Online horse racing betting is legal in most US states. In fact, licensed horse racing betting sites in the USA have agreements in place with local tracks that allow fans across the country to watch live simulcast races and bet on races held around the country.

All racebooks listed on BettingUSA.com are legal, licensed and operate in compliance with federal law in the USA.

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites

TwinSpires$200 Welcome BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: BET200 Get Bonus
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On this page, BettingUSA.com discusses legal horse racing betting sites, bonuses and promotions, applicable horse racing laws, major horse racing events, how to bet on horse races, and what all new fans need to know about getting started.

Online Horse Racing Betting Apps

Strong regulations at the state level ensure a safe experience at licensed horse racing betting sites, but some online racebooks and horse betting apps stand above others when it comes to the number of tracks covered, wagering interface, handicapping tools, and the value of promotions.

The best horse betting sites cover hundreds of race tracks and have agreements in place with each track allowing online bettors access to each track’s pari-mutuel pools and live racing video.

BettingUSA’s online racebook reviews consider these factors and present a straightforward overview of what bettors will find at reputable horse racing betting sites.

Ideally, these reviews will help every fan decide where to bet on horse racing online for the best possible experience.

Racebook Reviews

Horse Racing Betting Bonuses And Promotions

Horse racing betting sites use signup promotions and deposit bonuses to attract new customers and enhance marketing campaigns.

Horse racing fans who sign up for online betting accounts almost always receive first deposit bonuses or welcome promotions designed to entice new customers.

It’s important to understand how horse racing betting bonuses and promotions work. All promos are different and come with terms and conditions that impact their bottom-line value.

Our guide explains how horse racing bonuses work and what customers should know before they sign up.

Here’s a look at current signup horse betting promotions from leading US racebooks:

AmWager Bonus: 100% up to $150

AmWager$150 Deposit BonusAmWager Promo Code: BUSA150 Get Bonus

New AmWager customers can claim a 100% first deposit bonus worth up to $150.

Bettors can claim their AmWager bonus by signing up for an account and using the promo code BUSA150.

Twinspires Bonus: $200 Extra

TwinSpires$200 Welcome BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: BET200 Get Bonus

TwinSpires offers all new customers a $200 first deposit bonus when using the offer code BET200 and placing real money wagers.

New Twinspires customers who sign up and wager at least $400 within 30 days receive an automatic $100 bonus, and customers who wager at least $800 receive $200 in bonus funds.

Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

States With Legal Horse Racing Betting Sites

Legal horse racing betting sites operate in most US states today, aside from a handful of exceptions due to unclear or unfavorable laws.

The map below displays which states have legal online horse racing betting according to the following key:

  • Blue: States with legal online horse racing betting
  • Red: States where the law either (a) explicitly prohibits advance deposit wagering or (b) is unclear on the issue and there are no active horse racing betting sites
Horse Racing Placeholder
Horse Racing

States Where Online Horse Racing Betting Is Prohibited

  • Alaska Horse Racing
  • Georgia Horse Racing
  • Hawaii Horse Racing
  • South Carolina Horse Racing
  • Texas Horse Racing
  • Utah Horse Racing

Is Online Horse Racing Betting Legal?

Yes. Online horse racing betting is legal at the federal level and in most US states.

Off-track betting (OTB) was first legalized in 1978 with the passage of the Interstate Horseracing Act. The Act made it legal for horse racing venues to accept wagers at off-track betting locations provided that all wagers taken at OTB locations went directly to the prize pools of the tracks hosting live horse races.

Congress amended the Act in 2000 to legalize wagers made over the telephone or “other electronic media.” This paved the way for the first legal horse racing websites and betting apps.

Online horse racing betting received further legal protection in 2006 when it was specifically exempted from a law (the UIGEA) intended to crack down on illegal online gambling.

Shortly thereafter, the first US horse racing betting sites went live. Today, the majority of US states permit online horse racing betting apps.

Betting at licensed US horse racing sites contributes to the domestic racing industry because all wagers placed online are pooled with those taken at the track.

This means that not only do you get paid at full track odds, but your business contributes to racing purses and the care of horses.

