Horse racing is all about the build-up. The runners head to the start, everyone has a last look at the form, bets go on and then the race is over in a couple of minutes. If you’re following a meeting, there can then be a bit of waiting around before the next one gets underway.
That’s where online betting sites have another few tricks up their sleeves. When there isn’t a real race to watch, virtual horse racing and horse-themed slot games can give punters something else to do.
Racing-Themed Slots
Horse racing and gambling have been linked for a very long time, so it’s hardly surprising that the theme has made its way into the world of online slots.
There are plenty of racing-inspired games around, ranging from simple reels featuring horses and jockeys to games that try to recreate some of the excitement of being at the track.
One example is Racing from Cayetano Gaming. This online slots game is one of the best at recreating the thrill of the track. It’s a five-reel slot with 10 paylines, horse racing symbols and a progress bar built into the game. There’s also a racing-inspired bonus round, with a potential top payout of up to 1,000x the bet.
The racing theme runs through the presentation, so it’s an obvious choice for anyone who likes the sport and fancies something different while waiting for the next race.
Of course, it’s still a slot rather than a horse race. The reels determine the outcome, and the racing theme is there to provide the setting and atmosphere.
And racing is far from the only option. Developers have produced all sorts of horse-themed games over the years, giving betting sites an easy way to keep a familiar sporting theme going inside the casino.
Virtual Horse Racing
Then we have virtual horse racing, which is probably the closest thing to an actual race without having to wait for the next meeting.
These races are computer-generated, with the results determined by a Random Number Generator, or RNG. There are no real horses involved and no need to wait for a particular racecourse to stage an event.
That also means virtual racing can be available throughout the day. You don’t have to wait for Saturday afternoon or check when the next race is due off. There can be another virtual event ready to go whenever you log in.
The presentation often borrows plenty from traditional racing, too. You get horses, racecourses and the familiar excitement of watching the runners head towards the finish.
It obviously isn’t the same as watching a real race. There’s no jockey weighing room, no muddy track and no commentator shouting as the horses charge down the home straight. But it does offer something racing fans can turn to when the real-world action has gone quiet.
Filling the Gaps
That’s really what both options are about. There will always be gaps between live races, whether you’re following a busy afternoon meeting or simply checking the betting site during a quieter spell.
Virtual horse racing fills that space with computer-generated events, while racing-themed slots take the sport into the casino.
Neither replaces the real thing. For many punters, nothing beats watching actual horses thunder towards the line. But when there’s a bit of time to kill between races, both give horse racing fans another way to keep the theme going.