Horse Racing Betting in Canada

The Canadians love their horse racing and with many great meetings held up and down the country, the sport is a huge draw for spectators. The betting community also gets heavily involved in Canadian horse racing and there is growing interest in the sport right across north America.

With betting laws starting to be relaxed across the border in the USA, that interest is starting to increase at a rapid rate, so if you’ve been considering horse racing betting, our guide is here to help.

It is, firstly, important to note that while there are some restrictions on betting within the country, it is legal to stake on horse racing in Canada. Operators have to pass a number of regulations to trade here and you should check details on licensing before you commit to signing up.

For customers who want to get involved in horse racing betting Canada puts down certain rules. There is no live betting and rather than place single bets on a race, there has to be a parlay bet involving two or more selections. Having understood those basics, we’ll now tackle the questions of how to bet on horse racing and who to bet with.

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Canada

Not every sportsbook in the world is open to Canadian customers but just because a company trades here, it doesn’t mean that you should automatically sign up with them. Here are some of our best recommendations for online horse betting in Canada.

• Ontario
  
• SIA (Sports Interaction)
  
  SIA for Ontario residents
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  New customers only. T&Cs Apply. 19+ Play Responsibly. Ontario only. 19+.
  
• Ontario
  
  Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario.
  Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
  
  
• Betway
  
  Ontario Sports betting from Betway
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  New customers only from Ontario (CA). 19+. Full Terms apply. Play Responsibly
• 888sport
  
  888Sport for Ontario players
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  #Ad Full Terms and Conditions Apply. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+
• Canada (excl. Ontario)
  Offers not available for Ontario residents.
  Offers not available for Ontario residents.
  18+ only.
  Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
  If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem and wants help, please visit https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en
• SIA (Sports Interaction)
  
  First Deposit Match Bonus up to $250
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  New customers only. Bonus equal to 125% of your 1st deposit up to $250. 6x rollover on deposit + bonus. T&Cs Apply. 19+ Play Responsibly
• ComeOn
  
  Bet $25 and get $100 in Free Bets
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  18+ Begambleaware.org Min. deposit: $20. Wagering requirements (min odds 1.75) must be fulfilled within 30 days before a withdrawal. Accepted payment methods for the welcome offer are: Credit or Debit cards, MuchBetter, Local Bank Transfers, Interact. Any fraudulent or unethical behaviour be suspected in the Player’s Gameplay, the company has the right to reject the withdrawal and confiscate winnings.
• Betway
  
  100% Deposit Bonus up to $200
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  New Canada customers only. Opt-in required. Bonus based on 1st deposit of $10+. 10x bonus wagering at odds of 1.75+. Terms apply
• 888sport
  
  100% bonus up to $300 + $10 casino bonus
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  $10 min deposit • The bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least once with cumulative odds of 1.5 or greater • Wagering must be cleared within 60 days • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Wagering limit of $50 per bet Applies • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply
• Ontario
  
• bet365
  
  Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets – Registration Required
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  #Ad. 18+ New Customers only. Registration Required. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
  
  Significant Terms and Conditions
  
  • Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5* or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30* in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable.
  • To release your Bet Credits for use, you must place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit (capped at £10*) and they must settle within 30 days of claiming the offer. Only qualifying bets placed and settled after claiming the offer will count towards this requirement.
  • Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, paysafecard and all other prepaid credit and debit cards, where available, cannot be used for either your qualifying deposit or any subsequent withdrawal of returns from Bet Credits stakes unless we have successfully verified an accepted form of your Identity Documents and you have entered a Postal Verification Code (PVC), or we have successfully verified two accepted forms of your Identity Documents. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
  • Bets placed must meet certain conditions to count towards the release of your Bet Credits:
  – Must contain at least one selection at odds of 1/5 (1.20) or greater.
  – In market/fixture combinations that only have two or three potential outcomes (for example Soccer Full Time Result), where you have placed bets on more than one potential outcome, either pre-match or In-Play, only the outcome with your highest cumulative stake will count.
  – Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, only the remaining active stake will count.
  – Where a bet has been edited using our Edit Bet feature, only the new stake on the new bet will count.
  – Fully Cashed Out, Instant Games, Gaming, void bets or In-Play bets which are settled as a push will not count.
  • Your Bet Credits are non-withdrawable, and Bet Credits stakes are not included in any returns. Any returns from Bet Credits placed will be added to your Withdrawable Balance. Bet Credits cannot be used on certain products, offers/promotions and bet types. See full Terms and Conditions for details.
  • Your Bet Credits will be forfeit and removed if your account is inactive for 90 consecutive days.
  
