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Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Italy

By Victoria Michael | ⏲️ Reading time: 20 minutes
Fact checked by Martins Lasmanis
CEO Martins Lasmanis
Fact checked by
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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!

Nothing beats the thrill and excitement of watching a live horse race. The fast-paced nature of the sport makes it a great spectacle and keeps your attention piqued from start to finish.

Adding to the adrenaline rush of watching a horse race is the potential of winning bets placed on the horses. The strategy and critical thinking it requires, and the huge reward you stand to get are just part of the reasons why the sport is so attractive to sports bettors.

For Italians, horse racing is also part of the culture and heritage, and the country has frequently hosted some of the biggest events and tournaments in Europe. It is, therefore, no surprise that Italians make up a bulk of horse racing bettors worldwide. With this reputation also comes a good number of bookmakers who can handle the demand.

Having gone through a judging process by a team of experts, this article presents the best horse racing betting sites in Italy.

List of the Best Horse Racing Bookmakers in Italy 2025

Rank Bookmaker Rating Bonus Get bonus
1
4.8/5
Welcome bonus 100% up to 150 EUR
PlayRead review
2
4.8/5
100% Welcome Bonus up to 150 EUR
PlayRead review
3
4.5/5
100% Welcome Bonus up to €100
PlayRead review
4
4.5/5
Not Available
PlayRead review
5
4.5/5
100% First deposit bonus up to €200
PlayRead review
6
4.5/5
50% Welcome Bonus up to €200
PlayRead review
7
4.9/5
100% 1st deposit bonus up to €150
PlayRead review
8
4.5/5
100% Welcome Bonus up to €100
PlayRead review
9
4.5/5
100% deposit match bonus up to €1,500
PlayRead review
10
4.5/5
100% welcome bonus of up to €100
PlayRead review

History of Horse Racing Betting in Italy

Horse racing has a rich history in Italy, with the first recorded horse race in the country taking place in the 13th century. By the 1880s, thoroughbred racing was introduced. Thoroughbreds are horses specially groomed for the races for their unique speed and agility.

It is said that betting on horse races began in Great Britain in the 1600s during the reign of King James I. Since modern horse racing had begun in Italy around the same time, the gambling habit most likely spread or started there around the same time, too, although the records aren't clear on that.

Today, betting has become such an integral part of Italian horse races that nearly everyone who shows up to the racetracks as a spectator has a wager placed on a horse already. This money makes up a chunk of the revenue generated by the organizers from each race. The digitization of horse racing bookmakers around the late 90s and early 2000s has only served to further increase their popularity since then.

5 Best Horse Racing Bookmakers in Italy

Every Italian knows to choose their bookmakers the way they choose their horses — only the best, the most reliable, and who will make them more money. We have done most of the work for you by rounding up all the big names among betting sites in Italy and coming up with this lineup. Here are the top five horse racing betting sites in Italy:

 

Rabona

Rabona Italy is one of the country's top gambling sites. It is licensed by Curaçao eGaming under Antillephone, making it a secure choice. It also has a live streaming feature that covers major horse racing events, and live betting is available.

FeatureDetails
📢Official websiterabona.com
🎁Welcome bonus100% welcome bonus of up to €150
🏇Sports30+
💳Payment methodsVisa, Mastercard, FunID, Jetonbank, Bitcoin, Tether, Bank Transfer.
💰Minimum deposit€10
💰Minimum withdrawal€10
Pluses
  • Over 30 sports.
  • Decent welcome bonus offer.
  • Wide range of easy-to-use payment methods.
  • Available on mobile apps
Minuses
  • Telephone support is not available.

 

888starz

888starz is a blockchain betting site with very high bonuses and virtually every payment option you can think of available in the Italian region. It also places very high odds on horse racing bets. This means that you get more from your wager with 888starz, compared to other sites.

FeatureDetails
📢Official website888starz.bet
🎁Welcome bonus100% welcome bonus up to €100
🏇Sports35+
💳Payment methodsMastercard, Visa, e-wallets, Payz, cryptocurrencies, etc.
💰Minimum deposit€2
💰Minimum withdrawal€5
Pluses
  • Over 35 sports
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Mobile apps
  • Competitive odds
Minuses
  • No live streaming
  • The interface could be better

 

MegaPari

megapari

MegaPari has the widest range of market options than any other Italian bookmaker. All your favorite sports can be found there, including thoroughbred horse racing, which equally has many options for any kind of bet that suits your fancy.

