New York Horse Racing Betting Sites

Legal online horse racing betting options in New York include licensed betting sites and apps, also known as advance deposit wagering providers or ADWs.

Fans can use licensed ADWs from anywhere in the state to bet on races in New York, other states, and overseas. The best New York horse racing betting sites have agreements with hundreds of track operators for access to every race’s pari-mutuel wagering pools to provide true track odds to customers. As a result, fans who use New York online racebooks receive the same pari-mutuel odds and payouts as they would at the track.

However, ADWs licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission are the only websites that provide true pari-mutuel wagering. Fans should note that some offshore betting sites look professional but don’t provide true track odds, live racing video, or the safety guarantees licensed operators offer.

Below is a list of New York horse racing betting sites that hold ADW licenses from the NYS Gaming Commission:

The NYS Gaming Commission website does not provide a straightforward list of licensed operators, but there’s a workaround for anyone who wishes to confirm which betting sites hold ADW licenses in New York. Readers can visit the “ADW Market Origin Credit Reports” tab on this page and select a recent report to see a list of licensed brands active in New York.

New York Horse Racetracks

Eleven New York race tracks offer live horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering. Four tracks host thoroughbred racing, while the other seven offer harness racing betting. Additionally, some New York horse racing tracks have casinos nearby or attached to their properties.

Racetracks enforce a minimum age of 18 to bet on horses and play video gaming machines, including electronic table games. However, casinos with live dealer games require players to be 21 or older.

Aqueduct Racetrack

110-00 Rockaway Blvd
Jamaica, NY 11417

Aqueduct is one of three New York Racing Association (NYRA) thoroughbred race tracks. It hosts live racing from December through April, with most races held on the weekends. General admission and parking are free during most racing events at Aqueduct.

Guests can also visit Lonshots bar for simulcasting, many TVs, and personal betting carrels from 11 AM through 6 PM on most days, with a $10 admission fee. Other dining options include concession stands, food trucks, and a fine dining restaurant open on select race days.

In addition, Aqueduct is connected to New York City’s only casino, Resorts World NYC. The casino features over 6,500 video gaming machines, 1,300 electronic table games, multiple restaurants, and a 400-room Hyatt Regency hotel.

Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel

8315 Park Rd
Batavia, NY 14020

Batavia Downs hosts a Fall racing season from July through December, and a winter meet from January through February. In addition, the Simulcast Center at Batavia Downs offers year-round simulcasting seven days a week.

Standard race days at Batavia Downs are on Wednesdays and Sundays through most of the year, but the track also hosts races on Sundays from July through August and Fridays from September through early October.

Other features at Batavia Downs include trackside dining on live race days, a casino with 850 machines, multiple restaurants, event space, and an 84-room hotel.

Belmont Park

2150 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont, NY 11003

Belmont Park hosts live thoroughbred races from April through July and September through October. Most race days occur on Saturdays and Sundays, and general admission to standard races is $5. In addition, this NYRA track is home to the famous Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown.

Fans can also visit Belmont Park for daily simulcast wagering, trackside dining, concessions, and a café. Belmont Park also hosts family-friendly activities throughout the year, including Super Saturdays during the Fall Meet featuring pumping carving, bounce castles, carnival games, and more.

Buffalo Raceway

5600 McKinley Pkwy
Hamburg, NY 14075

Buffalo Raceway hosts live harness racing from March through May each year. Race days during the season happen on Wednesdays and Saturdays during March and on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for the rest of the meet.

Guests can also visit the Buffalo Raceway Clubhouse from Wednesdays through Sundays for simulcast wagering from thoroughbred and standardbred race tracks nationwide.

Buffalo Raceway offers free parking and admission, a sports bar, and a café. The track is adjacent to Delaware North’s Hamburg Gaming, featuring 900 video gaming machines.

Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack

5857 NY-96
Farmington, NY 14425

Finger Lakes Racetrack hosts live thoroughbred horse racing from late April through November, with race days from Mondays to Wednesdays. The track welcomes guests of all ages on live race days, but guests must be 18 or older to visit the simulcast wagering area on days with no live races.

The Finger Lakes Racetrack simulcasting area offers pari-mutuel tellers and self-serve wagering terminals. This Delaware North property also has a 44,000-square-foot casino featuring more than 1,100 video gaming machines and four dining options.

