Royal Ascot 2025: The Bookies Are Going Mental (And Here's How to Cash In)

By Lewis Barnett 16 June, 2025 7 mins read 104 Views

Listen. I've been covering racing for eight years now, and I've never seen the bookmakers throw money around like this for Royal Ascot.

We're talking about five days of absolute chaos at Berkshire's finest racecourse - June 17th through 21st - and every single betting site seems to be having some kind of midlife crisis with their welcome offers. William Hill are literally giving away £60 for a tenner stake. That's not a typo.

My mate Dave (who runs the odds at one of these places) texted me last week: "We've lost our minds with these promos." Poor guy's probably updating his CV as we speak.

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The Absolute Best Deals (Before They Come to Their Senses)

Right, I've spent the last three days going through every single offer with a fine-tooth comb. Some of these are genuinely ridiculous:

Midnite: Bet £10, get £20 + 50 free spins

William Hill: Bet £10, get £60

Betfred: Bet £10, get £50

talkSPORT BET: Bet £10, get £50

Tote: Bet £10, get £30

BetMGM: Bet £10, get £40

7Bet: Bet £10, get £10

Betano: Bet £10, get £30 + 50 free spins

Coral: Bet £5, get £20

Parimatch: Bet £10, get £30

Why Midnite Might Actually Be Genius

Look, Midnite isn't the biggest name in racing (yet), but they're throwing everything at this festival. Twenty quid in free bets PLUS 50 casino spins for a tenner? That's like finding money in your old jacket pocket.

I actually signed up myself last month when they launched this offer early. Took me about three minutes, and the free bets landed faster than a Frankel finish. The casino spins are a nice touch too - gives you something to do between races when you're not stressing about your accumulator falling apart on the final leg.

William Hill Have Lost Their Damn Minds

Sixty pounds for a tenner. Six times your money before you've even picked a horse.

I rang their press office yesterday to double-check this wasn't some kind of mistake. The woman on teh phone just laughed and said "It's Royal Ascot week - we go big or go home." Fair enough, I suppose. Their marketing budget must be absolutely mental this quarter.

The breakdown is pretty clever though - you get some Vegas bonus money first, then once you've wagered that, you get four separate £10 sports free bets. Means you can spread your risk across multiple races instead of blowing it all on one outsider that looked good after three pints.

Betfred: The Reliable Choice

Fifty quid from Betfred for your tenner stake. Nothing fancy, just straight-up free bets that you can use however you want.

I've been using Betfred since 2019 (back when their app looked like it was designed by someone's nephew), and they're solid. Never had issues getting paid out, customer service actually answers the phone, and their racing coverage is decent. Sometimes boring is good when you're dealing with your money.

talkSPORT BET Are Making Moves

Another £50 offer, but here's the thing - talkSPORT BET are relatively new to the game and they're hungry. That usually means better customer service and fewer hoops to jump through.

Plus, if you're into the whole sports media ecosystem, having your betting account linked to the radio station you probably listen to anyway makes sense. They know their audience.

The Tote: Old School, New Tricks

Thirty pounds from the Tote feels right somehow. They've been around forever, they understand racing better than anyone, and they're not trying to be something they're not.

If you're serious about racing (and not just here for the champagne and fancy hats), the Tote should probably be your first stop anyway. Their pools are where the real money changes hands.

BetMGM: American Money, British Racing

Forty quid from the Americans. BetMGM have been throwing serious cash at the UK market since they arrived, and it shows. Their platform is slick, their odds are competitive, and they're not messing about with complicated terms.

The offer splits into different sports categories, which is actually quite smart - means you get a taste of everything they offer, not just racing.

7Bet: Simple Math

Ten pounds gets you ten pounds. Not the flashiest offer on the list, but sometimes simple is better.

7Bet are the new kids on the block, so they're probably worth a punt just to see what they're about. Plus, if their other offers are anything to go by, they might be worth keeping an eye on for future festivals.

Betano: Casino Meets Racecourse

Thirty pounds in racing free bets plus 50 spins. Similar to Midnite's approach - they want you to try everything they've got.

