Best Horse Racing Betting Sites & Apps for 2024

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The best horse betting sites are those that provide you with the greatest comfort level, offer all the tracks you want to bet on, and offer the most lucrative online bonuses and promotions.

We review our top-rated horse racing betting sites so you can find the best option for you.

Best U.S. Horse Racing Betting Sites & Apps

Betting SiteAvg. App RatingBest For
1. TwinSpires4.7/5All-round online horse racing betting experience
2. FanDuel Racing4.6/5Top quality interface for mobile horse racing bettors
3. DK Horse4.3/5Exceptional range of regular and daily promotions
4. BetMGM Horse Racing4.5/5Selection of races from tracks in the U.S. and worldwide
5. TVG4.8/5Long experience in delivering high-class horse racing service
6. DRF4.6/5Superlative supply of stats and features to help your betting choice
7. Caesars Racebook2.3/5Access to highly regarded Caesars Rewards scheme

The best horse racing betting sites allow you to wager on races at tracks across the U.S. and around the world. 

With a wide range of betting options, statistics, form guides, and the increasing spread of live streaming, it’s now possible to get closely involved in this grand old sport around the clock without leaving the house.  

Gone are the days when you had to travel to your nearest track to enjoy a wager on the ponies. But which are the top horse racing betting sites available today? Let’s look at the service provided by some of the leading names in the industry in detail. 

1. TwinSpires

  • iOS Rating: 4.8/5 stars (74.4K reviews)
  • Android Rating: 4.6/5 stars (1.1K reviews)
  • State Availability: AZ, AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, MS, NE, NH, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, DC, WV, WI, WY
  • Deposit Methods: EZMoney, credit card, PayPal, GreenDot @ the Register, MoneyGram, PayNearMe, Apple Pay, wire transfer, on-site deposit, check
  • Withdrawal Methods: Check, EZMoney, PayPal, and some on-site locations

If you ask a horse racing bettor to name their favorite horse racing websites, there’s a good chance that one of the names on the list will be TwinSpires. 

This has been an online destination for horse racing fans since 2007, when Churchill Downs Incorporated, organizer of the Kentucky Derby, took the digital plunge by creating a pari-mutuel betting site. 

TwinSpires now has an unrivaled reach among horse racing sites, with bettors in nearly 40 states able to access it. And what impressive overall service it offers. 

Let’s start with the offers, and you should always check to see what promos are lined up for the latest action. New customers can earn up to $200 in bonus bets, while regular visitors have daily money-back offers and profit boosts.

You’ll find odds on races from all over the world, complemented by a host of bet options, expert picks, and features packed with the latest news from the sport. 

With a highly regarded mobile app and an extensively user-friendly desktop platform, it’s no surprise that this continues to figure prominently in horse racing betting sites.

Read our full TwinSpires Racebook review to learn more.

2. FanDuel Racing

  • iOS Rating: 4.7/5 stars (4.3K ratings)
  • Android Rating: 4.5/5 stars (300 ratings)
  • State Availability: AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NY, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WV, WY
  • Deposit Methods: Debit card, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, Apple Pay
  • Withdrawal Methods: Debit card, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, Play+ card, cash at counter, check. Check for local restrictions.

It’s unsurprising to find FanDuel among the brands responsible for the best horse racing betting sites in the U.S. This operator has long been at the forefront for Daily Fantasy Sports players and sports bettors, so why not horse racing fans, too?

Your time as a customer begins with an eye-catching welcome bonus of a no-sweat first bet of up to $500. If your horse passes the post first, you pick up your winnings; if it doesn’t, your stake is refunded as credit that must be used within seven days. 

And there are plenty of options for using those bonus funds. It’s easy to follow all the action, with featured races and upcoming events listed vertically. As well as all the stats you need on any race, there is also the chance to view the current state of the win and place pools. 

FanDuel Racing's user experience meets the high standard you’d expect from this brand, which features extensive live streaming through FDTV.

