Modern sports gambling essentially was popularized through horse racing.
The horse track has always been a haven for sports bettors, and the Triple Crown mainstreamed that as well. Many budding brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in legal sports-gambling states are on racetrack properties.
The advent and rise of off-track betting made online gambling seem practical, and horse racing has carved out a piece of the ever-growing pie. But what are the best apps to bet on horse racing? Here’s a look.
Benefits of Betting on Horse Racing Online
Betting on horse racing online is way more convenient than going to the track. It’s significantly easier than going to a dark, dingy OTB, doesn’t charge you any parlor fees and enables users to bet from the comfort of their own homes.
Plus, you can shop for odds while betting online and even can bet on horse racing online while you’re at the track.
Plus, if you’re in the United States it is highly likely you’re in a state that is legal to bet on horse racing online. Horse-race betting online is legal in more states than gambling on other sports online — more than 30 allow online gambling on horse racing.
Best Horse Racing Betting Apps
Aside from traditional betting, there are a wide variety of betting apps specifically designed for horse racing. We’ve included those below along with some of our favorite online sports betting apps that offer horse racing.
DRF
The Daily Racing Form is the original horse racing guide, so naturally it would have an online app and simulcasting service that enables arguably the best betting experience for horse racing fans.
DRF provides a robust service of advice as well as odds and tips for just about every race in the world, plus users can start with up to $510 in playable funds for just a $250 deposit and receive Daily Racing Form content for free. It really is a can’t-lose option.
TVG
TVG is the most recognizable name in horse race gambling. The TVG app has live odds and simulcasts of nearly every race in the country every day, so unsurprisingly it gives bettors the best options for betting on horse racing.
TVG, which is owned by FanDuel, teamed up with hits parent’s online sportsbook for a new signup bonus where users will receive a first deposit match up to $250 plus $10 in site credit on the FanDuel app.
TwinSpires
TwinSpires, which is owned and operated by Churchill Downs the host track of the legendary Kentucky Derby race, made inroads into the sports gambling space before discontinuing its online app yet is one of the elite options for those looking to bet on horse racing in the United States.
The TwinSpires app has a slew of offers and promotions and provides odds for just about every horse race in the world on a daily basis. It also provides advice and guidance for bettors interested in getting the most available knowledge before putting in their horse racing bets.
How To Pick the Best Horse Racing Betting Apps
The best horse racing betting apps provide a plethora of options for bettors, but the most important criteria is different from that of the best online sportsbooks. Here are some things to consider:
Race markets
Most horse racing enthusiasts are interested in the races they’re interested in. But if you can’t be there in person, finding it to bet online is of the utmost importance.
If you’re using a racing app that only offers odds in certain locales, there’s a good chance bettors will miss out on the race and/or track they like most.
Odds
The best odds offer the best payouts, which means shopping for the best odds on the best races is the most important thing.
Welcome bonuses
The best welcome bonuses provide new horse racing bettors with the most playable funds, which gives bettors the best experience for gambling on horse racing online.
Why You Should Avoid Illegal Betting Apps
You want good odds, great bonuses and a slew of depositing/withdrawal options, right? Well, illegal betting apps don’t offer those. Plus, with a ton of horse racing apps available, and no shortage of more to come down the road, wagering while using offshore betting apps makes almost no sense at all.
Horse Racing Betting Site Offers to Keep in Mind
Betting on horse racing online gives users more free playable funds than going to the track, which is why gambling online is better than doing so in person in the first place. Here’s a look at some of the best offers that the best online horse racing apps provide.
No Deposit Bonus/Free Bet
Many online apps, especially DRF, will give users who make their first deposit an added free bet of a certain amount, in DRF’s case $10.
Free bets often pay out just profit at the odds listed (a +200 bet on a $10 free bet would pay out $20 in profit). But because bettors didn’t put out the $10 in the first place there’s really no loss.
First-Deposit Bonus
First-deposit bonuses are exceptional new signup offers since they essentially double a new users playable funds. Unlike online sportsbooks, that typically offer risk-free bets or betting insurance on your first wager, online horse racing apps provide first-deposit bonuses as their common new signup promotions.
Risk-Free Bet
Risk-free bets are when an initial bet is reimbursed if it loses. The best risk-free bets are ones that reimburse in site credit, although because horse racing odds are typically longer than sports odds, many horse racing apps don’t provide risk-free bets as new signup offers.
Bet & Get
Bet and gets are great offers for users in that they typically pay out a ton of playable funds, in the form of free bets, while typically charging users a low amount of money on an event that is likely to hit.
TwinSpires offers a great bet-and-get promo where users who sign up and bet $800 will receive an extra $200 in bonus site credit.
Where Can I Legally Bet on Horse Racing Online?
Betting online on horse racing is available in significantly more states than online sports betting — almost 40 of the 50 U.S. states. Here’s the full list:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- 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
