Pennsylvania Horse Racing Betting
Pennsylvania horse racing betting sites and ADW apps offer parimutuel wagering to customers across the commonwealth in a legal and regulated environment. Users must be 18 or older and physically located in the state of PA to bet on horse races online.
Pennsylvania Horse Racing Betting Sites
$200 Deposit BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: BET200
$200 Deposit BonusDRFBets Promo Code: STAKES
$150 Deposit BonusAmWager Promo Code: BUSA150In-person watching and wagering options consist of six permanent race tracks, races at county fairs, and a small number of off-track betting facilities (OTBs).
In all, Pennsylvania maintains a healthy horse racing industry with numerous parimutuel wagering options and a busy live racing calendar.
The State Horse Racing Commission oversees Pennsylvania horse racing and describes its mission as follows:
“to direct, regulate, secure, and promote the horse racing and breeding industry in the commonwealth”
Pennsylvania Online Horse Betting Apps
Mobile horse racing betting is regulated in Pennsylvania by the State Horse Racing Commission. All PA racebooks must acquire licenses from the Commission and adhere to numerous consumer protection regulations.
What this means for readers is mobile horse racing betting is safe and legal in PA. Customers in the state can bet online with licensed ADWs to ensure they are treated fairly and paid promptly.
The best Pennsylvania horse racing betting apps also provide advanced handicapping tools, free past performance programs, and live video from races held around the world.
TwinSpires Pennsylvania
$200 Deposit BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: BET200TwinSpires offers online horse betting in Pennsylvania and is owned by one of the biggest names in horse racing: Churchill Downs Inc, the parent company of the Kentucky Derby. TwinSpires offers a well-rounded online wagering experience:
- Mobile wagering apps for iOS and Android plus desktop wagering at TwinSpires.com
- Official betting site of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup
- Live streaming horse races and instant replays
- Free Brisnet handicapping tools
- New customer welcome bonus plus ongoing rewards program
TVG Pennsylvania (PABets)
TVG operates an online racebook in Pennsylvania under the brand name PABets and is a quality place to bet on horse races in general. However, PABets is subject to numerous restrictions on track availability and cannot offer its wager rewards loyalty program to PA residents.
- Look for PABets in the App Store to download the mobile app
- Visit online at PABets.TVG.com
- Free past performances when you wager at least $10 on that track’s card
- Frequent promotions related to the week’s major racing events – cashback offers, free picks contests with cash prizes, cashback insurance on select wagers, and more
- Cash sign up bonus for new customers
Pennsylvania’s Live Horse Race Tracks
Live horse racing takes place in Pennsylvania at three standardbred race tracks, three thoroughbred tracks, and many county fairs that host harness racing.
Each of Pennsylvania’s permanent race tracks is a major gaming destination with casinos, sportsbooks, on-site entertainment, and more on offer. Meanwhile, county fairs host harness races across the commonwealth every Summer and Fall.
Racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia
777 Harrah’s Boulevard
Chester, PA 19013
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino Race Track hosts live standardbred harness racing from March through December and year-round simulcasting seven days a week. Harrah’s describes its 5/8 mile track, which extends partially over the Delaware River, as one of the fastest in the country.
Other amenities at the Harrah’s Philadelphia casino race track include a full-service casino, Caesars Sportsbook, four dining options, and three bars/lounges.
Hollywood Meadows Race Track
210 Racetrack Road
Washington, PA 15301
The Meadows race track offers live standardbred harness races from January through December and simulcasts races from around the country 365 days a year. In most weeks, live racing runs from Wednesday through Friday, starting at 12:40 PM. Visitors can find the latest live racing schedule, simulcasting calendar, entries and results, stats, and condition sheets here.
In addition to racing, The Meadows race track features a casino, poker room, sportsbook, bowling alley, seven restaurants and bars, and an on-site hotel with a covered walkway into the race track and casino.
Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania
1280 Highway 315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 5/8-mile harness race track and hosts live racing from February or March through November most years. The track at Mohegan Pennsylvania also provides year-round simulcast wagering starting at 11:00 AM daily.
Guests can bet on horse races in the simulcast room, on the apron and patio, and via self-serve betting kiosks. Admission and parking are free.
The property also hosts an 82,000-square foot casino, 18-table poker room, a sportsbook, 17 dining options, six bars and lounges, and a 238-room hotel.
Parx Racing
3001 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
Parx casino race track hosts live thoroughbred racing from January through December each year, with post times alternating between 12:25 and 12:55 PM. The main track at Parx East measures 1 mile, while the turf course measures 7 furlongs with a 1 1/8-mile chute.
