Canadians have enjoyed the “sport of kings” for more than 250 years at venues such as Woodbine and Flamboro Downs. But which are the best horse racing betting sites in the country?
We’ll answer that question and more in this article. Learn all about the best sportsbooks, bonuses and bet types for Canadian racing fans.
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Best Horse Racing Betting Sites Reviewed
Before we get onto any other topics, let’s start with a list of our top rated horse racing betting sites. We analyse hundreds of brands to make sure they’re legit and offer the best wagering experience for Canadian bettors.
- Powbet – The top overall pick of our expert analysts
- STS – Quality horse racing betting sportsbook with great odds
- Bodog – Trusted global site with excellent live betting prices
- Leon Bet – Wide variety of convenient payment methods
- N1bet – Take advantage of an enormous signup bonus
- Betstorm – Among the best horse racing betting apps online
- Tebwin – Best mobile betting interface
- Cazimbo – Plenty of horse racing streams to be found
- Betvictor – One of the top global horse racing betting sportsbooks
- Sports Interaction – Lots of quality promotions
Top Horse Racing Betting Site Reviews
Having now revealed our top ten horse racing betting sites, let’s take a closer look at some of our favourites.
1. Powbet – Number one horse racing betting site in Canada
Where do we start with Powbet? Should we talk about the site’s intuitive layout that’s really easy to navigate for both newcomers and seasoned bettors alike? Or the sheer number of horse racing markets available at competitive odds, both pre-race and in-running? Maybe should focus on the live streaming, cashout or other innovative features?
As you can probably tell, we really like this brand, which is one of the best new online gambling sites in the country. Not only is the sportsbook packed with both traditional and harness racing, but you’ll find great odds on ice hockey, basketball and countless other sports too. Further, Powbet ranks as one of Canada’s best football betting sites. There’s a solid selection of banking options, including cryptocurrency, and the customer support team is top class.
Last but not least, Powbet is packed with player-friendly promotions, including a no-nonsense signup offer. All new registrants can pick up a 100% match bonus worth up to $150 with a reasonable 6x wager requirement.
Pros:
- Harness and traditional racing from around the world
- Competitive in-running odds
- Lots of great sports betting promotions
- Cryptocurrency payments welcome
Cons:
- Welcome bonus is on the small side
2. STS – Sportsbook from Europe carving out a good reputation
Originally founded in Poland back in 1997, STS has been running sports betting operations for a quarter of a century. That expertise probably explains why they are already making a name for themselves in Canada, despite only launching in 2018.
They already have one of the best horse racing betting apps under their belt. That’s thanks to a fine selection of markets, live streams and some generous odds. The interface is user-friendly, there’s a good choice of payment methods and the promotions are plentiful. Alongside horse racing, STS is also a top soccer betting site, not to mention one of the best new hockey sportsbooks in Canada. It is also one of the best Canadian eSports sportsbooks and the best WWE sportsbooks too.
Finally, the welcome bonus is definitely worth noting too. Sign up using the STS promo code SBK300 and you’ll pick up a 100% bonus worth a possible $300. The turnover requirement is only 5x and you can deposit as little as $20.
Pros:
- Trusted reputation since the late 1990s
- Live betting offered
- Good welcome bonus
- One stop shop for gambling, including casino
Cons:
- Doesn’t accept Bitcoin
3. Bodog – Internationally-respected sportsbook with crypto payments
If you like to bet on horses with cryptocurrency, then Bodog is the site for you. You’ll find several digital tokens available for use, but more importantly, there’s a selection of crypto-specific bonuses. While everyone can take advantage of plenty of offers, the cryptocurrency promotions are always enhanced, giving Bitcoin users more value.
Alongside the excellent bonuses, Bodog is a globally respected all-round betting site. With one of the best online casinos in Canada, you can also enjoy a massive selection of international sports betting lines. Whether it’s NHL ice hockey, Champions League soccer or IPL cricket. The only slight downside is a lack of native iOS or Android horse racing betting apps. But despite this, the mobile betting site is excellent.
If you’d like to open an account with Bodog, make sure to take full advantage of the welcome bonus. It’s worth a possible $400, as well as 50 free spins for use at the casino.
