Horse racing betting adds an extra layer of excitement to the big race and provides an opportunity to earn money at the most prestigious events in the US and globally. However, before you can place bets on horse races, it is important to find the best racebooks and understand how the odds and lines work.
Hence, this in-depth guide reveals the best racebooks for US bettors, discusses the types of bets to explore and the major events to wager on, and divulges the legality of horse racing betting in America. We’ll also show you how to sign up to a racebook and claim a welcome bonus.
- All
BetOnline Sports US |
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BetWhale Sports US |
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Bovada Sports US |
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WELCOME500
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MyBookie Sports US |
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BUSR Sports US |
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SPORTS100FP
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List of the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites 2024
Interested in placing horse range wagers? Your first step is to find a top-rated horse racing betting site and sign up. Below are the best 10 racebooks for US residents in 2024.
- BetOnline – Best Horse Racing Betting Site Overall in 2024
- BUSR – Enjoy Live Streaming of Horse Races
- Bovada – Ideal for Betting on Virtual Horse Racing
- MyBookie – Bet on Races from Tracks Worldwide
- BetUS – Futures Odds for the Kentucky Derby
- XBet – Claim a 7% Horse Rebate Offer
- BetWhale – Coverage of Various US Racetracks
- BetNow – Offers a Racebook, Sportsbook, Casino & Poker Room
- SportsBetting.ag – Supports 16 Cryptocurrencies for Payments
- Jazz – $1,000 Racebook Welcome Bonus
Reviews of the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
Let’s examine our top 5 US sportsbooks more closely, highlighting the distinctive features that set them apart.
1. BetOnline – Best Horse Racing Betting Site Overall in 2024
With over 25 years of experience in the sports betting scene and a reputed Panama license, BetOnline is a premier destination for all horse racing enthusiasts in the US. The site offers a dedicated racebook where bettors can explore a variety of thoroughbred and harness races from tracks worldwide. From the US, UK, and Ireland to France, South Africa, and UAE, there are so many options here.
When it comes to betting markets, your options are virtually limitless. You can wager on straight bets, exacta, and trifecta. And thanks to BetOnline’s competitive and great odds, you can expect sizable potential payouts. Plus, the platform’s ‘Advanced Search’ function allows you to filter based on specific criteria, such as the runner, jockey, or track of your choosing, making navigation easier.
Additionally, BetOnline provides “Racebook 101,” a resource to help bettors understand more about betting on horse racing. You can read helpful guides on how to wager straight bets, the basics of exacta betting, and so much more. In the way of racebook-exclusive promotions, this horse racing betting site caters to new and returning customers, offering a 9% horse rebate and a $25 risk-free bet promo to new players.
Pros:
- Dedicated racebook
- Covers the Triple Crown races
- Races from tracks worldwide
- ‘Advanced Search’ feature for easy navigation
- Racebook 101 resource
- 9% horse rebate and 25% risk-free bet
Cons:
- No eWallet payment options like PayPal
2. BUSR – Enjoy Live Streaming of Horse Races
If you’re looking to enjoy live streaming and in-play wagering on races in the US, BUSR is your go-to site for betting on horse racing. The gambling platform’s racebook section allows you to stream live horse races and enjoy the thrill of racing as if you were at an actual racetrack.
Our experts found this live-streaming feature to be very useful in in-play wagering. Bettors can keep up with the action on BUSR and place wagers on ongoing races. Moreover, this horse racing betting site updates its odds in real-time, allowing you to take advantage of unexpected developments. Such twists include pace changes, jockey shuffle, early upset, etc.
Furthermore, BUSR offers daily double and pick 3 bet options on various races in addition to the common straight, exacta, and trifecta bets. When it comes to promotions, BUSR typically provides Triple Crown-specific offers, including free bets and cashback. You can also earn a 150% welcome cash bonus and a 10% horse rebate daily.
Pros:
- Live streaming is available
- Odds update in real-time for live betting
- Daily double and pick 3 bets
- Triple-Crown specific promotions
- 10% horse rebate daily
Cons:
- No fiat deposit method
- Bitcoin and bank transfer are the only payout options
3. Bovada – Ideal for Betting on Virtual Horse Racing
Looking to get your betting fix quickly and easily? Bovada is definitely your perfect choice. The Curacao-licensed sportsbook offers a ‘Virtual Racing’ section, where you can bet on virtual races and know your fate in a few minutes. Unlike actual races with set schedules, virtual races are available 24/7. Therefore, you can place bets whenever you want.
