Top 8 Horse Racing Betting Sites in Malaysia, and Local Scene


Horse racing betting in Malaysia is not something new given that the country already has four horse racing tracks. In fact, betting at these venues have been legalized by the Malaysian Totalisator Board that was established in 1961. 

This article highlights the best sites for horse racing betting in Malaysia, the local Malaysian horse racing scene, bet types, and tips or strategies that can help you win real money.

8 Best Horse Racing Betting Sites for Malaysian Punters

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Choosing The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

Due to the myriad of sports betting sites available, there is often fierce competition when it comes to luring potential bettors. Here are some of the factors we considered when recommending the best horse racing betting sites:

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Safety & Security

Like betting on any other sports such as football or hockey, safety and security of the site you are betting with is crucial. Look for a site that is licensed, legitimate, and offers safe payment methods as this protects your personal information and funds.

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Betting Odds

In horse racing, the betting odds and minimum wagers tend to be quite standardized. In fact, many sportsbooks today offer a “best priced match” program or best horse racing odds guarantee where gamblers will be paid a more generous price if another bookie offers bigger odds.

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Betting Markets

Since horse betting in different countries have different formats, it is important to find a site that offers a range of betting markets, be it local or international matches. Since Malaysia has its own local races, Malaysian bettors may be interested in wagering in local matches as well. Some online bookies also offer virtual horse racing bets.

Live Betting Horse Racing

Live Betting

Live betting is a relatively new betting option where punters are allowed to place wagers during the race. Also known as in play betting, punters can change their bets based on current situations to improve their odds of winning.

Live Streaming Horse Racing

Live Streaming

Live streaming enables bettors to view the matches they have wagered on in real time. It is important as not all matches are available live on TV channels or online, making it difficult especially during live betting.

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Horse Racing Form Guides

To improve your odds of winning, statistics and data available can make all the difference. Choose a bookmaker that offers information on their runners, riders, trainers, racecards, up to date news, and more.

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Betting Limits

With the wide variety of different operators available, choose a sportsbook that offers different online betting limits. Some even allow you to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on your account to control how much you want to spend.

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Bonuses and Promotions

The best bonuses and promotions for horse racing betting includes a generous welcome bonus, free bets, or deposit bonus for new players as this helps stretch your bankroll and allows players to make more bets. Ongoing deals for existing members are crucial to keep things interesting.

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Payment Options

An obvious element that should be considered, having a wide variety of payment options ensures that punters have a smooth and easy experience depositing and withdrawing their funds. Look for operators that take credit cards and debit cards like Visa and Mastercard; e-wallet options such as Neteller, PayPal, and Skrill; or even cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

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Mobile Apps

Some horse racing betting sites also offer easy to use mobile apps that offer the same features seen on the online site but have the advantage of working better on mobile devices operating on Android and iOS platforms.

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Customer Support

As you place your bets, it is almost inevitable that you will eventually need support from customer service be it to resolve an issue or to answer a question you have. Having 24/7 customer service is a great perk especially if they have multiple channels such as live chat, phone, email, and more.

Understanding The Basics of Horse Racing Betting

Beginners new to horse racing will soon learn that one is unlikely to be unsuccessful through choosing horses at random. This means it pays to pick your horses wisely before placing a bet. Here is some information to help you get started:

The Odds

The odds in horse racing betting indicates the horse’s chance of winning. For example, a horse with 2:1 odds has a higher chance of winning compared to a horse with odds of 6:1. In the odds of 2:1, a bet of 10 will see you win 20 with the addition of your original 10 bet, giving you a total of 30.

Since the odds are fixed by bookmakers, these odds tend to be in their favor. These odds are based on the amount of money wagered and the horse’s track records. This helps to protect the bookmaker from losing money on the bet. 

Starting Prices

In horse racing betting, punters can choose to take the current odds or starting price when placing a bet. The starting price is the odds for the horse before the race. As the race approaches, some odds will shorten or lengthen.

In big races, popular horses are likely to have shorter odds on the day of the race. Other factors such as the weather can also influence the odds of the race, making it worth it to check the weather forecast especially if you are placing a bet in advance. 

