CHOOSING AN ONLINE WAGERING SITE

Horse racing attracts bettors from all over the world.  Though many of them still enjoy the experience and atmosphere of actually being and betting at a racecourse, online wagering sites provide a convenient place to bet. In 2020, online sites have been the safest place–and often the only place–to bet during the Covid-19 pandemic.

While there are many benefits to placing bets online as opposed to in-person, it can be confusing to determine which betting site to patronize. Bettors, of course, have different preferences and priorities. 

Following are some of the key factors that can help one to decide which wagering site is the best choice to suit individual needs and wants.

Betting Promotions

All betting sites have welcome offers for new customers that can be claimed upon registration, and these can include free bets or a deposit bonus.

Ongoing promotions are also available for existing players, and these can be more valuable in the long run even if the sign-up offers appear more lucrative at first.  Horse racing-specific deals include money back if second, extra places, and non-runner no bet.

Best Odds Guaranteed

Whereas some betting offers can be found only with a handful of online sites, Best Odds Guaranteed is offered by the vast majority of the top betting sites on the market.  When using Best Odds Guaranteed, a winning bettor gets paid at the larger odds if a horse’s price turns out to be greater at the start of the race than when the bettor backed it.

Betting sites set a time frame during which bets qualify for Best Odds Guaranteed, often between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the day of the race.  In most cases, only UK and Irish races qualify.

Live Streaming

Online betting sites offer not only a platform for wagering, but most also carry live streaming from a plethora of domestic and international racecourses from various time zones. Often, the feed is slightly ahead of the television coverage so it is the way to stay up to date, especially if a bettor wants to place wagers while races are in progress.

Mobile App

Online wagering sites pay close attention to their mobile product, and they all have either a website optimized for smartphone usage or a mobile app.

For ease of use, some betting sites are better options than others for accepting mobile bets.  For example, betting apps that have Face ID and/or touch ID login allow a bettor to quickly access a website and wager.

Past Performance and Data Analytics

Horse racing betting sites typically provide past-performance data, and some take it a step further and provide analyses and insights.  This information lends context to a race and enables bettors to make informed handicapping decisions.

And, In Closing

No matter whether a bettor is seeking to find an online wagering site solely for big events like the Cheltenham Festival or intends to bet on horse racing on a regular basis, options abound.  Since signing up with a wagering site is not a major commitment—and they each may have slightly different promotions and odds—it might be worth having an account with several of them.