However, in addition to the simulated horse races, you can also wager on actual races from various tracks, including Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, and Pimlico Race Course. Betting options to explore include straights, exactas, trifectas, and pick 3.
Moreover, Bovada provides early futures betting odds on the Triple Crown events like the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Preakness Stakes. For instance, you can put your money on a horse to win the Kentucky Derby months before the event starts. Sign up to Bovada today and claim a welcome bonus worth 50% up to $250.
Pros:
- Virtual horse racing betting
- Live streaming of the virtual races
- Early futures odds for the Triple Crown
- Covers races from various tracks
- 50% up to $250 welcome offer
Cons:
- No horse racing betting-specific promotions
- Restricted in some US states
4. MyBookie – Bet on Races from Tracks Worldwide
US bettors looking to explore international races will enjoy wagering on MyBookie, a top horse racing betting site. The platform’s dedicated racebook features horse racing betting odds for tracks from Ireland, France, South Africa, and Sweden. These tracks include Gowran, Compiegne, Vaal, Axevalla, Romme, Epsom Downs, and more.
Beyond the regular win, place, and show wagers, MyBookie also features exotic bets like quinella and trifecta. These betting options can spice up your betting experience. Like BetOnline, MyBookie also has an ‘Advanced Search’ function, allowing you to filter races depending on specific criteria like track, runner, or jockey.
Furthermore, you can benefit from MyBookie’s 8% horse rebate for existing customers. The rebates are paid daily after midnight, and there are no rollover requirements.
Pros:
- Coverage of races from tracks worldwide
- 8% horse rebates with no rollover requirement
- ‘Advanced Search’ for easy navigation
- Supports 10 cryptocurrencies for payment
- Visa and MasterCard are also accepted
Cons:
- Bitcoin and Wire Transfers are the only payout options
5. BetUS – Futures Odds for the Kentucky Derby
BetUS, one of the pioneers of offshore sports betting in the US, was founded in 1994 and is licensed in Curacao. Having been in operation for more than 25 years, this horse racing betting site is one of the most reputable and trustworthy in the industry.
The site’s racebook is great for futures horse racing betting enthusiasts. You’ll find outrights on major US racing events like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. And impressively, the odds are typically released way before the start of the Triple Crown. But that’s not all; other major races from tracks worldwide are featured, such as the Epsom Downs, Southwell, and Yarmouth.
Regarding promotions, BetUS often provides money-back offers on selected races. Also, there’s a massive 125% deposit sign-up bonus capped at $2,500 for new customers and re-up bonuses for returning customers making subsequent deposits.
Pros:
- Futures odds for the Triple Crown
- Coverage of tracks worldwide
- Operating for more than 25 years
- Welcome bonus worth 125% up to 2,500
- Moneyback offers on selected races
Cons:
- No live streaming of horse races
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites Compared
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Promo Code | Racebook Bonus | Thoroughbred | Harness | Live Betting |
| BetOnline | 50% up to $1,000 | BET1000 | 9% horse rebate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BUSR | 100% up to $2,500 | SPORTS100FP | 10% horse rebate daily | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bovada | 50% up to $250 | BVD1000 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| MyBookie | 50% up to $1,000 | MYB50 | 8% horse rebate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetUS | 125% up to $2,500 | JOIN125 | Moneyback special on select races | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| XBet | 50% up to $500 | XBET50 | 7% horse rebate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetWhale | 125% up to $1,250 | WHALECOME | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetNow | 100% up to $1,000 | BN100 | 10% horse rebate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SportsBetting.ag | 100% up to $500 | DOUBLEUP | 9% horse rebate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Jazz | 75% up to $2,500 | JAZZ100 | Up to $1,000 deposit match welcome bonus | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
How We Select the Best Horse Racing Betting Apps
There are hundreds of horse racing betting sites out there, and new racebooks are being rolled out weekly. However, not all these gambling platforms offer the same level of quality. Thankfully, our team of experts has assessed numerous US racebooks and come up with the top 10 above. Below are the metrics and factors considered in the selection process.