Also, US horse betting sites are not limited to taking wagers on domestic races. Licensed racebooks and ADW’s are also permitted to accept bets on races held at tracks around the world.

Horse Racing Integrity And Safety Act

One of the most significant reforms to the US horse racing industry in several decades came in the form of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), signed into law by President Trump in December 2020.

Congress passed HISA to bring uniformity to horse racing safety, medication, and anti-doping standards that were previously enforced at the state level.

Under the old model, the horse racing industry operated under a patchwork of regulations that varied by state, which supporters of HISA argued was dangerous for horses and jockeys alike.

HISA’s introductory paragraph explains the overarching purpose of the law:

To improve the integrity and safety of horseracing by requiring uniform safety and performance standards, including a horseracing anti-doping and medication control program and a racetrack safety program to be developed and enforced by an independent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, and for other purposes.

HISA established the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to work alongside the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) under the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission to form regulations, monitor the use of medications in horses, and to combat illegal doping.

The Authority also has the authority to implement minimum safety standards at race tracks.

Some of HISA’s proponents also stated the law is intended to protect the viability of horse racing as an industry. In the years leading up to the law’s passage, horse racing faced mounting calls for reform, if not outright banishment, over concerns of doping and horse safety.

A spate of deaths at Santa Anita Park in 2019 and 2020 brought the issue to a head.

As BettingUSA noted in our coverage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel said he was moved to act after reading a March 2020 op-ed in the Washington Post that called for an end to horse racing.

“We’ve seen painful tragedies on the track in recent years. Doping scandals have rocked the horse racing community,” said Mitch McConnel. “These challenges pose a threat, not only to this industry, but also to the 24,000 Kentuckians who work in it… If we want to preserve horse racing and its future, we [need] to act.”

Major Horse Racing Events

People bet money on horse races year-round, but a large portion of betting action revolves around major horse racing events.

Betting On The Triple Crown

The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes comprise the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and collectively mark the high point of the thoroughbred horse racing betting season.

The Triple Crown kicks off each year with the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday of May.

The Derby is followed by the Preakness Stakes on the third Saturday of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and this is where the equine racing world gets to see if there will be a Triple Crown contender.

The third and final Triple Crown event is the Belmont Stakes, held on the third Saturday following the Preakness Stakes. If one horse wins all three events, a Triple Crown winner is crowned for having achieved one of the most difficult feats in all of horse racing!

Note: Winning all three Triple Crown events is the pinnacle of horse racing glory, but is exceedingly difficult because every race is a different track length, and horses typically fare better at some lengths than at others.

How Betting On Horse Racing Works

Placing horse racing wagers is simple. Anyone who wants to bet on horse races online can select a licensed racebook, sign up for an account, and make a deposit to get started.

Legal horse racing betting sites accept various deposit methods, ranging from credit cards to e-wallets like PayPal, and even cash at the track.

Once a fan has a funded account, they can log in to view a list of the day’s upcoming races.

Bettors can select any race to view its program, which shows the runners, current betting odds, jockeys, track conditions, weather, and more. The program also provides a wagering menu, where bettors can choose win/place/show and various exotics, make their selections, input an amount to wager, and place their bets.

Online horse racing betting occurs in the pari-mutuel format (explained below) through contracts with each host racetrack. For example, if an online racebook wants to offer wagers on the Belmont Stakes, it must reach an agreement with Belmont Stakes for access to its pari-mutuel wagering pools and live video feeds.

Licensed racebooks may only offer wagers on tracks with which they have contracts, which is why not all racebooks cover all tracks.

However, the largest online racebooks have agreements with hundreds of tracks to offer pari-mutuel wagering.

As a result, customers receive live-streaming video feeds, a full betting menu, and payouts that are identical to what patrons at the track receive.

How Pari-Mutuel Wagering Works

The basic idea of pari-mutuel wagering is that patrons bet with one another rather than against the house.

To put it simply, all wagers taken on a race are pooled together, the house takes a cut of the pool as commission, and it pays the rest to winning bettors.

As a result, popular horses pay less because many winners split the pool. Conversely, long shot horses pay more because they attract fewer bettors who each get a larger piece of the pool.