Monticello Raceway

204 Route 17B
Monticello, NY 12701

Monticello Raceway hosts year-round harness racing Mondays through Thursdays and simulcast wagering seven days a week. In 2019, Monticello Raceway ceased its gaming operations to consolidate with Resorts World Catskills, about a ten-minute drive to the Southeast on NY-17 E.

The nearby casino offers 150 table games, 1,600 slots, a 19-table poker room, a sportsbook, two Topgolf swing suites, multiple dining options, and an all-suites hotel. Guests must be 21 or older to enter the casino and 18+ to wager on horses at the track.

Saratoga Race Course

267 Union Ave
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saratoga Race Course hosts live thoroughbred racing from July through September every Wednesday through Sunday. In addition, the track offers simulcast wagering at its four-story grandstand, with dedicated simulcast TVs on the first and second floors. General admission is $7 when purchasing tickets at least 24 hours in advance or $10 at the door, and guests can choose from several full-service dining and concession options.

Saratoga race track also holds family-friendly events every Sunday featuring various attractions and educational activities. Other regular events include Breakfast at Saratoga, live music at the Summer Concert Stage, and food & drink sampling at the Taste NY Pavilion.

Saratoga Casino Harness Track

342 Jefferson St
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saratoga Casino, formerly known as Saratoga Harness Track, hosts harness racing year-round from Saturdays through Tuesdays every week. Additionally, the Saratoga Casino racetrack offers year-round simulcasting on the second-floor mezzanine.

The on-property casino features 1,200+ video gaming machines, video poker, and electronic table games. Saratoga also hosts a 117-room hotel with an indoor pool and multiple dining options.

Tioga Downs

2384 West River St
Nichols, NY 13812

Tioga Downs racetrack hosts live harness racing every May through September, with race days held every Friday through Sunday. The track also offers year-round simulcast wagering from Wednesdays through Sundays starting at 11:30 AM daily.

The casino at Tioga Downs hosts nearly 900 slots and video poker machines, a sportsbook powered by FanDuel, 28 table games, and a six-table poker room. The property is also home to an 18-hole par 71 golf course, multiple restaurants, and a 160-room hotel. Hotel amenities include an indoor saltwater pool, an outdoor pool, a water slide, and a spa.

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel

4229 Stuhlman Rd
Vernon, NY 13476

Vernon Downs racetrack hosts live harness racing every April through November. Fridays and Saturdays account for most race days, but Vernon Downs hosts a handful of races throughout the year on Sundays and Thursdays.

Guests can also visit the Simulcast Room just off the hotel lobby, featuring three massive theater-style screens, 27 carrels, and 11 private tables with individual TVs.

Food options at Vernon Downs include trackside dining and restaurants within the casino. Additionally, Vernon Downs Casino has more than 500 video gaming machines and a 150-room hotel with an indoor heated pool and kid-friendly amenities.

Yonkers Raceway

810 Yonkers Ave
Yonder, NY 10704

Yonkers Raceway at Empire City casino holds harness racing year-round on weekdays for most of the year and adds Saturday races from late May through October. Guests can also visit the track seven days a week for year-round simulcast wagering.

In addition, the attached Empire City Casino features more than 4,600 video gaming machines and electronic table games, four restaurants, and live entertainment from 10 PM to 2 AM every day at the Entertainment Lounge.

Major New York Horse Races

NYRA’s three race tracks at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course hold New York’s most prestigious Grade 1 horse racing events. However, New York’s other race tracks also host many other significant thoroughbred and harness races each year.

Below are brief overviews of some of the biggest horse races in New York:

