What Makes a Good Horse Racing Betting Site?
When looking for the best horse racing betting sites, there are several key factors Kiwi punters should consider:
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Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in New Zealand
Checked by Olivia Brown
Created Oct 16, 2024
Updated Oct 21, 2024
“For the best odds and promotions on horse racing in New Zealand, check out our guide to top betting sites and find out which ones offer the best options for Kiwi punters.”
New Zealand has a rich history of horse racing and betting on the sport. From the Melbourne Cup to local thoroughbred and harness races across the country, Kiwi punters have long enjoyed having a flutter on the horses. The racing industry contributes substantially to the New Zealand economy, employing over 17,000 people and generating an economic impact of $1.6 billion annually. There are over 350 race meetings held in New Zealand every year across both thoroughbred and harness racing codes. With so many races to bet on, punters need to know where to get the best odds, products and promotions. Choosing from the many online bookmakers available today can be an overwhelming task. This comprehensive guide will explain the key points that make for a top horse racing betting site and provide recommendations on the leading options for New Zealand bettors.
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Competitive Odds
Offering strong odds on racing is vital. Check if they provide early fixed odds or fluctuating markets.
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Racing Promotions
The best sports betting company provide punters with bonus bets, cash back offers, betting vouchers or refunds for second place runners specifically for horse racing.
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Live Streaming
The ability to live stream races from New Zealand and overseas allows you to watch the action as you bet.
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Mobile Betting
The best betting apps make it easy to bet on the go from your iOS or Android devices. Rapid deposits and easy navigation are important.
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Racing Information and Tips
Form guides, statistics, predictive data and betting tips assist punters in making educated wagers on races.
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Safety and Security
Strict licensing and data protections provide peace of mind for customers. Fast payouts and reliable customer support also matter.
How to Bet on Horses in New Zealand
Table of Contents
- How to Bet on Horses in New Zealand
- Research and Review of Horse Racing NZ
- Licensing and Regulations of Racing Industry in NZ
- User Experience and Interface of Horse Racing Bookies Online
- Betting Options and Markets
- Horse Betting Bonuses, Promotions, and Free Bets
- Horse Betting Payment Methods and Security
- Customer Support of New Horse Betting Sites Online
- The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in New Zealand
- Harness Racing Betting in New Zealand
- Responsible Horse Racing Betting in NZ
- Conclusion
- FAQ
For newcomers to race betting, learning how to properly bet on horses in New Zealand is important. With galloping and harness races held across the country nearly everyday, there are ample opportunities for Kiwis to have a flutter.
The easiest way to get started is to visit your local TAB retail venue. TAB operators can explain different bet types like win and place wagers, while also assisting with form guide information. Opening a betting account is also straightforward in-store.
For added convenience 24/7, signing up at a horse racing betting site online is recommended. Top sites like Leo Vegas and BZeeBet make registration easy via desktop or your mobile device. Funding your account is simple too through numerous banking methods like credit/debit cards, bank transfer or POLi payments.
Once registered and bankrolled, it’s time to start picking winners! Study each runner’s recent form in the race day guide to determine which horses profile well. Use information like trainer history, trackwork times, barrier draws, jockey records and weight carried to assess chances.
Popular bet types include head-to-head win bets, each way wagers (top 3 placegetters pay out) or exotic bets like quinellas, trifectas and first fours that increase returns…and difficulty. Boxing your selections in exotics allows margin for error.
Manage your betting bankroll responsibly. Never wager more than you can comfortably afford to lose and stick to a budget that spreads risk across multiple races. Winning punters are patient waiting for quality betting opportunities at value odds rather than just betting for betting’s sake. Think long term too and learn from results.
With research and responsible practices, Kiwi punters can successfully build out a profitable horse racing betting hobby.
Research and Review of Horse Racing NZ
Conducting thorough research is crucial before signing up with any horse racing betting site. Spend time reading detailed online reviews from experts and other punters who have used the site. Trusted review sites break down the pros and cons of each operator based on betting products, promotions, interface, payments and more.
Check industry forums and communities to gauge consensus on a site’s reputation. Positive feedback around their security, odds, features and support teams will give you confidence to join a site. Comparing new horse betting sites versus established brands is wise to see if innovative newcomers outperform legacy names with stale offerings.
Licensing and Regulations of Racing Industry in NZ
All horse racing betting sites recommended to Kiwi punters will hold proper gaming licenses from respected authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission or local territories. This ensures they follow strict regulations around player safety, responsible gambling, privacy protections, audit standards, dispute processes and strict operational guidelines enforced upon licenced sportsbooks and online racebooks.