The racebook at Parx casino also offers daily simulcast wagering year-round and holds special viewing events for major races, including the Pennsylvania Derby, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders’ Cup.
The casino attached to Parx Racing is massive, with more than 3,300 slots, 188 table games, a 48-table poker room, a sportsbook, eight dining and drinking options, and live entertainment such as comedy shows and concerts. Bet Parx also offers online sports betting and casino games to customers across the commonwealth.
Penn National Race Course
777 Hollywood Boulevard
Grantville, PA 17028
Penn National Race Course hosts live thoroughbred racing every year from January through March and June through December with a post time of 6:00 PM every day.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National also offers simulcast racing seven days a week, beginning at 12:05 or 12:25 every morning with live racing streams and instant replays from tracks across the country.
The casino at Penn National boasts more than 2,300 slots, 56 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook. Guests of the Hollywood Casino at Penn National will also find two dining options and a Topgolf Swing Suite.
Presque Isle Downs
8199 Perry Highway
Erie, PA 16509
The Presque Isle Downs thoroughbred racing season runs from May through October, with races generally held from Monday through Thursday each week. Guests can also visit Presque Isle Downs year-round for simulcast wagering seven days a week, starting between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM each day.
The Presque Isle Downs casino features 1,500+ slots, 32 table games, a seven-table poker room, and 50 self-serve sports betting kiosks.
Major Pennsylvania Horse Racing Events
Horse racing in Pennsylvania is a strong industry, with six major race tracks that host dozens of stakes races every year for standardbreds and thoroughbreds.
- Cotillion Stakes: $1,000,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held each September/early October at Parx Racing
- Pennsylvania Derby: $1,000,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held each September at Parx Racing
- Penn Mile Stakes: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held each June at Penn
- ADIOS Pace: $400,000 est. purse, open to 3yo standardbreds, held each August at The Meadows
- Presque Isle Downs Masters: $400,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held each September at Presque Isle Downs
- Presque Isle Mile: $250,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each September at Presque Isle Downs
- Penn Oaks: $200,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held each May/June at Penn National
- Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup: $200,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each June at Penn National
- 7 Forty 3 Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held each May at Penn National
- Blue Mountain Juvenile Fillies Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 2yo fillies, held each November at Penn National
- Fabulous Strike Stakes: $200,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each November at Penn National
- Swatara Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each November at Penn National
- Bobby’s Kitchen Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each June at Penn National
- Susquehanna Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held each June at Penn National
- Penn Ladies Dash: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held each June at Penn National
- Chocolate Town Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each June at Penn National
- Fred Lipkin Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held each June at Penn National
- Lyphard Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held each May at Penn National
- Robellino Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each May at Penn National
- New Start Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held each may at Penn National
- Danzig Stakes: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held each May at Penn National
Pennsylvania Off-Track Betting Locations
Three off-track betting facilities (OTBs) operate in Pennsylvania today:
- South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook
- Parx Race and Sportsbook Malvern
- Mohegan Sun Pocono at Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Online Horse Racing Betting Law
Advance deposit wagering (online horse racing betting) is legal in Pennsylvania and regulated by the State Horse Racing Commission. Under state law, advance deposit wagering operators (ADWs) must apply for licenses from the Commission to offer online betting to customers located in the commonwealth.
The most important things customers need to know about online horse racing betting in PA include the following:
- Minimum age of 18 to bet on horse races online, at tracks, and OTBs
- Customers must be residents of Pennsylvania and physically located within the commonwealth to place wagers online
- State law requires customers to provide their name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and date of birth when signing up for online betting accounts
In 2016, lawmakers passed legislation to significantly reform Pennsylvania horse racing laws. Among many other things, Act 7 of 2016 restructured the State Horse Racing Commission and instituted a licensing regime for ADW providers.
The law also replaced the unpopular 10% ADW tax with a 1.5% tax on win/place/show wagers and a 2.5% tax on exotic bets.
State law holds Pennsylvania horse racing betting apps and ADW operators to high standards, which is why bettors should always stick with licensed racebooks and horse betting sites (see our recommendations near the top of this page).
In Pennsylvania, licensed online horse racing betting operators in the state’s racing industry must:
- Demonstrate financial fitness
- Ensure all key employees hold appropriate horse racing licenses
- Must provide means and information for customers to self-exclude or place limits on their wagering activity at every facility
- Submit to an annual independent audit
- Meet general industry standards for the security of customer records, business records, and physical computing systems
- Employ a real-time independent monitoring system to detect suspicious betting patterns
Aadditional information on Pennsylvania advance deposit wagering regulations can be found here: 7 Pa. Code § 197
Pennsylvania Horse Racing Betting FAQ
Wes Burns has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of BettingUSA.com. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.