Responsible Gambling at Horseracing.net
Racing should be enjoyable, informed and within your control.
Updated: November 2025
1. Who we are – and how Horseracing.net works
Horseracing.net provides racecards, tips, previews, guides and betting insight for UK and international racing.
We are not a bookmaker.
We do not:
- Take bets
- Manage customer accounts
- Handle funds
- Process withdrawals
When you click on a bookmaker link on Horseracing.net, you are taken to that operator’s website. If you join or place a bet, we may receive a commission — but this never affects the accuracy, independence or tone of our content.
Our purpose is to provide high-quality racing information so that, if you choose to bet, you can make well-informed decisions.
2. Understanding racing betting behaviour
Racing is unique. Unlike many sports:
- Multiple events take place in a single day
- Odds move quickly
- There are many different bet types
- Race days are emotionally intense
- Big festivals encourage long stints of watching and betting
This combination means it’s easy to lose track of time or stakes, especially when:
- You fancy something in every race
- You’re following multiple tipsters or trends
- You’ve had a near-miss or bad beat
- The racing day runs long (12:15 to 17:30+)
- You’re tempted by late-evening all-weather cards after a tough afternoon
Being aware of these pressures helps you approach racing betting in a controlled way.
3. Keeping racing betting enjoyable
Here are some practical principles racing fans often find helpful:
- Set a staking plan for the day
- Decide in advance what you’re comfortable losing — across the whole card, not just the early races.
- Avoid the “every race” trap
- Watching racing is free. You don’t need to bet on every heat to enjoy the sport.
- Be realistic about long-shot multiples
- Combination bets such as Lucky 15s, Yankees or forecasts can be exciting, but they’re also difficult to land consistently.
- Accept that losing runs happen
- Even top judges have cold spells. Chasing after unlucky results usually makes things worse.
- Separate research from staking
Enjoy studying the form, reading previews and analysing trends — but set boundaries around how much you actually stake.
4. Racing-specific signs you might be losing control
If several of these feel familiar, it could be a sign to pause or seek support:
- You regularly increase stakes through a racecard after early losses.
- You bet races you haven’t researched because “you’re already invested in the day”.
- You chase losses in the last few races.
- You place impulsive evening bets after a frustrating afternoon.
- You follow multiple tipsters without discipline, backing too many selections.
- You feel pressure to win back ante-post bets that look unlikely to land.
- You become frustrated, anxious or irritated when not betting.
- You hide the extent of your betting from people close to you.
- You use money intended for essentials (rent, bills, food) to bet.
Recognising these signs early is a positive step.
5. Tools to stay in control
Licensed bookmakers in the UK must provide tools to help you manage your gambling. These include:
- Deposit limits (daily, weekly or monthly)
- Loss limits
- Reality checks (time reminders)
- Time-outs (short breaks from betting)
- Self-exclusion (long-term breaks across multiple months)
- Detailed account history (deposits, stakes, withdrawals)
For racing fans who use several bookmakers — which is very common — it can be harder to track your overall spend.
Consider using GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP lets you self-exclude from all UK-licensed betting websites at the same time.
Use blocking software if needed:
Tools like Net Nanny or GamBlock can help limit access on shared or personal devices.
6. Protecting under-18s
Racing is enjoyed by all ages, but gambling is strictly 18+.
If you share devices at home:
- Log out of bookmaker accounts when finished
- Avoid saving card details or passwords
- Use parental controls to block gambling websites
- Keep account information private and secure
If you are concerned that someone under 18 has accessed gambling sites, seek support as early as possible.
7. Where to get help
If you’re worried about your own betting — or someone else’s — help is available:
- GamCare 24/7 support, counselling and live chat gamcare.org.uk | 0808 8020 133
- GambleAware Information, tools and signposting gambleaware.org
- Gamblers Anonymous Peer-led meetings and local support gamblersanonymous.org.uk
- NHS Problem Gambling Services Specialist treatment centres across the UK
You’re not alone, and you don’t need to wait until things feel unmanageable before reaching out.
8. Horseracing.net’s commitment to responsible gambling
We are committed to:
- Working only with licensed and regulated bookmakers
- Providing racing content that informs — never misleads
- Avoiding sensational or irresponsible language
- Keeping our tips and previews grounded in analysis, not guarantees
- Using clear 18+ and responsible gambling messaging
- Reviewing and updating offer-related pages regularly
- Responding quickly to concerns raised by users or partners
Our aim is that racing remains enjoyable, sustainable and free from harm.