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Gone are the days when you had to travel to the nearest racetrack just to place a horse racing bet. Today, you can easily place wagers on races across the U.S. and around the globe, all from your desktop or mobile device. Online horse racing betting is now available in many states, allowing you to start betting in just minutes with minimal effort.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about online horse racing betting in the U.S. Whether you're new to this form of betting or a seasoned player, we’ll walk you through where it's legal, the top betting platforms, various bet types, and the exciting bonuses you can claim when you sign up.
Unlike traditional sports betting, where fixed odds are used, horse racing follows a system called pari-mutuel betting. In this system, a portion of the bet money goes to the operator, while the remaining pool is split among the winners based on their bets. You can legally bet on horse races in over 40 states, even in places where sports betting is still not legalized.
Horse racing in the U.S. has a rich history, starting in 1665 with the first recorded race in Salisbury, New York (now part of Hempstead Plains on Long Island). Over time, horse racing and betting became popular nationwide, but in the 19th century, anti-gambling sentiments restricted race betting.
The industry was revitalized in 1908 when pari-mutuel betting was introduced. Further growth occurred in 1978 when the Interstate Horseracing Act allowed off-track betting (OTB). The 2000 revision of this Act permitted wagers through telephones and online platforms, helping online horse racing betting grow. In 2006, online horse racing was excluded from the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA), further solidifying its legal standing.
Online horse racing betting is legal in 43 U.S. states, with 42 of them allowing online betting. However, each state has its own set of regulations, so it’s essential to understand the laws in your state before you start placing bets.
Unlike sports betting, which is legal as long as you're in a state where it is permitted, online horse racing betting requires you to be a resident of a state where it’s allowed. To verify your location, make sure your device's geolocation feature is enabled.
Below is a full list of the states where you can legally bet on horse racing and the different ways you can place your bets. Understanding the local laws and using reliable platforms will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable betting experience.
There are several ways to enjoy horse racing betting in the U.S., each with its own set of benefits and limitations. These betting methods allow you to experience the thrill of the races in different ways, depending on what suits your preferences. Let’s explore these options in more detail.
Track betting is the oldest form of horse racing betting in the U.S. that’s still in operation. This involves visiting your local racetrack and placing wagers on upcoming races for that day. Many racetracks also feature historical horse racing betting machines, allowing you to place bets on past race outcomes. While track betting offers the excitement of live races and a vibrant social atmosphere, it can require travel to the nearest racetrack, which may be far from your location.
Off-track betting (OTB) became legal in 1978, allowing licensed locations to offer pari-mutuel betting on live races and historical horse racing through machines. OTBs are generally more accessible than racetracks, making them convenient for bettors. These venues also broadcast live races, allowing you to enjoy the action from various locations. However, you still need to travel to place your wagers.
Online and mobile platforms have revolutionized horse racing betting, allowing you to place bets on races from anywhere where it is legal. Online betting comes with a variety of benefits, including the ability to claim bonuses, watch live race streams, and quickly process winnings. Although you won’t have access to historical race betting, online betting platforms offer a fast, convenient, and engaging experience.
The best horse racing betting sites in the U.S. offer a wide range of betting options. Whether you’re looking to predict a race winner, bet on multiple races, or choose horses to finish in high places, there are plenty of exciting betting options to explore. Below, we’ll walk you through some of the most popular bet types you can place.
A win bet is the simplest type of bet, where you place your wager on a horse to win the race. If your chosen horse finishes first, you win!
Place bets offer a bit more flexibility. If you place a place bet, you win if your horse finishes either first or second in the race.
A show bet is even more forgiving. Your horse can finish first, second, or third, and you’ll still win. However, the payout is lower since the risk is reduced compared to win or place bets.
Pick bets allow you to combine multiple win wagers into one parlay. For example, in a pick 3, you predict the winners of three different races. If all your predictions are correct, you win! The more selections you add to your pick bets, the higher the odds.
An exacta bet requires you to predict the winner and the horse that finishes second. Both selections must be correct for you to win the bet.
A trifecta is a bet where you predict the top three horses in the correct order. Getting all three positions right can be a challenge, but the payout is often substantial.
The superfecta bet requires you to predict the horses that will finish in the top four positions. Given the complexity of this bet, it offers higher odds and greater payouts, but the risk is also much higher.
One of the major benefits of betting online is the range of promotions and bonuses available. Online platforms offer various betting promotions, such as deposit match bonuses, allowing you to place more bets while risking less of your own money. Other offers include bet insurance, loyalty programs, and referral bonuses.
Many top horse racing betting sites provide mobile apps that allow you to place bets and manage your account on the go. These apps, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, offer all the same features as the desktop version, including live race streams, faster odds, and easy access to promotions.
A: Online horse racing betting is legal in many US states, with only a handful of jurisdictions prohibiting this type of gambling. Follow the links on this page to sign up with our recommended operators to place bets on the latest races from the comfort of your home.
A: You can place online horse racing bets in 42 US states. Only Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington D.C. prevent this type of gambling. In other US states, you can use licensed platforms to place wagers on horse races across the globe.
A: You can place various bets on horse racing, usually on whether a horse will win a race. However, some bet types allow you to wager on a horse finishing in the top two or top three. You can also find wagers that will enable you to simultaneously predict the outcome of multiple races.
A: Yes, many top advance deposit wagering sites for horse racing supply mobile apps you can download to access your account on the move. As long as you have a connection and play where pari-mutuel horse racing is legal, you can make deposits, claim bonuses, and place wagers using a horse racing mobile app.
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