Betting on horse races online is convenient and allows you to enjoy races (and winnings!) from racetracks throughout the world. But, like all else, betting online has both advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at some of the major considerations before deciding if betting online is right for you.

Advantages:

Horse races are run at tracks throughout the world. With online horse racing betting, you no longer miss out on races run in other countries. Depending on the racing site you use, you can place bets in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and many other countries throughout the world.

In addition, you can enjoy these races, and the wins from your bets without ever leaving the house. No more fighting traffic to get to the track; no more paying for parking and entrance fees; and no more expensive greasy food when you could be enjoying a home cooked meal. (Okay, I'll be real - with your pizza. But hey, at least you'll have a few extra bucks to bet on the race!)

Betting online also allows you to place your bets early and only sit through the races you are interested in. That way, if you have an appointment, or an especially busy day, you can still place the bets and watch the races that are important to you.

Netbooks and cellphone and other devices that allow you to connect to the internet make the process even more convenient. By simply logging onto a betting site, you can easily place bets no matter where you are.

Disadvantages:

Online betting also has certain disadvantages. Gambling addicts will find the convenience of online betting more of a disadvantage than an advantage. Online betting makes it easier to hide the habit from friends and family and makes it more difficult to get help for the addiction.

Online betting sites use electronic debits and credit cards as funding sources for your bets. While this is very convenient, it also often results in betting a lot more money than you realize. Spending on credit cards seldom feels like spending real money, and this is even more true when betting online, which can feel like a game.

Just like everything else, online horse racing betting has advantages and disadvantages. Whether you decide to pursue betting online or continue going to the track, remember to be responsible with your money and have fun above all else.