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Virtual Horse Racing Explained | Bookies, Odds & Tips

The most popular bookmakers offer “virtual” versions of their betting options too, and virtual horse racing is one of the most popular ones. As can be guessed, it is the “computerized” version of horse racing betting and with the right choices, it can be as fund and profitable as the real one.

Virtual horse racing betting even offers exclusive “hippodromes” such as virtual horse racing Portman Park. However, there are not many guides out there for this exotic betting type, so we decided to create one.

First, we will answer what is virtual horse racing question, list the best virtual horse racing bookies in UK and talk about virtual horse racing betting systems so you can make a fast start for other types like dead heat betting. 

The summary of the article

What is virtual horse racing?

Virtual horse racing is a computer program (like a video game) based on RNG (random number generator) software and it can be found on many e-sports betting sites.

  • Based on the graphics quality, it can look quite realistic but nothing on the screen is real: It works like a casino game. That’s why you can find virtual horse racing betting not only at UK horse racing betting sites but at online casinos too.
  • That being said, when it comes to rules, betting options and payment methods, virtual horse racing is not different from real races.
  • You pick a horse (or multiple horses), watch the race, and get paid according to the virtual horse racing results – just like the “real” thing.
  • Greyhound racing also has a virtual version but virtual horse racing is more popular.

Where to bet on virtual horse racing?

Before we go further with our virtual horse racing explained guide the next step is to find a bookmaker that offers virtual horse racing betting. Luckily, you don’t need to think about that. We have analyzed all of the virtual horse racing bookmakers and picked the best ones.

The table below shows the best virtual racing betting sites as of 2024. Don’t forget that they offer other “virtual” games too, such as virtual football.

Best Bookmakers for Virtual Horse Racing Betting in 21 November 2024 – Updated List

Rank
Bookmaker
Bonus
Safe & Trusted in UK
Rating
Get Started
1

Goldenbet Sports

100% up to £500
Yes
Rating 9.95 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
2

Bet365

Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
Yes
Rating 9.52 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
3

Bzeebet

Welcome Package 100% Up to 100EUR
Yes
Rating 9.12 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
4

Betway

100% up to 150 $/€ + 20 Free Spins on 9 Masks of Fire
Yes
Rating 8.63 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
5

Sporting Index

200% Up to £20 in FREE BETS
Yes
Rating 8.54 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
6

FreshBet Sports

100% up to £500
Yes
Rating 8.37 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
7

MyStake Sports

100% up to €500
Yes
Rating 8.12 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
8

888Sport

bet 10£, get 30£ in freebets
Yes
Rating 7.47 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
9

William Hill

BET £10 GET £30
Yes
Rating 7.38 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
10

BC.Game

Welcome bonus package: 1080% up to $220,000
Yes
Rating 7.16 out of 10
See moreGet bonus

How does virtual horse racing work?

In other words, how to bet on virtual horse racing? Well, this is actually easier than betting on the real thing and even other real life sports – let’s explain with a screenshot, shall we? The image below is from Unibet but all of the biggest bookmakers UK offer similar interfaces, so you can expect the same from William Hill virtual horse racing and/or Bet365 virtual horse racing too, for example.

Virtual horse racing example 2
  • The red section shows the starting times of races. As you can see, a new race starts every two minutes. 
  • The yellow section shows the total number of horses that will run in that race.
  • When a race ends, a countdown starts. You can see it in the image file above. This means the next race is about to start and you need to place your bets before the countdown ends. 
  • You can place win, place, forecast and tricast bets, even on mobile betting sites, just like the real thing. (We will explain your options in detail below.) 
  • The stars next to the horse names are based on how many races they have won in the past. In other words, they show the favorites. For example, “Caribbean Stud” has this track record:
Virtual horse racing example 3
  • You can also use the numbers next to the horse names to find out the favorite. For example, “Mr. Incredible” has these numbers: 3 – 1 – 3 – 1 – 6. This means this horse was the first at two races (1), third at two more races (3), and finished only one race as the sixth (6). 
  • After making your picks, you can simply click the “place bet” button on your slip: Now it is time to wait for the race results.

How to win virtual horse racing?

To explain how to win at virtual horse racing, we need to explain your betting options first and you need to have read a virtual betting guide beforehand. In other words, what kinds of bets and which types of virtual horse races are available? When you visit a virtual horse racing UK website you will see the following options:

1. Virtual horse racing betting markets

These are the bet types. In virtual horse racing betting, you can place a bet for the following outcomes:

Win: The simplest betting option of all: You just need to predict the winner of the race. 

Forecast: In a forecast bet, which is used even in live betting, you try to guess the first two horses in exact order. This is also known as “exacta”. There is also a reverse forecast (quinella) version that asks you to guess the first two horses in a race but in any order. 

