Long before you could place a bet on sports or through a casino, the only legal choice for gamblers was horse racing. While it might not get the same level of attention in today’s massive online gambling explosion, the fact of the matter is that horse racing remains a major player on the US gambling landscape.
In 2022, over $12 billion was wagered in the country on horse racing, the highest total generated since 2009. A record $412 million was wagered on the Kentucky Derby, an all-time record for the race.
As recently as 2019, the Oregon Racing Commission, which tracks ADW handle, reported that $4.4 billion was wagered via ADW sites that year. In New York state alone, estimates are that $200 million is bet annually through horse bet apps.
Much of that action is being taken via advance deposit wagering sites. These are betting sites and apps that cater exclusively to horse racing.
US TOP Online Horse Racing Betting Sites 2024
- Amwager
- Drf Bets
- DK Horse App
- 4njbets
- TVG
- Nyra Bets
- Twinspires
Let’s look at some of the leading ADW horse betting sites in the US market and what they offer to players.
AmWager
Originally launched in 2009, AmWager offers to horse racing bettors real-time updates, exclusive tools, custom wagering types, and a player-focused design. They bill their app as the fastest, easiest, and most powerful online betting site for horse racing,
Among the tracks they offer are Fair Meadows, Fairmount Park, Ocean Downs, Atlantic City, Hollywood Park, Kentucky Downs, Louisiana Downs, Northfield Park, Oak Tree, and Parx Racing, as well as racing from Dubai. AmWager delivers live racing video and complete past results.
Two key assets to the AmWager site are that all wagers placed through AmWager are commingled into pari-mutuel pools. As well, AmWager commits to players extensive handicapping tools that will assist them in their race selections.
DRF Bets
The granddaddy of horse racing handicappers, the Daily Racing Form is considered the standardbearer when it comes to race selections. They’ve been at it since 1894. In 2011, more than a century after their birth, DRF Bets, the advance deposit wagering arm of the Daily Racing Form, was born.
You can wager through DRF Bets on in excess of in excess of 300 racetracks around the world. Virtually all prominent racetracks in the USA are available for wagering. Significant racing from the United Kingdom and Ireland are also on tap. DRF Bets customers can wager on all major racing festivals and they offer direct access to track pools. They also deliver live streams of the races they offer, along with race replays.
DRF Bets offers players free Beyer Speed Ratings, and free handicapping tools, along with free picks from DRF expert handicappers. Members at DRF Bets can also access their extensive statistical database, which is unmatched in the industry.
4NJBets
An Entain Entertainment property, 4NJBets comes from the same company as FanDuel sportsbook. They offer the opportunity to bet on horse races at over 150 tracks, including Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, Saratoga Racecourse, Keeneland Race Course, Monmouth Park, Belmont Park, and Arlington Park.
All races are live streamed on the 4NJBets site and app. They also offer handicapping advice from their staff of experts, along with race replays and past performances. Major events offered include the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders Cup Festival, as well as the Travers Stakes and Pacific Classic.
NYRA Bets
The Belmont Stakes is the third jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the race where the crown will be won. NYRA Bets is the official betting partner of Belmont Park, home to the race, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the Belmont Stakes.They are a U.S.-based, legal, licensed, and secure option for betting online on horse racing of all genres.
At NYRA Bets, they deliver to racing fans across the USA the opportunity to wager on more than 300 tracks worldwide. Naturally, there’s coverage of prominent New York tracks such as Saratoga, Belmont, and Aqueduct. Other popular American tracks offered include Santa Anita, Del Mar, Keeneland, Los Alamitos, and Cal-Expo. International racing is offered from tracks in such countries as France, Japan, Australia and the UK.
They deliver nationwide coverage of thoroughbred, standardbred and quarter horse racing every day. Every NYRA Bets race is live streamed in HD and are available in replay as well. They also provide you the capabilities to simultaneously view multiple races on your screen.
TwinSpires
There is no more iconic image in the world of horse racing than the twin spires of Churchill Downs, home to the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crowns. Therefore, when Churchill Downs was opting to enter into the realm of online race betting industry and launch an advance deposit wagering site, the logical choice of handle for that site was TwinSpires.com.
TwinSpires delivers daily racing around the clock from race tracks spanning the globe, featuring racing action from more than 150 tracks. TwinSpires offers racing from the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, Dubai and Japan. Among the major racing events offered for wagering purposes are the Triple Crown of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup, Gold Cup, Royal Ascot, Grand National, Pegasus World Cup, 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas.
Caesars Racebook App
The Caesars Racebook app offers a traditional pari-mutuel betting experience, using the same interface as NYRA Bets. It’s user-friendly with clear navigation menus and wagering options. The app includes features like live racing video, race replays, and handicapping information. Users can also purchase past performances, handicapping tools, and tips from the online store. Free Trackmaster Selections are available for all North American races.
