Top 16 UK Virtual Horse Racing Betting Sites for 2023 [Guide]

Do you ever fancy placing a bet on the horses only to find that there aren’t any markets available? Or that you want UK racing rather than racing from another country? If so, this is a common problem for horse racing fans. After a long day at work, your options are normally limited to international horse racing or another sport. Thankfully, we now have virtual horse racing to satisfy our needs.

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Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. | T&C apply

#1 for Virtual Racing

Recommended Virtual Racing Offers [2023]:

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  • Massive amount of betting markets
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Min. Deposit

£5

Website

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

2000

Owner

Bet365 Group Ltd

Offer terms

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

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Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. | T&C apply

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  • Very well experienced service
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Min. Deposit

£10

Website

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

1967

Owner

Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited

Offer terms

New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply.

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New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply. | T&C apply

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Min. Deposit

£5

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

1994

Owner

BetVictor Limited

Offer terms

18+, New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Offer is valid from 10:00 UK time on 16/01/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly

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18+, New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Offer is valid from 10:00 UK time on 16/01/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly | T&C apply

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Min. Deposit

£5

Website

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

1926

Owner

GVC Holdings

Offer terms

18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.

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18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply. | T&C apply

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Mrplay welcome offer

Min. Deposit

£10

Website

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

2017

Owner

Marketplay LTD

Offer terms

18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible.

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18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible. | T&C apply

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grosvenor double odds

Min. Deposit

£20

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

1970

Owner

Rank Leisure Holdings Ltd

Offer terms

18+,T&C Apply. Begambleaware.org, Please Gamble Responsibly. Maximum stake is £10. Exclusive to new members.

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18+,T&C Apply. Begambleaware.org, Please Gamble Responsibly. Maximum stake is £10. Exclusive to new members. | T&C apply

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Min. Deposit

£10

Website

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

2020

Owner

Sharp Connection LTD

Offer terms

18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible.

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18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. | T&C apply

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  • £5 Minimum Withdrawal
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Min. Deposit

£5

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

1989

Owner

BetVictor Limited

Offer terms

18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10+ at odds 2.00+, in 7 days. No cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected events. Plus a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw max £250. 7 day bonuses expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org

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18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10+ at odds 2.00+, in 7 days. No cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected events. Plus a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw max £250. 7 day bonuses expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | T&C apply

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Min. Deposit

£10

Website

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

2005

Owner

ASG Technologies Ltd

Offer terms

18+. New depositing sport players only. Min deposit £10, minimum wagering on sport £20, req qualifying bets at min odds 1/1, offers valid for 14 days; max one £10 free bet per customer, paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Selected payment methods.Tournaments run every Friday at 00:00 CET until Thursday 23:59 CET. Tournament Timeout Limit: 35. Stake contribution per bet: £1. Minimum odds: 3/10. Minimum £10 bets in tournament to be eligible for reward. 1st Place Prize: £1000. Prizes granted up to 48h after tournament ends. Free Bet does not contribute towards leaderboard. Please Play Responsibly. www.begambleaware.org

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18+. New depositing sport players only. Min deposit £10, minimum wagering on sport £20, req qualifying bets at min odds 1/1, offers valid for 14 days; max one £10 free bet per customer, paid as bonus token with min 4/5 odds req. Selected payment methods.Tournaments run every Friday at 00:00 CET until Thursday 23:59 CET. Tournament Timeout Limit: 35. Stake contribution per bet: £1. Minimum odds: 3/10. Minimum £10 bets in tournament to be eligible for reward. 1st Place Prize: £1000. Prizes granted up to 48h after tournament ends. Free Bet does not contribute towards leaderboard. Please Play Responsibly. www.begambleaware.org | T&C apply

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£40 Moneyback bonus + £10 Casino

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unibet free bet offer

Min. Deposit

£10

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

1997

Owner

Platinum Gaming Limited

Offer terms

18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: all sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. Full T&C's apply.. #AD

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18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: all sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. Full T&C's apply.. #AD | T&C apply

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netbet sports offer

Min. Deposit

£10

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

2001

Owner

NetBet Enterprises Limited

Offer terms

New players, from 11.08.2021,£10 bet to quality, £10 in Free Bets and up to 100 FreeSpins, Free Bets valid for 3 days, Terms apply

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New players, from 11.08.2021,£10 bet to quality, £10 in Free Bets and up to 100 FreeSpins, Free Bets valid for 3 days, Terms apply | T&C apply

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Min. Deposit

£10

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

1934

Owner

WHG (International) Limited

Offer terms

18+. Play safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply.

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18+. Play safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. | T&C apply

Bonus offer

Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish Horse & Dog Racing

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  • Great odds
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  • Great horse racing offering
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Min. Deposit

£10

Regulated by

MGA, UKGC

Founded

2016

Owner

Star Racing Ltd

Offer terms

Star Sports are offering Best Odds Guaranteed on UK/Irish Horseracing & Greyhound racing – From 9am on the day of the race. Max £1000 enhancement per bet. Applies to singles & multiple bets. Further T&C’s apply.