Pros:
- Trusted name in the industry
- Special Bitcoin promotions
- Generous welcome offer
- Plenty of international horse racing markets
Cons:
- A few major banking options missing
4. Leon Bet – Simple but effective horse racing site
Originally set up in 2007, Leon Bet is a new and relatively unfamiliar entrant to the Canadian betting world. And with a minimalist user interface, you might be tempted to think the worst. But fear not, because these guys know what they’re doing. The simple layout makes things fast and easy to navigate, while the features under the hood are high quality.
Want in-play betting? You got it. Live streams? Check. Cashout? Of course! The odds are competitive on all of their sports betting markets, not just horse racing. Customer support is helpful and available round the clock, while the minimum deposit limit is extremely fair at just $5.
We’d advise you to use the Leon Bet promo code CA200 when registering. That way, when you deposit $200, your first bet will be insured up to the same amount. If you lose, the $200 will be refunded in the form of a free bet.
Pros:
- Straightforward, easy to use layout
- Plenty of live betting options
- Very generous risk-free welcome offer
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- No horse racing betting apps available
5. N1Bet – Thousands of daily markets to enjoy
Licensed in Curaçao, this offshore betting site has been open to Canadian players since 2021. But they haven’t wasted a second proving that they’re a top sportsbook in the country. Among the safe and secure banking options, you’ll find Interac, e-wallets and a selection of cryptocurrency tokens.
In terms of betting opportunities, the site supplies you with more than 2,000 every day, a quarter of which are live betting markets. Not all of these are horse racing of course, as the sportsbook is also a good place to bet on ice hockey, tennis and motorsports. Actually, it’s already among the best F1 betting brands in Canada.
Finally, probably the standout feature of N1Bet, we need to talk about the signup bonus. Your first deposit will be matched 300% up to a massive $7,500. But what’s more, you can even pick up a free bet just for verifying your account! There’s no need to use a promo code, either.
Pros:
- One of the biggest welcome offers in Canada
- Generous odds
- Support available 24/7
- Plenty of banking methods
Cons:
- High minimum deposit of $30
Comparison of the Best Online Horse Racing Betting Sites
Here’s a quick summary of the key elements of our recommended horse racing betting sportsbooks.
Bookmaker Welcome Bonus Promo Code Live Betting Live Streaming Payment Methods Powbet 100% up to $150 N/A Y Y Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac, Neosurf, ecoPayz, eZeeWallet, Flexepin, MiFinity, Muchbetter, CashtoCode STS 100% up to $300 SBK300 Y Y Cards, Interac, Trustly, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Muchbetter, ecoPayz, EUTeller, AstroPay Bodog 100% up to $400 + 50 free spins N/A Y Y Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac Leon Bet Bet $200, get a risk-free bet of $200 CA200 Y Y Cards, Cash2Code N1Bet 300% risk-free bet up to $7,500 N/A Y N Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac, Neosurf, ecoPayz, eZeeWallet, Flexepin, MiFinity, Muchbetter, Pay4Fun, iDebit, Skrill, Neteller Betstorm Bet $10, get a $10 free bet N/A Y N Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac, ecoPayz, Muchbetter, Paysafecard Tebwin Bet $10, get a $10 free bet N/A Y N Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac, ecoPayz, Muchbetter, Paysafecard, Apple Pay Cazimbo 100% up to $150 N/A Y Y Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac, Neosurf, ecoPayz, eZeeWallet, Flexepin, MiFinity, Muchbetter, CashtoCode Betvictor Bet $300, get a risk-free bet of $300 N/A Y Y Cards, Trustly, Neteller, SkrillPayPal, Paysafecard Sports Interaction 100% up to $500 N/A Y N Cards, Interac, ecoPayz, Muchbetter, Paysafecard, iDebit, Instadebit, echeck How Does Horse Racing Betting Work?
Okay, with our top sportsbooks out of the way, let’s get into the details of betting on horse racing in Canada. Before we share our favourite horse racing betting tips to improve your win rate, let’s look at how to understand the odds.
Betting on Horse Racing – Odds & Lines
Horse racing betting sportsbooks usually give you a selection of odds format. Some bettors prefer a UK style, with fractional odds. Others like the US display, with plus and minus signs to indicate underdogs and favourites. While some people enjoy the simplicity of European decimal odds.