Horse Age, Weight, And Form

Different races require different physical traits. For example, since most jump races are handicaps, it is best to bet on horses that have a heavier weight. You can also determine the age and weight of the horse by looking at the three numbers under each horse such as 7-11-4, indicating that the horse is 7 years old while the last two numbers show its weight in stones and pounds. 

Although top flat races can be easier to predict, successful horses tend to have short odds, resulting in little money to be won. Punters can also tell the recent form of runners and riders based on a set of hyphenated numbers that indicates the horse’s finishing position (1-9). The letter U indicates the rider was unseated, P means the rider pulled up the horse, and F indicating a fall. 

Betting Terms

Besides the basics of horse racing, here are some basic betting terms:

  • Win – The horse you bet on finishes in first position.
  • Place – The horse you bet on finishes in second position. 
  • Show – The horse you bet on finishes in third position. 
  • Exacta – The horses you bet on finishes in first and second place in the order you predicted. 
  • Quinella – Your horses come in first and second place in any order. 
  • Trifecta – Your three horses finish first, second, and third places in the exact order you predicted. 
  • Superfecta – Your four horses finish first through fourth places in the exact order you predicted.
  • Box – Applicable to exacta, trifecta, and superfecta bets, a “box” wager means you bet on all possible combinations for your horses to finish. 
  • Scratch – A horse pulls out of a scheduled race.
  • MTP – Minutes to Post or MTP refers to the time left to place your bets before it is closed.
  • OTB – Off track betting or OTB refers to a place where punters can remotely bet on horse racing. 
  • Daily racing form – This is the paper that shows statistics about each race including the length, horses, owners, jockeys, and trainers.

Types of Horse Races

Horse races can be divided into several categories. In each category, the betting terms and wagers remain similar, but different horses have specific advantages in various races.

Flat Races

The commonest type of horse racing, flat races involve horses ridden by jockeys on horse tracks that are flat dirt, turf, or made of synthetic material. The best horses to bet on these races depend on horses that are experienced on the specific track and distance of the race. 

Harness Racing

In harness racing, the horse involved is pulling a two wheeled cart that carries the jockey. In this race, the horse has to stay at a trot pace. Therefore, the best horses to bet on for this race would be horses that specialize in this race.

Jumps Races / Steeple Chasing

Competing from the age of three, jump racing can be divided into national hunt flat races, novice hurdling, hurdling, novice chasing, and chasing races. Since the horse has to get through hurdles and obstacles, fillies are the best horses for this race as they have the advantage of clearing obstacles easier compared to other horses. 

Group Races

The most popular races, group races are divided into three categories – Groups 1, 2, and 3. These races have age and gender restrictions and are spread throughout the year to form a program of various races differing in distance and racecourses. 

Handicaps

Most horses end up competing in handicap races – with each horse allotted a weight based on their rating. For example, a horse that is rated 80 will carry 8 stone 8 pounds of weight while a horse rated 78 will carry 8 stone 6 pounds of weight during the race. 

Horse Racing Betting In Malaysia: The Local Scene

Horse racing in Malaysia began when the British traders came to the country in the 1800s. Although it was introduced as a foreign sport, it is now considered part of Malaysian culture and has a popular base of horse racing enthusiasts. 

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Trainers, jockeys, and racecourses are well established in Malaysia. There are about two thousand horses that compete during the racing season. Breeders have also begun to develop, leading to many magnificent local competitors.

Horse racing in Malaysia is controlled by the rules of the Malayan Racing Association. Pan Malaysian Pools Sdn Bhd operates the gambling side of horse racing. Horse racing greatly contributes to the Malaysian economy and offers many job opportunities. In Malaysia, horse racing is held at the following four locations:

Selangor Turf Club

Selangor Turf Club

Monday to Friday, 8:30AM–5:30PM

Hosting about 30 races a year, the racing season begins in January and ends in December. With great dining options available, guests can watch races while enjoying their food. The club also has a riding school and veterinary team that provides a wide range of services for equine health. A cricket ground is also available.

Penang Turf Club

Penang Turf Club

Monday to Friday 8.30am – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 5.30pm; Weekends Only Opens During Race Days; Closed on Public Holidays

The oldest turf club in Malaysia also features a golf course. They have an equestrian club that offers riding lessons. Other facilities include a club bungalow, spaces for events, and a museum that showcases historical exhibits of the club.

