Online Horse Racing Betting Apps & Sites in 2023
The United States of America has always been passionate about sports, so it’s no surprise that it has some of the best online horse betting sites. It features a wide range of top horse racing betting sites and each offers its players something unique. These sites and apps provide an extensive range of betting options for each horse race to give players an immersive gambling experience. In addition, they offer live stream races allowing bettors to watch the action unfold in real-time.
Are you looking for the best horse racing betting apps and sites? Check out our in-depth reviews to help you make the right decision.
Is Online Horse Racing Betting Legal in the USA?
Yes, online horse racing betting is legal in most states in the USA, though the rules and operators in each state can differ. 80% of the states have enacted laws to allow for online horse race betting. Due to this, the federal gambling laws in the US exclude betting on horses from sport betting.
States that Have Legalized Online Horse Racing Betting
Here is the list of all the US states that offer legalized online betting on this ancient sport that remains a source of entertainment:
● Alabama
Wagers using Twinspare for horse racing betting are offered a matchup bonus of about $400.
● Arizona
BetMGM offers the Arizona horse race bettors a risk-free bet to boost their betting.
● Arkansas
Players receive a $500 risk-free bet after signing up at Betfred Sports.
● California
Bovada Racebook offers the California horse race bettors at least a $300 matchup bonus on their first deposit.
● Colorado
Bettors using BetRivers are offered at least a $100 matchup bonus on their first deposit.
● Connecticut
DraftKing racebook offers the Connecticut horse racing bettors a risk-free bet of $ 500 a $500
● Delaware
During the first deposit using the promo code HORSE, Xbet offers the bettor a matchup bonus of up to $250.
● Florida
Florida wagers do receive a $200 matchup bonus on their first deposit.
● Idaho
Mybookie offers newly registered bettors in this state with $100 when they bet with $500
● Illinois
BetMGM offers newly registered bettors with a matchup bonus of up to $250.
● Indiana
Indiana horse race bettors who bet through BetRivers do receive a bonus of $100 after waging with $500.
● Iowa
After betting with $500 and using the promo code HORSE on PointsBet, the bettor is offered a $200 bonus.
● Kansas
TwinSpire offers Kansas horse race bettors a redeemable $250 bonus if they bet with $1000.
● Kentucky
BetMGM offers bettors a redeemable $200 bonus after placing a qualifying bet of $500.
● Louisiana
Betfred Sports offers the wagers $300 after placing a qualifying bet of $1000.
● Maine
Maine wagers receive a $200 bonus after making a qualifying bet of $500 at Betway.
● Maryland
BetMGM offers players with $200 bonus when they bet $500
● Massachusetts
Players receive a $100 bonus when they make a qualifying bet of $500 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
● Michigan
BetRivers offers a $100 bonus to players who bet $500 with the promo code HORSE
● Minnesota
TwinSpire offers a $250 bonus when Minnesota players bet $1,000 using the provided promo code
● Missouri
BetMGM offers this state players a $250 bonus when they place a qualifying bet of $1000
● Montana
Players receive a $50 bonus from MyBookie when they bet $200 using the provided promo code
● Nebraska
Players receive a $250 bonus from Betway when they place a bet of $1,000.
● New Hampshire
DraftKings Sportsbook offers $200 to players who wage a qualifying bet of $500.
● New Jersey
BetMGM offers $200 to players who wage a qualifying bet of $500.
● New Mexico
Betfred Sports offers $100 to players who wage a qualifying bet of $500.
● New York
Bettors receive a $200 bonus when they wage a qualifying bet of $500 with the promo code H.
The Best Horse Racing Betting Apps
Nothing is as exciting as a good horse race and a good horse race betting app where bettors can place their wages. The best online horse betting sites that you can rely on are:
1. Bet365- Best Overall
Bet365 is the best horse betting app that offers the best odds on horse betting compared to any other bookmaker and can be used by US bettors.
Advantages
- Available Live Streaming Feature- This feature allows the registered bettor to enjoy thousands of events on their platform, starting with live horse racing.