Range of Horse Racing Bets
We checked that all our rated horse racing betting apps offer a range of wagering options. These include classics like Win, Place, and Show wagers, as well as exotic bets like Trifectas, Superfectas, Daily Double, and Pick 3s. The racebooks also provide parlays and live betting.
Choice of Events
Variety is the spice of life, and this applies to horse racing, too. Our endorsed sites for betting on horse racing feature odds for major events like the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Preakness Stakes. In addition, they cover international events, lesser-known tracks, and even niche breeds like Quarter Horses. Some sites, like Bovada, go a step further by providing virtual racing games.
Bonus & Promotions
Promotions help boost our bankroll, giving us more funds to enjoy horse racing betting. So, we handpicked sites that offer a range of sizeable promos, including rebates, welcome offers, free bets, cashback, reload bonuses, VIP programs, and more. We also studied the bonuses’ terms and conditions, ensuring they were reasonable and realistic.
Safety & Security
Internet scams are a big problem in the US and are on the rise. To protect American bettors from losing their personal information online, we’ve selected horse racing betting sites with a robust security framework. These racebooks offer SSL encryption, secure payment methods, and 2-factor authentication for maximum safety. They also hold licenses from reputed jurisdictions.
Payment Methods
Our endorsed sites for horse racing betting online support a wide range of payment methods for seamless transactions. These include debit and credit cards, eWallets like PayPal, and bank transfers. Also, they accept deposits and withdrawals via cryptocurrencies, facilitating instant payouts at no extra processing cost.
Customer Support
It is important to get prompt and helpful responses to queries and complaints when wagering at top horse racing betting apps. Hence, we’ve handpicked racebooks with multiple customer support channels, such as phone assistance, live chat, email, and an extensive FAQ section. We ensured that these support channels are available 24/7.
Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in the US?
Horse racing betting has been a popular pastime in the US for centuries, with its roots dating back to the late 1600s when the British colonists arrived. Initially, bookmakers were the go-to for racing bets. However, in the early 1900s, many states banned bookmaking. Consequently, horse racing became less prevalent, and attendance at racetracks declined.
Nevertheless, the introduction of pari-mutuel wagering in the 1900s breathed new life into the US horse racing market. As states began to legalize this form of gambling, horse racing flourished again. Years later, many US states started regulating horse racing betting online, allowing gamblers to place wagers on their desktops and smartphones. Today, horse racing is a multi-billion dollar industry, contributing about $40 billion yearly to the US economy.
So, is horse racing betting legal in the US? Yes, it is. But the legality varies state by state. As of 2024, 40 states in America allow betting on horse racing online, and they include:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennesse
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Some states, like Texas, only allow in-person wagers. Meanwhile, others, such as South Carolina and Georgia, don’t permit any form of betting on horse racing. If you reside in one of the regions without legal online sports wagering, you can take advantage of our recommended racebooks. They accept all US players nationwide, allowing you to safely and legally stake on horse racing betting odds.
Different Types of Horse Racing for Online Betting
Before you begin betting on horse racing, it’s important to understand the different types to explore. Here, we’ll discuss Flat, Harness, and Jumps.
Flat
Also known as thoroughbred racing, flat racing is the most common and widely recognized form of horse racing. It involves horse racing on a flat, even oval-shaped course without obstacles. Thoroughbreds, known for their speed and agility, are the dominant breed in flat racing.
Races range from short sprints, about 400 meters, to long-distance marathons, about 4 kilometers. Top US jockeys for thoroughbred horse racing betting include Tyler Gaffalione, Junior Alvarado, and Gabriel Saez. So, watch out for these riders when wagering on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup, and other major US racing events.
Harness
This unique type of racing involves a driver in a light, two-wheeled cart, called a sulky, pulled by horses. The drivers sit in the sulky and use reins to guide the horse. Like flat races, harness takes place on an oval track without obstacles on the course. Standardbred horses, in particular, known for their trotting and pacing gaits, are used.
When betting on horse racing options for harness, you can explore Win, Show, Place, exactas, and trifectas. For harness horse racing betting tips, Aaron Merriman, Brett Beckwith, and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. are the 2024 top-performing drivers. Also, Dontpokethedragon, Hugh Heff, and It takes two are highly-rated horses in 2024. So, keep this in mind when wagering on the Hambletonian, Little Brown Jug, or the Breeders Crown.
