Royal Ascot: Is It Better to Attend In Person or Bet Online?

Planning to wager on Royal Ascot?  Even though Day 1 is kicking off soon, there is still time to snap up last-minute tickets and travel to attend the races in person.  If you are on the fence about attending, you may be wondering whether it is worth it or not.  Would it make more sense to stay home and bet, or would it be worth it to buy tickets?

There is no simple answer.  It all depends on what is important to you and what you want to get out of your Royal Ascot experience.

If you are a casual bettor …

If you are betting on Royal Ascot mostly for fun, then I would highly recommend buying tickets and going in person.  It’s an incredible experience, and if you go for the Windsor Enclosure, it isn’t all that expensive. 

Watching horse races online or on TV is fun, but nothing compares to the thrill of actually seeing all the action with your own eyes.  The race day atmosphere is one of contagious enthusiasm.  The energy of the crowd is an exuberant experience all in itself.  Plus, it’s an international crowd of horse racing enthusiasts.  You’ll get a chance to meet people from all over the world.  And being as Royal Ascot is a UK tradition, you’ll have a chance to partake in the best of British high society. 

If you are a serious bettor …

If you are betting on Royal Ascot with a serious intent to make money, then betting online may actually be a more sensible decision.  A lot depends on your disposition and how you process information. 

Basically, Royal Ascot is full of distractions.  You’ll be surrounded by cheering crowds and you’ll be contending with the weather as well (sometimes downpours are predicted throughout the festival week).  On top of that, there is food and drink everywhere. In 2016 race-goers managed to go through 131,000 pints of beer!  Nothing messes up your judgment faster when you are betting than alcohol.

If you think you can make smart betting decisions in spite of all those distractions, going to Royal Ascot may work out great.  You cannot bet on your mobile device (wi-fi is available, but using it for betting purposes is strictly forbidden), and will need to stand in line at the windows.  But those inconveniences may be offset by the chance to make in-person observations about the track conditions and the conditions of the horses and jockeys. 

On the other hand, it may be easier to keep up with news and commentary online.  If you don’t have an internet-capable mobile device, that could be a big drawback.  If you do, you will be able to check on updates and betting tips while you are in the stands.

So should you bet online or attend Royal Ascot in person?  It is totally up to you.  Weigh the pros and cons based on your goals, habits, and personal betting style and needs.  If you choose to stay home, you can tune into all the races live on iTV throughout the week.  You can also watch them via live-stream on your favourite UK betting site!