  *or currency equivalent
  
  T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.  See full Terms. Registration required. Please gamble responsibly! www.begambleaware.org
• Safer Gambling Week
  
  18-24 November 2024
  Find out more safergamblinguk.org
  National Gambling Helpline
  0808 8020 133
• Betfred
  
  BETFRED50 – Get £50 in Free Bets
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply; 18+ www.begambleaware.org #ad
• 10bet
  
  100% up to £50 welcome bonus. Code: SPORT
  
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+. See full Terms apply; 18+ www.begambleaware.org #ad
• Betway
  
  Get up to £90 in Free Bets
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  Opt-in required. Upon weekly qualification, customers will be credited with £/€10 in Free Bets in two £/€5 installments on Saturday and Monday. From 24th September until 18th November 2022, an extra £/€5 Free Bet will be added to Quest to Qatar pot, which half will be credited on 19th November 2022, and the other half credited on 3rd December 2022. £30 Acca Offer New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. Debit card deposits only. Valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Full terms apply.
• 888sport
  
  100% up to £250 w/ code 250BONUS
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  #Ad. 18+. £10 min deposit using promo code 250BONUS • The bonus will be applied once the full deposit amount has been wagered at least twice with cumulative odds of 1.50 or greater • To withdraw any winnings from your bonus, you must wager the bonus amount at least 5 times • All deposit and bonus wagering requirements must be completed within 60 days • This offer may not be combined with any other offer • Wagering limit of £50 per bet Applies • Restrictions apply to withdrawals, payment methods and countries & full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly – www.begambleaware.org
• Mr Play
  
  Bet £10 Get £15
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £15 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 no eligible. T&Cs apply. www.begambleaware.org #ad
• Grosvenor
  
  Double the Odds
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  New customers. Max £10(Exc PayPal). 100% Odds Boost token. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. www.begambleaware.org #ad
• LV BET
  
  Bet £10 Get £10
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  18+ | New UK players after 31.03.2021 | Valid on first Sports bet | Min. dep. £10 req. | Min. £10 wag. on the first bet with min. total odds of 1/1 to qualify | Bet must be settled | Bonus Wag. req.1x on min. 2-fold Acca bets (min. 1/4 odds each selection) with min. final odds of 1/ 1| Virtual and cashed out bets do not qualify | One-time offer | Bonuses credited following working day | T&Cs apply | BeGambleAware.org #ad
• Ontario
  
• LV BET
  
  100% up to €50
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  18+. New Customers Only. 100% Welcome Bonus up to €50. Minimum deposit: €10. Maximum Bonus: €50. Wagering Requirements: 12x (Deposit+Bonus). Minimum 2 selections with total odds of 2.00. Payment method and country restrictions apply. The offer is valid until 31.12.2021. Bets placed on different selections within the same market or bets placed on equivalent markets are not eligible for this offer. Gamble Responsibly.
• QuinnBet Sports
  
  Bet €10 Get €60 + 10 Free Spins
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  Bet €10 on any sport of your choice at min odds evens (2.00) or greater and QuinnBet will credit your account with 4 x €10 Free Bets (to use on any Sports of your choice), plus €20 QuinnCasino bonus, plus 10 Free Spins on Asgard Warriors. The 3 x €10 Free Bets, €20 Casino Bonus and 10 Free Spins will be credited the day after your qualifying bet settles. T&Cs apply | 18+ New IRE Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org
• Ontario
  
• bet365
  
  Get Up To ₹4,000 in Bet Credits
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  15% of your qualifying deposit in Bet Credits (up to ₹4,000). Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. 18+, begambleaware.org.
• Betway
  
  100% Matched Free Bet up to ₹4,000 If First Bet Loses
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  *New India customers only. Min Stake: ₹250. Max Free Bet: ₹4,000. First bet on any sports with overall odds: 2.00 (1/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+ Terms Apply
• Casumo
  
  100% Bonus up to ₹10,000
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  18+ New customers only. 100% Bonus: Opt-in required. Min. deposit ​​₹700 to receive a 100% bonus up to ₹10,000 (within 7 days from reg.). 6x deposit and bonus wagering at odds of 1.6. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. begambleaware.org. Full Bonus terms apply.
• ComeOn
  
  100% Matched Deposit Bonus up to ₹6000
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  India 18+ customers only. You will have a total of 30 days to complete the bonus from the activation date. ComeOn! will double your first deposit, up to ₹6,000. Minimum deposit is ₹200. Maximum bonus amount is ₹6,000. Minimum wagering requirements apply. You will need to wager your bonus before you can withdraw as follows: Sportsbook: 10 x deposit and bonus. Each way bets or bets placed on Asian Handicap are excluded. The ₹6,000 Sports Welcome Bonus will be credited to your account within 24 hours after your first qualifying bet has been accepted. Terms and Conditions Apply.
• Bons
  
  ₹1000 Free Bet
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  Cashback up to 20% every month, ₹1000 free bet on sport, Rebate 500% in sports bets, COMBOBOOST up to 100% in combo bet
• Ontario
  
• bet365
  
  Bet Now!
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  Open an account with bet365 today and bet on a huge range of markets with the world’s favourite online sports betting company. Registration required.
• PlayUp Australia
  
  Login to View Promotions
  CLAIM
  Key Terms:

  Join PlayUp today and you can bet on all the best Racing and Sports. Whether you’re just after the simple stuff like Win/Place and Head-to-Heads or something a bit more complex such as Exotics and Player Props, we’ve got top odds on all the markets you could ever need! So sign up to Australia’s best fixed odds bookmaker now and make your best bet!
• Ontario
  
• Ontario
  

They describe themselves as Canada’s Online Sportsbook so we should certainly take a close look at Sports Interaction. They are one of just a few outlets to have passed rigorous tests and to provide sports betting from within Canada but what else do they have to offer?

