Our Expert Verdict
General information of racebets
RaceBets is a specialist online racing bookmaker that focuses only on horse racing, trotting and greyhound betting, rather than covering a wide range of sports like most traditional sportsbooks. The brand is operated by RaceBets International Gaming Limited, a company registered in Malta, and its platform is licensed for remote betting by the Malta Gaming Authority and other European regulators.Due to regulatory changes, the brand no longer serves some territories (including closing to UK customers in 2020), and visitors from restricted countries now see a notice that the website is unavailable under local online-gaming laws, so availability depends on the player’s location.
Trustworthiness & Licensing Overview
RaceBets is positioned as a specialist horse racing bookmaker that operates under multiple recognized gambling licences, giving users clearer visibility over how the brand is regulated and who stands behind it. Key points include:
- Licensed and regulated in Malta
- The RaceBets platform is operated under a remote gaming licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) to RaceBets International Gaming Ltd, with the licence details published in the site’s terms and conditions.
- Malta is one of the most established hubs for online gambling, and MGA licences are widely regarded as “tier-one” licences that require checks on ownership, capital, technical systems and player protection measures.
- Part of the Betsson Group
- RaceBets International Gaming Ltd is a subsidiary of Betsson Group, a long-running European gambling company with decades of industry experience.
- Betsson acquired RaceBets in 2016; at the time of acquisition the operator already held local licences in key European markets, underlining its regulated status.
- Multi-jurisdiction licensing history
- Beyond Malta, RaceBets has held licences in Ireland and Germany, and historically also operated under a UK Gambling Commission licence for its UK-facing business.
- Being licensed in several European jurisdictions means the brand has had to meet different regulatory standards on issues like KYC, anti-money laundering and responsible gambling.
- Status in the UK market: RaceBets is no longer available to customers in the United Kingdom; Betsson withdrew the brand from the UK in October 2020 as part of a wider strategic exit from that market.
- Player protection and responsible gambling: As an MGA-licensed operator and part of Betsson Group, RaceBets is required to offer tools such as self-exclusion, deposit limits and clear terms, and to follow responsible gambling rules set by its regulators.
Note: Always check the latest licence status on the official RaceBets website and relevant regulators’ registers, as licensing and market availability can change.
Game Collection
RaceBets does not run a traditional online casino with slots or table games. Instead, its game collection is built entirely around horse and greyhound racing, with deep coverage of meetings from many countries and a strong focus on specialist racing markets.
Focused racing-only platform
RaceBets positions itself as a specialist bookmaker rather than a “one-stop” casino site.
- RaceBets is designed specifically for racing fans, instead of offering a wide mix of other sports or casino games.
- Reviews highlight that no other sports are available to bet on, making the brand stand out as a pure racing book.
- This narrow focus allows RaceBets to provide a more detailed set of markets and information for racing than many general sportsbooks.
Types of racing covered
Within its racing-only product, RaceBets offers a wide mix of race types rather than different casino “games.”
- The site covers horse racing on the flat and over jumps, plus trotting races and greyhound racing.
- Bettors can access cards from UK and Irish meetings alongside major European tracks in Germany, France and Italy.
- RaceBets also lists events from North America, India, Turkey and other international racing hubs, creating a very broad race schedule.
Global race coverage and volume
Instead of a lobby of slot titles, the “library” at RaceBets is made up of race meetings from around the world.
- RaceBets promotes betting opportunities from 30 or more countries, giving racing fans a global calendar of events to choose from.
- Independent reviews report that the site prices up roughly a quarter of a million racing events per year, which is far more in-depth than many mixed-sport books.
- This scale means players can usually find daytime and evening races to bet on, across different time zones and race codes.
Live streaming and race-day features
RaceBets supports its race markets with tools that help users follow and analyse the action.
- The bookmaker runs a dedicated live streaming service so customers can watch many horse races in real time once logged in.
- Review sites consistently praise the high quality of the streams and the breadth of racing covered, especially from the USA, Canada, UK and Ireland.
- Streams are integrated with race cards and statistics, allowing bettors to check form and data while they watch, which strengthens RaceBets’ image as a racing expert rather than a general casino.
