Horse racing is one of the sports enjoyed by millions of people throughout Canada and beyond. In Ontario, the regulatory landscape is shifting, and several Ontario horse betting sites are now set to join the off-track betting market.
If you are new to the sport or are looking to bet on horse racing in Ontario, this guide is all you need. You'll learn more about the bet types, markets and any expert tips that could enhance your betting experience.
Go to Bet365
Go to Bet365
Go to Bet365
Before you can start betting on horse racing in Ontario, there are certain things you need to know about this sport. This is especially crucial if you are a complete beginner. Below is a quick overview of what you need to know before placing your first wager.
The horse racing market is quite diverse. Some of the most popular markets are straightforward bets, namely, win, place and show. There are also the more complex ones, often referred to as exotic bets. They include markets such as exacta, quinella, and trifecta. Each bet type is unique and adds some fun and character to your betting experience.
Ontarians are no strangers to some of the top horse racing events. One is the Canadian Triple Crown, which features races like the Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders' Stakes. Across the border is the Kentucky Derby, which steals the spotlight every first Saturday in May. The other notable event is the Breeders' Cup World Championship, a global horse racing extravaganza that attracts talent from Canada, Australia, and the UK. All these popular events are available for betting at the top Ontario horse betting sites.
In Ontario, off-track betting (OTB) is your gateway to the world of fun and winning opportunities. The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) oversees OTB operations, ensuring fair play and responsible gambling. Previously, OTB in Ontario was limited to a select few operators, but this is set to change. It's also worth noting that out of the over 70 licensed OTB facilities across the province, the majority are owned by the Woodbine Entertainment Group, the only operator that was initially licensed to offer horse wagering in Ontario.
With countless options out there, you want to thoroughly select the best OTB Ontario horse betting sites that suit your unique needs. Here's what to look out for during your selection process:
Some of the best Sportsbooks offer various betting markets, giving you the option to pick what works best for you. Besides the straightforward bets such as win, place and show, you should be on the lookout for markets such as distance betting, betting W/O favourite, match betting and more.
To make an informed decision, you should compare the odds across different sites to ensure you're getting the best value for your bets. Horse racing odds are often priced as fractions.
An example is a bet with odds of 10-3, read as 10/3. With this example, you will win ten units for every three wagered. If the first number (numerator) is larger than the second number (denominator), you are set to win more in profit than the wager amount. This, however, also means you are betting on an underdog; hence, there's a significant risk-reward ratio.
A live betting feature allows you to adjust your bets as races unfold. A site with this option gives you the flexibility to lock in value odds in the shortest time possible.
In horse betting, just like in any other sport, you may sometimes need an escape route. Look for sites with cash-out features, as this gives you the power to settle your bets early. However, this feature may not work for everyone or in every situation because you could sometimes take a 30% cut, forfeiting the rest just by cashing out.
The other factors to prioritize when choosing an online horse betting site in Ontario are efficient mobile streaming and reliable customer support. In our recent guide to online tennis betting in Ontario, we discussed how bettors are becoming fond of mobile streaming and why most sportsbooks are prioritizing this feature.
Having explored what to look for in a great sportsbook, here are two of the top horse betting sites in Ontario you can sign up with to get started.
| Bet365 | PointsBet | |
|---|---|---|
| Betting Markets | Extensive bet types | Straightforward and exotic bets |
| Competitive Advantage | Covers more events | Excellent live betting experience |
| Payment Methods | Card payments, Bank Wire, paysafecard, InstaDebit, iDebit, Apple Pay and more | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, PayNearMe, Trustly, bank transfers |
| Live Streaming | Smooth on the app and site | Best on the app |
| In-Play Betting | Great in-game odds | Fast and reliable betting |
If you want to compare Bet365's strengths and weaknesses, here's where to start:
If you are new to horse racing betting in Ontario, Bet365 is that sportsbook you may want to sign up with. Besides being a reputable and easy-to-navigate site, here are the other reasons you may want to consider this operator.
Bet365 stands out with its extensive selection of horse racing markets. Whether you prefer straightforward bets or you're up for more complex options like exacta and trifecta, they've got you covered.
Bet365's commitment to providing favourable odds makes it an attractive choice for bettors seeking profitable opportunities.
Bet365 excels when it comes to live betting. The site is fast, plus it has a mobile app that allows for smooth on-the-go betting. Moreover, they offer live-streaming, allowing you to watch the races live on their platform, so you can follow the action closely.
