💡 What is a scratch in horse race betting?

A scratch is a term for the withdrawal of a candidate. All bets on a withdrawn candidate are returned to the bettors.

💡 Do horse racing odds and mainstream odds work the same way?

No, they don't work the same way. In horse racing betting, the odds are influenced by the level of interest from the crowd in each horse. This interest is reflected in the wager amount placed on each horse. While mainstream sports betting odds are set by the bookmaker, in horse racing, the amount of money wagered on each horse determines the odds.

💡 What metrics should I use when choosing a horse to bet on?

Players can check the speed value, stamina, and agility of each horse in the race. Their winning history, trainers, and respective jockeys should also be considered. Knowing these details will help you to choose the most favorable bet type.

💡 What is the best bet type for a new bettor?

New bettors can use regular bets (win, place, and show) or box bets to place their wagers. For more information, you can check the "types of horse race bets" section.

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Ireland

By Victoria Michael | Last update at 12 May, 2025⏲️ Reading time: 17 minutes

Fact checked by Martins Lasmanis

Fact checked by

Martins Lasmanis

With more than 10 years of experience in online marketing, and special focus on the gambling affiliation sector over 5 years, Martin Lasmanis is a true expert in his niche. Today, Martin's vision is to build the largest lead generator company in the world. Fortunately, we have the perfect team to make his dream come true!

Horse race betting is an activity that is as old as the sport itself. This is a betting form that seems to age like fine wine. With the use of technology, betting on this sport has never been easier. Irish bettors now have access to international horse racing events and the stats that accompany them.

The flip side to technology’s influence is the frequent creation of bookies. These operators come up with attractive deals for new and loyal customers. This might interest newbies, but the number of available sportsbooks may be daunting to them. The issue of safety might be a problem for the most adventurous bettors. Join us as we share an in-depth analysis of Ireland's best horse racing betting sites.

List of the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

Rank	Bookmaker	Rating	Bonus	Get bonus
1	Betibet	4.5/5	100% deposit match bonus up to €1,500	Play Read review
2	Lamabet	4.8/5	100% “Hunting Bonus” up to €1500	Play Read review
3	Casino Infinity	4.5/5	100% First deposit bonus up to €200	Play Read review
4	N1Bet	4.5/5	300% match bonus up to 4,400 BGP!	Play Read review
5	Dazard	4.5/5	50% up to 100 EUR in free bet; 200% up to 3,000 EUR Hunting Bonus	Play Read review
6	Legiano	4.9/5	100% welcome bonus up to €100	Play Read review
7	Lex Casino	4.8/5	Bonus Up to 300% For The First Three Deposits	Play Read review
8	Billybets	4.8/5	Welcome bonus 100% up to 100 EUR	Play Read review
9	MrPacho	4.8/5	100% first deposit bonus up to €200	Play Read review
10	Izzi Casino	4.8/5	150% Welcome Bonus	Play Read review

History Of Horse Race Betting in Ireland

Horse racing might be one of the first sports in Ireland. It unofficially dates back to the third century, but the history books recorded the first public horse racing event in the 17th century. Legal betting was only allowed at the horse racing venue. Bettors would come to the event, locate a bookie, and place bets on their favorite horses.

Unfortunately, transportation was difficult, so many bettors worked with the illegal bookies close to home. A new Act was released in the middle of the 20th century, which banned illegal betting. This didn’t reduce betting activities until the 21st century when online betting replaced on-site horse race betting.

Best Horse Racing Bookmakers in Ireland

After analyzing various bookmakers in the Irish iGaming industry, we’ve identified the top five horse racing bookmakers in Ireland.

Billybets

The sportsbook page offers horse racing in popular racecourses around the world. These events are filled with neck-breaking speed and high winning potential. Players could try their hands at popular racecourses ranging from the Uttoxeter to Dundalk. Users of Billy Bets have access to the 100% deposit bonus for new bettors and weekly reload 50% bonus match up to €500. Accumulator boosts, cashback, and enhanced odds are available to all bettors.