Here’s a simple example to illustrate how pari-mutuel betting prize pools work.

Imagine a three-horse race with the following amounts bet on each horse to win:

  • Horse A: $100
  • Horse B: $200
  • Horse C: $300

The total betting pool is $600 before the house takes its commission.

Typically, racetracks take a vig of anywhere from 10% to 30%. In this example, the racetrack enforces a 10% “take” (a.k.a. commission).

That leaves us with a total pool of $540.

Now, let’s say Horse A wins the race. A total of $540 would be split evenly among the backers of Horse A. Every $1 wagered on that horse would receive $5.40 in payouts.

Now, imagine Horse B wins the race. The $540 pool would be split evenly among the backers of that horse. Because more money was bet on Horse B, every $1 wagered on that horse would receive $2.70 in payouts.

The upside to parimutuel wagering is that it does not put you in direct competition against a highly skilled oddsmaker. Racebooks do not care who wins any given race because they receive a commission regardless of the outcome.

The downside to pari-mutuel horse wagering is that the odds can fluctuate until the race begins, especially as late money comes in.

That can frustrate bettors who bet on a longshot horse at great odds only to see the odds change.

To learn more about how horse racing odds and pari-mutuel wagering work, see BettingUSA’s guides below:

Types Of Horse Bets And Wagers

The BettingUSA team provides tutorials below for placing all types of horse racing bets.

The bets outlined below can be placed in-person or online via advance deposit wagering sites and online horse racing betting apps.

The best way to learn how to bet on horses online is with the basic straight bets. As you become comfortable with how to bet on horse races you can progress up to more complex wagers.

There are all kinds of different bets that can be placed on a single race. The general rule is that the more difficult the bet is to win, the higher it pays.

For example, a straight bet on a single horse to win pays pretty well, but a bet on the exact finishing order of the top 3 horses pays even better.

Here are the most common types of horse racing bets and wagers:

Straight Bets

There are three different types of straight bets in horse racing. Straight bets are pretty simple and a good starting point for beginners.

  • Win: A bet on a single horse to take 1st place
  • Place: A bet on a single horse to take either 1st or 2nd place
  • Show: A bet on a single place to take 1st, 2nd or 3rd place

Across the Board Bets

Across the board horse racing bets are a combination of three straight wagers: a win bet, a place bet, and a show bet all put on a single horse in an upcoming race.

The end result is a combination of bets that pays for a horse that finishes anywhere in the top three:

  • If the horse finishes in first place: The win bet, place bet, and show bet all pay
  • If the horse finishes in second place: The place and show bets pay
  • If the horse finishes in third place: The show bet pays

Across the board bets are particularly attractive because they give bettors a chance to bet on a horse they like while providing a margin of error but with bigger potential payouts for a first-place showing than place or show bets.

Exotic Bets

Exotic bets are more complicated than straight bets. In an exotic bet, you make multiple picks that include more than one horse and maybe even more than one race.

  • Exacta: A bet on two horses to take 1st and 2nd place. Your horses must finish in that exact order to win
  • Quinella: A bet on two horses to take 1st and 2nd but the order doesn’t matter
  • Trifecta: A bet on three horses to take 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in that exact order
  • Superfecta: A bet on four horses to take 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in that exact order
  • Daily Double: A bet in which you pick the 1st place finishers of two different races
  • Pick 3: A bet in which you pick the 1st place finishers of three consecutive races
  • Pick 4: A bet in which you pick the 1st place finishers of four consecutive races
  • Pick 6: A bet in which you pick the 1st place finishers of six consecutive races

Boxing and Wheeling Bets

Boxing bets in horse racing is handy when you know that a few horses are solid favorites, but aren’t sure in which order they will finish. You can “box” these horses to cover every possibility.

  • Quinella Box: You pick three horses and you will win if any two of those horses finish in 1st and 2nd place. A quinella box on horses #3, #4 and #5 would cover all possible outcomes: 3-4, 3-5, 4-3, 4-5, 5-3, and 5-4.
  • Quienella Wheel
  • Trifecta Box
  • Exacta Box

You can also box exactas, trifectas, and superfecta bets.

