The Portrait of a Typical UK Horse Racing Bettor

So who actually bets on the horses in Britain today? The data that we at the Horse.Bet UK edition analysed paints a fairly clear picture.

Who Bets on Horses in the UK? Demographic Insights from YouGov & Gambling Commission Reports

Horse racing remains a competitive sport in the UK, but understanding who places bets on it is becoming increasingly complex. Drawing on data from YouGov’s latest survey and the Gambling Commission’s annual reports, this article offers a clear-eyed view of the demographic profile of British horse racing bettors and what it might mean for the future of the sport.

A Snapshot of Betting Habits in Britain

Recent data from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) reveals that 9% of UK adults bet on sports or racing online in the most recent four-week period. In comparison, 6% of adults bet on live football, and 4% bet in-play on any event or sport, highlighting the steady but not dominant share of racing in betting habits.

Over a 12-month span, 61% of adults took part in some form of gambling, with 40% gambling in ways other than lottery draws. Men were slightly more likely to gamble than women (63% vs. 58%). Betting participation was highest among those aged 25 to 64, ranging between 62% and 66%, while the younger (18–24) and oldest (75+) age groups recorded lower participation.

Who Bets on Horse Racing Specifically

When it comes to horse racing or dog racing, 3% of adults reported betting on these live events online in the last four weeks. Broken down by gender, 5% of men and 2% of women placed such bets.

This indicates that online horse racing betting remains a niche activity—popular, yes, but far from mainstream. It also suggests a clear gender divide, with men nearly twice as likely as women to engage in such betting.

So, the typical horse racing bettor is a man in his forties or fifties, often living outside London in a smaller town or suburban area where betting shops and racecourse trips remain part of local culture. He is more likely to be in full-time work, with a steady income but not necessarily high-earning. Betting is usually a pastime rather than a profession—a way to stay connected to sport and social circles.

Many are long-standing fans of racing who enjoy following the big meetings like Cheltenham and Royal Ascot, while still having a flutter on weekday cards. He is comfortable with online betting apps, especially since the pandemic pushed many punters away from retail shops, but may still visit a bookmaker on Saturdays out of habit.

Family status varies, but surveys suggest a strong proportion are married with children. For them, betting is usually budgeted into leisure spending, much like football season tickets or pub outings. In terms of lifestyle, this bettor is not necessarily an urban trendsetter; instead, he leans toward traditional pastimes, enjoys live sport on TV, and keeps up with racing tips in newspapers or through racing channels.

Women make up a smaller but growing share of the betting audience. Female bettors are more likely to place occasional wagers on major events—the Grand National remains Britain’s biggest betting race precisely because it attracts casual, one-off players across demographics. Younger bettors (18–24) do bet, but racing is not their first choice; football, tennis, and eSports rank higher, leaving horse racing more popular with older age groups.

Frequency and Motivation Amid Increasing Regulation

According to YouGov, only 9% of respondents gamble via bookmakers “very or fairly often”. Most (88%) report betting “not very often” or “never.”

Interestingly, over half (53%) of respondents consider it “likely” they would move to unregulated offshore betting sites if government tax increases made horse racing bets more expensive—underscoring affordability and availability as key motivators.

What This Data Shows

While the sport still engages a core group of dedicated punters—typically male, middle-aged, and digitally active—the broader participation is limited. Cost and regulation appear to be strong deterrents.

Horse.Bet Editors’ Opinion

If current trends continue, the next year may not bring dramatic growth in horse racing bettors. Instead, participation is likely to remain steady within the core demographic. The rising tide of regulation and affordability checks may blur the lines between legal and offshore betting, particularly among those who feel exclusions are unjustified.

For the sport to remain viable, 2026 must see efforts to boost inclusivity—targeting women, younger adults, and casual participants, while maintaining fair access to licensed platforms. Race operators may need to lean into livestreaming, mobile interactivity, and tiered stake options to win back disengaged or marginal bettors.

Sources

• Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) – Gambling Commission
• YouGov / Betting & Gaming Council (2025 Survey)
• YouGov / Betting & Gaming Council (2023 Frequency Data)

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Author:

Horse.Bet Team

Updated:

August 18, 2025

Published:

August 18, 2025