Feature	Details
📢 Site URL	Billybets.com
💰 Welcome Bonus	100% deposit bonus up to €100
⚽️ Sports	Short football, ice hockey, tennis, eSports, volleyball, boxing
💳 Payment Methods	Neteller, Jeton, Bank cards, Paysafecard, Rapid transfer, Skrill, Mifinity, cryptocurrencies
💵 Minimum Deposit	€20
🏧 Minimum Withdrawal	€20

22Bet

22bet adds racecourses in France, Turkey, and South Africa to its list. This gives Irish bettors a larger playing field and more betting markets. Iconic tracks like Chantilly, Adana, and Greyville deliver exciting moments and excellent betting opportunities.

Existing users can take advantage of the 100% reload bonus and rebate bonus. Additionally, the accumulator saver package offers a 100% refund if one out of seven selections loses—provided the other six bets are successful.

Feature	Details
📢 Site URL	22bet.com
💰 Welcome Bonus	100% deposit bonus up to €122
⚽️ Sports	Horse racing, football, badminton, field hockey, table tennis, chess, volleyball
💳 Payment Methods	Neteller, Bank cards, Payeer, Skrill, Entropay, Payz, and cryptocurrencies.
💵 Minimum Deposit	€1
🏧 Minimum Withdrawal	€1.50

Sportaza

This bookie has a separate icon for horse racing betting. Players don't have to check the 'all sports' section to find the registered races. Races from the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, Italy, and many others provide players with high winning potential.

Sportaza's responsive website and live betting features deliver an immersive betting experience. The bonus options on the sportsbook include a 100% accumulator boost. Cashback and boosted odds increase bettors' betting activities and payout potential.

Feature	Details
📢 Site URL	sportaza.com
💰 Welcome Bonus	100% deposit bonus up to €100
⚽️ Sports	Ice hockey, horse racing, tennis, eSports, handball, futsal, rugby
💳 Payment Methods	Neteller, bank card, jeton, Binance Pay, Mifinity
💵 Minimum Deposit	€10
🏧 Minimum Withdrawal	€10

Megapari

Bettors of this bookmaker have a large playing field. From the racecourses of Australia to the horse racing events of Brazil, bettors can enjoy great cash-out opportunities and live-streaming options.

The Advance Bet bonus allows players to place bets on live events or those scheduled for the next 48 hours. The free bets promo requires interested users to deposit at least €30 before it can be activated.

Feature	Details
📢 Site URL	megapari.com
💰 Welcome Bonus	200% welcome bonus on the first two deposits up to €200
⚽️ Sports	Football, Basketball, Ice hockey, horse racing, tennis, eSports
💳 Payment Methods	Visa, Mastercard, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies
💵 Minimum Deposit	€1
🏧 Minimum Withdrawal	€1.5

20bet

This bookmaker recently expanded its offerings to include horse racing, showcasing an impressive list of events for the sport. Operated by Tech Solutions and licensed by the Curacao eGaming Commission, the website features an easy-to-navigate layout. New users can quickly access the bookmaker's welcome bonus, payment options, and other features conveniently located at the top of the site.

Feature	Details
📢 Site URL	20bet.com
💰 Welcome Bonus	100% deposit bonus up to €100
⚽️ Sports	Handball, cricket, rugby, American football, Badminton.
💳 Payment Methods	Neteller, jeton, Interac, Perfect Money, Skrill, bank cards, cryptocurrencies.
💵 Minimum Deposit	€10
🏧 Minimum Withdrawal	€10

How We Rate Horse Racing Bookmakers in Ireland

Every high-ranking sports betting website must have certain provisions for their bettors. The presence of these items could make or mar the bookmaker’s success rate. Some of these provisions, like license, fair odds, reward system, payment options, and available sports, are cross-checked by our analysts. The team confirms that these betting websites online follow the required betting standard.