Keying Horses

You can key horses when you have a strong feeling that one horse will finish first but you aren’t as sure about the horses that will take 2nd and 3rd place.

In other words, you have one “key” horse picked to win the race and a few other horses that will come in after that one.

So let’s say you make a $1 trifecta key of #1 over #2, #3 and #4. In this example, you need the #1 horse to win, and then any of the other three horses to finish in 2nd and 3rd place in no particular order.

Getting Started

Now that you have a grip on the basics, you can apply that knowledge to horse betting online. In practice, it’s basically the same idea.

The only difference is that instead of talking to a cashier at the racetrack, you select your wagers online.

The first thing you’ll have to do to bet online is to sign up for an account at a legal horse racing site (see the recommended legal betting sites near the top of this page).

From there, all you have to do to get started is fund your account.

Most online racebooks provide a selection of convenient horse betting deposit methods, including (but not limited to):

  • Credit and debit cards
  • Bank transfers and checks
  • Paypal and other wallets
  • Prepaid vouchers and gift cards

Once you have created an account and deposited funds, it’s time to find races you are interested in, and horses to bet on!

Thankfully leading horse racing betting apps make this process simple with high-quality software and an easy-to-use interface.

Harness Racing Betting

The modern-day equivalent of chariot racing, harness racing features a single horse pulling a rider on a two-wheeled cart.

You don’t hear about harness racing betting as often compared to thoroughbred racing, but it is still a very competitive sport with large purses and its own Triple Crown events for trotters and pacers.

Many online racebooks offer harness racing betting and provide free race previews, picks, in-depth podcasts, and other educational content.

TwinSpires, TVG, and AmWager are widely considered the best harness racing betting apps.

Greyhound Betting

Greyhound racing betting is governed by different rules than horse racing, but the basic idea is the same. In states that allow online greyhound betting, fans can use greyhound betting apps to bet on dog races.

You can read more about betting on dog races and how it works at the following link:

Horse Racing Betting FAQ

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about betting on horse racing:

Yes. Numerous states without live race tracks allow residents to bet on horse races online.

Most states establish a minimum age of 18 to bet on horse races online, with the exceptions being Alabama (19+) and Texas (21+).

The first odds to be posted for any particular race are the morning line odds, often abbreviated as ML. An oddsmaker at the track determines the morning line by comparing the horses slated to run and his or her expectation of the public betting action.

Note: Morning line odds are not necessarily a reflection of the oddsmaker’s opinion, whose primary goal is to predict how the public will bet.

Secondly, the ML only serves as a rough estimate. As wagers start coming in, the odds will change to reflect the betting action.

The actual odds are based on public pari-mutuel betting action, and payout odds are determined by the amount of money wagered.

The licensing requirements for horse betting sites vary from state to state, and not all racebooks acquire licenses in all states.

The easiest way to see which ADW betting sites operate where you live is to see our state-specific pages.

Tip: All of our betting site reviews list accepted and restricted states.

Alternatively, you can always just try signing up at one of the major horse racing betting apps. They’ll let you know early in the registration process if players from your state are not accepted.

ADW is short for “advance-deposit wagering” and refers to betting sites or betting shops that require bettors to fund their accounts prior to placing wagers.

In other words, ADW requires you to pay for your bet at the time it is placed as opposed to being able to wager on credit with a shop that settles accounts at the end of the month.

All horse racing betting sites and most phone betting operations operated as ADW’s.

Note: Online racebooks accept credit card deposits but cannot lend bettors credit.

OTB is short for “off-track betting.” As the phrase implies, it refers to placing wagers while not physically present at the racetrack.

In most cases, you’ll see OTB used in reference to simulcast betting locations.

Not exactly. Florida voters approved Amendment 13 in the 2018 midterm elections to outlaw exactly two activities:

  • Hosting live greyhound races in Florida
  • Betting on greyhound races held in Florida

Florida residents may still bet on greyhound races held in other states through online betting sites.

Major horse racing events draw impressive crowds and massive betting handles, but the sport as a whole is experiencing a slow, steady decline over the past couple of decades.

Annual betting handle is down significantly since the 1970s and many live horse racing tracks are suffering financially.

