Virtual Racing

Placing a bet on virtual horse racing is as easy as making a cup of tea and potentially far more rewarding than that delicious hot drink.

All, and we mean all, online bookmakers have their own virtual horse racing offering these days and, if you haven't already done so, it's well worth dipping your toe in the virtual water. 

Virtually (no pun intended) all the major online bookmakers have their own virtual horse racing product, and it's easy to jump in and out while you're logged in. 

Unlike the jumper you got from granny for Christmas, the virtual horse racing tab /section is not going to be hidden away. Far from it, they want you to play and the homepage is the best place to look.

Let's take Virtual Racing at bet365 for example.

We like bet365 for many reasons and that includes their 'Virtual Sports' product. This is found in the left-hand margin on their homepage, housed between Tennis and Volleyball – in alphabetical order then!

Click on it and it opens up a whole new world, where the gates of Britannia Park are always open and the next race is only a minute or two away. Britannia Park being a nod to their Stoke home – that's class!

Horse racing is given top billing here, which we like, but you can easily switch tabs to greyhounds, motors, soccer, cycling or tennis - whichever's your bag, really.

On a recent visit, there were three virtual meetings going off, with Festival Downs and Victoria Park providing a triple-header. You can switch between these at a whim and there is literally a race going off every minute of the day.

The next race off is clearly shown below the swanky animated graphic, which will be either showing the result of the previous race or the race itself. It's surprisingly realistic.

You'll need to be logged in to play – obviously – and the betting options are nice and simple: race winner (win or each-way), forecast or tricast. A click or two and your selection is on the betslip.

The each-way option at bet365 is at a generous one quarter the odds, the first three home. That's worth pointing out as most other bookmakers go one fifth the odds, which is more in their favour.

While it'll never replace the real thing, virtual racing still offers up a fun way to spend some time and there's a real chance of making a few quid in the process. 

Enjoy with a delicious cup of tea for maximum pleasure.

Horse racing punters are increasingly turning to virtual racing and it's easy to see why with these fantastic free bet offers, and there's nothing virtual about them!

While a dabble in the virtual world is not every punters' cup of tea, even the biggest doubters might be tempted to dip their toe in the virtual water with some free cash (literally) up for grabs!

Here's our five favourite places to bet on virtual horse racing and accompanying free bet offers. Go on, give it a go! You might even win some money or at least have fun trying!!

Sky Bet – A £20 free bet in their virtual world

Unlike buses, there's a virtual race very three minutes at Sky Bet with the delights of Bishop Street, Sandunes Park and Wellington Place awaiting. 

The racing may be virtual but the £20 free bet up for grabs is real enough. What's that? Two minutes to the off at Sandunes Park?! Hope my selection likes the surface!!

Betfred – £30 free bet

It's a whole new (virtual) world at Betfred with all sorts of virtual goings on and you can be sure of a horse race every five minutes. It's like clockwork and the free fiver is a timeless classic with no deposit required. Simply sign up here today and they will credit your new account with your free fiver within 48 hours. 

Once registered, hit the 'Virtual' tab on the homepage and immerse yourself in the pleasures of New Forest Park – the favourite looks virtually home and hosed in the next!

William Hill – A whopping £25 free bet as a welcome to their virtual world

This one's a bit different as you have to splash some of your own cash to get your hands on the welcome bonus, which is worth up to £25. You can sign up here. Just make sure you use the promo code F25 when you fill in the registration form to get the maximum bonus.

Once you've registered, they will will match your first bet up to a value of £25 and you're free to do what you like with this. If you're quick, you will catch the next virtual horse race at Rapier Strip – you couldn't make it up! Well, they did actually.

Paddy Power – Bet £10 on virtual racing, get a £30 free bet

Virtual horse racing at 'St Patrick's Park' – it could only be Irish firm Paddy Power and the Saint is probably turning in his grave at the virtual shenanigans going on there, with a race going off every three minutes! That means if you back a loser, you've got three minutes to get your money back (in theory). 

One thing's for certain in Paddy Power's virtual world, you will get a £30 free bet if you bet £10 or more on any virtual horse race, and even the good saint would approve of that. Sign up here today.

Ladbrokes – Use code MAXCASH50

Some Ladbrokes customers live in their own virtual world sometimes - and we can highly recommend it! It's billed as “virtual racing, real excitement”, which may be stretching it a bit, but you can't fail to get excited about this £25 free bet offer.

Simply register here using the promo code MAXCASH50!

Enjoy spending your virtual racing free bets, the very real RacingTips Team!