- Offers Exclusive Horse Racing Promo- The bettor has the advantage of getting more value for their bets if they rely on the variety of racing promos offered by this horse betting app.
- It is a Legalized Betting App- Being licensed by several gaming authorities, such as the British Gambling Commission, this horse betting app is secure and safe.
- Accepts a Variety of Payment Options-Bet365 offers a variety of payment options that simplify the payment process and reduce friction.
- Offers a Variety of Betting Market- This feature gives the bettor more opportunities to bet on different aspects of horse racing.
Disadvantages
- Bet365 is limited to some countries
2. Unibet- Best in Live Streaming
Unibet is a dependable and legalized racebook available in the United States.
Advantages
- Available mobile App- This racebook has a mobile app compatible with any mobile phone and tablet that offers flexible wagering.
- Wide Range of Betting Markets- Including win, place, show, exactas, trifectas, and superfectas, this site provides a wide range of horse racing betting markets accompanied by competitive odds.
- Live Streaming- Wagers are at the advantage of watching the race as it happens through this horse race betting app.
Disadvantages
- Limited payment Options- This racebook does not accept a wide range of payment methods.
3. BetGoodwin- Best Free Bet Club
Goodwin is a racebook that offers US wagers with various betting options and live streaming on horse racing events.
Advantages
- Easy to use Interface- BetGoodwin’s website and mobile app are easy to use, hence offering easy betting through them.
- Offers Supportive Customer support- It offers wagers with assistance through a responsive 24/7 customer support system.
- Generous Bonuses and promotions- BetGoodwin offers a variety of redeemable bonuses and promotions, such as free bets, deposit matches, and cashback.
Disadvantages
- The live-streaming feature is limited in some countries
Horse Racing Betting Bonuses, Offers, and Promotions
There are a variety of promotions available for both new and existing wagers, such as:
The Deposit Match Bonuses
New players are gifted with extra cash as a bonus, considering the size of their first deposit and the matchup bonus percentage offered by the horse betting app. This bonus is essential in boosting the players’ waging.
The First Bet Refund
Some horse racing betting apps provide their newly registered wagers with a chance to place their first bet with a guaranteed refund in place.
Wagering Rebates and Cash Back
Cashback is a reward to facilitate the racebook loyal bettors in their waging journey by rebating all wagers with a loss or a win.
Betting Insurance and Close Call Refunds
Close call refunds are one of the popular rewards where the racebook may offer to refund all win bets on horses that finished second or in third place in the waged race.
Free Past Performances
The free past performances are funds issued by the racebook to the player who had previously bought a past performance and bet on that race.
The Fee-Free Deposits
These bonuses are promotions received after the player loads their account using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. These incentives are used to waive the customary fee charged by the horse racing betting sites to the player.
How to Bet on Horse Races
Whether betting for entertainment or money, the bettor should learn the combined strategy and knowledge of the horse racing sport. Horse betting begins with selecting a horse you believe will win the race in a particular order, where each horse is assigned to its odds. Then place your bet, whether win where you bet the horse to finish first, place, where you bet the horse to finish the race in first or second position, or show where you bet the horse to finish the race in the first place, second place or the third place. You can also make more complex bets, like exactly where you predict the first and second-place horses or trifectas where you will guess the top three winning horses in order.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Horse Racing Betting Apps
● Total Number of Tracks and Races
The best online horse betting sites will offer the bettor with races from all over the world.
● Betting Markets and Odds
Betting markets and odds do highly affect the player’s chances of winning; ensure you get a horse betting site that will offer a variety of betting markets and competitive odds
● Bonuses and Promotions
Choosing a horse race betting app that offers you multiple and generous bonuses will help boost your waging journey
● Live Streaming and Other Unique Features
Choosing a betting site that offers unique features, such as the live streaming option, will help you enjoy your bet on races as they happen.
