On this page
- What is virtual horse racing?
- New! Our Top 3:
- How are virtual races decided?
- Virtual horse racing odds and margins
- Bet types on virtual horse racing
- Virtual vs real horse racing
- Why do punters bet on virtual racing?
- Other virtual sports
- Is virtual horse racing the same as a slot?
- Tips for betting on virtual horse racing
- Where to bet on virtual horse racing
- Key points to remember
Virtual horse racing gives you a race to bet on every few minutes, day and night. The horses, jockeys and racecourses are computer-generated, but the betting works just like real racing: you pick a winner, back a horse each way or try a forecast. In this guide we explain how virtual horse racing works, how the results are decided, what the odds really mean and how it compares with betting on real races.
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What is virtual horse racing?
New! Our Top 3:
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Virtual horse racing is a simulated race shown as a computer animation. Each race has a field of fictional horses, each with a name, a price and often a short form guide. Races start at fixed intervals, often every two to three minutes, so there is always another race coming up.
The animations have become very realistic, with commentary, camera angles and photo finishes. Some virtual meetings even model well-known courses, and some bookmakers run special virtual versions of big events such as the Grand National.
Virtual racing is offered by most UK online bookmakers and is also available on screens in high street betting shops.
How are virtual races decided?
This is the most important thing to understand. A virtual race is not a simulation of horses with real abilities. The result is decided by a random number generator (RNG), the same type of technology used for online slots and casino games. The animation is created afterwards to show the result.
The RNG is weighted by the odds. A 2/1 favourite wins more often than a 20/1 outsider, but each horse’s real chance is slightly lower than its price implies, because the bookmaker margin is built in. That means:
- Form means nothing. The form figures in a virtual racecard are for show. A horse that “won last time” has no better chance than its odds say.
- There is no edge to find. You cannot study virtual racing to gain an advantage, because there is nothing to analyse beyond the odds.
- Results are independent. Each race is a new random event. A run of favourites does not make an outsider “due”.
Virtual sports at licensed UK operators must use tested RNG software, so the results are fair in the sense that they follow the stated probabilities. But fair does not mean favourable: the margin is built in.
Virtual horse racing odds and margins
The odds in a virtual race are fixed before the race and reflect the chance the RNG gives each horse, plus the bookmaker margin. Add up the implied probabilities of all the runners and you will get more than 100%. The extra is the margin.
| Example runner | Odds | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite | 2/1 | 33.3% |
| Second favourite | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Third | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Fourth | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Fifth | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| Outsider | 12/1 | 7.7% |
| Total | 108.1% |
In this example the book adds up to about 108%, so the margin is roughly 8%. Margins on virtual racing are often higher than on major real races. Use our bet calculator to convert any odds into implied probability.
Bet types on virtual horse racing
Most bet types from real racing are available on virtuals:
- Win: your horse must win the race.
- Each way: a win bet and a place bet. Check the place terms, as they vary. Our each way calculator shows how the place part pays.
- Forecast: pick the first and second in the correct order. A reverse forecast covers both orders.
- Tricast: pick the first three in the correct order.
- Multiples: some bookmakers allow doubles and trebles across different virtual races.
Virtual vs real horse racing
| Virtual racing | Real racing | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Every few minutes, 24/7 | Fixed cards, mostly afternoons and evenings |
| Result decided by | Random number generator | Real horses, jockeys and conditions |
| Can form help? | No | Yes |
| Best Odds Guaranteed | Not offered | Common on UK and Irish racing |
| Non-runners | None | Possible, with Rule 4 deductions |
| Race length | Around a minute | From about a minute to over nine minutes |
The big difference is skill. With real horse racing, studying form, ground, trainers and jockeys can give you an edge. With virtual racing, every bet is pure chance at fixed odds. If you enjoy the analysis side of racing, real racing is the better choice. If you just want quick entertainment, virtuals fill the gaps between real races.
Why do punters bet on virtual racing?
Virtual racing fills a gap. Real racing in Britain and Ireland mostly runs in the afternoon and evening, and there are quiet days with few meetings. Virtuals are always available, a race takes about a minute and you know the result straight away. For some punters it is a quick bit of fun while waiting for a real race. The downside is the same as its appeal: the speed makes it easy to bet more than you planned, so it is wise to set limits before you start.
Other virtual sports
Virtual horse racing is part of a wider range of virtual sports. Most bookmakers also offer virtual greyhounds, football, tennis, motor racing and speedway. Virtual greyhounds work exactly like virtual horses, with six traps instead of a field of horses. For real dog racing, read our greyhound betting guide.
Is virtual horse racing the same as a slot?
In one important way, yes. Both use a random number generator and both have a built-in house edge. The difference is in how the game looks and how the edge is shown. A slot shows its return to player (RTP) percentage, while a virtual race shows odds. You can calculate the margin yourself from the odds, as in the table above. If you enjoy games of pure chance, our casino games section explains how RTP works on slots and table games.
Tips for betting on virtual horse racing
- Treat it as entertainment. There is no system that beats an RNG with a built-in margin.
- Set a time and money limit. A race every few minutes adds up quickly. Ten pounds per race over an hour can mean hundreds of pounds staked.
- Keep stakes small. Small stakes make the entertainment last longer.
- Ignore streaks. Every race is independent. Do not increase your stake to win back losses.
- Compare margins. Check the overround of a race by adding up the implied probabilities. A lower total means better value.
Where to bet on virtual horse racing
Most major UK bookmakers offer virtual racing alongside their sportsbook and casino. Our top three:
Our pick: try virtual racing at Inky Bet, or compare at Tip-Top and Jackpot City. Check that virtual sports are available at your chosen site before you deposit, and always bet within your limits.
Key points to remember
- Virtual races are decided by a random number generator, not by form.
- Races run every few minutes, all day and all night.
- The odds include a built-in margin, often higher than on real racing.
- Win, each way, forecast and tricast bets are usually available.
- Treat virtual racing as entertainment and set time and money limits.
No, not at licensed UK operators. Results are decided by tested random number generators that follow the odds. But the odds include a bookmaker margin, so in the long run the bookmaker wins.
By a random number generator weighted by each horse’s odds. The animation is created to show the result. Form, jockeys and course have no effect.
You can win individual bets, but there is no strategy that gives you an edge. Every result is random and the margin is built into the odds.
Usually every two to three minutes, all day and all night.
No. BOG applies to real UK and Irish horse racing. Virtual races have fixed odds that do not change.