People who enjoy the thrill of winning sometimes spend a lot of money on gaming activities, especially when they come with a side of excitement such as betting or racing. Although the two activities seem similar, there are a few key differences that you should be aware of before diving into your wallet.
Racing
When you enter the world of horse racing, you will notice that it is extremely popular all around the world. The American racing season alone runs from April to October, and includes several glamorous events such as the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. If you live in the U.S., you will have the opportunity to attend one of these events live as they happen. Although the chances of winning are relatively small, the excitement in the stands is often unmatched. In fact, the annual total purse for the Kentucky Derby is currently around $13 million.
While attending one of these events is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it is not always possible. Fortunately, there are other options. You can always find races that are hosted in your area, or if you are really lucky, you can find a horse that stays in your area all year round.
Betting
Besides racing, you can also take a crack at the bookie with the thrill of betting. If you are lucky enough to find a winning streak, you can become extremely wealthy. However, this comes with a considerable risk. The fact that the outcome is not always determined by skill makes it easier for unscrupulous people to take advantage of you. If this sounds like something you are not prepared to take on, then you should stick to racing. It is a much safer bet.
On the other hand, you may want to consider going the extra mile with your local horse-racing enthusiast. You can have fun betting on the races, but you should also be aware that there are reputable race-fixing rings that happily take your money, with the promise of manipulating the results to fit your betting needs. This is not an uncommon practice, but it is always worth looking out for. You should also be prepared to lose money if the race goes against you. Even though most of the time, your money will be returned, you should not underestimate the thrill of seeing a winning horse.
The Difference
Overall, betting and racing have a lot in common. They are both very popular in North America and around the world, and they can be exciting ways to pass the time. The main difference between the two mostly comes down to how you interact with the game. In racing, as the name implies, there is typically only one winner and one loser. In betting, however, you are playing against the house, so you can never be too sure of the outcome. Additionally, there is a high degree of skill involved in betting, as opposed to racing, where the outcome is largely determined by luck. All of these factors make the betting experience much more exciting, and potentially more dangerous. If you are looking for a way to pass the time, then you should seriously consider betting, but, if you are looking for a way to make money, then you should stick to racing.