Horse racing has traditionally been a popular sport for betting. With the influx of new and legal online sportsbooks, we can expect the sport to continue to grow.
Betting on horse racing is an exhilarating experience because it’s fast-paced with multiple lead changes. These races are often settled quickly, which aligns perfectly with sports betting since players can watch their horse and move on to their next bet within a reasonable timeframe.
Whether you’re an experienced bettor or new to horse racing, we’re here to help.
Benefits of Betting Horse Racing Online
The best place to put in your horse racing wager is online. It’s much more convenient than going to the track because you’re able to place your bet from the comfort of your mobile device or personal laptop.
Betting sites provide you with useful promos to add free bet credits into your account, something that you would not find when placing a wager in person. There are also guides that help you understand each bet type within horse racing.
Online sportsbooks often have sleek interfaces with organized layouts that make it easy to navigate, so you won’t need to worry about being overwhelmed with information. They have multiple payment methods, putting your mind at ease when depositing or withdrawing funds.
Take advantage of these perks by betting online today.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
TwinSpires Horse Racing
TwinSpires is owned by Churchill Downs, which created the famed Kentucky Derby, making the betting site the official partner of one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world.
Players can place wagers on International Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and harness races. The site features analysis to guide you in your bet, as well as past performance data to help you gain an edge.
You can feel comfortable using such a reputable name in the horse racing industry to place your online bet, which includes several banking methods for both deposits and withdrawals.
TVG Horse Racing
TVG is owned by FanDuel, which has established itself as one of the premier platforms for both daily fantasy and sports betting. From an expansive betting market to a sleek interface, TVG has what you need for horse racing.
One of the major perks with TVG is that they offer live-streaming on select horse races. It’s great to be able to follow along with your bet in real-time while watching their stream.
You’ll also find a lucrative welcome bonus at TVG, putting you in a great position to succeed in your horse racing betting venture.
DRF Bet Horse Racing
DRF stands for Daily Racing Form, which started out way back in 1894 as a Chicago newspaper that featured horse racing information. It has evolved into an expansive platform that not only provides users with wagering but also news and data.
You’ll enjoy DRF because it includes several races and bet types, as well as an informative newsletter, which is published five times per week. You can sign up to receive it through email and enjoy pertinent articles and other information to help you gain an edge.
DRF’s diverse features really help make it one of the top options in the horse racing industry.
NYRA Bets Horse Racing
NYRA Bets is one of the leaders in the horse racing industry, providing players with the ability to bet on tracks around the world. It is available in dozens of states and we can project that number to continue to grow.
The site features a robust rewards system, where you can earn points with each bet and redeem them for bet credits. You’ll also find videos of race analysis and have access to live-streaming of over 300 tracks across the globe.
You can be sure that NYRA Bets is a secure platform with a customer support team available on multiple platforms to address any potential issues.
How To Pick the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
- Welcome Bonus: The first thing you want to look for is your welcome bonus, which is provided to new users upon registration. First-deposit matches are preferred because you’ll receive bet credits just for putting funds into your account. Riks-free bets are also useful since you are refunded on your first bet if it loses.
- Odds: You want to make sure that your odds are aligned with the rest of the market. You can compare the odds on your site with others in the industry to see where how they compare. It’s important to get the best bang for your buck, so be mindful of the odds.
- Promos: Check to see what promotions are offered by the site. Some may feature referral bonuses, where you receive bet credits for getting someone to join. Others could have odds boosts, which enhance the payouts on specific horses. These offers give you more value on your wagers, so be sure to take advantage.
- Banking Methods: It’s important that your site has a variety of banking methods for deposits and withdrawals. This makes the payment process more convenient for you.
- Bet Types: The more bet types and events, the better it is for you because that gives you more options for your wagers.
Why You Should Avoid Illegal Betting Sites
Illegal betting sites need to be avoided at all costs. They don’t have odds that align with the market, forcing you to pay inflated prices on moneylines. There are also fewer payment methods, which makes the process inefficient.
You’re also likely to find a limited selection of bet types at offshore platforms, not to mention an absence of useful promos that are always provided by legal websites.
As more horse racing platforms pop up around the country, it simply makes no sense for you to waste your time with an offshore site. Avoiding these sites is a good way to get off to a strong start with horse racing betting.
Horse Racing Betting Promo Offers To Keep in Mind
First-Deposit Bonus
First-deposit bonuses are when sites match your first deposit up to a maximum amount. This figure often varies from $200-$1,000, making it one of the best new-player offers on the market, especially since the bet credits appear in your account immediately following your deposit.
You don’t need to lose your first bet in order to benefit from the bonus, as you would with second-chance bets. Keep in mind that first-deposit offers often require you to play through the amount a certain number of times before you are able to withdraw, usually ranging from 1x to 5x.
Second-Chance Bet
Second-Chance Bets are a welcome bonus where your first bet is refunded if it loses. This figure is often capped anywhere from $200 to $1,000. It’s a great offer because it eliminates the financial risk from your wager since you are reimbursed in a losing scenario.
Keep in mind that sites vary in how they refund your bet. Some provide you with site credits, which can be used in the same amount as your first bet. Others offer the bet credits in denominations of your original wager. Like with other offers, be mindful of any wagering requirements.
No Deposit Bonus/Free Bet
No-deposit bonuses are provided to new users just for making an account — there is no requirement for any deposit. It’s a great way to test out the site before deciding to put in your own money. These offers are smaller figures, usually ranging from $5 to $20.
Free bets are given as loyalty rewards to experienced users or as a way to draw their attention to a marquee event, like the Kentucky Derby. Both of these offers are great because you are given free bets just for having an account with the site.
Bet & Get
Bet & Get offers are when you receive bet credits just for participating in a specific betting market or major event. One example of this could be “Bet $25 or more on the Kentucky Derby and receive a $10 free bet."
It’s a useful bonus because all you need to do is bet on the assigned market to access this reward.
Where Can I Legally Bet on the Horse Racing Online?
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Choose More Than One Horse Racing Betting Site
It’s important to sign up for multiple horse racing betting sites. For one, you can compare odds between platforms to ensure that you’re getting the best line for your wager.
Sites also offer different welcome bonuses and promos, so you can take advantage of several deposit matches or second-chance bets, building your bankroll with bet credits from several platforms.
Remember to try to max out your new-player offer because you can only take advantage of this one time. Be patient to wait until your bankroll can sustain this type of deposit. You can even withdraw money from one account to use on a new site, securing their welcome bonus.