Why is horse racing a declining industry? One can point to a variety of reasons for the decline.

Americans have more gambling options, and other sports have grown in popularity. Proximity to tracks and an aging customer base are also contributing factors.

Racetracks first looked into adding other gambling games to their premises as a way to bump up revenues. Tracks that have added slots, table games, and poker have benefitted greatly from the added revenue.

Likewise, tracks are depending more and more on off-track betting and advance deposit wagering.

The horse racing industry still holds considerable political clout, which is why horse racing betting was exempted from the UIGEA in 2006.

Online betting benefits tracks directly and gives smaller tracks access to a much wider audience.

Accessibility via ADWs and online horse betting apps has done wonders for increasing revenue, but the industry still has a long way to go.

There are still concerns about PEDs, inhumane horse treatment, risks to racehorses, and life for horses after racing. If the thoroughbred racing industry can combat these issues and improve the industry’s reputation, there is room to grow.

Online betting sites aren’t the end-all solution to horse racing’s financial woes, but they do help. Combine that with unique marketing strategies, such as what Churchill Downs has accomplished over the past few years, and there are bright spots in the future.

Online racebooks accept a variety of easy-to-use betting deposit methods including credit and debit cards, PayPal, online bank transfers, and cash at the track.

Read more about depositing at online horse betting sites using our guide to betting deposits.

Virtual horse racing betting is a form of gambling in which players bet on the outcomes of simulated horse races. The experience is similar to parimutuel wagering, but virtual races occur every few minutes to provide fast-paced action around the clock.

Fixed-odds horse racing betting is an alternative to pari-mutuel wagering. The difference is that fixed-odds racing locks in the price bettors receive when they place their wagers, whereas pari-mutuel odds remain in flux until post-time.

The odds a bettor receives when placing the wager are fixed in place, even if a horse drops out of the race or a whale places a large bet on the favorite.

In contrast, pari-mutuel wagering odds are subject to change even after the bettors place their wagers. The changing nature of pari-mutuel odds may turn off some bettors, especially those accustomed to locking in their prices, as with standard sports betting.

Yes. Fixed odds horse racing betting is legal in two states, Colorado and New Jersey.

New Jersey legalized fixed-odds racing in 2021, and hopes are high that it will revitalize interest in horse racing.

Key figures in the NJ horse racing industry are hopeful other states will do the same to get more tracks on board, build momentum, and introduce the concept to the public.

Colorado followed suit in 2022 after regulators approved sportsbooks to offer fixed-odds horse racing betting.

Colorado sportsbooks must receive consent from the tracks, racing commissions, and horsemen’s associations before offering fixed-odds bets on their races.

Yes. The IRS requires bettors to report all horse racing betting winnings as income.

Federal regulations do not allow bettors to subtract the costs of wagers from their winnings, but the IRS did introduce new horse racing tax rules in 2017 to lighten its automatic reporting and withholding requirements.

Note: Winning horse bettors should speak with a qualified tax professional for assistance in all financial matters.

In some states where slots aren’t legal, racetracks have received approval to install historical horse racing machines.

Historical horse racing machines look and feel like slots but use past races to generate the outcome of every spin of the reels.

Players don’t know which race each spin will use and can’t see the horses’ names or positions, but they can view handicapping forms to make intelligent picks.

In most states, licensed online racebooks may continue offering horse racing betting to customers who have left the state where they originally signed up for accounts.

Unlike online sports betting, your state of residence is the primary determining factor of whether you can sign up for an account and bet on horse races. In online sports betting, your current physical location is the only factor that determines whether you may bet on sports.

However, state law varies and may impact your ability to continue wagering. Additionally, state horse racing laws are often unclear on this issue, so out-of-state wagering policies may vary from one online racebook to the next.

New Jersey is an example of where the laws in your home state and the state you’re visiting matter. New Jersey prohibited ADWs from serving customers who were not physically present within state lines until lawmakers changed the law in 2020 to permit out-of-state wagering. However, New Jersey law specifies that residents may not place wagers when physically located in a state that prohibits online horse racing betting.

For example, if your primary residential address is in New Jersey, you may use 4NJBets from any state except states that prohibit online horse racing betting.