Best Horse Racing Betting Sites and Apps: Legal Horse Race Sports Betting

From the chariot races of ancient Rome to the Grand National race in modern Britain, horse racing is one of humanity’s oldest pastimes. Consequently, betting on horse races is also centuries old and maintains a very high level of popularity in the US and abroad to this day.

Legal horse race betting started way back in 1978 in the US due to the sport’s unique pool-based betting system. Today, you can legally bet both at the race track and through online racebooks, with a rich selection of wagers, bonuses, and odds at your disposal. Horse racing online is simple, who doesn’t love simplicity in life?

We love a flutter on the horses here in the office. Indeed, a few of us have attended racetracks for a day of betting and fun and there is just something about the buzz of the crowd as the horses whizz past that really gets the juices flowing.

We’ve compiled a list of the best horse racing betting sites in the US ranked by these parameters to help you find just the right platform for your needs.

Top Horse Racing Betting Sites Comparison

How To Bet On Horse Racing

Once you have completed the sign-up process and have made your first deposit, you are ready to make your bet and hopefully pick a winner. Therefore, it is vital to know the horse racing betting basics before you start betting. First, you need to locate your selection and your chosen bet type. Next, you need to add this to your bet slip and submit the amount you wish to wager. The online horse betting sites we have listed above ensure this is easy to do.

You can navigate your way to your race via the track listings or the timeline of races at all three significant racing sites. You will notice the runners for each race, with the odds for win and show and a toggle for more options. Adding a bet to your bet slip is simple and takes seconds.

Most sites place the bet slip to the right, or you will see it pop up on the screen. For single bets, you can add your stake, then confirm to place this. You must first add all the selections to your slip for multiples bets (trifecta, exacta, and superfecta). Once that is done, you can relax and watch the race via a live stream and hope your horses give you some joy.

If you want to bet on a different kind of horse race, virtual horse racing has become extremely popular in the US. The great thing about virtual horse racing is that races will never be called off due to a thunderstorm or bad weather.

Types of Horse Racing Bets

Before making your horse racing picks for the Breeders Cup or for an event at Belmont Park, you should have a grasp on the full range of bets you can place. Placing a horse racing bet on your horse racing betting site of choice is straightforward, but understanding the betting odds how the wager works is more complicated. Below is a snapshot of the different types of bets:

• Win: Your selected horse must come in first place.
• Place: Your horse must come in first or second place.
• Show: Your horse must finish in the top three.
• Trifecta: You bet on multiple horses, in this case three, and they must finish first, second and third in that exact order.
• Exacta: Same as above but only two horses in exact order.
• Superfecta: Your horses must finish in the exact order from first to fourth.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with horse racing terms, the more you bet in North America, the more familiar you will become. The sites we have listed on this page will also include horse racing tips for thoroughbred racing and will show consecutive races from different horse racing tracks around the country.

The best bets for newcomers might be a straight win or place wager, as you are not dealing with cumulative odds. Also, before claiming any bonus always check the bonus wagering requirements before submitting the wager.

Racing Mobile Apps

Betting remotely via your mobile device is extremely easy. The best horse betting sites’ interface ensures their design is compatible with mobile use. The most straightforward way for bettors is to access their websites via their mobile devices. The display will automatically adjust to fit the smaller screen. All of the features, such as live streaming and results/stats, will work as usual.

Dedicated mobile apps can be downloaded from the Apple App Store (for Apple devices). Sites including TwinSpires and TVG all offer dedicated mobile apps. Android users can download the app for TVG, but there isn’t one available for the others.

What is Parimutuel Betting?

Parimutuel betting is a betting system commonly used in gambling on horse racing, greyhound racing, and other sports events. The term “parimutuel” comes from the French words “pari mutuel,” which means “mutual betting.” In this system, all bets are pooled together into a single wagering pool, and the odds and payouts are determined by the total amount of money wagered on each selection or outcome.

Here’s how parimutuel betting works:

• Bets: Bettors place their bets on various possible outcomes of a race or event. For example, in horse racing, you might bet on a specific horse to win, place (come in first or second), or show (come in first, second, or third).
• Pooling: All the bets placed on a particular outcome are pooled together to create a betting pool. This pool of money is used to pay out the winners.
• Odds Calculation: As bets come in, the odds for each possible outcome change based on the amount of money wagered on each option. The more money that is bet on a particular outcome, the lower the odds for that outcome become. Conversely, if fewer bets are placed on an outcome, the odds for that outcome increase.
• Payouts: After the event is over and the outcome is determined, the betting pool is divided among the winning bets. The larger the pool and the fewer winning bets, the higher the payouts for each winning bettor. This means that the payout for a winning bet is not predetermined but depends on the total bets and the odds at the time of betting.
• House Commission: The parimutuel system deducts a percentage, known as the “takeout” or “house cut,” from the total betting pool. This percentage goes to the racetrack or betting operator to cover operating expenses and profits.

Parimutuel betting is different from fixed-odds betting, where the odds are set at the time of placing the bet and remain fixed regardless of how much money is wagered. Parimutuel betting creates a dynamic and potentially more exciting betting experience, as the odds and potential payouts can change up until the moment the event starts.

Overall, parimutuel betting is designed to create a fair and transparent betting system where the odds and payouts are determined by the collective actions of the bettors. It is widely used in horse racing and other forms of sports betting where multiple outcomes are possible.

How to Read Horse Racing Odds

Everyone may develop their own horse race betting strategy in time, but it is essential to know what the odds mean before you can do that. In every race, the amount of money bet on the individual horses decides the odds. These are stated as positive or negatives.