Understanding the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act
The Horseracing Integrity Act enhances modernized regulations across state lines and a uniform national medication program that encourages fair competition and prioritizes the safety and welfare of the people and athletes in the noble sports of kings. The Horse Racing Integrity Act can achieve this by providing increased security and welfare for jokers, horses, and drivers, establishing a conflict-free and self-regulatory organization that is responsible for creating and implementing the horse racing anti-dropping program, developing a standardized list of permitted and restricted substances for all the covered races, and finally by banning the use of any medication within 24 hours of race and accessing full information disclosure of the breeding stock purchasers and wagering public.
The Difference Between Pari-Mutuel and Fixed Odds Wagering
Here are the main differences between fixed odds wagering and a pari-mutuel:
In fixed-odd wagering, the bettor is effectively betting against the bookmaker, while in pari-mutuel betting, the bettor is essentially wagering against their fellow bettors. In this type of betting, once the bettor locks their bet, odds do not move one way or another, while in pari-mutuel betting, odds can change drastically as post time approaches.
In Pari-mutuel, the winnings are distributed to all the bettors who choose the winning outcome, which can reduce the bettor’s payout, while in fixed odds betting, the payout remains the same as it is determined by the odds and the amount of bet placed.
What are the Biggest Horse Races in the US?
Here are the biggest horse races in the United States:
● Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby is an American grade 1 stakes race run by a three-year-old thoroughbred at a distance of one and a quarter miles. This horse race is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where fillies carry 121 pounds while colts and geldings carry 126 pounds.
● Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is a thoroughbred horse grade 1 race run over a distance of 1 and 3/16 miles on dirt. This race is held annually on the third Saturday in May at the Baltimore, Maryland Pimlico Race Course. The colts and geldings carry 126 pounds, while the files have 121 pounds.
● Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade 1 stakes race run over the worldwide classic distance of 1 and a half miles at Belmont Park in Elmont. This race is for a three-year-old thoroughbred run where fillies carry 121 pounds while colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds.
● Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders Cup is the annual series of grade 1 thoroughbred horse races operated by Breeders Cup Limited, formed in 1982. This event has been a two-day event since 2007, although previously, it was a single-day event.
The Biggest Horse Racing Events in the World
Starting with the Kentucky Derby, where players dress up with fancy hats and watch fast horse races, there are several exciting horse racing events held annually to bring horse racing tradition excitement. Another major horse racing event is the Preakness Stakes, held in Maryland, where if the horse wins all three-race series, it is a great deal for the bettor, and the Belmont Stakes, a long horse race held in New York.
How to Bet the Triple Crown
Signing up to a horse betting site is just the start of your betting journey, but don’t get stuck in the bookmark without the know-how to start betting on the Triple Crown. To begin betting on the triple crown is easy; simply ensure that you choose your race trend and choose it carefully, take advantage of speed rating, and then ensure that the position does not get to you by ignoring the hype, the trends, the betting markets, and the influence of other bettors who may seek to put you off by disagreeing with your betting choice and lastly stick with TVG for a detailed history of the event.
Tips for Choosing the Best Online Horse Betting Sites
Here are some of the features that we consider when rating the best horse betting sites:
● Mobile Betting
When rating a horse betting site, we seek a bookmaker that gives the player a handy edge through mobile betting. The best horse racing betting app is designed to offer super convenient and breeze betting to the player through exclusive promos and enticing rewards, a user-friendly interface, quick access, and a push notification for updates.
● Customer Support
Another major sign of the quality of a horse race betting app is a good customer service system. When rating the best horse racing betting app, we, therefore, consider apps that offer a 24/7 dependable customer support system via several channels.
● Banking and Payout Speed
What is wagging without a quick payout? We are focused on ensuring the customer’s waging satisfaction and enjoyment through fast payout options. The available payment options in the app determine the ease of payment making and the payout speed. We ensure that we rate the best horse racing betting apps that offer safe, swift, and accessible payment options
● Security and Trust
We don’t take chances regarding the betting app security, as the safety of the player’s information is our top priority when picking horse racing betting sites. We choose a betting app that is legalized by being licensed through a recognized gaming authority.