FeatureDetails
📢Official websitemegapari.com
🎁Welcome bonus200% welcome bonus on the first two deposits up to €300
🏇Sports30+
💳Payment methodsBank transfer, credit or debit card, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets.
💰Minimum deposit€1
💰Minimum withdrawal€2
Pluses
  • A wide variety of sports betting options and markets.
  • Live streaming feature.
  • Generous welcome bonuses and site promotions.
  • Ability to change time zones, languages, and odds formats.
Minuses
  • Customer support could be improved.
  • Cluttered-looking site.

 

Sportaza

Sportaza is a bookmaker popularly known for its generous welcome bonuses, incentives, and bet builder options on sports betting, including horse racing events. Licensed by Curacao and with a site designed with punters' ease in mind, it's the best choice for Italians who like their betting experience hassle-free.

FeatureDetails
📢Official websitesportaza.com
🎁Welcome bonus100% welcome bonus up to €150
🏇Sports15+
💳Payment methodsBank transfer, Visa, MasterCard, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Neteller, and Skrill.
💰Minimum deposit€10
💰Minimum withdrawal€10
Pluses
  • Great bonuses and incentives are available for both new and existing users.
  • Easy, user-oriented site interface.
  • Live betting is available.
  • Bet builder feature available for some sports.
Minuses
  • Low payment limit.
  • Not available on a mobile app.

 

Billybets

BillyBets Italy spares no expense in setting up a site that not only looks good and well laid out, but also makes the process of registering, finding your favorite races, and placing your bet very easy. Transactions are also very safe and available in euros, which users can easily select in the payment window.

FeatureDetails
📢Official websitehttps://billybets.com/
🎁Welcome bonus100% up to €150
🏇Sports15+
💳Payment methodsCryptocurrency, Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, Binance Pay, Skrill, Postepay Mastercard, Neteller, Bank Transfer
💰Minimum deposit€20
💰Minimum withdrawal€20
Pluses
  • Plenty of sports betting options.
  • Extensive selection of games.
  • Substantial promotions and incentives.
  • Efficient mobile app.
Minuses
  • Limited withdrawal options.
  • Identity verification may take days.

How Do We Rate Horse Racing Bookmakers

With so many of them around, we need to have specific standards to which we hold horse racing betting sites. Here are some of the elements our team used as the yardstick in determining the best.

  • 1

    Credibility

    There are regulatory bodies set up to oversee the operations of bookmakers. All five betting sites on our list are licensed, and the security of their operations is verified. Your safety is not to be compromised when choosing and working with any bookmaker.

    high rating allbets
    High Rating icon
  • 2

    Odds

    It's not selfish to scout for the best possible odds you can find for your bets. Top-choice bookmakers give you a higher payout than others for your gamble.

    Odds icon
    Odds icon
  • 3

    Site Features

    You should be able to find the horse racing section on the site and (if needed) change the language on your end to Italian without feeling like you're going through a maze. The best sites have a search navigation bar for easy searches and a nicely organized, elegant layout.

    mobile compatibility allbets
    mobile compatibility allbets
  • 4

    Payment Process

    Horse races are very volatile, and the tides may turn at any time while you're watching. With the right bookie, you'll be able to pick the payment option that works best for you and cash out your winnings with little delay before the outcomes change.

    Payment Options icon
    Payment Options icon

Legality of bets on Horse Racing in Italy

Sports betting, horse racing included, was made legal in Italy during the Mussolini era when all gambling activities were regulated by the Legislative Decree No. 496 of 1948. Later in 2006, online sports betting was also legalized in the country.

Pros and Cons of Horse Racing Betting

As hyped and loved as horse racing is, the gambling aspect still has its not-so-desirable sides alongside the good. Here are a few of the pros and cons of horse racing betting.

Pluses
  • Watching the races is exciting and adrenaline-inducing.
  • Very high odds and the potential to win big.
  • Increased interest in the line-up and other details of the event.
  • A feeling of inclusion amidst the large spectating crowd.
  • It is mentally engaging.
Minuses
  • Very high risk of losses.
  • Thorough and in-depth knowledge is needed.

How to Bet on Horse Racing

If you're new to horse racing betting, we have made provision for a simplified guide to show you how to make your first bet. Here is the step-by-step process for horse racing betting.

  • Sign up
    step 1

    After choosing your preferred bookmaker, click on the ‘join’ or ‘register’ bar on the page to create an account. Provide the personal information required and set up a unique username and password.

  • Deposit
    step 2

    There has to be some amount of money in your account, no matter how little, to serve as your stake. Make a deposit using your debit card or any other means to get started.