I'm seeing a pattern here with these newer operators. They're not just betting companies anymore, they're entertainment platforms. Whether that's good or bad depends on what you're looking for, I suppose.

Coral: The Bargain Hunter's Dream

Five pounds gets you twenty. That's a 400% return before you've even thought about which horse to back.

Coral have been around forever, they're part of the Entain group (so they've got serious backing), and five quid is literally the price of a pint in London these days. No-brainer territory.

Parimatch: Eastern European Efficiency

Thirty pounds total package from Parimatch. They've been making waves in the UK market lately, and their odds are often better than the established players.

Worth a look if you're shopping around for the best prices anyway. Sometimes the smaller operators are hungrier for your business.

When's All This Madness Happening?

Five days of chaos, starting Tuesday June 17th through Saturday June 21st. Seven races each day, first off at 2:30pm, last race at 6:10pm.

Thirty-five races total, including eight Group Ones. That's a lot of opportunities to either make some serious money or lose your shirt spectacularly.

The schedule is pretty civilized actually - none of this early morning nonsense or late evening finishes. Perfect for taking a long lunch or working from home (if your boss is reading this, I never said that).

Don't Be an Idiot About This

Right, serious bit. All these offers are great, but don't let them turn you into a mug.

Set limits before you start. Only bet money you can actually afford to lose. Don't chase losses by jumping between different bookmakers. And definitely don't bet when you're angry or drunk or both.

If you think you might have a problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or check out gamstop.co.uk to exclude yourself from all UK gambling sites.

There's also GamCare and GambleAware if you need someone to talk to.

Royal Ascot should be fun. Keep it that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Triple Crown racing?

Triple Crown refers to an honoured title given to a thoroughbred three years of age who wins three major races in one year. The Triple Crown is awarded to a thoroughbred that wins three major races in a single year. In the United States this includes the Kentucky Derby Stakes, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Winning the Triple Crown is a rare and noteworthy accomplishment, signifying a horse's exceptional capability and endurance.

What factors affect the outcome of a race?

Horse race results are affected by a number of factors, including the horse’s breeding, training, and physical condition. The jockey's experience and skill, as well as the track condition, the distance and the weight of the horse, are also important factors. The weather can play a big role as well, because some horses do better on specific surfaces and under certain conditions.

What are the different surfaces that horse races are run on?

Horse races are held on a range of surfaces, such as synthetic tracks, turf (grass) and dirt. Each type of surface can affect a horse's performance differently, and some horses may show a preference or exhibit superior abilities on a particular surface. The outcome of the race can be affected by changes in conditions, such as a muddy track caused by rain.

What role does a jockey have in a horserace race?

The jockey plays a crucial role in a horserace, as his or her decisions and abilities can affect the outcome. An experienced jockey can pace the horse and know when to stop or accelerate. They also know how navigate the race field. A successful partnership is dependent on the relationship between horse and jockey.

How do betting odds work in horse racing?

The odds of winning a horse race bet reflect the probability that a specific outcome will occur. These odds can be presented in decimals or fractions to show the possible profit of a winning bet. Odds are affected by the amount bet per horse, and they can change until the race. A seasoned betting will pay attention to these changes so that they can make informed wagers.

Statistics

The Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse race, sees an average attendance of over 100,000 spectators each year.
The Thoroughbred industry in the United Kingdom heralds over £3 billion in economic output annually.
As of the latest reports, the horse racing industry contributes approximately $40 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
The average racing career of a Thoroughbred horse spans approximately three to four years, after which many pursue breeding or other equestrian activities.
The record for the highest horse race betting turnover in a year is held by Japan, surpassing $22 billion.

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How To

Horse Racing Odds And Payouts Explained

Understand that horse racing payouts and odds refer to the returns you can expect if your wager wins. Odds will usually be shown as decimals or fractions. A 5/1 is $5 for every dollar wagered plus the original stake. For a decimal of 6.00 odds, a bet of $1 would return a total of $6. For payouts, multiply stake by odds. Remember, lower odds means a horse will win more often, however, the payouts may be smaller. High odds can offer greater payouts for a less favorited horse.