Best 5 Greyhound Racing Sites
Bet365
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Best odds guaranteed on all UK races.
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Live streaming of every greyhound race.
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‘My Greyhounds’ feature to track your favourites.
Parimatch
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Best Odds Guaranteed on all bets placed after 9am on race day.
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Bet & Watch live streaming - bet a minimum of £1 to access the live stream of any greyhound race.
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Countless races to wager on, day and night.
888 Bet
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Get a Free bet for backing any winner at 4/1 or more.
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Live streaming of all greyhound races.
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Win only, forecast and tricast markets available.
Ladbrokes
- Best Odds Guaranteed on all UK and Irish dog races.
- Special greyhound markets alongside standard race markets.
- Live streaming of UK greyhound races.
Sport Nation
- Live streaming of greyhound races.
- Forecast and tricast markets available.
- Popular greyhound betting markets covering as far afield as Japan!
Top Greyhound Racing Features
When we say "these are the top greyhound betting sites" available you can rest assured that we’ve done our homework to make sure that we really are sharing the best of the best. As well as ensuring that all our picks offer the full range of greyhound races for a punter to wager on, we’re also looking at a range of other features. Read on to see how we assess a greyhound racing betting site, and what we think you need when you place a greyhound bet.
Live Streaming
Many online betting sites offer live streaming for mainstream sports such as football and tennis, but we’ve made sure that all of our suggestions also offer live streaming where it matters: greyhound racing. The best greyhound racing betting sites in the UK allow punters to watch races for free, provided they are logged in to their betting account. Others may require customers to make a small wager of around £1 in order to view the live stream for that race.
Greyhound Markets
Obviously, we wanted to ensure that all our recommended greyhound betting sites offer a large number of races to wager on, but we also looked beyond that. We have found sites that offer specials on greyhound racing, forecast and tricast markets, as well as bets on which trap would win the most races at each meeting.
Worldwide Greyhound Coverage
Naturally, most UK online bookies offer coverage of greyhound races happening in the UK. However, the best dog racing bookies have coverage of races the world over. Many of our top picks offer markets on greyhound races in the USA, Australia and elsewhere.
How to Choose a Greyhound Betting Site
When selecting a greyhound betting site to use, it’s important to consider a number of different aspects of the service that the online bookmaker offers. It’s essential to choose a well regulated site that offers a safe, secure and straightforward betting experience. Here are some of the aspects you should be looking out for:
Race Selection
When choosing between greyhound betting sites, you should, at the very least, be looking for a site that offers coverage of BAGS (Bookmakers Afternoon Betting Service) and evening races in the UK and Ireland. For extra value, consider greyhounds betting sites that offer coverage of dog racing events happening in the USA, Australia and even Japan.
Extra Features
Look for a betting site that offers extra features for its customers, such as form guides and statistics, which can help you to make sensible selections on your wagers. You might also find tips and data on specific races. Not only that, but if you’re interested in the behind the scenes of greyhound racing, some of the best greyhound racing sites have interviews with owners, trainers, and other connections.
Bonuses & Promotions
Many online bookies offer a welcome bonus to new UK customers when they create an account and place their first bet. Some greyhound racing betting sites will also offer specific promotions for bets placed on greyhound races during popular events. Another thing to look for is whether they offer Best Odds Guaranteed, should you take an EP and the SP goes off higher.
Bookmaker Security
A betting site in the UK needs to be licensed and regulated in order to operate legally. Be sure to check that your chosen online greyhound betting site is properly licensed, to ensure that both your money and personal data are safe.
Customer Support
For a high level of customer satisfaction, it’s important for greyhound betting sites to have good quality customer support services. Most of the best online betting sites have customer service teams that are contactable via live chat and/or email and/or telephone 24/7.
Payment Methods
The best online greyhound betting sites will offer a range of popular payment methods with which their customers can deposit and withdraw funds for sports betting. Most payment methods on offer include debit card payments and bank transfers, as well as E-Wallets such as PayPal, Neteller and increasingly, Klarna. Please remember that it is illegal for online bookmakers to accept credit cards as a payment method and a welcome bonus could say that payment method exclusions apply.
How to bet on Greyhound Racing
If you’re looking to place greyhound bets, then you’re in luck! There is UK greyhound racing at around 11 greyhound meetings taking place and countless races being run. Add to that markets offered by many online bookmakers that cover greyhound racing events happening in the USA and Australia, and you’ll generally find a race to take a punt on at any time of day.
Fortunately, greyhound betting is very straightforward, but if you’re feeling a little nervous about placing your first bet then worry no more as we’ve got your back with this handy step-by-step guide to making a wager. In this example, we’ll be looking at how to bet on a specific runner to win the race outright: IMAGES
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First, select the greyhound betting site you’d like to bet with (don’t forget to refer to our top picks for this, if you don’t already have one in mind).
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Click ‘sign up’, ‘create account’ or ‘join’, then enter your personal details and create an account. Remember to enter any promotional codes that may be required to take advantage of any welcome offers.