It all starts off very positively with a generous welcome deal which you can check any time at the SIA website. Offers and promotions continue while Sports Interaction back them up with competitive odds and one of the best selections of horse race betting markets around. Loyalty isn’t everything but Canadian players can be proud to get behind one of their own here.

They describe themselves as Canada’s favourite sportsbook and while you should check them out for yourself, we’re not going to argue with that statement. Promotions are subject to change but you can always rely on a generous welcome offer plus a number of ongoing deals for the life of your account.

Those promos just count as additional value to competitive odds on a daily basis while players in Canada can also enjoy one of the widest ranges of sports that are of interest to them. There are lots of alternatives which we will cover now but Sports Interaction really is a good place to start.

Top Horse Racing Betting Events

There’s lots of Canada horse racing to enjoy throughout the year while the sport also offers great betting opportunities from around the world. Here are some of the best races to look out for:

Rest of the World

We only have to head across the border in order to find one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville each year and this is known in the USA as the ‘most exciting two minutes in sports’.

The United States also gives us the Breeders’ Cup – a two day festival consisting of no fewer than 14 Group One races and there’s plenty more to enjoy from other parts of the world. The UK is a hub of horse racing betting and some of the most historic events of all originated here. Among the best of those are the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot, The Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

For really big prize money, Australia is the place to be as the Melbourne Cup comes along as the richest two mile handicap in the world.

Canada

Horse racing in Canada may not be able to match that kind of prize money but the action on the track here is no less exciting. Race fans can enjoy top class jumping and flat races throughout the year and there are lots of horse race betting opportunities to take advantage of.

We’ll start with what’s known as the Canadian Triple Crown: This is a series of three Canadian horse racing events which are specifically aimed at three year old horses that are foaled in the country. The races in question are the Queen’s Plate, the Prince of Wales’ Stakes and the Breeders’ Stakes.

Each of those events is a prestigious renewal in its own right but the ultimate aim is to win the Triple Crown. As of 2019, 12 horses have achieved this feat since the series was established with the last of these being Wando in 2019. This is a time when the Canadian race going public start to embrace horse racing betting but the success of the Triple Crown is starting to spread all over the world.

Types of Horse Racing Bets

As we run through the list of available horse racing bets, players should always bear in mind that Parlay rule that applies to Canadian betting. Avoid the singles and compile those parlay bets in order to keep in touch with the current regulations.

The most obvious option for betting on horse racing is the straight win. With this bet, we are looking for the horse who will come through and beat the rest of the field to be declared the winner. Not convinced about that horse’s potential? You can play a little safer by taking an Each Way bet which would pay out if the runner finished in second, third or possibly even fourth in some circumstances.

The each way option actually consists of two bets – a win and a place and your intended stake is therefore doubled. However, some bookies will offer an alternative which is simply referred to as a place. This does away with the win portion of the bet and it can make life easier for some punters.

Horse racing betting opportunities may be fairly limited when compared to other sports but we still have some remaining options to run through. The first of these is a forecast and it involves betting on the top two horses to finish the race. Then we have a tricast for the top three while the oddly-named superfecta will require naming the top four horses in the specific race.

Obviously, the forecast, tricast and superfecta bets are much harder to win but the returns can be excellent, particularly if you have some mid to long-priced horses in the mix. Those are the main horse racing bets that you can take advantage of and, if you are getting involved, many sportsbooks offer a useful way in which you can follow your selections.

Live Streamed Horse Racing

Canadian horse racing is becoming more and more popular and it’s starting to gain followers from all over the betting world. Staking on a race can enhance the fun so why not look to watch the event play out in real time?

Not all race meetings are covered by regular television and this is where the bookmakers step in with a service known as live streaming. As the phrase suggests, this will simply cover a sporting event and stream it to the bookmaker’s site. From there, you can log on and watch it via your PC, Laptop or hand held device.

If this sounds tempting then you can check the sportbook’s terms of access. Of course, you should expect to be signed up with the operator in question first. After that, most outlets will only require you to have funds in your account but there are some isolated sportsbooks who will insist that you place a bet on the race that you want to see.

Check on those specific points as this can be a very useful addition to your betting portfolio. Watching a race in real time can add to the excitement, so be sure to check out live streaming.

Horse Racing Betting FAQ

If you want to know how to bet on horse races then this guide will have hopefully helped you out in some general areas. To summarise, here are some commonly asked questions on the subject of horse racing betting in Canada.