Regulation also provides recourse should issues ever occur, with clear complaint resolution channels overseen by the regulator to pursue mediation and ensure fairness. Unregulated race betting sites should be avoided entirely due to risks around integrity.
User Experience and Interface of Horse Racing Bookies Online
The functionality of a site’s interface impacts your enjoyment as a punter tremendously. Slick sites like LeoVegas have robust filters to swiftly find races or trackwork sessions, horse statistics and intuitive site navigation flows. Clean visual designs allow rapid access to essential info.
Mobile responsiveness is equally crucial with over 70% of sports betting done on smartphones. Sites performing strongly on iOS and Android earn praise for elements like sharp graphics, quick bet slips, rapid load speeds, menu toggles and deposit mechanisms. Avoid clunky desktop and mobile interfaces that hamper your experience.
Betting Options and Markets
The breadth of betting markets proves a key differentiator between top tier and inferior race betting sites. Competitive fixed odds on galloping races and harness racing represents a baseline must. Exotic horse betting types like exactas and trifectas should feature along with options like jockey challenges, daily doubles, quaddies and flexi-betting.
International sites excelling in horse racing odds include 22Bet with vision from global tracks and Betway thanks to their multi-builder for customising exotic wagers. Always ensure any potential site satisfies your personal betting preferences.
Horse Betting Bonuses, Promotions, and Free Bets
Generous horse racing bonus bets, money back offers and cash refunds provide great incentives to punters while rewarding loyalty. The top operators compete through sign-up offers like LeoVegas’ $100 welcome bonus and 22Bet’s 100% first deposit match up to $122 in bonus bets.
Ongoing horse racing promos keep customers happy at sites each week. Review terms around turnover hurdles, expiry dates and qualifying margins to understand any catches behind promotional banners and headlines.
Horse Betting Payment Methods and Security
Secured payment gateways with SSL encryption technology ensures personal financial data always remains protected from prying eyes. Trusted sites use tier 1 providers like SecureCode and BitGo to scan deposits daily for fraud patterns with algorithms flagging dodgy deposits.
Processing times for deposit methods like Visa, MasterCard, bank transfer, PayPal and POLi can take 24 hours with operator verification checks required by law. Be aware delays may therefore exist between initial deposits and funds hitting accounts, so plan ahead.
Customer Support of New Horse Betting Sites Online
Bettors will inevitably have questions or face issues with horse racing sites one day. Quality punting sites have trained professionals manning their customer support teams day and night across email, phone and live chat channels. Response times within 2 minutes sets reasonable expectations. Offshore operators generally excel over local brands when assessing customer service satisfaction.
The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in New Zealand
With so much choice out there, we’ve researched the best online bookies for horse racing fans in NZ and summarised their key strengths and offerings below:
LeoVegas: Horse Betting App #1
LeoVegas is the premier horse betting online site thanks to leading desktop and mobile platforms, early fixed odds, Kiwi racing vision streaming and phenomenal promotions. Their “King of Mobile” betting app sets the standard for punters who prefer betting by phone with innovative features.
Pros
- Early fixed odds on all races
- Live streaming of NZ and global race meets
- Outstanding mobile app with intuitive design
- Huge LeoVegas Black Friday racing promotions
- Black book tools to follow selected runners
Cons
- Higher fees for some payment options
- Occasional geolocation issues
22Bet: Horse Betting Site 2023
For fixed odds and each way betting across global thoroughbred racing, 22Bet horse racing betting online platform stands out as a top choice. Their website and app make it simple to place bets, and they have a strong reputation for competitive pricing.
Pros
- Excellent fixed racing odds & each way betting
- Bet builder feature to customise exotic bets
- Watch live streams from 50,000 races annually
- $122 welcome bonus + 22Bet Points rewards
- Global watch list to track favourite horses
Cons
- Site navigation has a learning curve
- Support response times could improve
BZeebet: Online Betting on Horse Racing
A newcomer founded by Kiwis for the NZ racing punter. BZeebet may lack legacy, but their site offers punters customisation options that personalise your experience. Early odds, cash card withdrawals and protest payouts provide great value along with their easy to use platform.
