Why Horse Racing Bettors Are Turning to Cross-Sport Betting Platforms in 2025

Sports bettors are always looking for ways to improve their odds and score bigger wins. Cross-sport parlay bets are one of the go-to methods for most punters, as bettors get to wager on the outcomes of various sports on a single bet slip. These types of bets are made possible by cross-sport betting platforms, and they’re becoming increasingly popular among horse racing bettors.

What Are Cross-Sport Betting Platforms?

Cross-sport betting platforms are online sportsbooks or smartphone apps where bettors can combine wagers across different sports into a single bet. 

Instead of placing a traditional bet that includes only one sports type, like horse racing or football, bettors can mix their top horse racing picks with basketball, tennis, or eSports. The platform allows bettors to create a parlay bet spanning two or more sporting events, increasing the excitement and the potential payout. Many of the top betting sites, as listed by CasinoBeats, one of the top sites to find reputable online sportsbooks and their features, are starting to include cross-sport parlay bets as part of their offering to attract users to their sites. 

Cross-sport parlay bets

A cross-sport parlay bet happens when a bettor selects multiple bets across different sports, and all the bets must be successful for the bettor to cash out. For example, a horse racing bettor can wager on the winner of the Kentucky Derby, the outcome of an NFL playoff game, and the final score of a Premier League match, all on a single bet slip. If all the predictions are true, the bettor will win a much larger payout than if they placed individual bets on each of the events. However, if just one bet is wrong, the entire bet is void. 

Parlay bets have become more popular as online sportsbooks increase their offerings to attract different markets. Horse racing bettors are especially attracted to this type of bet since they can use their expertise in horse racing while experimenting in other sports to increase their odds of a payout. 

The Benefits Of Cross-Sport Betting Platforms For Horse Racing Bettors

Horse racing bettors are turning their attention and funds to cross-sport betting platforms because of the benefits offered by these sites that positively influence their betting strategies. 

Potential big payouts

One of the biggest draws of cross-sport betting is the potential for huge payouts. A parlay bet combines multiple outcomes, and the odds of each bet multiply together, resulting in a much larger total figure. 

A small bet in a well-selected cross-sport parlay can become a significant payout. Horse racing bettors who are used to betting on single races get to experience an exciting way to increase their winnings without having to drastically change their bet size. 

More variety

Major horse races don’t occur every weekend, so bettors often have a lot of downtime during off-seasons. Cross-sport betting platforms can fill the gap by offering access to other sporting events happening throughout the year. 

Bettors can continuously bet on various sports, mixing horse racing with basketball, football, or even niche sports like frisbee golf. This adds variety, which can prevent betting fatigue and keep bettors engaged on the platform throughout the year. 

Flexibility

Cross-sport betting sites offer more flexibility than traditional sportsbooks. Bettors don’t have to pick just a winner; they can combine various types of wagers, like point spreads, prop bets, and over/unders from various sports. 

Horse racing enthusiasts can combine a straightforward win bet on their favorite horse with more creative bets for other sports. 

Access to more betting markets

Most cross-sport betting sites offer a wide range of betting markets and the most competitive odds across multiple sports. It allows bettors to shop around for the best offerings without having to maintain multiple accounts on several platforms. 

Wrapping Up

Cross-sport betting platforms are becoming an essential part of the betting market in 2025, especially for horse racing bettors who want to diversify their betting strategies and look for bigger payouts. Bettors can combine their extensive racing knowledge with bets from other sports to keep things fresh and exciting.