  • Choose
    step 3

    Find the horse racing section, choose the race of your interest, and bet on your favored horse.

  • Bet
    step 4

    Stake your money on said horse.

  • Withdraw
    step 5

    Use a preferred, safe, secure payout to withdraw your winnings into your account.

Bonuses

Different bookmakers offer different bonuses to punters. The forms in which they are given, though, are similar regardless of region or sport. These bonuses are incentives offered to draw new punters to their site or keep already existing customers consistent with the hopes of winning a loyalist reward. Here are some of the bonuses you can find on horse racing betting sites in Italy.

Bonus bets — These are also referred to as credit bets or free bets. With a bonus bet, you place a wager not deducted from your wallet, but when you win, you get your profits but not the stake back. Both new punters and old timers are eligible to get bonus bets, depending on each sportsbook's terms and conditions.

First bet on the house — This is also known as a risk-free bet. With this, you can place any wager as high and as risky as you want. Rest assured that should you lose the bet, your stake will be refunded in full. 

Deposit match —  This can be viewed as a type of bet bonus, and it involves the betting site giving you the bonus with a percentage of the amount you deposited.

Profit boosts – These are also known as odds boosts or enhanced odds. If, for instance, there is a 50% odds boost on a bet, what would have paid €50 in winnings can end up giving you as much as €75.

Betting sitesBonusesAdvantagesFind out more
Rabona100% welcome bonus of up to €150Very high odds, easy-to-use payment methods, and mobile betting are available.Get Bonus
888Starz100% welcome bonus up to €100Wide range of market options, and excellent customer support service.Get Bonus
Megapari logo200% welcome bonus on the first two deposits up to €300Live streaming feature, available in Italian language and time zone.Get Bonus
100% welcome bonus up to €150High odds, in-law betting, and bet builder features are available.Get Bonus
BillyBets logo100% welcome bonus up to €150Extensive games and sports coverage, huge incentives.Get Bonus

Live Horse Racing Betting

The highly entertaining nature of horse racing makes it not only enjoyable for betting but also for your viewing pleasure. Sites like Rabona Italy and MegaPari Italy offer live streaming options on the biggest horse racing derbies like the Gran Premio. While watching, you can also place a new set of bets and switch wagers as you so wish with the in-play betting feature. Also, the races tend not to last longer than a duration of 90 seconds, meaning you can explore multiple matches in a day and place as many bets as you can.

Mobile Betting

As online betting has advanced, so has the sites. Now, any bookmaker who wants to remain relevant and preferred by punters must have a mobile app that can be installed on a smartphone. This section shows the horse racing bookmakers in Italy with a mobile betting option.

Best iOS Betting Apps

The following is the betting site on our list compatible with iOS devices. These apps can conveniently be downloaded from the bookie website.

BookmakerBonusKey app features
100% welcome bonus up to €100Easy-to-use interface.
BillyBets logo100% welcome bonus up to €150Efficient mobile app, with several sports betting options.

Best Android betting apps 

Public surveys and smartphone sales statistics have proven that Italians are more willing to purchase Android phones than the more expensive iPhone, making it more important for a bookmaker to be available for Android users too. Here are the horse racing bookmakers in Italy with mobile apps for Android.

BookmakersBonusKey App Features
200% welcome bonus on the first two deposits up to €300Good incentives and promotions are available.
Rabona100% welcome bonus up to €150Safe and secure betting experience.

Tips for Horse Racing betting

Here are some tips for betting responsibly on horse racing.

Do your research. It goes without saying that you need to be familiar with the rules and technicalities of the game before betting on it. This research covers the venue, the horse's performance in the past under certain conditions, its current form, and so on.

Next, resist the urge to chase losses. Chasing losses is when bettors keep placing bets to try to win back money lost on previous ones. This is a sure way to financial ruin.

Finally, set a budget and stick to it. This will help you keep in mind a threshold of how much you plan to wager before checking out and how much you can comfortably let go of should you lose. Once you have reached this limit, don't let your wins or losses get into your head. Stop immediately. This is also a good way to avoid developing a gambling addiction.

FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions
  • Yes. The Italian law permits horse racing betting, both online and on-site, with veritable bookmakers.

  • The each-way single. This is where you back a horse to come anywhere from 1st to 4th.

  • Analyze the weather and the course layout with the horse's past performance under certain conditions.

  • Your stake is fully refunded.

  • If at the venue, place it at the bookmakers' window. If not, use an online betting site.

  • Observe the form and track record of the horse, as well as past performances of its jockey.

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