Bonuses and Promotions
RaceBets focuses almost entirely on horse racing, so most bonuses and promotions are built around racing markets rather than general sports. Below is an overview of the welcome offers, special ongoing promotions, and the VIP and loyalty program that have been available for RaceBets players in recent years. Always check the current promotions page before you sign up or place a bet, because offers and terms can change at any time and may depend on your country of residence.
Welcome bonuses
RaceBets has offered several different welcome packages over time for new customers who register and make a first deposit or qualifying bet.
- RaceBets has previously promoted a 100% first deposit bonus up to around £50 or €50 for new players, usually triggered by a minimum first deposit of about £10 or €10.
- To activate some of these bonuses, new customers have needed to enter a promo code such as “WELCOME” after placing their first qualifying bet and meeting minimum odds and turnover requirements (for example, wagering the bonus five times at minimum odds of 1/2 within a set period).
- In some regions, RaceBets has also run alternative welcome deals, such as “Bet £10, get £5 free bet plus entry to the RaceBets Million” on selected international racing markets, again limited to new customers and subject to specific qualifying bet rules.
- All welcome offers are only available to eligible new customers of legal gambling age and come with detailed terms on payment methods, bonus expiry, and restricted markets, so players should always read the full T and C on the RaceBets site or the partner site that advertises the promotion.
Special other bonuses
Beyond the first deposit or sign up package, RaceBets has also promoted regular racing based offers designed to reward active customers.
- RaceBets runs a Rewards Club where players who stake a qualifying amount on racing during the week (for example, between about €25 and €49.99 from Monday to Friday) can receive a free bet at the weekend, with higher staking brackets usually unlocking larger free bets.
- As a specialist horse racing bookmaker, RaceBets has been known to offer extra deals tied to big meetings and festivals, such as enhanced prices, race specific promotions, and other racing only offers on events like major UK and international race days.
- In some reviews, RaceBets has also been highlighted for Best Odds Guaranteed style racing promotions, which aim to give customers the better of the early price or the starting price on selected horse races, although availability can depend on location and current promo terms.
- These ongoing promotions usually require opting in and meeting stake or odds conditions, and they can change frequently, so users should always confirm details on the official RaceBets promotions or help pages before placing qualifying bets.
VIP and Loyal program
RaceBets has supported its most regular customers with loyalty style offers and structured reward schemes.
- The RaceBets Loyalty Program has included deals such as a 10 percent bonus on stakes for qualifying customers, effectively giving back a percentage of the money wagered in the form of bonus funds or free bets that can be used on future racing bets.
- These loyalty rewards are usually based on ongoing activity and real money stakes, making them more attractive for frequent horse racing bettors who place regular bets rather than occasional users.
- VIP style benefits may also include exclusive promotions or higher value bonuses, but availability, qualifying criteria, and the exact structure of tiers can differ between regions and over time, so players should check the current VIP or rewards section on the RaceBets or partner websites for the latest details.
- As with all betting offers, VIP and loyalty programs are only for registered customers who meet age and jurisdiction requirements, and responsible gambling tools and limits are recommended when taking part in any long term rewards scheme.
Payment Methods
RaceBets offers a wide range of payment methods so players can move money in and out of their accounts using familiar local options, including cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers and online banking services.
Deposit methods at RaceBets
You can fund your RaceBets account using several popular options; below are the main categories and examples:
- Debit and credit cards – Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are supported in many regions for fast deposits.
- E-wallets – Common wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller are available, giving quicker access to funds and easy mobile use.
- Prepaid vouchers – Paysafecard is supported, and in some markets deposits can start from as little as €1 with this method.
- Bank transfer and instant banking – Traditional bank transfer plus services such as Sofort, Giropay, iDeal, Trustly and Nordea are listed among accepted options in selected countries.
- Typical limits and fees – Minimum deposits are usually between €1 and £/€10 depending on the method, and most reviews note that RaceBets does not charge extra deposit fees.
Withdrawal methods and processing times
When it is time to cash out, RaceBets generally lets you withdraw back to the same method you used for deposits, as long as the provider supports payouts:
- Supported withdrawal options – Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and bank transfer are all reported as standard withdrawal methods.