License And Regulations
Reputable horse racing bookmakers have licenses from credible regulatory bodies. This is the first proof of users’ safety. The licenses indicate that all activities of the bookmaker are supervised and regulated by the licensing body.
Sports And Betting Markets Diversity
There are several sports betting websites in Ireland, but the quality of their sports library determines the quality of entertainment. Betting markets like win, exacta, and trifecta are very common horse racing markets in the Irish online betting scene. Hence, top sportsbooks should provide these markets for their clientele.
Bonus
Since horse racing could be the national sport of Ireland, sportsbooks with offers tailored for horse racing bettors get a pass in this segment. Other offers with fair conditions are also considered.
Payment Channels
Recently, the use of e-wallets for digital transactions has fairly increased. Therefore, the provision of trusted e-wallets, bank cards, and cryptocurrencies are also investigated. Several payment options give a convenient experience.
Client Protection and Support
The best online bookmakers offer convenience, speed, and security to their users. This means inquiries are swiftly handled, vital details are protected, and the user experience is smooth.
Competitive Odds and Features
Each sport has an acceptable range of odds, which online bookmakers use. Our team verifies the odds for these sports at each betting site.

Legality Of Horse Race Betting in Ireland

Horse racing betting is extremely popular in Ireland, with the 1926 Betting Act established to ensure all betting houses were properly licensed and to protect the interests of bettors. This Act was amended in 1931, 2015, and 2024 to keep up with developments in the sector. The amendments in 2015 and 2024 introduced restrictions on online betting.

Underage bettors, those under 18, are prohibited from accessing these sites, and violators face a Class A fine or up to six months in jail. All online bookmakers and betting establishments must be licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).

Advertising for betting is prohibited between 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM, and excessive betting bonuses are not permitted in this region. Additionally, all bookmakers must implement responsible gambling measures to protect users.

Pros And Cons of Horse Race Betting

Gambling on horse racing is a popular pastime among many Irish residents. However, like any form of betting, it doesn’t always come without its challenges. There are a few bumps along the way, so let's take a look at the pros and cons of online betting.

How To Bet on Horse Racing

Let’s go through the betting process together. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced bettor, this step can help you bet on horse racing events.

Choose a Bookie
step 1
Pick a bookie from our recommended list of the best horse racing bookmakers in Ireland.
Explore the Sit
step 2
Browse through the website to familiarize yourself with its layout.
Place a Deposit
step 3
Make the necessary transactions, complete them, and head to the horse racing unit.
Start Betting
step 4
Horse racing events are distinguished by country. So, click on the hosting country, choose the event and race, and place bets on your favorite horse.

Types Of Bets For Horse Racing

Horse racing bets are different from their mainstream alternatives. The player’s bets are against the public wagers rather than the bookie. So, the odds aren’t fixed to favor the sportsbook. Let’s look at the markets in this sport.

Regular Bets

This type of bet follows the principle of single bets. It holds three forms, namely: win, place, and show. The ‘win’ bet requires a player to choose the winner of the race. ‘Place’ allows bettors to predict the horse that will be the winner or the first runner-up after the winner.

‘Show’ bet predicts the horse that will hold any of the first three positions. Players have a higher payout ratio with the win bet, and it reduces with the other two.

Exotic Bets

This betting market is reserved for the experts of horse racing. Bettors are required to predict the exact winners of multiple races. Some common bet types include the Daily Double, Pick 3, Exacta, and Trifecta. The 'Daily Double' predicts the winners of two races in a day, while the 'Pick 3' market requires bettors to select the winners of three consecutive races. With Exacta, bettors choose the first two horses to finish in the correct order, and Trifecta requires picking the first three horses in the exact order. Bettors celebrate when their chosen horses achieve the predicted positions; otherwise, it's considered a loss.

Box Bets

This is a more flexible betting style. Players predict the range of positions for each horse. For instance, players predict that horse five will be among the first three rather than giving it a specific position.

Popular Horse Racing Events For Ireland Bettors

In horse racing, there are no leagues, only racing tracks, so most bookmakers use countries to differentiate events. The races at England’s Uttoxeter racecourse provide top entertainment, close wins, and reasonable payouts. Italy’s Varese racecourse showcases the vitality of Italian soil, offering bettors a high winning ratio. Irish bettors can enjoy races at the Punchestown and Dundalk tracks, where the fast-paced events bring big wins and thrilling moments.