For example, if you see 5:1, you’ll win $5 for every $1 you stake (plus your initial stake back). Alternatively, if you see 1:5, you will need to bet $5 to win each $1 of return. This is known as an “odds-on” selection, where a race has a firm favorite, which is widely expected to win. The odds for show and place selections are smaller than for win bets as you have multiple chances of being paid.

There is a degree of skill involved in horse racing, as it is challenging to find value from the field. Choosing a potential winner or finding horses whose price is better than their genuine winning chances will earn you excellent profits over time.

Online horse racing betting sites can assist you in making winning selections by providing statistics detailing the results of previous races. These include a list of results, a form guide, past performances, and information on the trainer. In addition, numerous databases are paid services, and racebooks offer them as a benefit for bettors who wager on a specific meeting.

Types of Horse Races in the US

In the United States, horse racing encompasses various types of races, each with its own characteristics and significance. Here are some of the different types of horse races commonly held in the U.S.:

Thoroughbred Racing: Thoroughbred racing is the most prominent type of horse racing in the U.S. It includes a wide range of races, such as:

Claiming Races: Horses are available for purchase before the race, and anyone can claim a horse by submitting a claim slip before the race starts.

Allowance Races: Horses in allowance races are not for sale, and these races are designed for more competitive horses that have won fewer races or haven’t been claimed.

Stakes Races: Stakes races are high-profile events with larger purses. They include Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 races, which are ranked by prestige and purse size. Examples include the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup races.

Handicap Races: Horses carry different weights based on their past performance to level the playing field and create a more competitive race.

Quarter Horse Racing: Quarter horse racing is known for its high-speed sprints over short distances (generally a quarter of a mile). It is particularly popular in the southwestern U.S.

Harness Racing: Although less common than thoroughbred racing, harness racing involves trotting or pacing horses pulling drivers in sulkies. The sport is often associated with Standardbred horses and is popular in certain regions.

Steeplechase Racing: Steeplechase races involve horses jumping over obstacles like fences and hurdles. Notable steeplechase events include the Grand National at the Far Hills Race Meeting.

Arabian Racing: Arabian horse racing features purebred Arabian horses competing in flat races, often over short to middle distances.

Mixed Discipline Races: Some tracks host mixed discipline races that combine elements of different types of racing, such as a turf race followed by a jump race.

Match Races: Although less common today, match races involve just two horses competing against each other, often to determine supremacy or settle disputes.

Derby Races: Similar to the Kentucky Derby, many states have their own derby races for three-year-old horses.

Breeders’ Cup: While not a type of race per se, the Breeders’ Cup is a prestigious series of thoroughbred races held annually, attracting top horses from around the world.

State-Bred Races: Many states offer races exclusively for horses bred within that state, promoting local breeding industries.

Claiming Crown: A series of races that focuses on claiming horses, often held as a season-ending event.

How Are The Payouts Decided?

Every racing bet is pooled. The total bet around the country on an individual race is divided among the selections. For example, if $1 million is bet on win in a race, half of this is on a single horse. If the horse triumphs, the winners are paid 1:1. The rewards for show, trifecta, and place are determined in the same way.

To work out how much you could win based on the current odds, you need to multiply your stake by the odds shown and add that stake back in. For example, if you see odds at 8:1 and wager $10. Your payout would be 8 x $10 + $10 = $90.

There are historic and prestigious events for all types of horse racing, ranging from Albanian horses to harness. However, in terms of events that capture the public’s imagination, the Triple Crown takes some beating.

This race involves three races for thoroughbreds. Additionally, each has a qualifying stage meaning only the best horses and jockeys can participate. We have included the races involved in the Triple Crown below in date order.

Kentucky Derby

This is held at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, KY. The Kentucky Derby has a rich history, starting in 1875, and caps a two-weeklong festival featuring many races.

Preakness Stakes

The second leg of the Triple Crown takes place at the Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, MA. Preakness Stakes occurs only two weeks after the Kentucky Derby on the third Saturday in May. It is 1900 meters and on a dirt track.

Belmont Stakes

If a horse has been successful in the previous two races, the eyes of the world will be on the last leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes occurs in Elmont, NY, in June. This is a 1.5-mile race and has been going since 1867. If the Triple Crown is at stake, it attracts massive TV audiences.

Types of Horse Betting Bonuses

As you’ve probably noticed, the horse race betting bonuses are considerably smaller and less varied than the promotions offered by sports betting platforms. This is mainly due to the pool (parimutuel) system of betting, which leaves racebooks with a smaller profit margin. While small, horse betting bonuses usually come with more favorable conditions. These are the most common types of horse betting promotions:

Deposit Match Bonuses

With deposit match bonuses, racebooks will reward new registrees by matching their initial deposit up to a certain amount. As we’ve said, they are considerably smaller than regular sports betting bonuses, and among the racebooks we’ve reviewed they’re mostly capped at $200 or $400.

Bonus Bets/Bet Credits

US racebooks also reward players with free horse racing bonus bets and bets credits through a variety of promotions, usually via loyalty programs or race-specific promotions.

States with Legal Horse Race Betting

We have listed the online horse betting legal states below. Bettors can wager online or via a mobile device in the United States, but it is not legal in every state. Players are not required to be residents to bet, they just have to be physically located within state lines.

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

How you can bet differs by state, but some apps are legal in all of the above. In addition, websites and apps available in these states allow betting on races across the country and internationally. Due to its unique betting system, legal horse race betting predates legalized sports betting, but the regulations varied differently from state to state. Following the 2020 horse racing doping scam, the US Congress drafted the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Act, which plans to create national regulations for horse racing and create a new enforcement agency to uphold said law.