Online Horse Betting
If you are interested in the US online horse racing scene, you have come to the right place. Not only does our article feature top horse betting sites, but you’ll also find lots of useful info on the legality of horse betting in the States, bet types, major horse racing events, etc. Read up to learn more about what you can expect in regards to horse racing betting online.
CONTENTS
- Best Horse Betting Sites
- Upcoming Race Schedule
- How We Pick Our Top Racebooks?
- Online Horse Racing Betting in the USA: What’s Legal?
- How to Bet on Horses Online
- Types of Horse Racing Bets
- Horse Racing Betting Apps
- Where to Watch Races
- Horse Racing Win Odds
- Biggest Horse Races in the US
- Best US Horse Racing Tracks
- Where Can You Bet on Horse Races Online in the US?
- FAQ
- Future of Online Horse Racing Betting in the US
WHAT ARE THE BEST HORSE BETTING SITES IN THE US?
Let’s see what some of the best legal horse betting sites in the US are. Take a look at our table below to see our top picks when it comes to horse racing betting online.
Updated on: 04/19/2024
Now let’s get into more details about these horse betting websites and what they have to offer.
4NJBETS
4NJBets is one of the leading sites in the state of New Jersey. Strong points of 4NJBets include a comprehensive approach to betting races at any track running a live daily card.
Powered by TVG, 4NJBets offers the ultimate horse betting experience for avid horse racing fans in the Garden State.
Bets can be placed through the 4NJBets website as well as through the 4NJBets mobile betting app. This app can be easily downloaded to both iOS and Android devices. Either option provides fast and easy access to NJ bettors’ favorite tracks.
AMWAGER
Geared more towards experienced horse bettors, this online horse racing site has become a very popular brand where available. AmWager was first launched in 2009 and over the years it has added several unique features to its betting site and mobile app.
ABC wagering tools enable users to put different values on their bets. This includes an option to rank multiple wagers. Bettors can create a list of their favorite tracks and Tru Odds offers real time access to live betting odds.
As a major point of difference, AmWager is up to 60x faster than most other online horse betting platforms. This enables quick access to daily cards and up-to-date information on all the upcoming races.
BETMGM HORSE RACING
BetMGM Horse Racing made its debut in Ohio and is now in Florida and Louisiana as well!
Given this brand’s current success in the marketplace, the horse racing app should gain widespread appeal as the company continues to expand coverage.
CAESARS RACEBOOK
Thanks to a partnership between Caesars and the NYRA, Caesars Racebook is now available!
Players can take advantage of a $500 Deposit Match, wager on over 200 tracks, and earn Caesars Rewards.
DAILY RACING FORM
DRF created a horse racing site that has become the standard in the industry and is offering new customers a a solid welcome offer.
FANDUEL RACING
The FanDuel Racing website and mobile betting app takes the excitement of betting on horse races to a whole new level.
Legal in more than 20 states, FanDuel Racing provides handicapping contests and other incentives for major graded events.
NYRA BETS
Backed by strong ratings and reviews, NYRA Bets is a highly reliable and safe way to bet on horse races. Bets can be placed through the online website. However, stronger reviews for the NYRA mobile app make this the best option for wagering on live daily cards.
Based in New York, NYRA Bets has close ties to major tracks in that state such as Belmont Part, Aqueduct and Saratoga. For example, NYRA Bets might run special contests on Saturdays at Belmont when that track is offering live racing.
The current welcome offer for new customers is a combination of a free $25 bet and an initial deposit matching bonus up to $200. There are monthly promotions as well as free-bet bonuses covering any track with live racing.
NYRA Bets is available in 30 different states across the country. The site is global in its reach with access to more than 300 horse racing tracks all around the world.
PLAYUP RACEBOOK
Through the use of an advanced racebook betting platform, PlayUp Racebook offers easy access to over 200 racetracks worldwide. Available on desktop and a mobile racebook app, PlayUp also provides a robust rewards program that is one of the best on the market.
TVG
This is one of the biggest operators in the US market. TVG falls under the corporate umbrella of Flutter Entertainment. This UK-based gaming, sports betting and entertainment corporation is also the parent company of FanDuel.
What sets TVG apart from the competition is the TVG Network. Along with live streaming on the TVG website and mobile betting app, horse bettors can watch featured races live on TV where available.
As one of the premier horse betting sites in the country, TVG offers a full lineup of promotional offers.
A few of the highlights on the TVG site and mobile betting app include the Handicapping Store with betting products from DRF, Equibase and Trackmaster to name a few. Access to past race performances is free and a team of TVG experts share their daily picks for certain featured races.
TWINSPIRES
This is the official horse betting site and mobile betting app of Churchill Downs. Previously known as BetAmerica, the most famous horse racing track in the country decided to rebrand its racing product while also expanding its market reach.
New customers can get a Get up to a $400 Sign-Up Bonus! Just use our code VIRACING! Existing customers can participate in various promotional offers tied to specific high-profile race tracks. The TwinSpires Edge provides in-depth information on horse racing, sports betting and casino games.
