Although betting on live horse racing is federally legal in Canada, there’s a monopoly in Ontario based on preexisting agreements that go back years. As such, the Woodbine Entertainment Group has helped craft unique wagering experiences for horse racing bettors in the province. Don’t worry; residents of Ontario still get the same horse racing odds as everyone else, but as you’ll see, stuff is a little different.
Best Sites for Horse Race Betting in Ontario
Woodbine Entertainment Group and some other entities own a monopoly in the market, meaning they can dictate who offers horse racing betting in Ontario. In other words, unlike the rest of Canada, Ontarians’ options are limited to HPIbet (a standalone horse racing sportsbook), Dark Horse Bets (an app designed to help newbies wager on horse racing through the help of AI technologies), and bet365 (after a deal was made with the powers that be).
Mind you, HPIbet is one of the best standalone horse racing betting sites in all of Canada, so it’s not like Ontarians are getting the short end of the stick. It’s just that Ontarians’ options are more limited compared to the rest of the country, which is a bummer.
1. bet365 Ontario
The Ontario racing scene is complicated for most operators to enter but not every operator is deterred from having to pay up to offer horse racing betting on its platform in Ontario. That brings us to bet365 and its desire to one-up the field by being the only sportsbook to offer horse racing odds outside of the Woodbine-owned betting products. In August of 2023, the two sides reached an agreement to allow bet365 to offer pari-mutual odds at its Ontario sportsbook.
Many punters adore the sportsbook for its horse racing odds. As far as online horse racing betting sites go, bet365 has it all:
- Race previews
- The ability to live-stream races and watch replays
- Seamless online betting experience.
✅ Pro: Many Ontarians already use bet365 to bet on sports like hockey, soccer, baseball, and good ol’ pigskin football, so they won’t have to create another account on one of the Woodbine-owned products.
2. HPIBet
When you’re a professional horseplayer and want to make a horse racing bet, it’s almost a given that you’ll want access to all the top wagering products to help you find the winner’s circle. At HPIbet, that’s what you’ll get. When Woodbine Entertainment Group created HPIbet, the idea was to bring the horseplayers to the information buffet. The “newbs” can also bet without tools like the Daily Racing Form past performances, clocker reports, and the like. That’s the beauty of HPIbet; anyone can use it and not feel overwhelmed. Use as little or as much as they want.
Out of all the horse racing betting sites in Ontario, HPIbet offers the best rewards program. You’ll also be able to bet on almost any track around the world. And you better believe HPIbet has all the resources to stream live racing. Whether you’re betting on the Kentucky Derby or some hurdles race in Ireland, HPIbet has you covered. It’s our favourite platform to experience online horse racing betting Ontario by a furlong and a half!
3. Dark Horse Bets
Woodbine Entertainment Group understands that there’s a decent barrier to entry for those looking to start betting on horse racing. That’s why it created Dark Horse Bets, an app someone new to horse racing can use to learn the ropes and make some money while doing so. Dark Horse Bets generates plays using a state-of-the-art AI system that finds plays tailored to the player’s needs. For example, the AI system can help players find a long shot to back in a wide-open race like the King’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack. The AI can also help players find the “safest bet.”
By far, Dark Horse Bets is one of the best horse racing betting sites for someone who just wants to sit back, relax, and have something to cheer for. You won’t get as wide of a selection of races to bet on as you would with HPIbet, but you’ll be able to bet on all the biggest races, which is usually what this demographic is looking for anyway. They don’t want all the bells and whistles. They just want something straightforward and simple to use.
Pari-Mutuel Betting in Horse Racing
Unlike regular sports betting, where you’re being offered a fixed price on a team or player, horse racing uses something called the pari-mutuel betting system. Some people will call it a “pool system.” The payout prices are determined by how much money is spent on a specific outcome in a certain pool.
For example, if there’s a lot of money on a certain horse to finish first in the win pool, that horse’s odds will be shorter than the others. The less money that’s on a specific horse to win a race, the higher that horse’s odds will be.
There are many times when you’ll see a really short-priced favourite to win a race, which will have better payouts to place than to win because that horse was only taking money in one pool.
If you can get used to how the pari-mutuel betting system works and learn how to read the pool percentages, you can find some nice spots to profit on big-time horses.
💡 Check out our beginner’s guide on how to bet on horses to learn more about the types of bets you can place.
Ontario Premier Horse Racetracks
If you’re unfamiliar with the Ontario horse racing scene, we’ll get you up to speed in this section. As you’ll soon see, Ontario has a hell of a lot to offer for horse betting.
🏇 Woodbine Racetrack
Woodbine Racetrack is located in Toronto, Ontario. It’s Canada’s premier racetrack and hosts the country’s biggest race, the King’s Plate. That said, the track does host big races that draw international attention, like the Woodbine Mile. Since it’s a “Breeder’s Cup: Win And You’re In” turf race, connections worldwide flock to Woodbine to get in on the action.
