Note: If based in Ontario, any content mentioning bonuses, promotions, wagering or free spins is not intended for you, following Ontario regulations. Ignore this note if not based in Ontario.
For Canadian horse racing fans looking to bet online, there are currently two main platforms to choose from: HPIbet and Dark Horse.
HPIbet has long been the go-to destination for legal online horse betting in Canada, offering a trusted experience backed by decades of track access and betting tools.
Now, a new competitor has entered the scene. The Dark Horse betting app, powered by Woodbine Entertainment, brings a fresh, modern approach to horse race wagering, with AI-powered insights designed to help bettors make smarter picks.
Other brands like theScore or Caesars may begin offering horse racing odds in Canada in 2025, but for now, HPIbet and Dark Horse remain the only fully licensed and regulated online horse betting platforms available nationwide.
Let’s take a closer look at what each offers for Canadian bettors.
Online Mobile Horse Betting in Canada
- Dark Horse Bets App
- HPIbet
Dark Horse Bets App
They have dubbed their AI-powered algorithm QUBE. QUBE analyzes statistics from thousands of races across North America, from track conditions to a horse’s performance to the jockey’s track record. Then it serves it all back to the bettor, making it easier for players to make smarter bets – and win more often. This isn’t guess work. It’s informed betting. The creators of the app believe it provides bettors the edge they are seeking out in order to separate themselves from the field.
Created by the Woodbine Entertainment Group, the largest racetrack in Canada, the Dark Horse app utilizes artificial intelligence to assess and project horse racing outcomes. It’s a system that they promise will mimic the algorithms that computer bettors are using to wager on other sports.
Among the data analyzed by the Dark Horse app are the race’s estimated pool amount and the risk level and win potential of each race. It also assesses strategy pricing to determine whether a track is more less expensive to bet on.
The app is currently available across Canada, except for Manitoba and Alberta. The app designers declare that it will be coming to each of those provinces soon. It is downloadable in both Android and iOS compatible form.
To access all that the Dark Horse app has to offer, the first step is to download the app. Next, players must register and set up their account. They accept Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards to fund accounts. Once that’s done, they’re ready to bet, to begin leveraging the Dark Horse algorithm to make better picks and develop sounder strategies for wagering.
Those wanting to take the app for a test drive can first opt to play for virtual coins prior to making real money wagers.
Players must be at least 18 years of age (19 years in B.C).
HPIbet
Horse Player Interactive (HPIbet) has been the go-to destination for Canadian horse racing wagering for decades. It originated as a telephone betting service in the 1990s. A 100 percent dedicated horse racing platform, HPIbet provides wagering opportunities at over 450 racetracks displaying the best in thoroughbred and standardbred racing from all over the world – North America, Europe, South Africa, Dubai, Japan, and Australia.
Horse players can access HPIbet horse racing betting app for Canada with any smartphone, tablet or PC and from anywhere they might be. It offers custom notifications, exclusive promotions and live streaming of races from across the globe. In fact, players are able to stream multiple races at one if they so desire. They can also access video replays of races.
HPIbet is legal across Canada and they ensure the privacy and safety of all information provided to them by their customers. One of their unique features is the ability to queue bets well in advance of post time. These wagers can be altered and updated by the player right up until they are placed, if last minute changes are made necessary by a scratch, for instance. As well, any placed wager can be cancelled prior to post time by accessing the My Transactions page on the HPIbet website. Bettors get access to real time odds, minutes to post, pool sizes, intervals, probables and results.
Players can also create custom alerts that will let them know in advance when a particular runner, jockey, driver or trainer is due to race next.
New players betting on horses in Canada who sign up at HPIbet app are instantly awarded a $2 bonus in order to make their first wager without risking their own money. They also offer lucrative wagering promotions and loyalty perks through HPIbet Rewards to their regular bettors.
They accept credit cards, Interac online, PayPal and Loadhub as funding options. Withdrawals can be made via electronic funds transfer. While they don’t provide a mobile app, the HPIweb is mobile friendly as long as the mobile device is able to run HTML5 content.
Canadian Horse Betting Offers (2025)
| CA Platform | Welcome Offer | Promotions | Loyalty / Rewards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPIbet | $2 Free Bet for New Users | Weekly track promos (e.g., bonus pools) | HPIbet Rewards program | Offer not displayed to Ontario users due to AGCO rules |
| Dark Horse | No cash bonus; virtual coins for trial play | Rotating contest-style challenges | No structured rewards program yet | Ontario-friendly format: uses non-monetary “test mode” to introduce new users |
Horse Racing Betting Laws in Canada by Province
Horse racing is one of the few betting forms in Canada regulated at the federal level through the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA). This means most provinces allow online horse race betting through licensed ADW platforms (Advance Deposit Wagering), such as HPIbet and Dark Horse.
Here’s a province-by-province look at where you can legally bet, and what platforms are available:
| Province/Territory | Online Horse Betting Legal? | Platforms Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse | Bonus ads restricted by AGCO rules |
| Quebec | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse | Available in English and French |
| British Columbia | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse | Minimum age is 19 |
| Alberta | Yes | HPIbet | Dark Horse not yet available |
| Manitoba | Yes | HPIbet | Dark Horse expected soon |
| Saskatchewan | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse (partial) | App access may vary by region |
| Nova Scotia | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse | No local restrictions |
| New Brunswick | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse | Full access |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse | No live tracks; online-only betting |
| Prince Edward Island (PEI) | Yes | HPIbet, Dark Horse | Also home to Red Shores racetrack |
| Northwest Territories | Limited | HPIbet (manual registration) | Online access may be possible but not promoted |
| Yukon | Limited | HPIbet (possible access) | No official support or local regulation |
| Nunavut | Not Available | None | No access to ADW platforms as of 2025 |
Quick Takeaways
- Most Canadians can legally bet on horse races online via HPIbet or Dark Horse.
- Ontario has stricter rules around promotions and marketing.
- Dark Horse is expanding but not yet available in Alberta and Manitoba.
- Remote territories may have limited or unsupported access.