This is another top-rated site and app that publishes expert picks for the biggest live races on the daily card. There is also a wealth of information and betting tips geared towards both novice and veteran horse bettors.
Staying true to the Churchill Downs brand, TwinSpires has quickly established itself as a premier online destination for horse bettors all across the country.
XPRESSBET
This site is committed to creating the most advanced and innovative platform in the industry. Xpressbet has already established itself as one of the safest and most reliable online horse betting operators.
The betting website and mobile app are completely dedicated to the horse racing industry. Xpressbet’s parent company is The Stronach Group. This is the ownership group behind legendary tracks such as Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park and Pimlico Race Course.
The welcome offer for new customers is $10 in free credit plus a betting bonus up to $1000. Xpressbet also offers XB Rewards as one of the industry’s best customer loyalty programs. Customers can earn two XB Rewards Points for every dollar wagered.
Another unique aspect of this horse betting site is Xpressbet Tournaments. This provides the ultimate test of handicapping skills with cash prizes on the line. There is a full calendar of events featuring the top US horse racing tracks.
UPCOMING RACE SCHEDULE
| Date | Race | Track |
|---|---|---|
| April 6 | Santa Anita Derby | Santa Anita Park |
| April 6 | Toyota Blue Grass S. | Keeneland Race Course |
| April 6 | Wood Memorial S. Presented by Resorts World Casino | Aqueduct |
HOW WE PICK OUR TOP RACEBOOKS?
We aim to provide the most up-to-date data related to betting on horses. This is why we have taken several factors into account while compiling our list of the top three. All of these brands are licensed and regulated in accordance with the law on gambling. This is the first prerequisite that horse betting sites need to abide by if they want to make it to our list.
Next, we have taken into account the variety of available promotions. Is the offer plentiful or slim? Specifically, do they cater to both new customers and existing ones equally? This is very important to anyone interested in horse betting.
Then, we looked into the availability of different betting markets. Are all the major horse races in the States covered? Do they offer various bet types?
Finally, we wanted to see whether these racebooks offered some of the most popular features players want to experience nowadays. Namely, whether live betting and live streaming were enabled. Then, does this brand have a dedicated app to facilitate betting on the go?
To conclude, all of these brands that you can find in our articles came at the very top in all these categories. As a consequence, we had to include them as our top racebook picks.
ONLINE HORSE RACING BETTING IN THE USA: WHAT’S LEGAL?
One of the most widespread legal gaming opportunities in the US is online horse betting. There are quite a few states with land-based horse racing tracks. This creates a natural tie-in between betting on the races live at those tracks and betting them online at a horse betting site or mobile app.
Pari-mutuel wagering is the primary way to bet on horse races. Different betting options form different money pools at individual tracks. When betting a horse race online, bettors can tap into live odds based on those various betting pools.
Any legal betting option at a track running a live daily race card is also legal through a site or app.
HOW TO BET ON HORSE RACING
If you have never placed an online bet on horse racing, there’s a thing or two that you should know. First and foremost, you need to open an account with one of the horse betting sites of your choice.
Once you place a deposit, it's time to make your first bet. To do this, you need select the name of the racetrack and the name of the race you want to bet on. After that, you need to enter your desired bet amount and choose the bet type you want to place to your bet slip.
Racebooks like TwinSpires and TVG make this whole process very easy, as you can see the names of the horses for each race, the odds for win and show, and much more!
TYPES OF HORSE RACING BETS
We can’t talk about betting on the horses without going into more detail about the bets you can place. Both amateur and experienced bettors can choose between a variety of bets to place if they are interested.
BET TYPES
Here’s a list of the most popular bet types as far as horse racing is concerned.
- Win
- Place
- Show
- Daily Double
- Exacta
- Trifecta
- Quinella
- Superfecta
- Pick 3
- Pick 6
- Across the Board
HORSE RACING BETTING APPS
The best horse race betting sites have a dedicated app. You just need one in today's day and age because not everyone is in the position to attend a racetrack.
As a rule, these apps are available for both iOS and Android devices. They mimic the websites exceptionally, including live streaming, and make placing wagers more than easy. We particularly appreciate seeing a brand offer mobile-specific bonuses, as these are rare to come by. We surely recommend you make the most of these offers if you happen to come across one.
WHERE TO WATCH RACES
The cool thing about betting on horses online is you can do so from a number of different places. Want to head to your local track? Go ahead. Want to just watch on TV from the comfort of your own home? You can do that too.
Below is a list of places (or ways) you can watch races:
- Track - There are tons of tracks all over the country, so chances are you will find one near you to take in all the action.
- TV - TVG is probably the best known channel, but other big networks and niche stations also broadcast races.
- Simulcast - Just because you are at one track doesn't mean you can't bet on another hundreds of miles away. Most tracks offer simulcasts from across the country, so you never miss out.
- Off-Track Betting Venues - You can even watch races when not at a track in some states.
- Live Streaming - Most of the best racing sites provide live stream betting on their platforms, so you can do everything all in one place!