Jumps
Also known as National Hunt racing, jump racing involves horses leaping over obstacles like hurdles and fences. This added element can cause falls and unexpected outcomes, making it harder to predict the winner when horse racing betting. Sometimes, the less fancied horses can clear the jumps and finish well, producing high payouts.
Thoroughbreds and specific horse breeds known for their jumping prowess are used in National Hunt races. Note that distances in these races are typically longer than flat racing, so brace yourself for a long, thrilling ride. Popular jump race events to bet on include the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, Irish Grand National, Melbourne Cup, Grand Steeplechase de Paris, and more.
Popular Horse Racing Betting Markets
If you want to learn how to bet on horse racing, understanding the different types of wagers is essential. Let’s discuss the most popular wagers at the best horse racing betting sites.
- Win: This is the simplest wager in horse racing betting. It involves backing a horse to win a race.
- Place: Here, you bet on a horse to finish in first or second place. The chances of winning this bet are higher, so the payout is usually lower than win bets.
- Show: You wager on a horse to finish first, second, or third place. BetOnline offers the best odds and race coverage for win, place, and show bets.
- Each-Way: A combination of a win and a place bet on the same horse in the same wager.
- Across the Board: This combines win, place, and show bets on the same horse in the same wager.
- Exacta: Sometimes known as Perfecta, you bet on which horse will finish first and which will finish second.
- Trifecta: This is a bet on the first three horses to finish in the exact order.
- Superfecta: Here, you pick the exact order of the first four horses to finish.
- Daily Double/ Pick 3/Pick 4: Predicting the winner of multiple races consecutively.
- Quinella: Wagering on two horses to finish in first and second place in no particular order.
Pros & Cons of Online Horse Racing Betting vs Retail Betting
Retail horse betting has existed since the 19th century. However, US states just began legalizing online wagering a few years ago, and this gambling form has gained immense traction lately. Let’s uncover the reasons why many are gravitating towards using horse racing betting sites. We’ll also highlight some downsides of horse racing betting online.
Advantages of online horse racing betting:
- Bet on your PC or phone anytime, anywhere.
- Shop for betting odds at different racebooks
- A wider range of betting options
- Promotions and bonuses
- Multiple payment options
- Some racebooks offer statistics and analysis to inform good bet picks
Disadvantages of online horse racing betting:
- Gambling addiction
- Miss out on the atmosphere and excitement at racetracks
- Security risks
Horse Racing Betting Tips
There are no guaranteed methods for winning bets at our endorsed racebooks. However, certain horse racing winning tips can help increase your chances of winning. Let’s take a look at these tips below.
1. Study up on Horse Racing
If you want to win when betting on horse racing, you should learn how the sport works. Read this guide to understand the different forms of races – thoroughbred, harness, and jumps. Also, study the various wagers you can place at horse racing betting sites.
2. Shop Around for Odds
All horse racing betting apps don’t offer the same odds; some sites offer bigger odds than others for the same. So, comparing the odds of different racebooks before wagering is essential to help maximize your potential payout.
3. Consider Each-Way Bets
Each-way bet is the combination of Win and Place wagers in one bet. If you place an each-way bet and your favored horse places second, your wager still wins. Albeit, your payout will be smaller than a straight win or place bet.
4. Conduct Your Research
Before wagering on any race, do your research so you can make an informed betting selection. Analyze horses’ recent performances in races of similar track conditions and distances. Look out for horses with consistent placings. Also, check the trainer’s success rate with horses of the same breed and age. It also helps to assess the jockey’s experience and recent form.
5. Start Small
If you’re new to horse racing betting, it helps to start your journey with smaller wagers to avoid significant losses. With time, after you’ve gotten the hang of things, you can up your stake and begin placing more money on different outcomes.
Horse Racing Betting Strategies
As mentioned earlier, there are no guarantees of winning in horse racing betting. However, certain tested and trusted strategies can change your approach to betting and help you win more often than not. We’ll discuss three horse racing betting strategies below:
Dutch Betting
This strategy for betting on horse racing involves placing multiple bets on the same race to guarantee a profit regardless of which of your selected horses wins. For example, you can divide your total wager across several horses in a race while making sure each bet is proportional to the betting odds provided. Then, if any of your multiple chosen horses win, you get to win a small profit.