All of the best betting sites will give you the choice. But our tip is to stick to decimals, as it’s easier to calculate your returns. Simply multiply the odds value by your desired wager to see how much you’ll get back. For instance, $50 on American Pharoah at 3.00 would return 3 * 50 = $150. So that’s a profit of $100, since it includes the original $50 stake.
If you’re betting a parlay, the logic is just the same. Multiply all of the odds together, as well as the stake. So if you’re playing a four leg parlay at odds of 1.80, 2.60, 4.00 and 2.20 for $10, here’s the calculation:
1.8 * 2.6 * 4 * 2.2 * 10 = $411.84
Common Markets in Horse Racing Betting
Now that you understand how the odds work, let’s assess the most common types of horse racing bet in Canada.
To Win
Win bets are the most popular in Canada, perhaps due to their simplicity. All you need to do is correctly call the winning horse. Your payout depends upon the selection’s odds, as well as your chosen wager amount.
Example: Northern Dancer to win @ 5.00
To Place
The terminology horse racing in Canada is the same as that of the USA. Therefore, if a horse “placed”, it finished either first or second. Betting on this market reduces the odds slightly, as you now have two chances to win.
Example: Dance Smartly to show @ 3.50
To Show
This is basically the same as a place bet, only your selection can finish anywhere in the first three. And in just the same way, your odds will be lower as there are now three ways to win the bet.
Example: La Prevoyante to show @ 2.60
Across The Board
Backing a single horse to win, place and show all at once is known as “Across The Board”. It’s a full cover bet, so if the selection wins, you’ve effectively got three different winning wagers. If the horse goes close but doesn’t win, you’ll still pick up some consolation returns.
Example: Rich Strike across the board @ 3.50
Each-Way
This is quite similar to Across The Board, only the specific each-way terms vary depending on the race. The number of runners and the type of race dictate the exact rules, but it’s effectively two bets. One wager to win, the other to show.
If, for example, the race offers each-way terms of ⅕ the odds for the first three, your horse needs to come in the front three to pick up any returns. Let’s say the odds are 6.00 and you bet $10. If the selection wins, you’ll get two winning bets, $10 at 6.00 ($60) and another $10 paid at ⅕ those odds ($20). If it were to finish 2nd or 3rd, your “win” bet loses but the second bet, paid at ⅕ the odds, is still a winner.
Example: Cam Fella Each-Way @ 8.00
Exactor
Known as an Exacta in the United States and a Forecast in Britain, you need to correctly predict the front two horses. Crucially, they also need to be in the exact finishing order. As this is a pool bet, your returns will only be known after the race is run.
Example: Izvestia to beat With Approval
Quinella
This is what’s called a Reverse Forecast in the UK. It’s basically two Exactor bets, with Horse X to beat Horse Y in either order. So if Horse Y finishes first and Horse X is second, the bet still wins. Dividends are usually smaller than the Exactor, as you have an extra shot at winning.
Example: 9-3 (Horse 9 to beat horse 3, or horse 3 to beat horse 9)
Triactor
Next up is the Triactor, which simply requires you to guess the front three horses in the right order. However, if you box your three picks, you can cover all six permutations to have a better chance of winning. Naturally this will cost you extra. The French call this bet Tierce, while Americans and the Brits refer to it as a Trifecta.
Example: 6-5-11 (Box Triactor: 6-5-11, 6-11-5, 11-5-6, 11-6-5, 5-6-11, 5-11-6)
Double
Trying to predict the winner of two consecutive races is known as a double. It’s hard enough to find a single winner, so of course, payouts on a double can be very rewarding. As a pool bet, the returns will be declared when the race is over.
Triple
Much like the double, a triple (sometimes called “Pick 3”) is when you must correctly call all three winners in three successive races. You can choose more than one horse per race to have a better chance. But this does increase the size of your wager.
Parlay
Finally, any kind of bet with more than one selection is known as a parlay. If you try to find five winners in five named races, for instance, that is called a “fivefold” parlay. Your stake can be as much or as little as you wish and potential returns grow exponentially with each additional selection.
Free Bets at Horse Racing Betting Sites
Horse racing sites offer all kinds of attractive bonuses, promotions and free bets. Let’s look at some of the most popular in this next section.
Free Bets
These are often awarded to regular players a loyalty bonus, but can also be found as part of a welcome package. Free bets, as the name suggests, do not require you to spend your own money. But if they win, you will only keep the profits, not the free bet stake.
