by betting sites that you can get. 888Sport are one of many sites that are offering this welcome bonus, meaning the money you put on your first deposit, will be matched in free bets by the site after your first bet is settled. For example, if you signed up as a new customer and deposited £20, you would receive £20 in free bets when the bet has been settled. A similar offer is also currently available to redeem for new Bet365 customers, offering new customers up to £100 in bet credits on their first deposit.
Claiming a welcome offer is simple but can be a precise process to claim the offer itself and to hit each minimum requirement asked for. For example, most bookmakers require a minimum stake on a bet in order to start claiming the welcome bonus. For example, Paddy Power offer a bet £10 get £40 in free bets, and to do this, the customer must bet £10 to receive the £40, and at the same time, the odds must be at a minimum of 1/2, meaning anything higher, such as a 1/3, will not count and the welcome offer will stop. So, be sure to read every little detail for welcome offers, as each one is different. There are plenty of enticing welcoming bonuses that you can take advantage of, look around different betting sites to see what they offer – we also have a list on our website to show you some of the best welcome offers.
As with most sports, live streaming is a very helpful tool to keep you up to date with all the action as it happens. Live streaming is a feature that makes horse racing even more entertaining, allowing you to watch the races and cheer on your horse. You’ll find many of the big betting sites advertising live streaming on their sites, ranging from small events to big events. Not all races are streamed on all sites so you may want to see if certain sites have it available. Paddy Power, William Hill, Bet365 and Skybet are renowned for their extensive live coverage and livestream a lot of UK and Irish events as well as some of the races that take place elsewhere in the world. Live streaming is simple to navigate, all you have to do Is click on the play button that appears next to a race if it's available. This will open a window allowing you to watch the live race as it happens, whilst still being able to access the menus and bet.
As technology has evolved over the years, so has betting. No longer do you have to make the journey to a betting shop in order to physically place a bet, as it's all available in just a tap in your own hands. You’ll find the majority of betting sites have their own app, just head to the App Store or Google Play store on your phone or device and search for the bookmaker. Easy to navigate menus, simple deposits and in-play graphics are just some of the features that make betting much easier on your mobile device. You can also visit the online website for your chosen betting site.
In-play betting allows you to bet on the action as it happens. For example, if you're betting on a race and a horse is looking promising, you might want to stick some money on him as the race happens. You will see the in-play prices on horses go up or down during the race, allowing you to take advantage of prices as the race continues. Keep an eye on the in-play markets on different sites to see if you can capitalise on your in-game instincts.
When betting online, you may feel like you need some assistance. The customer support section helps you out and will often help solve whatever problem you have. Most betting sites have a help and support section that lets you navigate through all the relevant information to your problem, such as rules and procedures, as well as a FAQ section that answers the most common problems that bettors will have when betting. Most bookmakers also have a 24/7 chat option, which lets you speak to a designated customer support employee who will ask what the problem is and do their best to resolve it. Take a look at the help and support section available on most betting sites if you are ever in need of assistance.
The cash out feature is another handy tool that you can use to make the most out of your betting experience. Cash out allows the bettor to cash in and settle a bet before the event is over and take a percentage of the overall returns as the bet is ongoing. For example, if you have an accumulator on four horses to win and the first three have won, your cash out value may be offering a tidy profit (below your potential winnings of course). You may wish to cash out and take the cash out value being offered before the fourth horse races, just in case it loses. This would then settle the bet, leaving you with your cash out winnings. The cash out feature is available on most betting apps, such as Bet365, Skybet, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Coral, William Hill and more.