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Click ‘deposit’ and select your chosen payment method to deposit funds into your sports betting account.
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Click on the ‘greyhound’ section of the website - this can often be found in the ‘A-Z of the sports betting menu, (usually on the left hand side of the page).
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Browse the list of upcoming races and select the race you’d like to wager on.
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You’ll now see a list of the contending greyhounds for that race. Once you have found your preferred runner, click on it and it will appear in an on-screen betting slip.
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Enter the amount you wish to wager and click ‘confirm’.
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Sit back and enjoy the race, to see if your runner has been successful!
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If your bet has won, you can either wager again or click withdraw to send your winnings back to you.
Greyhound Betting Markets
When you first go to place a greyhound bet, the sheer volume of available greyhound racing markets can feel a little overwhelming. However, our guide to the various greyhound racing markets will help you to beat the overwhelm and navigate your chosen greyhound betting site with confidence.
To Win
This is the most straightforward bet when it comes to greyhound betting. Put simply, you’re betting on which greyhound you think will win the race.
Each-Way
If you place an each-way bet on a greyhound and that runner finishes in first or second place, then you will win something. Half your bet is placed on the dog winning and half is placed on the dog finishing 1st or 2nd which will pay out at ¼ odds. This is a good way to take a punt on a greyhound starting the race at long odds. Greyhound racing can be notoriously difficult to predict and there are often shock moments, so wagering on a runner to finish top two is a much more sensible way to approach backing a greyhound with long odds, than going straight for the win.
Straight Forecast
If you’re eyeing up a race that has very short odds on an odds-on favourite to win, then a straight forecast might be the right wager for you. In this type of bet, you’re predicting the first two greyhounds to cross the line, in the correct order. A tricky bet, but if there are strong odds pointing at the top two runners, it could be a good greyhound betting strategy.
Reverse Forecast Bets
As with a straight forecast bet, you’re selecting the two greyhounds that will cross the line first. However, with a reverse forecast wager, the two runners can cross the line in any order. As long as your two selected greyhounds finish first and second, you’re a winner.
Tricast and Combination Tricast Bet
A tricast bet involves correctly predicting which runners will finish in first, second AND third place, in the correct order. Something of a tall order, but it’s a wager that promises much excitement! In a combination tricast bet, your selected top three greyhounds can finish in any order for your wager to be successful.
Top 10 Dog Racing Main Events in the UK
English Greyhound Derby
The 'English Greyhound Derby' is the most well-known race in the British greyhound racing calendar. It has been an annual event since 1927. The Derby has switched locations a number of times in its long history. Currently held at Towcester Greyhound Stadium, it is a 500 metre race run on sand, with a £175,000 prize for the winner.
Trainer Charlie Lister OBE has won the English Greyhound Derby on a record seven occasions. Only four greyhounds have won the race twice; Mick the Miller, Patricias Hope, Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk.
Irish Greyhound Derby
Ireland’s answer to the English Greyhound Derby, The Irish Greyhound Derby is the most notable greyhound racing competition in Ireland. Held at Shelbourne Park, it is a 500 yard race on sand. The Irish Greyhound Derby is held every year in August and September, and the winner walks away with around €100,000.
The best greyhound racing dog to ever compete in the Irish Greyhound Derby is Spanish Battleship, who won the event three times in the 1950s.
Scottish Greyhound Derby
The Scottish Greyhound Derby is an annual greyhound competition held at Shawfield Stadium. The race is run over 480 metres, on sand. Charlie Lister OBE holds the record for the most successful trainer at this event.
Peterborough Derby
The Peterborough Derby was held every April at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium. First held in 1983, it was a 500 metre race with a winning prize fund of £20,000.
East Anglian Derby
Starting in 1947, the East Anglian Derby is an annual event held every September at Yarmouth Stadium. It is run over 462 metres on sand, with a prize fund of £15,000 going to the winner. Charlie Lister OBE has won the event a record 12 times.
Regency
Sponsored by Coral, the Regency is a greyhound competition held at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium. Starting in 1948, it is run on sand over a distance of 695 metres. A prize pot of £10,000 is awarded to the winner.
Calne Racing
The Calne Racing Arc first took place in 1987 and is now held annually at Swindon Stadium. Taking place every August, the race is run over a distance of 480 metres with winning prize money amounting to £8,000.
Oaks
The Oaks is an annual race that started in 1927. Contested by bitches only and run over 480 metres on sand, the winner’s prize fund stands at £15,000. It is held at Perry Barr Stadium.
Select Stakes
The Select Stakes is a greyhound competition hosted by Nottingham Greyhound Stadium, every July. Run across a distance of 500m on sand, the winner’s prize is £10,000. The Select Stakes is sponsored by JenningsBet. Only the top six best greyhounds selected by the Greyhound Writers Association are invited to compete.
St Leger
Hosted by Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium, the St Leger is an annual greyhound event, which is held every October. Run over 710 metres on sand, the winner receives a prize fund of £10,000.
Greyhound Betting Strategies
When betting on greyhound racing, there are some simple strategies that you can use to try to increase your chances of winning. Here, we talk you through just three of them, to help you get the most bang for your buck..