Risk-Free Bets
A risk-free bet is not quite the same as a regular free bet. Here you will be spending your own money, but if the wager loses, you’ll pick up a refund. That could be in the form of real money, but most of the time it’ll be a free bet token.
No Deposit Bonus
It’s getting harder to find such offers today, since they are so valuable. But the no deposit bonus is the Holy Grail of horse racing promos. Simply open an account and start betting with bonus funds. No need to register a banking method, just dive right in and keep any returns!
Deposit Match Bonus
One of the most common welcome offers at Canadian sportsbooks is the match bonus. Players making a deposit will receive a top up based on the size of their real money deposit. For instance, a 200% match on a $25 deposit would mean a $50 bonus alongside the $25 of cash.
Top Horse Racing Signup Bonuses
Betting Site Free Bet Bonus Promo Code Minimum Odds Wager Requirement Powbet 100% up to $150 N/A 2.00 6x STS 100% up to $300 SBK300 1.80 5x Bodog 100% up to $400 + 50 free spins N/A None 5x Leon Bet Bet $200, get a risk-free bet of $200 CA200 1.80 None N1Bet 300% risk-free bet up to $7500 N/A 1.01 None Live Horse Racing Betting Online
Exchanges such as Betfair reinvented betting on horse racing around the turn of the millennium. Not only did they allow us to lay a horse, acting as the bookmaker, but for the first time we could bet after the race had begun.
Live, or “in-running” betting gives us extra ways to win. For example, if our horse gets off to a bad start, we can defect and bet on a different runner. If you know that one horse tends to hit a flat spot in races, you can wait for it to happen and back it in-running at bigger odds. There are lots of different live horse racing betting tips and strategies to explore.
Horse Racing Betting Sites with Live Streaming
Most of the top racebooks in Canada will permit you to watch the action, as long as you have a financial investment. You may not even need to bet on the race, as some betting sites only require you to have a positive balance.
Live streaming allows us to watch the races unfold, without the need to pay for expensive streaming services or visit a physical track. If you have a horse racing betting app, you’ll be able to wager and watch all in the same place. Many desktop and mobile betting sites also offer this service.
Some of the top sites in Canada for streaming horse races include:
- Powbet. This is our top pick for horse racing betting in Canada for a variety of reasons, but their streaming interface is really simple to use.
- Leon Bet. Another site with a user-friendly live betting and streaming platform, you can enjoy a risk free bet of $200 on your first live wager.
- Bodog. Live betting and streaming is a speciality of this internationally-respected, cryptocurrency friendly sportsbook and casino.
The Biggest Horse Races for Betting
Although you can bet on horse racing around the world basically every day of the year, some events carry greater prestige. Here are some of the world’ most illustrious races.
Queen’s Plate
At more than 160 years old, Canada’s most famous race is held every year at Woodbine. A total purse of $1 million awaits successful trainers in this contest, which was first run in 1860.
Melbourne Cup
Australia’s flagship race is known as the “race that stops a nation”. Flemington Racecourse hosts the occasion and the whole country enjoys a public holiday to watch the horse racing. The world’s best two mile handicappers turn up to compete for a whopping $8 million purse.
Kentucky Derby
The USA’s Triple Crown is made up of this race, followed by the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Held every May, the Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Breeders Cup
A two day event which moves around the USA, the Breeders Cup takes place in early November. Past locations have included Santa Anita, Churchill Downs and Gulf Stream Park and the races draw top international talent.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The most coveted prize in National Hunt (jumps) racing, the Gold Cup is run on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival. Top thoroughbred horses from the UK and Ireland line up to take a stab at a £500,000 prize. But really, it’s all about that little gold trophy.
Grand National
Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool plays host to the most famous jumps race in the world every April. An incredible test of skill and stamina, 40 horses must negotiate 30 obstacles over a distance of four miles.
Is Horse Racing Legal in Canada?
Le Club Jockey du Canada, or the Jockey Club of Canada in English, is the governing body. They regulate the sport to ensure that races are fair and that horses are bred legally and cared for properly. They also oversee legal horse racing betting.
Deposits and Withdrawals at Horse Racing Sites
Without banking methods, there wouldn’t be any horse racing betting online in Canada. Here are some of the most popular ways to fund a sportsbook account.