- Minimum withdrawal amounts – External reviews indicate minimum withdrawals from about €15 (or local equivalent) for most methods.
- Processing times – Payout requests are typically processed within about 24–72 hours, with e-wallets usually receiving funds faster than cards or bank transfers.
Limits, fees and verification
Before using any RaceBets payment method, it is important to understand the limits, potential fees and ID checks:
- Deposit and withdrawal limits – Some sources mention very low minimum deposits (from €1) and no fixed maximum deposit for certain methods, but limits can vary by country and provider.
- Possible handling fees – At least one review notes a small handling charge (for example, around £0.50) from the fourth withdrawal within a 30-day period, so frequent cash-outs may incur extra costs.
- KYC and account verification – Like other licensed bookmakers, RaceBets may ask for ID documents and proof of address before higher withdrawals are processed, to comply with age and anti-money-laundering rules
- Regional differences – Available methods, currencies and limits differ by country, so players should always double-check the current information in the RaceBets cashier and terms pages for their location.
Website & Mobile
RaceBets keeps things very simple online, with a desktop site and a mobile-optimised version that are both built around horse and greyhound betting only.
Website
The RaceBets website focuses on function and clear navigation instead of flashy design.
- RaceBets is a specialist bookmaker for horse and greyhound racing, offering markets on races from more than 30 countries worldwide.
- The main menu at the top of the site gives fast access to key areas such as racing, live streams, offers, statistics and help.
- A list of today’s races and countries is shown in the left sidebar, which makes it easy to jump between meetings and markets.
- The interface is described by independent reviewers as logical and easy to use, even if the visual design is quite plain.
- RaceBets operates internationally, but access to the website can be restricted in some countries because of local gambling laws, and affected users are prompted to contact support.
Mobile
Instead of a traditional downloadable app, RaceBets focuses on a browser-based mobile site that adapts to smartphones and tablets.
- Customers can reach RaceBets on mobile by typing the site address into their device browser; the site then scales to the screen size automatically.
- The mobile version keeps almost all the same features as the desktop site, including full access to racing markets and account functions.
- Reviewers note that the mobile site is user-friendly and smooth to navigate, even though it is technically a web app rather than a native iOS or Android download.
- On mobile, a hamburger menu in the top corner lets users switch time zones, change the country order in the sidebar, and adjust bet-confirmation settings.
Responsible Gaming Tools
RaceBets supports responsible gambling by offering several built-in tools that help players control how much time and money they spend on horse racing bets. These tools are part of its licensing and player protection commitments and are highlighted in both its own policy pages and independent reviews.
Player protection features at RaceBets
- Custom deposit, loss and stake limits: Players can set personal deposit, loss and stake limits over fixed periods (for example daily, weekly or monthly), so their spending stays within a planned budget.
- Reality checks and session reminders: RaceBets provides reality check pop-ups that remind customers how long they have been logged in, encouraging regular breaks and helping to prevent long, uncontrolled sessions.
- Time-out and self-exclusion options: Customers can activate short time-outs or longer self-exclusion periods if they feel their betting is getting out of control. These tools temporarily block access to the account for a chosen duration.
- Account history and self-assessment: Detailed account history and optional self-assessment tests allow players to review their deposits, stakes and withdrawals, and to reflect on whether their gambling habits are still healthy.
- Links to independent support organisations: RaceBets cooperates with responsible gambling bodies such as GamCare and GamStop, and its help pages link to external support organisations that offer confidential advice to problem gamblers.
- Licensed and regulated environment: The brand operates under licences from authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, which require operators to provide responsible gaming tools and clear information about safer gambling.
Conclusion
RaceBets is a racing-focused bookmaker that offers an extensive range of horse, trotting and greyhound races from tracks worldwide, positioning itself as a niche platform for dedicated racing fans. Operated by the Betsson Group and licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, it follows recognised standards for player safety and fair play. Note that RaceBets has ceased accepting UK customers since Betsson’s strategic market withdrawal, so its services are now aimed at players in other eligible regions.