Perak Turf Club

Perak Turf Club

Monday – Friday : 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Saturday : 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

This club boasts the rarity of being able to stage a 1,100-meter straight race. They have 26 race days. On other days, race meetings from other turf clubs and overseas races are broadcasted live. Their facilities include a training track, equine swimming pool, equestrian training center, and an equine hospital.

Royal Sabah Turf Club

Royal Sabah Turf Club

Monday – Friday : 9AM-5PM; Weekends closed

With a long and rich history dating back to 1908, the Royal Sabah Turf Club was initially known as the Jesselton Turf Club, holding its race meeting even throughout the world war until the Great Depression. Currently, horse betting on the totalisator is conducted on a pari-mutuel basis. Once the sales and service tax along with the Club’s commission is deducted, the balance is paid out as dividends to the winners. 

How To Place Bets On A Horse

To start placing bets on horse racing, Malaysian punters have several options: 

Betting Online Through Foreign Bookies

With this option, Malaysian bettors choose a safe and secure betting platform to place bets, create an account, deposit funds, and start betting. Playing with foreign sportsbooks allow punters to gain access to international races of varying types and formats.

Betting In Person At A Racetrack

Betting on horse races in person at a racetrack is an option for punters who live near one of the turf clubs in Malaysia. This can offer a more authentic experience as you get to experience the crowds and could possibly watch the race itself on the track.

Betting Online On Local Races

Horse racing in Malaysia once was only available in person. However, bets can now be placed through EQ Link online or over the telephone via their dedicated operator assisted call centers. Punters should note that bets can only be placed on local matches. 

Tips & Strategies: How To Win Your Horse Racing Bets

Picking a winning horse can take a discerning eye and experience. Here are some pointers for you to choose which horse to bet on:

The Paddock

Watch the horses in the paddock before a race. It can give you a good idea regarding their physical wellbeing, fitness, and temperament. Horses that appear agitated or are sweating are not good options. Instead, go for a horse that handles the preliminaries well and has a calm and composed manner as this allows it to perform its best.

Racecard Form

As previously mentioned above, the form numbers on a racecard indicates the finishing position of a horse in recent races. Be sure to consider the context of the form as the numbers can be misleading. For example, a horse that has the number 3 in its form may lead you to think it finished third but could have finished last in a three horse race.

Stick To What You Know Best

Horse races are complicated and there are many tips and strategies out there. Work out which methods work best for you and stick to it. Beginners can start by watching as many races as possible to learn what they can look for.

Jockeys Are Important

Jockeys are crucial in horse racing as their actions can bring out the true ability of a horse. Horses, like people, can have good days and bad days. Jockeys can make a world of difference during bad days as they know how to bring the best out of the horse.

Remember Your Objective

Betting on horse racing is all in the name of fun while standing a chance to make some money. The whole point is to enjoy yourself and not to take it too seriously. Bet only what you can afford to lose so you can find joy in winning without being under pressure all the time.

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Conclusion

Horse racing betting in Malaysia has been around for decades. With the option of betting on local races through the Turd Clubs and international races via online bookmakers, punters can enjoy the best betting experience wagering on horse races all year round!

FAQs

Can you make money from horse betting?

Yes, one can make money from horse betting but it is essentially gambling. Therefore, it should never be a source of income. Instead, only bet what you can afford to lose and set limits on wagering.

Is horse betting online legal?

Yes, horse betting online is legal. According to a recent Malaysian High Court ruling in 2022, online gaming activities including online casino games and online sports betting are not considered illegal due to the country’s outdated gambling laws.

What are the best horse betting sites?

The best online betting sites are those that have been recommended in this article. Choose safe and secure sites that offer generous bonuses, multiple payment methods, and a variety of betting markets.

Is horse betting allowed in Malaysia?

Yes, horse racing betting is allowed in Malaysia as the country has four local venues called Turf Clubs where punters can place wagers on local horse races. These bets can now be placed online through EQ Link.

What is the best way to make money with horse betting?

Betting on horse races is not a reliable way to make money as it is ultimately a game of chance. To win, follow the tips and strategies recommended above. Pace your bets, analyze the data, and follow expert tipsters for some insight.

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