Debit & Credit Cards
A safe and reliable way to transact at a bookmaker, plastic has been around since the 1950s. The likes of Mastercard and Visa handle billions of payments annually, so we can be sure that our money is going to be safe.
E-Wallets
A convenient way to store one’s betting bankroll, brands like Neteller, PayPal and Skrill have been around for two decades. Gambling transactions are fast and often free. But crucially, they’re very fast too.
Cryptocurrency
Tokens such as Dogecoin, Ripple and of course Bitcoin have now become mainstream. A significant number of betting sites now accept cryptocurrency and they’re especially good for payouts. That’s because withdrawals are always much quicker than traditional banking methods.
Best Banking Methods for Horse Racing Betting Sportsbooks
Betting Site Payment Methods Deposit Limits Minimum Withdrawal Withdrawal Processing Powbet Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac, Neosurf, ecoPayz, eZeeWallet, Flexepin, MiFinity, Muchbetter, CashtoCode $10 $10 < 24 hours STS Cards, Interac, Trustly, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Muchbetter, ecoPayz, EUTeller, AstroPay $20 $10 < 24 hours Bodog Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac $20 $20 < 24 hours Leon Bet Cards, Cash2Code $5 $5 < 24 hours N1Bet Cards, cryptocurrency, Interac, Neosurf, ecoPayz, eZeeWallet, Flexepin, MiFinity, Muchbetter, Pay4Fun, iDebit, Skrill, Neteller $30 $30 < 24 hours Tips for Horse Racing Betting Success
In this section, we’ll reveal our top horse racing betting tips to help you win more often.
Study for yourself
First of all, it’s important to realise that there are no shortcuts. If you want to be successful at anything, you need to put in the hard work. Practice reading form, invest time learning how to handicap and compile your own speed ratings. This will allow you to spot discrepancies in the odds.
Discuss things online
While it’s important to block out the noise and focus on your own opinions, it’s still wise to discuss things in the wider community. Sharing your opinions can provide a useful sanity test and you can learn from people with more experience. Avoid the “expert” tipsters who charge money for picks, however.
Seek out value
Whatever you do, don’t just stick to a single horse racing betting sportsbook. Loyalty will get you nowhere. Use comparison websites or manually browse multiple brands to assess the latest horse racing betting odds. Why would you take a lower price if one bookmaker is offering bigger odds?
Always bet responsibly
Never, ever bet with money that is earmarked for your day-to-day life. Don’t stake what you cannot afford to risk. And when learning how to bet on horses, try not to spread thinly with too many bets. Aim to specialise in one niche, to help you gain an edge.
Get an app
The last of our free horse racing tips is to check out betting apps. Most mobile casinos and betting sites in Canada today have a racebook. And using an app allows you to bet at fixed odds, even if you’re at the racetrack. On-course betting in Canada is pari-mutuel, so you never know what your returns will be until the race has been run. Further, if you cannot make it to the track, apps allow you to view the live action.
How to Start Betting on Horse Racing in Canada
Ready to get involved with some horse racing betting online in Canada? This step-by-step guide will soon get you off and running. We’re using Powbet to illustrate the process.
Step 1: Select a bookmaker
Pick out your betting site – we like Powbet due to the great value horse racing betting odds – and load the homepage. Hit “Play Now” to open the registration form.
Step 2: Register your detailsComplete the form with your basic information such as name, email and date of birth. Make sure to do this correctly as you’ll need to validate these details when requesting a withdrawal.
Step 3: Verify the emailNext, check your inbox for a welcome message and follow the instructions. You won’t be allowed to log into your new account until you verify the address.
Step 4: Deposit your funds
You can’t enjoy horse racing betting online in Canada without real money! So head to the cashier, pick out a banking method, apply any promo codes and fund that new account.
Step 5: Place your bets
Finally, you’re all set to bet! Check out our free horse racing tips above to help you pick out some winning horses. Click on the selections you like, type in your stake and make that first wager!
Horse Racing Betting Canada – Conclusion
Thanks for reading our guide to horse racing betting online in Canada. We hope that you’ve learned a lot and that you’re now ready to get started.
Why not put your newly acquired know-how to the test at Powbet? New registrants can earn a 100% signup bonus worth $150 at our number one racebook in Canada.
FAQs
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Alan Draper
Alan Draper
