Louise Mortimer profile picture
By Louise Mortimer
Casino Reviewer
Horse Racing Betting Online in 2024 - Top Sites to Place a Bet

In the world of online gambling, horse racing is immensely popular. Even Australians who gamble sparingly don't want to miss out on iconic horse racing sports betting events like the Melbourne Cup. Yet that barely scratches the surface of all the thoroughbred horse racing online gambling that's available down under. There are hundreds of racetracks that span the continents and the internet delivers them directly to you. Gambling on this storied sport has never been more convenient or exciting.

At most Australian online gambling sites, horse racing sports betting is quite common. That's because gamblers in Australia wager billions on horses annually. It's really just a question of meeting customer demand. Yet despite the ease of placing bets, you shouldn't just choose a random site. We've found the top sports betting sites for horse racing. Here's what to expect when you log on:

  • Access to dozens of Australian, British, American, and other tracks
  • More ways to wager and the best odds in the industry
  • A generous welcome bonus that gives you free cash to play with

Getting On The Right Track

If you are new to real money online gambling, horse racing could be the best place to start. In the world of betting, sports such as football might seem more obvious, but you'll have to worry about not letting your heart get in the way of your head. Although you probably won't be placing bets on your hometown favourites, nothing beats the thrill of watching your horses come down the stretch. Will your long shot defy the odds and carry the day?

Experience The Biggest Races In Oz

The Australian thoroughbred horse racing industry is filled with sports betting opportunities for gambling online. Top races like the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes always get the nation in a frenzy. These landmark events are popular with fans of betting, sports enthusiasts, and the general public.

The Melbourne Cup isn't just a public holiday on the calendar, it's a great time to place your first horse racing bet at an internet racebook.

Australian races are a great entry point for beginners. Not only is there lots of publicity, which will help you make the best possible bets, but it's an excellent way to experience something bigger than yourself.

Run Circles Around The Globe

Whether you are looking to bet on anything from cricket to horse racing, the best sports betting sites put the planet at your disposal. The best gambling sites give you access to tracks in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, South Africa, America, Germany, Hong Kong, and more. Bet on legendary events like the Kentucky Derby, The Arc, Dubai World Cup, and Royal Ascot.

There's no need to wait for the biggest horse racing events to see what all the hype is about. With hundreds of tracks available online, there are races happening every day at all hours. That's the beauty of having the entire earth at your fingertips. You aren't limited to thoroughbred horseracing either. The top gambling online sites have harness racing and even greyhound racing.

Horse Racing FAQ

Even if you are new to online gambling, horse racing doesn't have to be complicated. Like all types of online sports betting, there are a few basics you'll need to succeed. Browse these frequently asked questions and answers to get up to speed.

How does horse racing betting work?

Like most forms of sports wagering, horse racing sports betting gives you multiple ways to win. You can obviously bet on a horse to come in first or win. Top sports betting sites also let you wager on a horse to place, which means you'll win if the horse finishes first or second. You can also bet on your horse to show, or finish at least third. Most punters in Australia tend to place multiple real cash wagers per race and typically take advantage of combination bets like the each way, quinella, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta.

Is online horse racing legal?

Although current Australian gambling laws prohibit many forms of internet wagering in Australia, sports are generally exempt from these rules. The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 allows for online horse racing bets, provided you place your wagers before the race starts. In race betting isn't really practical for horseracing anyway. You'll find lots of legal and licenced online sites in Australia.

How do the odds work?

Horse racing sports betting odds can be expressed in a number of ways, but Australian sites tend to use the decimal format. If you can perform simple multiplication, then you've already mastered decimal odds. If you see posted odds of 4.25 on an online sports betting site, just multiply the figure by the size of your bet. For example, if you bet $10 then you stand to win $42.50. It's worth noting that the figure includes your original bet, for a profit of $32.50.

When betting, sports sites occasionally display fractional or American-style odds. You can usually toggle between all three styles at top online sports betting sites.

Do you have any tips for picking a horse?

There are thousands of books, sites, and columns dedicated to picking horses. In the world of horse racing, online gambling success usually requires a little research. Of course your analysis can be as simple as relying on the experts or following the odds. You can also consult the race day program or online equivalents for loads of statistics and info.

It shouldn't take you more than a minute to consider the horse's recent performance, jockey history, and how the horse tends to fare on similar tracks. At the same time the best tip we can give you is to refrain from betting on every race. Restrict your real cash betting to occasions where the odds are favourable or you have enough knowledge to give you an edge. You've probably seen horse racing sports betting fans choose horses because they like the names, but that's no better and arguably worse than pure chance.

Do horse racing betting systems work?

As a rule of thumb, horse racing sports betting systems don't work. The top way to succeed in the long run is to be informed before wagering. Try to find as much information as you can on the race and horses. It also pays to compare the odds on multiple sites to give yourself a bit of an advantage. Some of the best sports betting sites may not adjust their odds as quickly, which you can capitalise on.

Can online gambling on horses be profitable?

Your success is largely a matter of chance. While some people do make a living wagering on horses, it's better to treat gambling as a source of fun rather than income. Never gamble more real money than you can afford to lose. Still, if you do enough research and are careful with your bets, it is possible to come out ahead.

Can I watch the races online?

Like most types of sport-related online gambling, horse racing is more fun when you can watch the outcome. Luckily many of the best horse racing online gambling sites stream the action live for your viewing pleasure. Although you can enjoy these broadcasts for free, some sites will only give you access if you place a bet. Either way, we recommend watching races whenever possible because that's at least half the fun.