3. DK Horse

  • iOS Rating: 4.6/5 (3.6K reviews)
  • Android Rating: 4.0/5 (350 reviews)
  • State Availability: CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MT, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA, WV, WY
  • Deposit Methods: EZMoney, credit card, bank wire transfer, check, PayPal, Apple Pay, Moneygram
  • Withdrawal Methods: EZMoney, PayPal, check

DraftKings entered the ranks of horse racing betting sites when it launched DK Horse just in time for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. It has since gone live in 20 states and offers the all-round online wagering excellence we have come to expect from this brand. 

New clients can take advantage of an excellent welcome promo, which offers the chance to double a deposit of up to $250 with just a 2x playthrough. A serious array of regular bonuses backs that up. 

The main interface is more basic than that of most horse racing betting sites. While the range of events is impressive, less information is immediately available.

For many bettors, the quality of the user experience will outweigh the lack of data or enhanced features. Navigating from screen to screen is quick and easy, and the app—particularly the iOS version—has attracted positive reviews from app store visitors.  

DK Horse, like FanDuel Racing, is a partner of Churchill Downs and the official betting partner of the Belmont Stakes and is set to be a feature of the world of horse racing sites for years to come. 

4. BetMGM Horse Racing

  • iOS Rating: 4.5/5 (175 reviews)
  • Android Rating: N/A
  • State Availability: FL, LA, OH
  • Deposit Methods: VIP Preferred, Play+ card, credit or debit card, PayPal, PayNearMe
  • Withdrawal Methods: VIP Preferred, Play+ card, PayPal 

The biggest drawback of the BetMGM Horse Racing platform is that so few American bettors can access it. It is currently available in only three states. 

However, customers in Florida, Louisiana, and Ohio can use a website and app that incorporate many attributes that make this brand one of the leaders on the online gambling scene. 

New arrivals can enjoy a $200 sign-up bonus and will go on to find a host of great features on this well-designed site. The racecards are particularly easy on the eye and include analysis, replays, and expert selections. 

Like its partner sportsbook, the brand’s reach is extensive in terms of supplying races from tracks across the world for American bettors to enjoy. There is also a comprehensive live-streaming feature that allows you to watch your picks in action. 

There is plenty of useful information about bet types and odds for novice bettors, while more experienced players will appreciate being able to bookmark their favorite tracks. This is, overall, one of the best horse racing betting sites. The question is: Will it launch in more states soon?

5. TVG

  • iOS Rating: 4.8/5 stars (53.2K reviews)
  • Android Rating: N/A
  • State Availability: AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WV, WY
  • Deposit Methods: Debit card, credit card, PayPal, prepaid card, Green Dot MoneyPak, PayNearMe, wire transfer, check, on-site at some tracks
  • Withdrawal Methods: Debit card, PayPal, prepaid card, wire transfer, check, on-site at some tracks

TVG continues to be among the best horse racing betting sites, even though it has long been part of the Flutter empire, which also includes FanDuel. 

The TV channel that helped to establish its name was rebranded as FanDuel TV in 2022. But bettors in a range of states can still use a TVG platform powered by FanDuel to wager on a superb selection of local, national, and international track action.

Much like the FanDuel Racing offering, the result is an excellent user interface. It’s packed with useful information and backed up by some solid promotions, including a second chance to place your first stake of up to $100 if it’s a losing single bet. 

Many races from U.S. tracks are available on live streams, though not many from overseas. Overall, however, it’s easy to see why so many bettors patronize this brand and view it as one of the best horse racing betting sites. 

6. DRF

  • iOS Rating: 4.6/5 stars (4.5K ratings)
  • Android Rating: 4.6/5 stars (560 ratings)
  • State Availability: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NH, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI.
  • Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, credit card, PayPal, PayNearMe, GreenDot MoneyPak, wire transfer, check
  • Withdrawal Methods: Bank transfer, PayPal, check

The DRF website's homepage looks rather like a newspaper, which is hardly surprising. The Daily Racing Form is a publication that first appeared in Chicago in 1894, while the online version joined the ranks of horse racing betting sites as recently as 2022. 