Horse Betting Bonus Offers
Every online horse betting platform in the USA will be offering newcomers a welcome offer to entice them to sign up for their service. For instance, at Twin Spires they provide a new player with $100 in bonus funds for every $400 they wager, up to a maximum of $200.
With FanDuel Racing, you’ll receive up to $200 back if your first single-win bet on the site doesn’t cash as a winner. At NYRA Bets, if you’re a new player you will be receiving a 100% matching first deposit bonus up to a maximum of $200. AmWager delivers to newcomers a 100% matching first deposit with a maximum amount of $300.
Types Of Bets
The bet types offered at USA horse racing apps tend to be the same wagers you could place were you to be visiting any racetrack in person. There are straight bets offered including, place and show bets, win/place, win/show, place/show and across the board.
Exotic wagering provided includes doubles, exactas, trifectas, superfectas, grand slams, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6 selections. All of these exotic wagering options can be boxed to include multiple possible outcomes.
Where Can You Bet On Horse Races Online: US Legal States
While betting on horse racing is relatively universal across the USA, there are still some states where it is prohibited. As for ADW horse betting sites, the states in which they are legal varies depending upon the app.
For instance, Twin Spires is legal and regulated in 30 US states. You can bet via NYRA Bets in 31 US states. AmWager offers wagering access in just 15 states. You can wager through DRF Bets in 38 US states.
For example, one of the best horse racing betting sites, AmWager extends its services to customers across a wide range of states in the United States. These include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Newest Horse Racing Apps
- DK Horse by DraftKings – newest app
- Caesars Racebook App
- betMGM Horse Bet
- Fanduel Racing App
Several of the leading US online sports betting sites have recently been making the move into the ADW world. This could lead to significant growth in horse racing betting handle, as the belief is that this will more easily facilitate crossover wagering on horse racing from people with accounts at these online sports betting sites.
Once known as TVG, the popular horse betting website owned by Entain was rebranded as the FanDuel Racing app late last year. It offers ADW in nine states with coverage of all the major events in the sport.
FanDuel rival DraftKings launched DK Horse in conjunction with TwinSpires. Available in 12 states, DK Horse offers action on all the top races and from more than 30 tracks every day.
Launched in partnership with NYRA Bets, the BetMGM horse racing app provides racing action from over 200 tracks. Along with all the major North American races, they also deliver wagering on the Melbourne Cup, Dubai Cup, Royal Ascot and Grand National.
The latest online sportsbook to launch a horse racing app is Pointsbet. Launched in May, the Pointsbet racing app is partnered with 1/ST Technology. A business division of The Stronach Group, North America’s dominant thoroughbred racing company, 1/ST Technology agreed to power the advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering platform for PointsBet Racing.
Online Horse Betting FAQ
How many states offer wagering on horse racing? Wagering on horse racing is offered in 39 of the 50 US states.
What is advance deposit wagering (ADW)? ADW allows bettors to place wagers on horse racing by opening an online account, which can be used to bet on races from around the USA and across the globe.
What are some popular ADW platforms for horse racing? NYRA Bets, the official betting partner of the Belmont Stakes and the New York Racing Association, offers ADW on racing from 300 tracks worldwide. XpressBet, a subsidiary of the Stronach Group, provides wagering on hundreds of North American and international tracks and offers live money handicapping tournaments.
If you’re going to be betting on horse racing via an ADW, you’ll need to register for an account based on your place of residence. You must be residing within a state where wagering on horse racing is permitted. These regulations are set by each state’s regulatory board.
The standard legal age for betting on horse racing in the USA is 18 years of age.
No charges are incurred to join up at any of these ADW sites. As well, there are no per-wager fees, nor are there fees for certain types of deposits and withdrawals.
Yes, online horse race betting is legal in most states in the US, thanks to the Interstate Horseracing Act. We recommend Amwager, DRFBets, TVG and NyraBets, the best horse betting online sites in the USA.
You can bet on races from around the world, including all major US races like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, as well as daily races at smaller tracks.
You can place a variety of bets, including win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, and more.
Yes, many sites offer bonuses such as deposit matches or free bets. Some also offer rebates on lost bets.
Options typically include credit/debit card, bank transfer, e-wallet (like PayPal or Neteller), or check. In our opinion, Amwager has the fastest withdrawal process among online horse wagering sites.
Withdrawal options can include e-wallets, bank transfers, checks, or picking up cash at affiliated tracks or off-track betting locations.
Yes, reputable sites use encryption technology to keep your personal and financial information safe.
Yes, many horse race betting sites offer mobile apps or have mobile-friendly websites.
Many betting sites offer guides to understanding the different types of bets and strategies for betting on horse races. Try TVG FAQ section, use DK Horse bet app guide or get your answers with this online horse betting guide.
Most betting sites do not charge fees for betting, but there may be fees associated with deposits or withdrawals. Check the site’s terms and conditions for details.