Tricast: In a tricast bet, you need to guess the first three horses in the race in exact order. This option is also known as “trifecta”. There is also a “trio” version where you can guess the first three horses in any order. 

Each Way: Each way betting asks you to pick a horse and place two bets: One for the win (first place) and another for the place (second place). In other words, if your horse finishes the race first or second, you win this bet.

2. Virtual horse racing types

And now, let’s take a look at the race types. Just like the real thing, virtual horse racing offers different race types and you should know about them too.

Jump racing: This is also known as virtual horse racing Steepledowns. During the race, horses also jump fences and ditch obstacles.

Flat racing: The first thing that comes to mind when someone says horse racing. Horses simply run on a flat course (without any obstacles). 

Sprint racing: If the race runs over trips of 5f to 6f, this is called sprint racing. In other words, it is a very short race. 

Harness racing/trotting: In harness events, horses race with a trot or a pace. These are two-wheeled carts pulled by the horse. 

Virtual Grand National: This is a computer-simulated race that uses the actual horses from the Grand National. It is probably the most realistic-looking virtual horse race.

Odds on virtual horse racing cards

Virtual horse racing odds work differently than “real world” odds. In the real world, which includes also crypto betting sites, odds change as players bet on favorite and underdog horses. For example, odds of one day before the race and odds of one hour before are, therefore, quite different from each other.

  • However, virtual horse racing, as mentioned above, is an event where a new race is organized every two minutes on average and is not suitable for the dynamic odds system. 
  • The odds on your virtual horse racing card are fixed and do not change for this reason. 
  • These odds are created automatically by the virtual horse racing program, taking into account the past performances of the horses.
Virtual horse racing example 1

The odds you see on this card are created by computer software and are fixed – you don’t have to wait to get the “best odds” as they don’t change.

How to win on virtual horse racing: tips & tricks

If you want to learn how to beat the bookies at virtual horse racing, you need to use the right virtual horse racing strategy. While there is no actual virtual horse racing loophole to use, we can still give you a couple of virtual horse racing tricks:

Tip

👉 Back the favourite is one of the best virtual horse racing tips or strategy we can give you. These are not real horses so you cannot check their past performances and post position win percentage statistics don’t mean anything here. You also shouldn’t follow tipsters’ advices on virtual horse racing. It has nothing to do with real races, where tipsters give you their NAP for a race. A horse racing NAP means a tipster’s best bet on a race. In virtual horse racing if a horse is selected as the “favorite” by the software, it will usually finish the race in the top three. This is, of course, not a guarantee, as the results are determined randomly, but your odds are still higher with the favorite horse. So, the best bet you can place is a trifecta or each way for the favorite horse. Still, do you want to find out how much a 50 cent trifecta box cost in 2024? Check our updated article about this topic.

👉 As always, use your budget wisely. You can place dozens of virtual horse racing bets in a day so you should be more careful while spending your bankroll. Find more about sports betting money management in our brilliant bankroll system guide.

👉 You should still prefer live betting sites. While virtual races always stream “live”, a bookmaker that offers this option will also offer more race options & game providers. 

👉 Remember that this is actually a game, not a real race. Do not try to use your “real world” tactics here because they won’t work.

What to expect from virtual horse racing online?

PROS

  • Fun and profitable
  • You can place dozens of bets in the same day
  • The payouts can be quite satisfactory

CONS

  • Results are determined by RNG, so anything can happen
  • There is no actual strategy or system you can use: This is a computer game, just like slots

FAQ: Your questions on virtual horse racing betting answered

Virtual races are more fair and reliable than real races. A computer program determines the results and it is possible to check how fair it is. But is horse racing fixed? In real life, you may not even know there was cheating.

This depends on your expectations. They look like real races but they are still a computer program. However, if you want to bet on multiple races every day, virtual horse racing will be the better option.

On average, this period is 2 minutes. However, it also depends on the race type: There are shorter (and longer) races too.

While there are lots of developers working on virtual horse racing software, we can say that Kiron Interactive, NSoft, and EVONA are the most popular ones.

This depends on how advanced the software is but yes, horses can fall or unseat their riders, especially in jump racing.

Of course you can – all betting games offer you the same chance. However, don’t expect to become a “millionaire”: Virtual horse racing is a casual experience.

Win big with the right virtual horse racing systems

We shared lots of virtual horse racing tips above so use them to score big wins! Virtual horse racing betting is fun and it can also be profitable with the right tactics. Pick a bookmaker recommended by us and place your first bet right now! We also invite you to read our article about virtual football betting strategy so you can win big while having a good time.