Before creating an account with PointsBet and placing your first bet, here are the Sportsbook's pros and cons you should know:
PointsBet is one of the new Ontario betting sites that are gaining popularity in the market, thanks to a combination of factors such as competitive horse racing odds and extensive betting markets. If you are wondering whether this sportsbook is right for you, here are the other features you'll find in this sportsbook.
The platform has been designed for the everyday bettor who values speed and convenience. PointsBet also has an iOS and Android app that's lightweight and user-friendly.
If you want to bet on races live and take advantage of accurate and real-time odd changes, PointsBet is the site for you. Compared to most of its competitors, including some of the big names, this sportsbook's live betting feature is faster and more reliable. You won't experience any glitches or delays which could cause odds variation or significant changes in payouts.
Another thing worth highlighting is the incredible live-streaming feature. For the best live-streaming experience, you want to use the app. The site can be a bit slow, especially if you are using an outdated browser.
Betting on horse racing can be intimidating, especially if you're new to the sport. However, here are a couple of betting tips you can borrow to make online horse betting in Ontario work for you.
For beginners looking to excel in horse racing betting, it's crucial to grasp the fundamentals. For instance, you should know that you're not betting against the sportsbook; rather, you're competing with other bettors in a mutual pool. Unlike what we discussed in our MLS betting guide, where the odds are fixed, horse racing betting is a bit different. Payouts are determined by the pool's total and the number of winning bets.
As noted above, horse racing odds fluctuate until the race begins, depending on the betting trends. To be on the safer side, you should pay close attention to any changes before the race, as they will impact the final odds and your potential returns. However, you should note that odds do not necessarily influence the race results but rather the payouts.
Ontario off-track betting sites offer various markets, from the most popular straightforward bets to the more complex exotic options like exacta, trifecta, and box bets. Ideally, you want to start with markets that align with your knowledge and experience before venturing into more complex wagers.
The thing with horse racing is that action happens very fast. That means live betting can be dynamic, and if you are slow, you will miss the best odds. When betting on live races, you want to keep an eye on odds fluctuations. If you spot value odds on a horse with winning potential, you should make a quick move.?
Predicting the outcome of a horse race is a difficult task. From the course and track conditions to the jockey's skill, obstacles, and even the weather, horse racing can be a complex sport to bet on.
In other words, you should only wager on a horse you know how it has consistently performed in the past. To simplify the betting process, it's crucial to focus on certain aspects of the race and use historical behaviour patterns to your advantage.
Most horses often exhibit consistent behaviours. Some horses are known to lead from the front, while others are the kings and queens of comebacks. Once you have access to this information, you are sure to make better and more informed betting decisions.?
If you are a veteran bettor, you probably know that the secret to long-term success in any sports betting niche is to consistently find value bets. But what does value bets look like in horse racing? You can think of value betting as finding the most overlooked opportunity.
For instance, an OTB Ontario Sportsbook may offer 5–2 odds for a particular horse to win, but after doing some research, you think that the odds are slightly higher than they should otherwise be priced. If you go ahead and bet on this race, that would be your value bet. It is more than just the win; it’s about the probability of getting a better price with just one event.
The reason why this is important is because value bets give you the most results with minimal risk, leading to long-term profitability. It's about understanding the true odds, comparing them to bookmaker odds, and seizing opportunities when the odds are in your favour.?
For players who are new to horse racing betting in Ontario, here's a quick guide you can use to kick-start your horse racing adventures.
Now that many sportsbooks are offering online horse betting in Ontario, placing your wagers is easier than ever. All you need to do is understand the betting markets and how the odds system works. Similarly, you should pay attention to the strategies highlighted above to enhance your betting experience.
Yes. There are various licensed online sportsbooks and off-track betting facilities offering horse wagering in Ontario.
There are a couple of factors to consider when deciding whether a sportsbook is right for you. Basically, you should pay attention to the available markets, site usability, customer support, payment methods, and odds.
Depending on your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance, you can choose either the straightforward bets or the exotic bets.
? 2005-2024 www.ebooksnet.com - PO BOX 15355. IRVINE, CA 92623
19+ and physically located in Ontario. Gambling Problem? Call 1-866-531-2600 or visit connexontario.ca.
www.ebooksnet.com