🏇 Mohawk Park
If you love harness racing (and a lot of people in Ontario do), your favourite track is almost always Mohawk Park, or as it’s now being billed, “Woodbine Mohawk Park.” Yes, we know it’s confusing, but don’t shoot the messenger here. The 7/8 mile track, located in Campbellville, plays host to some of the biggest harness races in the world, including the Pepsi North America Cup.
🏇 Fort Erie Race Track
Fort Erie Race Track is best known for hosting The Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. It’s located in Fort Erie, close to the Niagara Falls border. It may not be the most glamorous of tracks, but it’s a shining relic of the past that holds a special place in the hearts of Canadian horse racing fans.
Major Horse Racing Events in Ontario
Okay, we’ve discussed the most well-known racetracks in Ontario, but now it’s time to discuss the biggest races. First, we have…
The King’s Plate
The King’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack takes place in August. Billed as the most prestigious race in Canada and is the start of the legendary Canadian Triple Crown, the best Canadian-bred three-year-olds of the crop compete to edge their names in the history books. Not to mention capturing their share of the $1 million purse.
The Prince of Wales Stakes
The Prince of Wales Stakes takes place at Fort Erie Race Track and represents the second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown. Although it’s not the hardest to win, some horses might have trouble adjusting to the dirt track after racing on the synthetic course at Woodbine Racetrack.
The Breeders’ Stakes
The Breeders’ Stakes is the final jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. Unlike the other Triple Crown races, it’s run on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at a whopping distance of 1 1/2 miles (or 12 furlongs). Suppose the Belmont Stakes is the “test of champions” in America. In that case, the Breeders’ Stakes should be coined the “test of the immortals” because it takes one hell of a pedigree to not only be able to go from the turf to dirt but to do all that in such a short time span against a bunch of horses that probably took the Prince of Wales Stakes off after not winning the King’s Plate and are better rested.
How to Bet on Horse Racing in Ontario
Time to cut the BS! Let’s teach you how to start betting on horse racing in Ontario.
- Choose a reputable sportsbook: Let’s be honest, you don’t have much to choose from in Ontario. Nevertheless, pick between HPIbet, Dark Horse Bets, and bet365.
- Create an account: Once you’ve made that tough decision, go to the sign-up page of the sportsbook you choose. Enter all the relevant information and complete the KYC verification process so you can deposit and withdraw funds from your account. Remember to ensure the information you provide aligns with what’s on your government-issued ID.
- Deposit funds: After you’re done with signing up for the sportsbook, make your deposit. All of these sportsbooks will have a deposit button. Once you’re there, choose your preferred payment method and follow the steps to deposit. The money you deposited into your account will be there immediately.
- Place your bet: Go to a race, choose your favourite horse, select what bet you want to make, enter the amount that you wish to wager, and hit “confirm” to lock in your bets.
- Track the race: Now, it’s time to watch the race. Every app lets you watch a live race stream once it goes off.
⚖️ Legal Status of Horse Betting in Ontario
Is horse racing betting legal in Ontario? In the words of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, “Hell yeah!” As we’ve mentioned before, horse racing is federally regulated in Canada, which is slightly different than how sports betting gets policed (sports betting is regulated on a provincial level). That’s why a group like Woodbine Entertainment Group can decide who can and can’t enter the Ontario market.
As an FYI, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) regulates the pari-mutuel betting scene in Canada. The CPMA ensures that no one can work on the inside to fix races and screw the horseplayers over, even if they’re utilizing online horse betting sites. Although some aren’t the biggest fans of the CPMA, it has kept the scene “clean” for years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
More Horse Racing Resources:
Major Horse Racing Events to Bet On
Horse Betting Ontario FAQs
Yes, you can bet on horses in Ontario, provided you use products that the Woodbine Entertainment Group owns/ allows to operate in the province.
Ontario’s best horse racing sites are HPIbet, Dark Horse Bets, and bet365.
Yes, it is possible to win money betting on horses. However, successful horse betting requires knowledge, skill, and careful strategy. Factors like understanding odds, researching horses and jockeys, analyzing track conditions, and managing your bankroll are crucial. While there’s potential for profit, it’s important to bet responsibly and be aware that there’s always risk involved. Many bettors lose money long-term, so approach horse betting as entertainment rather than a reliable income source.
The most profitable horse bet is typically considered to be the exacta bet. An exacta requires you to correctly predict the first and second-place finishers in a race in the exact order. While challenging, exactas offer higher payouts than simple win bets. To increase your chances of profit, many bettors use an exacta box, which covers all possible combinations of your chosen horses finishing first and second. Successful exacta betting requires careful handicapping and analysis of the horses’ past performances, track conditions, and other factors that may influence the race outcome.