Raceday guide · 2026

Betting at the racecourse: using your betting app at the races

Can you use your betting app at the track? How do the betting ring and the Tote work, and is there Wi-Fi? Everything you need for a day at the races.

App vs ring vs Tote Raceday tips Find a racecourse

Quick answer: yes, you can use your betting app at the racecourse. All Jockey Club courses have free Wi-Fi, and you can compare your app’s price with the on-course bookmakers and the Tote before you bet. Take cash for the betting ring, as not every bookmaker takes cards, and you must be 18 or over.

Three ways to bet at the races

Option	How it works	Good for	Watch out for
Betting app	Bet on your phone exactly as you would at home. Winnings are credited to your account automatically.	Best Odds Guaranteed, cash out, promotions and quick bets without queuing.	Signal at very busy meetings. Use the course Wi-Fi where it’s offered.
On-course bookmakers	Pick a bookmaker in the betting ring, give your horse’s racecard number and stake, and keep your ticket.	Comparing prices between pitches, and the atmosphere of the ring.	Prices and each-way terms differ by pitch. Most take cash; not all take cards.
The Tote (pool betting)	Your stake goes into a pool shared between the winning tickets after the operator’s cut.	Placepot, Jackpot and Quadpot, and place-only bets. The minimum bet is £2.	The dividend can change until the off. Some courses use Britbet pools instead.

How the betting ring works

On-course bookmakers must show their prices at least 10 minutes before each race, along with their each-way place terms, and a notice that they won’t take bets from anyone under 18. Prices and terms vary between pitches, so walk the ring before you bet. Each-way terms are usually a quarter of the odds, and races with seven or fewer runners pay places for first and second only.

Starting prices now come from off-course bookmakers. Since 2020 the official SP has been set from a sample of off-course bookmakers rather than the on-course market. That’s the SP your app uses for Best Odds Guaranteed, so a bigger price in the ring won’t change your app payout.

The Tote, Britbet and pool betting

PlacepotPick a horse to be placed in each of the first six races.

QuadpotPick a placed horse in races three, four, five and six.

JackpotPick the winner of the first six races at one meeting.

The Tote has been owned by UK Tote Group, a consortium of racing investors, since 2019. At most big courses you bet with the Tote through Britbet, a partnership of racecourses. Since November 2025, 19 courses, including the 16 Arena Racing courses such as Doncaster and Lingfield, use Britbet’s own pools, while Ascot, Chester and Bangor run their own betting. Placepot bets remain in Tote pools. You can also place Tote bets in the Tote app, which streams racing.

Wi-Fi and mobile signal

Free public Wi-Fi is available at all 15 Jockey Club racecourses, including Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom Downs, Newmarket, Sandown Park, Kempton Park and Haydock Park. At Cheltenham it covers the grandstands, bars, restaurants and concourses, and the Jockey Club names the bookmakers you can bet with over it. At the busiest meetings, networks such as Vodafone bring in temporary masts to boost capacity, but it’s still worth placing bets before the crowds build up.

Cash or card?

Cash is still king in the betting ring. Some on-course bookmakers now take debit or contactless cards, but not all, and credit cards are not allowed. The Tote accepts cash and debit cards at the course. Cash machines vary by racecourse, so bring what you need.

Tips for betting on your phone at the races

Set up your account before you travelDownload the app, verify your ID and add a payment method at home, not in the queue for the bar.

Set a limit for the dayApps must prompt you to set a deposit limit. Decide what you’re happy to spend before the first race.

Compare pricesCheck the ring and the Tote against your app before each race. Take the best price on offer.

Bet early at big meetingsPlace bets before the crowds and queues build up, and charge your phone or bring a power bank.

Use replaysMany apps let you watch replays and check results while you’re at the course.

Keep your ticketsOn-course tickets are your proof of bet. Collect winnings from the same bookmaker or Tote window.

Safer gambling at the racecourse

You must be 18 or over to bet at a racecourse, and on-course bookmakers run a Think 25 policy, so take ID. GAMSTOP blocks online and app betting with British-licensed operators, but it doesn’t cover the betting ring. For help, visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.

Plan your raceday:Racecourse guides Racing festivals How the Tote works Best Odds Guaranteed Racing calendar

Betting at the racecourse FAQs

Can I use a betting app at the racecourse?

Yes. Nothing stops you betting on your phone at the races, and the Jockey Club even lets racegoers bet with partner bookmakers over its free racecourse Wi-Fi. Winnings from app bets go straight into your account.

Is it better to bet in the ring or on an app?

It depends on the price. On-course bookmakers set their own odds, so it pays to compare their boards with your app. Your app may offer Best Odds Guaranteed, cash out and promotions that the ring doesn’t.

Can I pay on-course bookmakers by card?

Take cash. Some on-course bookmakers now accept debit or contactless cards, but not all, and credit cards are not allowed. The Tote takes cash and cards.

Is there free Wi-Fi at racecourses?

All Jockey Club racecourses, including Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom, Newmarket, Sandown, Kempton and Haydock, offer free Wi-Fi to racegoers. Other courses vary, so check before you go.

How old do you have to be to bet at the races?

You must be 18 or over. On-course bookmakers follow a Think 25 policy, so take ID if you look under 25.

Find a course on our UK racecourses guide, check the racing calendar or compare betting apps.