HORSE RACING WIN ODDS
Horse racing odds for a particular race are usually ever-changing because they are based off the amount of money being wagered and on which horses. As such, the favorite can drop to fourth or fifth in a matter of minutes.
In terms of how to interpret and read horse racing win odds, take a look below:
- Ex. Bet $5.00 on a horse at 1/10 to get a payout of $5.50
- Ex. Bet $5.00 on a horse at 8/5 to get a payout of $13.00
- Ex. Bet $5.00 on a horse at 20/1 to get a payout of $105.00
BIGGEST HORSE RACES IN THE US
Betting on horse races has always enjoyed great popularity in the States. This comes as no surprise as the USA is the home to some of the most popular horse racing events in the world.
KENTUCKY DERBY
The Kentucky Derby, also known as “The Run for the Roses” is the first leg in the hunt for the US Triple Crown. It’s a Grade 1 race for three-year-olds running over a distance of 1 1/4 miles at the Churchill Downs racetrack. Given the legendary status that this race enjoys, it comes as no surprise that the number of both the visitors and bets places surpasses all the other stakes races combined. And knowing that it’s also dubbed “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” because of its duration, you can understand why it causes so much interest worldwide. Notable Kentucky Derby Winners include: Secretariat (1973, still the track-record holder), Northern Dancer (1963), Monarchos (2001), and Spend a Buck (1985).
BELMONT STAKES
Anyone who is interested in horse racing is familiar with this race. The third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is probably the most anticipated race in the season. If the same horse records victories at both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, all eyes will be on this Thoroughbred during Belmont Stakes. Winning it equals obtaining the Triple Crown. And this is something that only 13 horses achieved so far. This 1 1/2 mile race takes place at Belmont Park every second Tuesday in June. Some of the most famous winners are Secretariat (1973, the track-record holder to this day), American Pharoah (2015), and Justify (2018).
BREEDER’S CUP
The Breeder’s Cup is considered to be the end of the racing season in North America, as it determines champions across many divisions. This is why it’s pretty popular in horse betting circles. The location changes every year at the prize pool is different from one race to the other (there are fourteen in total). It usually goes between $1 and $6 million. A maximum of 14 Thoroughbreds can start in each of these races. Initially, they need to qualify by winning in one of the Breeder’s Cup Challenge races. Here are a few horses that have given exceptional performance in this Cup: Ghostzapper (2004), Skip Away (1997), and Raven’s Pass (2008).
PREAKNESS STAKES
“The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans,” or the Preakness Stakes, is the second and maybe the most crucial leg in the chase for the Triple Crown. If the Kentucky Derby winner records a victory here, this horse is one win away from this coveted title. Only three-year-olds run this 1 3/16 mile-race at the Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore. The most famous Preakness winner still holding the record is undoubtedly Secretariat (1973). Other well-known winners include Seattle Slew (1977), War of Will (2019), and Silver Charm (1997), to name just a few.
BEST US HORSE RACING TRACKS
There are many horse racing tracks in the USA that are well-known around the world. This shouldn’t come as a surprise if we have in mind that all the most highly anticipated horse racing events take place here. As a consequence, all US online horse betting sites feature races happening at these tracks.
LIST OF THE BEST HORSE RACING TRACKS IN THE US
If you have the opportunity, why not visit some of the top horse racing tracks in the States. Here’s where all the major US races take place.
- Santa Anita, California
- Hialeah Park, Florida
- Arlington Park, Illinois
- Churchill Downs, Kentucky
- Pimlico Racecourse, Maryland
- Monmouth Park, New Jersey
- Belmont Park, New York
WHERE CAN YOU BET ON HORSE RACES ONLINE IN THE US?
This question might be better answered with where you cannot legally bet on horse racing online. Currently, 41 of the 50 US states offer legal online horse betting through a website or mobile app.
Actual operators may vary from state-to-state. Yet, from an industry standpoint, availability is widespread.
FAQ
We made sure to include all the relevant info related to horse betting in this article. Last but not least, we’ll feature the most common questions people have in this regard.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON SIGNING UP FOR A NEW ACCOUNT?
If you want to sign up for a new account at an online racebook, make sure to read its T&Cs first. All of them require you to be of age. Additionally, you need to be physically present in the state in which the racebook in question is licensed.
IS ONLINE HORSE BETTING LEGAL IN MY STATE?
Currently, 41 of the 50 US states offer legal online horse betting through a website or mobile app.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO WATCH THE RACES WITHOUT TRAVELING TO THE RACETRACK?
Of course, it is. The racebooks we have included in our article offer the option of live streaming races either on your desktop or mobile. Additionally, TVG, the television station, streams races 24 hours a day.
FUTURE OF ONLINE HORSE RACING BETTING IN THE US
Since online horse race betting is legal in so many states, it continues to expand its market footprint as the perfect complement to legal online sports betting.
The best sites and apps are also driving industry growth. The major players in the horse betting industry previewed above offer an excellent online betting product.
This makes it easy for anyone interested in horse racing to place a few wagers on any races they are interested in. This easy access paints a rather bright future for online horse betting in the US market.