Different Horse Racing Wager Types
Regarding horse betting in the best horse racing betting apps, there is no shortage of bet types. Some of these bets are:
● Straight Bets
Straight bets are the most straightforward bets where the wager bets on a single horse to win, place, or show.
● Across the Board Bets
Across-the-board bets allow the wager to bet on a horse to win, place, or show all at once.
● Keying Horses
Just as it sounds it involves the wager choosing an essential horse that must finish the race first and two or more horses that will end in any order.
● Flat Racing
In flat racing wagers, the bettor can place a win, place, or show bet as these races are focused on speed other than the ability to overcome obstacles as they are performed on a flat-level track
● Steeplechase Racing
Commonly known as run over the fence, in this race, the horse is involved in diverse fence jumps and ditching of obstacles.
● Harness Racing
Harness racing wager is quite similar to thoroughbred racing where bettors can place pari-mutuel wagers on a horse to win, place, or show and can also play a combination of horses in exotic bets.
● Endurance Racing
Endurance racing involves betting on a horse competing against time and other horses in a long-distance marathon.
● Single Horse Wagers: Win, Place, Show
Single horse waging is the primary horse racing bet type, where a winning bet means that the waged horse must win the race, a place bet means that the waged horse must finish in the first or second position in the race, while showplace implies that the waged horse must finish the race in either the first place, second or the third place.
● Multi-Horse Wagers
Multiple horse wagers is a multiplier bet that involves betting on various selections, such as combining single bets into one chance.
Best Horse Breeds for Racing
● Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred horses are well developed for horse racing through their speed, agility, and spirit, hence receiving the word “hot-blooded horse.
● Standardbred
Standardbred is an American horse breed that is well recognized for its aptitude in harness racing, where members of the species compete at either a trot or pace.
● Arabian
The Arabian horse breed is the most recognizable in the world as it originated from the Arabian peninsula, and they have a distinctive head shape and a high tail carriage.
● Quarter
Quarter breed is an American breed of horse that can outrun other horse breeds in short-distance races of a quarter mile or less.
All About Virtual Horse Race Betting
Virtual horse betting emerged with the enhancement of technology. So what is virtual horse race betting? It is a traditional identical horse betting but on a limited number of betting markets, which involves placing bets on computer-generated horse races and tracks that take place digitally. In virtual horse race betting, the events are unpredictable. However, punters can still use the traditional horse racing approach as it’s just betting on the same thing, just that this time it’s a computer-generated race.
The Biggest Horse Races in the World
Here are the biggest horse races you can bet on on any horse betting site.
The Grand National
The Grand National is a national hunt horse race that requires the horse to jump 30 fences over two laps on a distance of 4 miles and two and a half furlongs. This race is held annually in February at Aintree Racecourse Merseyside, England.
The Royal Ascot
The Royal Ascot is a five-day flat race session for thoroughbred horses held annually at Ascot Racecourse Berkshire in Britain in June, where the distance to be covered varies with the race.
The Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup is held on dirt by thoroughbreds aged four years and above as it is a group 1 flat race. This race is held on the last Saturday in March at the United Arab Emirates of Dubai in Meydan Racecourse
The Saudi Cup
The Saudi Cup is a grade 1 flat horse race where horses cover a distance of 9 furlongs. These races are held annually in February in Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Racetrack Riyadh.
The Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup is the most famous thoroughbred race in Australia since 1861. This race is held on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne for three-year-olds and up horses that race for approximately 2 miles.
Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby is a Group 1 flat race for three-year-old colts and fillies that run for about 1 mile and four furlongs on every first Saturday of June at historic Epsom Downs. The richest flat race was held in 1789 in the UK, and as a result, many races worldwide have been named after it, such as the Kentucky Derby.
Japan Cup
Being one of the most precious horse races in Japan, the Japan Cup is held every last Saturday of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu. These races cover a total of one and a half miles.
Horse Racing Betting Guide: Tips & Strategies
Below are some tips to smoothen your betting journey;
● Racing Programs
The best horse racing betting app offers a racing program that contains complete information about the race, including the past performances of the horse and jockey. The wager can depend on this program when picking their pick.
