Horse racing and betting on horse racing is an exciting leisurely activity among many Filipino people. Philippines legal horse betting is a tradition that dates back to the late 1800’s and has withstood the test of time. Horse racing began as a weekend activity and has developed into a thriving sport in the Philippines. Today there are 3 racetracks and multiple high-profile race events held at the tracks that residents can watch and legally bet on. Horse racing has turned into a p1.3-billion-dollar industry in the Philippines and still shows signs of growth. On this page, we will discuss options Filipinos have for betting on horses, including Philippines online racebooks and local race tracks.
Is Betting On Horse Races Legal In The Philippines?
Yes, since 1903 betting on horse racing has been legally authorized by the government. While still under American control horse racing resumed after the Spanish-American war, oval tracks were developed and betting on horse racing was introduced to increase public appeal to the sport. Today horse betting is still widely practiced in the Philippines, and it is easier than ever to make bets on the horses. Filipino bettors commonly take advantage of all the legal options and wager with licensed offshore racebooks. With online racebooks bettors can place bets on international horse racing events too, rendering it a far better option in most circumstances.
Best Online Racebooks For Filipino Bettors
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Where Can I Bet On Horse Races In The Philippines?
Today horse racing and betting on sports, in general, is a big industry for local and offshore sportsbooks. At the track, players can make bets at the wagering terminal or cashiers desk by filling out and paying on the bet slip. Some racetracks have now installed digital betting terminals that players can place wagers at as well. MegaSportsWorld (MSW) is another option, a local sportsbook that Filipino residents and tourists can play and bet on horse races legally at their bet shops or online (21+). MSW locations are spread out through the Philippines, with most locations in or around Manila. MSW offers lines on all the regional races and the major international horse races along with many other sport betting options. But since offshore online sportsbooks usually offer up the best betting lines, it is not uncommon for Filipinos to play both offshore and with MSW. Below we’ve listed our recommendations for the best legal online sportsbooks and racebooks available to Filipino residents. These sites offer great bonuses and have been verified safe to play by our sportsbook experts. Check out our review of MegaSportsWorld for players who want to know more about wagering domestically in the Philippines.
Can Filipino Residents Legally Bet On Horse Races Online?
Yes, there are no Philippine gambling laws that ban Filipino residents from betting on horse races through legally licensed offshore racebooks. It is asked that players only play at licensed and regulated offshore sportsbooks for the protection that gambling regulators can provide. Philippines legal online sportsbooks offer a bet slip for players to fill out and place their bets. The player picks the race number, the horse number, the type of bet, and the wagering amount before submitting their bet. The wager is held from the player’s account balance until the conclusion of the race, then you either lose the bet or win, and that result will be affected on the players account balance. At this time the Philippine government will not allow locally licensed sportsbooks to offer their online services to residents, so they can only play online at offshore sites.
History Of Horse Racing In The Philippines
Horse racing in the Philippines goes back to the time when the tracks were straight, and the horses were actually ponies of Indian or Chinese descent. In 1867, while under Spanish control, horse racing started as a recreational activity. When horse racing was first introduced to the Philippines they only raced for a ¼ mile and no money was won. That same year the Philippine Governor Jose de la Gandara y Navarro founded the Manila Jockey Club.
The Philippine Racing Commission
In 1974, President Ferdinand Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 420 creating the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM). Developed to promote the sport and protect the breed while creating revenue and employment opportunities for the sport. PHILRACOM oversees all betting operations surrounding the sport and their objective is to maintain efficient and unbiased operations, minimize infractions and prevent illegal importation of racehorses.
Horse Race Betting Types And Wagering Options
There are multiple ways to bet on horse racing, so many that is easy to see why some people don’t understand. In this section, I will attempt to explain what the basic betting methods are for wagering on horse races. It is important to note that many factors affect the horse’s performance and that on any given day certain elements can change the outcome of the betting lines.
Beginner
Win – A win bet is when you pick the winning horse.
Place – A bet that entails your pick winning first or second in the race.
Show – A bet that requires your pick winning first, second or third.
Across the board – 3 separate bets: win, place, and show bets of equal amount on the same horse.
Intermediate
Exacta – A bet when you pick the first 2 horses in the exact order.
Quinella – A bet when you pick the first 2 horses in either order.
Trifecta – A bet when you pick the first 3 horses in the exact order
Dailey Double-A bet when you pick the winning horses for two consecutive races.
Advanced
Superfecta – A bet when you pick the first 4 horses and their exact order.
Grand Slam – A bet when you pick a horse to finish top 3 in three straight races.
Pick 3 – A bet when you pick the winners of 3 consecutive races. Doesn’t have to be the same horse.
Pick 4 – When you pick the winners of 4 consecutive races.
Pick 6 – The best bet in horse racing. When you pick the winners for 6 straight races.
There are also other wagering options available depending on where you play but these are the most common and most utilized wagering options and bet types seen in today’s horse racing communities.
Betting Pools & Pari-mutuel bets
Pari-mutuel betting is when all bets of a particular type are placed into a pot or betting pool. There are usually no “house pay-outs” since betting pools are used for gamblers to bet against other gamblers. This bet type is often used in sports where participants finish in a ranked order and commonly used in horse and greyhound racing or other sports that have a relatively short duration. Invented in 1867 by Joseph Oller, Pari-mutuel gambling was first used on a horse racetrack in 1913.
Popular Philippine Horse Racing Events
Betting on horse races are still extremely popular in the Philippines and today there are many events held across the 3 major racetracks that pull heavy interest online and big crowds to the arenas. The Mayor Raymond D. Bagatsing Sr. Memorial cup is held every year at San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park. This year will be the 9-annual event that honors the longest lasting mayor of Manila. Other events such as the Triple Crown, PSCO Silver cup, and the Founders Cup all bring in bigger crowds and spike betting payouts.
FAQ’s About Online Horse Race Betting
How do I know if an online racebook is legit?
We recommend playing only licensed and regulated racebooks from trusted gambling jurisdictions. Our recommended sites have been put through a rigorous test to ensure a player’s vital information is secure and that any sensitive account information is encrypted.
Can I bet on horses from my smartphone or tablet?
Absolutely. The sportsbooks featured in this guide all provide a racebook that is mobile friendly. These Philippine mobile sportsbooks allow you to manage your account, place bets on your favorite horses and races and collect your winnings all from your mobile device. You can also access other features of the sports betting application aside from horse betting. Our Philippine online sportsbook reviews page could provide information for Filipino players seeking options to wager on horse racing online at legally sanctioned destinations.
How long does it take to get my winnings online?
Depending on your deposit/withdrawal methods. When using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, or others most of the time payouts are instant. Other withdrawal methods vary.
Do online racebooks accept the Peso?
No, there might be a few you can find but the likelihood of those sites being verified legitimate and safe are low. Most online sportsbooks and racebooks will offer currency conversion options as well as many other deposit options including cryptocurrency, e-wallets, cashiers check, money orders, and wire transfers.
What are the advantages of betting on horses online?
Online racebooks offer a plethora of bonus options that land-based racetracks can’t match. Online you can bet from anywhere at any time making it more convenient for players, and there are more sports offered online that players can bet on.
Horse Racing Tracks In The Philippines
Metro Manila Turf Club
Address: San Pioquinto, Malvar, Batangas, Philippines
Phone: +63 43 773 6682
Santa Ana Park
Address: 4883 Chino Roces Ave, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: +63 8965697
San Lazaro Leisure Park
Carmona, Cavite, Philippines
+63 2 687 9889