Nurture Self Discipline
It’s important to retain your self discipline when making any wager, and greyhound betting is no different. It’s important to let your head rule and not your heart.
Firstly, always look for bets that offer good value, because this is the only way that you can ever make long term profit, betting on value. You do not have to bet on every race. Don’t be afraid to wait for something better if you’re not seeing the value you need for a particular race.
Secondly, don’t go chasing your losses - keep your cool. A bet under frustration is unlikely to end well. Also, keep within your limits - set yourself a budget for your current round of wagers and stick to it. Spread the budget over a series of smaller bets. This way, you’re less likely to lose your entire betting budget in one go. And of course, gamble responsibly and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Betting on the Trap
Some bookmakers offer markets where you bet on the trap. This means you are betting on which trap the winning greyhound will come from, not the greyhound themselves. Some people think that you can correctly predict which trap will release the winning greyhound, by looking at a mixture of form and the results of previous events held at that race circuit.
Some tracks have a bias for the inside lane, whereas others have more winners coming up the outside, so look for trends. It’s also very important to consider the weather on the day of your race - wet weather usually results in an advantage for the outside traps, whereas a salted track in very cold weather should provide an advantage to the inside trap.
Do Your Research
This one is crucial really. There’s no point in taking a stab in the dark when making a wager on greyhound racing. It is vital for you to do your research and always check the form of each of the greyhounds in the race.
Remember that dogs can move up and down between grades. So a dog in bad form may be moved down a grade, but will consequently have an easier race on its hands (or paws!). On the other hand, a greyhound moving up a grade will be in good form but have stiffer competition now. So keep an eye on the form of the greyhounds in the race you’re betting on and consider which one is most likely to come out on top.
Greyhound Betting Tips to Help You Win
In addition to the greyhound betting strategies above, here are some top tips to consider before you make your wager.
Take Note of the Distance
It’s important to take note of the distance of the race you’re wagering on before placing your punt. Not all dogs are great at all distances, so it’s important to research whether your pick has been successful over similar distances in the past.
Look out for Promotions
Most online greyhound betting sites offer Free bets and bonuses, especially for new customers. It’s worth optimising these to get the best bang for your buck when greyhound betting, so you might want to consider signing up to multiple new betting sites. Don’t forget to check back to sites you’re already registered with, and use them if they are best odds guaranteed or are offering Free bets.
Watch the Weather
Dodgy weather can put a spanner in the works for even the most successful greyhounds. It’s important to do your research and know how each dog performs on mud, for example, if it has been raining. In general, larger dogs and those who are released from the outside traps tend to fare better in muddy conditions.
Greyhound Racing Terms
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Greyhound betting term |
Description / Explanation |
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Average early speed |
This tells you approximately how fast the dog has been running, based on its previous 6 races. |
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Dead Heat |
A term also used in horse racing which is when there is no difference in the first two even with analysis of a photo and so there are two winners. |
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Forced Out |
This is an expression used when one dog is pushed off their racing line by one or more other dogs |
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Grading system |
This looks at the past form and is in place so similar dogs race against each other. |
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Interference |
Linked to being forced out, this is when other dogs hamper the chances of a dog, usually by getting in their way. |
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Judge |
The person who adjudicates the race, makes sure the rules are followed and ultimately decides the winner. |
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Kennel |
The name of the organisations that breed and care for the greyhounds that run in the races. |
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Lure |
A mechanical device that moves around the edge of the track which the dogs chase after. (It is also known as “The rabbit”) |
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Muzzle |
A mask that is put over dogs mouths to prevent them from biting each other and can help with photo finishes. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our top suggestions for greyhound betting sites earlier in this article. Our top greyhound betting sites are selected according to those with the best security, promotions, range of betting markets and customer service, as well as other great features.
There are plenty of promotions that you can claim at greyhound betting sites. Most sites offer welcome bonuses for new customers, but it’s also good to keep an eye out for existing customer bonuses, too. These usually come in the form of Free bets or refunds on losing bets. Best Odds guaranteed is an excellent promotion which does not need to be claimed it is added automatically.
This can and does happen occasionally, usually before the hare stops working midway through the race, or the weather is too dodgy. But don’t panic! If the race doesn’t take place, all bets will be declared void and your stake will be refunded.
In greyhound racing, the favourites don’t win as often as you might think. Statistically, the favourite tends to win around 32% of the time. As a consequence, wagering on the favourite isn’t necessarily the best strategy.
Unfortunately, there is no system to guarantee a win when betting on greyhound racing. However, if you do your research and follow some of the advice in this article, it is possible to learn the form of particular greyhounds and which traps offer the best chance of releasing a winner. Regular followers of greyhound racing soon pick up the quirks of the sport. So can you!
Of course, nothing is certain in the world of online betting. However, with a good dose of luck and by using the tips and strategies in this article, coupled with taking advantage of promotions with online bookmakers, it is possible to make money from greyhound racing betting. That said, please remember to always gamble responsibly.