Pros
- Early fixed odds on NZ & Australian racing
- Customised site display and betting preferences
- Protest payouts – they pay if your selection is relegated
- Betting vouchers and refunds for 2nd/3rd placings
- BZeebet Cash Card for rapid winnings withdrawal
Cons
- No live streaming option available
- Support options still expanding
Harness Racing Betting in New Zealand
In addition to thoroughbred racing, harness racing is hugely popular in New Zealand with origins tracing back over a century. Often called the trots, punters can bet on harness racing standardbred horses at TAB agencies or with horse racing online bookmakers.
Harness racing NZ fields involve horses pulling a sulky cart with a driver steering. Key events like the Inter Dominion, NZ Trotting Cup and Harness Jewels raceday draw crowds and betting interest. With more sports betting companies entering the industry, Kiwi punters have numerous harness racing betting sites to explore for odds and promotions.
When choosing a horse racing bookie online for trotting, focus on factors like:
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Step 1
Early Fixed Odds
Lock in returns confidently before jumps
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Step 2
Promotions
Bonuses, cash back and refund offers
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Step 3
Live Streaming
Watching the vision unfolds makes for great betting
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Step 4
Mobile Access
Easy to use and intuitive betting apps
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Step 5
Form Tools
Important statistics, data and analytics
With more licensed bookies competing for punters’ business, those focused on trotting benefit through fixed price odds, vision, data tools and refund betting types. There’s never been more choice for Kiwis looking to bet on harness racing.
Responsible Horse Racing Betting in NZ
While having a punt on the gallopers or trots is an enjoyable pastime for Kiwis, it is important to maintain responsible betting habits and keep gambling regulated.
In New Zealand all horse racing betting sites must hold a license from authorities like the Department of Internal Affairs. This ensures strict standards around audit processes, dispute resolution and protecting vulnerable customers are upheld.
As a punter, gamble within your means by setting a budget per month and week that is affordable. Take advantage of operator tools that enable deposit limits, timeout periods, or self-exclusion if you recognise problematic behavioural patterns.
Study form thoroughly to make informed selections you can justify, rather than guessing randomly. Avoid drinking alcohol while betting as it clouds judgement. View betting as entertainment rather than a way to make money.
Services like GamblingHelpline offer free support and counselling if gambling becomes unhealthy obsession rather than a hobby.
With the right mindset focused on moderation and responsible behaviours, Kiwi punters can safely enjoy an occasional flutter on race day events across the racing calendar whether galloping or trots.
Conclusion
With early fixed odds, vision of races and generous promotions, LeoVegas tops the list as New Zealand’s premier online bookmaker for horse racing. Their slick app and Black Friday deals make them a must-have for punters.
For alternatives, 22Bet provides outstanding global coverage and racing tools. BZeebet warrants a look for cash card accessibility along with protest payouts that protect your investments after the finishing post.
Wherever you choose to bet, always gamble responsibly and never wager more than you can afford to lose. If you keep stakes modest, then horse racing presents a fun opportunity to make sport more exciting.
FAQ
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Is horse racing betting legal in New Zealand?
Yes. With a heavily regulated industry overseen by the Racing Integrity Board, sports betting and racing wagering is completely legal for those 18 and older. Online betting sites require registration and age verification.
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What’s the best site for fixed horse racing odds?
LeoVegas consistently provides early fixed pricing on NZ thoroughbred racing to lock in strong odds. For trots, Betway and the TAB both open markets nice and early.
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Can I watch racing streams live from my betting site?
Many online horse betting sites like 22Bet and Bet365 allow live streaming which is perfect for betting in-play. Racing vision broadcasts local NZ racing otherwise Sky Racing World has vision from global racetracks.
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What’s the difference between galloping races and harness races?
Thoroughbred horses race with a jockey on their back, while harness racing involves horses pulling a cart behind them with a driver steering the sulky. Different skillsets but both hugely enjoyable!
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Do any bookies offer Protest Payouts in horse racing?
BZeebet recognises the frustration for punters when results get turned upside down by racing stewards. They now payout if your selection wins ‘on protest’ offering a safety net other bookies lack.
Liam Taylor
Writer
About the author
Liam Taylor, an esteemed author at CasinoRater.co.nz, is deeply rooted in New Zealand’s iGaming industry. Known for his ability to keenly sense market trends and effectively communicate them, Liam specializes in uncovering accurate information and the best casino promotions. His writing, enriched with a touch of Kiwi flair, makes complex topics easily understandable for his audience. At CasinoRater.co.nz, Liam is more than just a writer; he’s a reliable navigator in the dynamic world of online gambling, guiding readers to the most valuable insights and deals in the industry.