Upcoming events in Ireland include:

The Limerick Christmas Festival captures the holiday spirit and presents great opportunities for impressive victories.
The Dublin Racing Festival is another major event that promises to captivate bettors. Majestic thoroughbreds and athletic jockeys deliver top-tier performances and large winning pools.
The 2025 Irish horse racing fixtures are from January 1st to December 31st. So bettors have many betting opportunities all through 2025.

Top Bonuses in Ireland Horse Racing Bookmakers

Reputable bookmakers offer bonuses, promotions, and rewards to their Irish bettors. In a quality sportsbook, you’ll likely find the following types of bonuses:

Welcome Bonus

This one-time bonus is reserved for new bettors at a sportsbook. It typically comes in the form of a deposit match, where the bettor's initial deposit is multiplied by a certain percentage.

Free Bets

Bettors will place wagers provided by the sportsbook. While the bets are free, the potential payout goes to the player.

Boosted Odds

This is a time-limited bonus where the sportsbook adjusts the betting odds on various events to enhance players' chances of winning.

Bonus Offer	Advantages	Find out more
100% deposit bonus up to €100	Easy navigation, live streaming	Get Bonus
100% deposit bonus up to €122	Many horse racing events, mobile apps	Get Bonus
100% deposit bonus up to €100	Payment options, many sports markets	Get Bonus
200% welcome bonus on first two deposits up to €200	Sports bonus, mobile apps	Get Bonus
100% deposit bonus up to €100	Live streaming, combo, and system bets are available	Get Bonus

Live Horse Racing Betting in Ireland Bookmakers

Live betting on horse racing is common in Irish bookmakers, but live streaming is not available for every event. Bettors will have to check with their bookmakers to see which events are available for live streaming.

Live betting is the best option for many Irish horse racing bettors, as it allows them to edit their wagers, enjoy the events, and increase their payout potential. All the bookmakers listed in the article, including Billy Bets, 22bet, Sportaza, Megapari, and 20bet, offer live betting on horse racing.

Mobile Apps

Mobile Apps are the hallmarks of iGaming in Ireland. Leading Irish bookmakers provide the best mobile apps for their users.

iOS Mobile Apps

Bookmakers like Billybets and Megapari offer bookmakers to their iOS users.

Bookmaker	Bonus	Key Features
	100% deposit bonus up to €100	Smooth interface, live updates
	200% welcome bonus on first two deposits up to €200	Sports bonus, several markets

Android Mobile Apps

22bet and 20bet are among the top-ranked bookmakers with mobile apps for the Android community.

Bookmaker	Bonus	Key Features
	100% deposit bonus up to €122	Several horse racing markets, great promotions
	100% deposit bonus up to €100	Live streaming, user-friendly app.

Tips for Horse Racing Betting

Get some necessary tips that will improve your gameplay.

Research

Get the latest info on the horse, its trainer, riding jockey, and their winning rate. The reputation of trainers and jockeys gives you insight into the likely winners.

Betting Strategy

Have a betting budget and practice responsible betting. You could use the regular or box betting markets to protect your wins. The favorite may have potential, so don’t go against the crowd in all the events.

FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions

A scratch is a term for the withdrawal of a candidate. All bets on a withdrawn candidate are returned to the bettors.
No, they don't work the same way. In horse racing betting, the odds are influenced by the level of interest from the crowd in each horse. This interest is reflected in the wager amount placed on each horse. While mainstream sports betting odds are set by the bookmaker, in horse racing, the amount of money wagered on each horse determines the odds.
Players can check the speed value, stamina, and agility of each horse in the race. Their winning history, trainers, and respective jockeys should also be considered. Knowing these details will help you to choose the most favorable bet type.
New bettors can use regular bets (win, place, and show) or box bets to place their wagers. For more information, you can check the "types of horse race bets" section.

Author

Victoria Michael

Editor-in-Chief from St. Louis, Missouri, USA. B.A. in education, certified linguist. Future Writer Award winner.

Article rating

5/5

1 vote