● Bankroll
Being the money you wish to spend on a horse race betting app, the bettor is urged to set a budget and stay disciplined to avoid overspending.
● Past Performances
Analyzing the horse’s past performances provided by the horse race betting app will help you select the most potential horse to win the race before placing your bet.
● Live Betting and Streaming
Live streaming features from the best horse betting sites allow the bettor to watch the races as they happen, giving them first-hand and detailed information that they can use to bet on the race.
● Free Bet
Being a bonus from a legalized horse betting app, the free bet allows the wager to bet on the horse race without spending any real money and still stand a chance to win real money.
● Jockey Experience
When picking your winning horse, always consider the horse with an experienced jockey, as they have a better chance of guiding it to victory.
● Covers Tip
Cover tips are essential when making informed bets as they are advice from experts on which horse they think will likely win.
Understanding Horse Racing Odds and Picks
It’s crucial to understand the potential payout determiner offered by these horse racing betting apps and make informed picks as they determine your betting experience outcome and your potential winnings. Betting odds may vary depending on the past horse performance, jockey, track conditions, and the horse betting site in use. Picks involve selecting the horse you want to bet on where you can rely on the horse racing betting sites’ handicappers who analyze the race data.
How to Calculate Payouts
In horse betting, the bettor is betting against other bettors, which results in the odds fluctuating every time a bet is made. So how do the best online horse betting sites calculate your payout? These betting sites start by subtracting the house cut of 15% on the total pool, then removing the amount of winning dollars from the total pool, then dividing the remaining pool by the amount of cash bet by the winner, and then adding back the winning bet amount.
Horse Racing Betting FAQ
Is Racing Betting Legal in States That Don’t Have Active Race Tracks?
Yes, online players can legally place racing bets held in other states.
What is the Minimum Age to Bet on Horse Races Online?
The minimum age to bet on horse races is 18 years.
What is the Difference Between the Morning Line and the Actual Odds?
The morning line odds serve as the starting point for betting on each horse race while the actual ones are odds offered at any given time.
How Can I Tell Which Horse Betting Sites are Legal in My State?
Check out for an updated list of all the horse racing betting sites and apps licensed in that state.
What Does “ADW” Refer To?
Advance – deposit wagering which means betting sites that require bettors to deposit money first before placing a bet.
What Does “OTB” Refer To?
Off-track betting refers to placing horse racing bets without having to visit the racetracks.
Did Florida Vote to End Greyhound Betting?
No, Florida voters can still bet on greyhound races held in other states via the best horse betting sites.
How Do I Deposit at Online Racebooks?
Log into the online racebook casino, go to the deposit option and use your preferred banking option to transfer money from your bank account to your casino wallet.
What is Virtual Horse Racing Betting?
Placing online bets on horse races that take place digitally with horses and tracks being generated by a computer.
What is Fixed-Odds Horse Racing Betting?
This is a type of betting where the player receives fixed betting odds when betting.
Is Fixed-Odds Horse Racing Betting Legal Anywhere in the US?
Yes, New Jersey and Colorado have legalized fixed-odds horse racing betting.
Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Horse Racing Winnings?
Yes, the Internal Revenue Service requires all bettors to pay taxes on their horse racing winnings.
How Do Historical Horse Racing Machines Work?
These machines resemble slot machines however they use past races to generate the outcome of every spin of the reels.
What Are the Best Online Horse Betting Sites and Online Horse Racing Betting Apps?
The best online horse betting sites include FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesarea and BetMGM while the best horse racing betting apps are Bet365, Unibet and BetGoodwin.
What Is Virtual Horse Betting?
Virtual horse betting allows players to place wagers on simulated races every few minutes.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Bet on Horses?
The legal age for you to bet on horses is at least 18 years.
Gamble Responsibly
It is important for players to understand the importance of responsible gambling to become responsible gamblers. This means enjoying the activity in moderation and with a set budget in mind to ensure you don’t overspend.