DRF Bets Review
DRF Bets is the online horse betting extension of DRF.com, which veteran handicappers will recognize as the most trusted source of horse racing news and past performances in the world.
The Daily Racing Form has been in operation since 1894 and launched advance-deposit wagering under the DRF Bets brand in 2011, nearly 120 years later. It now offers online horse racing betting in 38 states as a legal, reputable, and highly experienced operator.
Read on for a full DRF Bets review that will delve deep into its pari-mutuel wagering platform, promotions, $200 welcome bonus, and more.
DRF Bets
- $200 Signup Bonus
- Cashback Loyalty Program
- Great Track Selection
Pros
Trusted Horse Racing BrandSimple Betting InterfaceGenerous Cashback RewardsCons
Infrequent PromotionsCan’t Bet The Kentucky DerbyDRF Bets Promo Code
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
DRF Bets Promo Code | STAKES |
| Welcome Bonus | Deposit $200, Get $200 + 10 All Access PPs |
| Key Terms | Must deposit exactly $200 to claim this offer Must wager $400 before withdrawing Deposit within seven days of registration to claim this offer |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
DRF Bets offers a new customer bonus, access to free past performances, and a cashback loyalty rewards program that all come together to make this one of the better sites for new users.
The first thing bettors encounter upon visiting bets.drf.com is a three-part new customer bonus:
- $200 first deposit bonus with the DRF Bets promo code STAKES
- Ten free All Access PPs
- Plus: earn an additional card for every $50 wagered
DRF Bets Bonus Details
$200 Deposit BonusDRFBets Promo Code: STAKESDRF Bets welcomes all new customers with a 100% first deposit match bonus worth $200. New users who register with the promo code STAKES and deposit exactly $200 receive an extra $200 in bonus cash to wager with a total bankroll of $400.
In addition, new users can bet with their bonus cash and receive ten free All Access PPs. Daily Racing Form’s All Access PPs provide Classic, Formulator & TimeformUS PPs all in one. With All Access PPs, customers can view detailed trainer stats, video replays, specialized charts, DRF reports, Quick Sheets, and more.
New customers can claim the DRF Bets bonus by using the DRFBets promo code STAKES when registering and making a deposit within seven days of signing up.
Terms and Conditions: New users have 7 days to claim their welcome bonus by making a deposit with the promo code STAKES. After receiving their bonus, bettors must use it within 7 days. Customers may withdraw after wagering the funds + initial deposit one time (place $400 worth of wagers).
How to Earn Additional Free Past Performances
DRF Bets customers can earn additional free past performances by wagering on horse races. For every $50 in wagers bettors place, they receive one free PP credit to redeem for Formulator, DRF Classic, DRPs, Harness Eye, and Daily Harness programs.
Each credit is worth one card, which players can claim for free by logging in, visiting the handicapping store, and selecting the PP they want.
DRF Bets Cashback Rewards Program
After a significant overhaul, the new DRF Bets cashback rewards program offers customers DRF store credit and up to 5% cashback on wagering activity.
Bettors unlock weekly cash back by wagering $500 or more in a single week. The rewards increase significantly from there:
| Weekly Wagering | Cash Back on WP Bets | Cash Back on Exotics |
|---|---|---|
| $500+ | 0.5% | 1% |
| $1,000+ | 1.25% | 1.5% |
| $2,000+ | 1.5% | 2% |
| $5,000+ | 1.5% | 2% |
| $10,000+ | 2% | 3.25% |
| $20,000+ | 2.25% | 4% |
| $40,000+ | 2.75% | 5% |
In addition, bettors who wager $1,000+ in a month get a free monthly subscription to DRF Plus Pro the following month.
A tiered rewards program offers additional perks to bettors that include DRF store cash, free DRF picks, and more:
DRF Bets Track Coverage and Types of Bets
DRFBets customers can bet on races held at more than 300 race tracks worldwide. Track coverage includes all the most prominent race tracks in the United States and lets users wager on all major racing festivals, with direct access to track pools.
Direct access to track pools is an important point to note. All wagers customers place online are pooled with wagers taken in-person at the track. As a result, bettors are paid at full track odds and contribute to the health of local horse racing industries.
As for horse betting options, bets.drf.com offers every type of wager that fans can place in person at each track. This includes the usual array of win, place, and show bets in addition to all the exotics. Customers may also key and box their bets at will.
DRF Bets provides live racing video and video replays as well for all customers. After signing in, bettors can visit any track to place bets, and most will have a live video feed available.
More About DRF Bets
Bets.drf.com relies on technology from another legal US racebook, Xpressbet. In fact, the DRF website itself even states that “by opening an account through DRF Bets, account holders are ultimately opening an account with XpressBet, LLC.”
So, if DRF Bets is just a white-label product licensed to offer horse racing through Xpressbet, why not just sign up for an account at Xpressbet? The short answer is that it comes down to rewards and benefits. DRF Bets offers an excellent welcome bonus and a comprehensive loyalty program that are hard to beat.