The 80/20 Strategy
This strategy is worth a try when learning how to bet on sports, especially horse racing. It involves allocating 20% of your wager on a horse to win and the remaining 80% on the same horse to place. Using this system, you earn a decent payout regardless of whether your preferred horse wins or finishes in the qualifying places (typically top 2 or 3).
Value Betting
This is one of the most effective horse racing betting strategies. Here, you must do your research and discover horses that are undervalued by your preferred US sportsbook. If you think a horse, undervalued by the bookmaker, has an advantage, you can wager on it and get a massive return. This perceived advantage could be due to weather conditions, running distance, etc.
Top Events for Betting on Horse Racing
According to Statista, horse racing is one of the US most watched sports on cable, satellite, and over-the-air platforms. Millions of viewers tune in to watch major horse races yearly. Let’s find out the most famous horse racing events among American bettors.
The Kentucky Derby
Established in 1875 and the first leg of the famed Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously run sporting event in the US. The prestigious thoroughbred horse race is held annually on the first Saturday in May at the Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s also called the Run for the Races because the winning horse is covered in a blanket of red roses.
Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack are the winningest jockeys at the Kentucky Derby, having secured a win five times each.
Check out our expert guide on How To Bet on the Kentucky Derby.
The Preakness Stakes
The second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, is another thoroughbred horse race held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It occurs on Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. As one of the most anticipated events in horse racing, Preakness Stakes betting attracts enthusiasts from all over, offering a variety of betting sites and sportsbooks that cater to every level of punter.
Flavien Prat, Jose Ortiz, and John R. Velazquez are the most recent jockey winners of the race, having secured victories in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.
The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the oldest and longest of the Triple Crown races. It’s the final leg of the Triple Crown held on the first or second Saturday in June, three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. The race, run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds, takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It’s nicknamed the Run for the Carnations or the Test of the Champion.
Jim McLaughlin and Eddie Arcaro are the jockeys with the most wins, having amassed six apiece. Meanwhile, Venezuelan jockey Javier Castellano won his first-ever Belmont Stakes in 2023 with the retired thoroughbred racehorse Arcangelo.
The Florida Derby
The Florida Derby, another thoroughbred horse race, is held yearly at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It’s a major prop race for the Kentucky Derby, coming up five weeks before the Triple Crown first-leg event.
John R. Velazquez is the jockey with the most Florida Derby wins, most recently winning in 2024.
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes
One of the newer horse racing events in the US, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes debuted in 2017 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. With a purse of $12 million in its inaugural campaign, the event became the richest horse race in the world, ahead of the Dubai World Cup. The purse has since dropped to $3 million in 2023.
Irad Ortiz Jr. has the most wins by a jockey, having managed victories in 2020 and 2022.
Common Horse Racing Betting Terms
To learn more about horse wagering, you must familiarize yourself with common horse racing betting terms. Below is a glossary for both horse racing beginners and experts alike.
- Favorite: The horse expected to win the race, according to horse racing betting sites.
- Longshot: A horse with a low chance of winning, offering big payouts if they manage a win.
- Handicap: This involves allocating some weight to better horses to disadvantage them against other runners in the race.
- Purse: This is the total prize money awarded to the winners of a race.
- Stakes Race: A race with a higher purse than a claiming or maiden race.
- Grade I, II, III: This is a classification of stakes races based on their prestige, popularity, and total purse. Grade I is the highest.
- Yankee: A wager of 11 bets (six doubles, four trebles, and one accumulator) on four horses chosen to win their races.
- Scratch: A horse withdrawn from a race before it starts.
- Dead Heat: Refers to a tie between at least two horses for a finishing position.
- Post Time: The starting time of a horse race.
- Furlong: The unit of measurement used in horse racing. It’s equal to ⅛ of a mile.
- Silks: The colorful jackets worn by jockeys to represent the owner’s racing colors.
The Best Horse Racing Betting Site Online 2024
Although less popular than the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, horse racing has good viewership in the US, especially the Three Crowns. And many viewers like to spice up their experience with horse racing betting sites.
BetOnline is our top pick for betting on horse racing in the US, thanks to the range of betting markets on offer. The racebook covers thoroughbred and harness races from racetracks worldwide, offering competitive odds. Sign up today and earn a 50% welcome bonus, which is capped at $1,000.