Bettors in almost 40 states have access to the platform in desktop and mobile app format, and the content they find there positively drips with authority and experience.

Expert analysis and picks are available on races in the U.S. and many international tracks. At the same time, the homepage gives great prominence to articles assessing upcoming and past races and general horse racing news. 

The user interface is not as intuitive as many rival horse racing betting sites, and it may take some time to familiarize yourself with the navigation between pages. 

However, this site's positive features include a rewards program and one of the simplest welcome offers. Deposit $200, and you get a match bonus. That may not be ideal for the more modest bettor, but DRF feels like a place for the committed horse racing fan who may not be shy about investing such an amount.  

Read our DRF mobile horse racing review to learn more.

7. Caesars Racebook

  • iOS Rating: 2.3/5 stars (77 ratings)
  • Android Rating: N/A
  • States Availability: CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MT, NY, ND, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA, WV, WY
  • Deposit Methods: Debit card, credit card, Express Funding, ACH, GreenDot MoneyPak, PayNearMe
  • Withdrawal Methods: Electronic funds transfer

Bettors in more than 20 states can now visit the online racing betting arm of the mighty Caesars empire - and those who have used the brand’s sportsbook will find it a familiar experience. 

The racebook strongly echoes the sports betting platform in look and feel. It offers an extensive range of betting options at tracks in the U.S. and worldwide, backed up by an excellent supply of promotional opportunities. 

New customers can enjoy a deposit match of up to $150, and that’s just the start. The offers are so frequent that a month-by-month promotional calendar shows the money-back offers and boosts today and in the future.

The dearth of withdrawal options is a disappointment, and there is little expert analysis in the content mix, though you should find a verdict on each US race. The streaming is high quality, though. Let’s hope the teething problems with the mobile app will be addressed in the near future. 

How We Review Horse Racing Betting Sites

Our staff members and reviewers sign up for accounts at these betting sites and test-drive them. Based on our experiences on these sites, we share our honest impressions. 

Some sites are more user-friendly and responsive than others. We test the speed and software of every site we review and consider the variety of available deposit and withdrawal methods.

Online horse betting is a competitive business, so operators offer a variety of betting bonuses to attract new players and retain existing ones. These include first-deposit matches, risk-free first-bet offers, and conditional money-back wagers. 

Our reviewers identify the most generous offers, and we pass that information on to our users. 

Payment Options & Payout Speed

A key consideration when identifying the best online horse racing betting sites is the range of deposit and withdrawal options available. Some horse racing sites have surprisingly few ways of taking your money out of your account after your pick comes home in front - and it’s essential you check what options are available before signing up and making a deposit. 

Knowing how long the money will take to arrive is also helpful. Many operators carry out internal checks on withdrawals, which can add days to the process, while a check in the mail could take a couple of weeks to arrive. 

black wallet with credit cards and US cash

Mobile Experience

Given the popularity of wagering through a mobile device, we give extra credit to horse racing betting sites that deliver a great mobile experience.

Look out for dedicated apps designed to make it easy to find what you are looking for and to enable you to move swiftly to the races and bets you want. 

Betting through your device should be a streamlined experience, and the availability and quality of live streaming are also vital. 

black smartphone with red lights

Bonuses

Horse racing sites should offer you frequent opportunities to add spice to your wagering through various promotional offers. That should start with a betting welcome bonus that suits your playing style; the casual player might prefer a risk-free first bet, while more regular bettors will get more benefit from a deposit match.

Look out for regular offers, too. These might give you money back on placed horses in certain races or boost your payout on more exotic wagers and parlays. The best horse racing betting sites make it worth checking the promotions section regularly.  

red and black glowing present

Customer Service

If you have a query or a problem while playing at horse racing sites, you should expect to have it addressed and rectified quickly and professionally. The best operators offer various ways to contact their customer support teams. 