• Acorn: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in June at Belmont
• Alabama: $600,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap: $350,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in July at Saratoga Race Course
• A P Smithwick Memorial: $150,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in July at Saratoga Race Course
• Ballerina: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mare, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Belmont Stakes: $1,500,000, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in June at Belmont
• Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational: $1,000,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Carter Handicap: $300,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in April at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Champagne: $500,000 purse, open to 2yo thoroughbreds, held in October at Belmont
• Coaching Club American Oaks: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in July at Saratoga Race Course
• Diana: $500,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in July at Saratoga Race Course
• Forego: $600,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Fourstardave Handicap: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Frizette: $400,000 purse, open to 2yo fillies, held in October at Belmont
• Jaipur: $400,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in June at Belmont
• Jockey Club Gold Cup: $1,250,000 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in September at Saratoga Race Course
• Joe Hirsch Turf Classic: $500,000, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in October at Belmont
• Jonathan Sheppard: $150,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• H Allen Jerkens Memorial: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap: $1,000,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in June at Belmont
• Hopeful: $300,000 purse, open to 2yo thoroughbreds, held in September at Saratoga Race Course
• Longines Just a Game: $500,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in June at Belmont
• Longines Test: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• New York: $750,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in June at Belmont
• Ogden Phipps: $500,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in June at Belmont
• Personal Ensign: $600,000 purse, open to 4yo+ fillies and mares, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Resorts World Casino Manhattan: $750,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in June at Belmont
• Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer: $750,000 purse, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Runhappy Travers: $1,250,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Spinaway: $300,000 purse, open to 2yo fillies, held in September at Saratoga Race Course
• Whitney: $1,000,000 purses, open to 4yo+ thoroughbreds, held in August at Saratoga Race Course
• Woodward: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held in October at Belmont
• Woody Stephens: $400,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in June at Belmont

New York Off-Track Betting Locations

Five government-run public benefit corporations operate nearly 170 off-track betting facilities (OTBs) throughout New York. Nassau OTB locations enforce a minimum age of 21 to bet on horse races, while locations managed by the other four corporations require bettors to be 18 or older.

Each corporation maintains a list of New York OTBs below.

• Capital OTB Locations (Capital District region)
• Interbets OTB Locations (Catskills region)
• Suffolk OTB Locations (Suffolk region)
• Nassau Downs OTB Locations (Nassau region)
• Western OTB Locations (Western region)

New York Fixed-Odds Horse Racing Betting

Fixed-odds horse racing wagering may eventually come to New York.

Senator Joseph Addabbo, who heads the New York Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, introduced legislation (SB S2343) in early 2023 authorizing licensed New York online sportsbooks to offer fixed-odds betting on horse races. The proposal also included provisions allowing self-serve terminals to offer fixed-odds wagering at stadiums and auto race tracks.

The concept has gained momentum recently, especially since New Jersey and Colorado passed legislation in 2021 and 2022 authorizing fixed-odds horse racing betting.

Whereas pari-mutuel wagering odds are subject to change even after bettors place their wagers, fixed-odds horse racing wagering allows fans to lock in their prices.

Supporters say fixed-odds horse racing wagering appeals to a broader fanbase and younger demographic because it feels more like sports betting. It also eliminates something that annoys experienced sports bettors, which is placing a wager on a horse only to see the payout odds change later.

Senator Addabbo introduced similar legislation in 2021, but the bill failed to garner enough support to advance before the end of the legislative session. However, Addabbo’s effort enjoys some influential supporters, including the New York Racing Association and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Chair of the Committee on Racing and Wagering.

New York Horse Racing Betting Law

New York legalized pari-mutuel horse racing betting in 1939 after voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1 by a 67-to-33 margin during the November election.

Since then, the New York horse racing betting industry has expanded by orders of magnitude, and state laws have evolved alongside the industry. In 1970, New York passed a law allowing some local governments to operate off-track betting facilities to raise revenue and reduce illegal gambling.

The 1970 law eventually led to the creation of six regional OTB corporations. The New York City OTB corporation died in December 2010 after NYC’s last OTB closed, but the other five remain operational today. Licensed OTBs may also operate advance deposit wagering platforms with the permission of the NYS Gaming Commission.

As a result, legal New York horse racing betting is now available through pari-mutuel wagering at race tracks, OTBs, and online racebooks.

New York law grants the NYS Gaming Commission regulatory power over all thoroughbred and standard racing and pari-mutuel wagering. In addition, state law requires all horse race organizers, advance deposit wagering operators, and most of the industry’s employees to acquire licenses from the NYS Gaming Commission.

Readers can browse New York’s horse racing laws and regulations in full below:

• NY Horse Racing Laws: NY Rac, Pari-Mut Wag & Breeding L §§ 100-1201
• NY Horse Racing Regulations: 9 NYCRR §§ 4000-4560.9

New York Horse Racing Betting FAQ