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Deposit methods

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Star Sports are offering Best Odds Guaranteed on UK/Irish Horseracing & Greyhound racing – From 9am on the day of the race. Max £1000 enhancement per bet. Applies to singles & multiple bets. Further T&C’s apply. | T&C apply

What’s Virtual Horse Racing?

Ultimately, virtual horse racing works in much the same way as real horse racing. You’ll find all the same markets including forecasts, each way, tricasts, outright win, and more. Of course, the difference comes in the way that the race is completed. Instead of real horses on a track somewhere in the world, everything is computer generated using random number generators (RNGs).

When you view a virtual horse race, it’s like watching a video game where a clever algorithm and formula decide what happens. As you’ll notice, all events take place on fictional racecourses as to avoid confusion. If you see courses such as Neighmarket, you’ll know that you’re betting on virtual horse racing rather than the real thing.

Again, just like the racetracks, all horses are made up and shouldn’t bear a correlation with real horses. To get started, why not look for a virtual market now and follow the event? You don’t need to bet anything yet, just get familiar with how it works and looks.

Wagering on Virtual Horse Racing

What if you decide to place some money on a virtual horse race? Well, you’ll have access to all the normal research tools including form and racecards. Didn’t we say that virtual horse racing works in much the same way? With the proper information, you aren’t just choosing at random because you learn about the virtual horses.

In the past, we’ve spoken to lots of people who have had concerns over the fairness of virtual horse racing. Sometimes, it’s hard to take a loss when everything is generated by a computer. However, the whole sport is underpinned by important RNGs, the same as the ones used in video poker, slots, and blackjack games.

Although the word ‘random’ is used in the name, this doesn’t mean the computer literally chooses one of the names (like pulling from a hat). Instead, it’s a weighted system that takes form and other factors into account. Just like real horse racing, this means that favourites for a race are more likely to win than the others…but this doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to win.

With all this in mind, it means that the betting experience is exactly the same as real horse racing. Favourites are the most likely to win, but betting on an outsider is worthwhile because they could cause a surprise. If the system were purely random, it would soon lose its appeal (we may as well just bet on the flip of a coin!).

Types of Virtual Horse Racing

As virtual horse racing has grown in popularity, we’ve seen the introduction of new variations of the sport. Therefore, you’ll enjoy the following when betting in this area:

  • Jump Racing – Like the Grand National, this virtual race has jumps for the riders to navigate and it adds excitement for those who find flat racing too simple.
  • Flat Racing – Without hurdles, this event occurs across flat land and is normally shorter as a result.
  • Sprint Racing – We recommend sprint racing for those who want short and quick races.
  • Trotting – For an added dynamic, more bookmakers are now offering harness racing, where each horse carries traps behind them.

Racing Cards and Odds

Though based around something we all know and love, it’s natural to feel a little lost when betting on virtual horse racing for the first time. However, the good news is that virtual racing betting sites provide racecards just as we see with the real thing. As well as form, you’ll learn all about the riders, distance history, the horses, and lots more. Normally, bettors can feel just as confident with a virtual horse as they are with real horse racing.

Generally speaking, the virtual variant of horse racing works with fixed odds. In other words, the odds don’t fluctuate based on where people are placing their money. Like a normal race, the favourite will have the lowest odds while a horse in poor form and an inexperienced rider will have the highest odds.

The odds are taken into account, and then the advanced algorithm chooses a winner while keeping the process fair for all. Will you choose the favourite with short odds or go for an outsider with longer odds? For many, the knowledge that virtual horse racing works in the same way as real horse racing keeps it just as exciting. Though we have favourites in real life, nothing stops the outsider from taking it all. Therefore, the algorithm attempts to mimic a real-life environment.

Recommend Virtual Racing Betting Sites;

Great Odds

Welcome bonus

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18+. Play safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. | T&C apply

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Welcome bonus

Bet £5 Get £20 Free bet

Minimum Odds: 1.5

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18+ Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 4 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply. | T&C apply

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Welcome bonus

Open Account Offer: bet £10 Get £30

Minimum Odds: 2.0

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Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. | T&C apply

Tips for Virtual Horse Racing

In truth, the tips we provide for virtual horse racing don’t really differ to the tips for real horse racing. This is a testament to the hard work of virtual horse racing betting sites to make the virtual experience as close as possible to the real thing. The race cards might be falsified, but they still allow us to learn about the horses and the ones most likely to win.

As well as looking at racecards, you should start small rather than risking large sums at the start. If there’s a horse that’s a strong favourite for a race, risk a few pennies so you get a better idea of how it works. While staking small amounts, play around with the different markets and see which you like the most.

Of course, the final tip is to have fun. Since virtual horse racing is active constantly, there are opportunities to jump in and out of events to learn and improve your knowledge in this area!

About the author

Carl Hughes

Editor

Carl Hughes

Editor

Carl Hughes is a leading expert on sports and casino betting. Carl began his career with a BSc in Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences from the University of Birmingham before working within the industry for some of the bigger names (GVC and Bet365) and has been praised as being "a leading sports betting commentator".