If you already have an account with Xpressbet, you may only open an account at DRF Bets by calling DRF customer support and asking to transfer your Xpressbet account over to DRF. It is not possible to maintain accounts on both websites simultaneously.
Head-to-Head: DRF Bets or Xpressbet?
You can only have one account at a time between DRF Bets and Xpressbet, so you’ll need to choose one or the other. My experience with both sites is that they have more in common than not. They have similar numbers of tracks on offer, live video options, and deposit and withdrawal methods.
One difference is that DRF Bets grants customers free access to various past performances and racing programs due to its association with DRF.com. If you’re a serious handicapper and want access to the most detailed PPs, DRF Bets is the better option.
On the other hand, Xpressbet has a bigger welcome bonus (up to $1000). This matters if you’re still in the early bankroll-building stages. Just keep in mind that the smaller offer is easier to clear because the Xpressbet bonus requires users to bet a total of $10,000 to get the full $1,000 bonus.
In addition, the DRF Bets interfaces on desktop, iOS, and Android are unique compared to the Xpressbet platform.
Being owned and operated by the Daily Racing Form gives bets.drf.com a leg-up over other betting sites in terms of analysis, news, and access to premium past performances. Another major benefit of DRF Bets is free access to past performances from DRF, TimeformUS, and Equibase.
Additionally, DRF Bets offers other benefits such as free Beyer Speed Figures, free DRF Expert Picks, and exclusive features such as letting bettors place wagers directly through their interactive Classic DRF PPs.
Horse racing fans won’t go wrong with either racebook, but DRF horse racing has the advantage due to its extensive rewards program, massive stats database, handicapping tools, and unique wagering features.
DRFBets Deposit Methods
After signing up, DRF horse racing customers can fund their accounts immediately with the following deposit options:
- ACH Bank Transfer: Bettors can move funds from their bank accounts to their DRF Bets accounts instantly and with no fees.
- Credit Card: DRF Bets accepts Visa and Mastercard.
- Debit Card: Customers can deposit with their Visa or Mastercard debit cards online or by phone.
- Check or Money Order: Bettors can fund their DRF Bets accounts by sending a check or money order to DRF Bets, 200 Racetrack Road, Building 26, Washington PA 15301
- PayNearMe: Selecting PayNearMe generates a payslip that customers can take to a nearby retailer to fund their DRF Bets accounts with cash.
- Green Dot MoneyPak: Green Dot MoneyPak involves purchasing a MoneyPak with cash from the nearest participating retailer and redeeming it online through the DRF Bets cashier.
- Wire Transfer: DRF Bets offers free wire transfers for amounts of $250 or more, although many banks still charge separate fees on all outgoing wire transfers.
- PayPal: PayPal offers fast and easy deposits and withdrawals for DRF Bets customers. Bettors must use personal PayPal accounts linked to a bank account.
DRF Bets User Interface
Most bettors will find the DRF Bets wagerpad reasonably intuitive. However, DRF Bets throws a lot of information at customers on the main home screen, and it takes a little while to figure out how to customize everything to one’s liking.
The best thing new users can do is jump in and start exploring the interface. Getting everything perfectly customized will take some time, but bettors won’t have any trouble placing their first bets because the main layout on the home screen shows a list of tracks and upcoming races. Selecting any race takes users to an informational page with horse notes, pools, odds, and the wagerpad.
Additionally, DRF Bets offers wagering through Classic and Formulator PPs.
DRF Bets Customer Support
Customer support at DRF Bets is refreshingly competent and courteous. Most betting sites seem to only excel in one or the other, but DRF Bets customer support is the complete package.
Editor’s note: I called DRF Bets customer support to transfer my Xpressbet account to DRF Bets (customers may only have an account at one or the other). I accidentally called DRF.com instead of its online wagering division, but the two support reps I spoke with were pleasant, helpful, knowledgeable, and native English speakers.
If you have any questions or problems, I am confident DRF Bets will give you the support you need. DRF answered my call in under one minute, and I had my answer roughly five minutes after that.
DRF Bets Accepted States
DRF Bets is available in the following states:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas |
| California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | Florida | Idaho |
| Illinois | Indiana | Iowa |
| Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana |
| Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan |
| Minnesota | Montana | Nebraska |
| New Hampshire | New Mexico | New York |
| North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Vermont |
| Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
DRF Bets FAQ
Expert Opinion: Is DRF Bets Legit?
DRF Bets is a licensed advance deposit wagering (ADW) operator and only operates in states where legally allowed to offer its services. Further, DRF Bets is the official ADW of the Daily Racing Form, publisher of past performances since 1894.
In short, BettingUSA has no concerns regarding the pedigree of DRF Bets. It’s a quality horse racing betting site in most respects, and it is especially noteworthy for the data, betting tools, and loyalty rewards it provides to customers.
Mike Murphy is the founder of BettingUSA.com and has over 10 years of experience in the legal gambling industry. A regular attendee of industry trade shows and conferences, Mike is a strong proponent in the idea of a well regulated online betting industry.