Ideally, these should include a 24-hour live chat option and a toll-free phone number. An email address should also be used to send less urgent messages. If the brand in question has an extensive and well-written FAQ page, you may be able to find a solution to your query. 

red and black glowing headphones

States with Legal Horse Racing Betting

Horse racing betting is legal in dozens of jurisdictions in the United States. 

The laws vary widely depending on the state. Some states only allow sports betting at select in-person locations. At the same time, others allow betting at online sportsbooks or racebooks.

Online horse racing betting is legal in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Click EXPAND to see a full list of racetracks by state:

How to Use Horse Racing Betting Sites & Apps

Online betting apps all use the same basic format for horse races. The homepage is intuitive, with a list of links pointing to the different races that will be run at the tracks. 

When you click on a race you want to bet, a list of the entries will appear on the screen.

There are horizontal bands lined up one under the other, containing much information beyond the horse names and numbers. The morning line will appear next to the horse number, and the odds will be updated in real time.

You will see the names of the horse’s sire (father) and dam (mother). The trainer and the jockey will be listed, so you have the basic info right before you. 

There are buttons for winning bets, place bets, show bets, and exotic wagers.

Types of Horse Racing Bets

You may be confused if you don’t see the exact options at every track when you start. Horse betting sites use pari-mutuel systems, which we'll explain below.

Each track has its betting options, and they set the minimum increment for each type of bet.

Win, Place, Show

Win wagers are self-explanatory; you're picking which horse will win the race. "Place" and "show" bets are picking which horse will place second and third, respectively

A place bet payout varies based on the horse racing odds and the winner's odds. If a 20/1 horse places second, it may pay around $13, but this can change if a favorite or another longshot wins. The fewer people sharing the place pool, the higher the individual payouts.

So, if you've placed a bet, hope for a longshot win.

Picking which bet type to place depends on your risk tolerance and the betting odds. Betting on a favorite place or show is safer but offers smaller returns. Conversely, betting on a long shot can yield significant returns.

Across-the-board bets, covering win, place, and show, can be profitable if the horse wins and provides some return if it places or shows.

Exacta

Now, we can move on to the exotic wagers.

When you bet an exacta, you pick the horses that will finish first and second in the exact order. If you make a straight exacta bet, you pick the one that will come in first and the one that will come in second.

But what if the second horse you bet on finishes first? That happens a lot, so people often play exacta boxes. This is actually two different bets. Let’s say that you like the 7 and the 9 horse. If you play a box, you are betting 7-9 in that order and have a 9-7 exacta.

The minimum exacta is $1, so a $1 two-horse exacta box would cost two dollars because you are essentially holding two $1 tickets. You can also box more than two horses, and the cost will increase. 

There is no limit on the number of horses you use in your box, but the cost of a huge box can be prohibitive. Even if you are willing to put up the cash, you can collect on an exacta and lose money.

There is also an exacta wheel. You take a horse to win the race and select several different horses to come in second. You can create a ticket with more than one horse on top, but the price keeps increasing.

Quinella

A quinella is like an exacta box rolled into a single bet. When you play a straight quinella with two horses, and they are first and second, the exact order of finish is irrelevant. There are straight quinellas, quinella boxes, and quinella wheels, and there is typically a $2 minimum.

This is one of the more customer-friendly exotic wagers. You must pay for two bets with an exacta box to get one winning ticket. A quinella is more efficient because you do not burn any money if you win. (Most tracks do not offer quinellas for this reason.)

Trifecta

Now, we are moving into the exotics that can pay some big bucks.

With a trifecta bet, you pick the three horses that will come in first, second, and third in the exact order. Once again, you can play trifecta wheels, partial wheels, and trifecta boxes.

Since picking the top three horses is difficult, these bets sometimes pay hundreds or thousands of dollars. At most tracks, the minimum trifecta increment is $0.50, but it is $1 at some venues.

Superfecta

When playing a superfecta, you pick the first four horses in their exact finishing order, which is no easy task. Boxes and wheels will be the way to go if you want to play superfectas.

Since you will need many combinations to have a legitimate chance, the minimum betting increment is just $0.10.

Daily Double

You pick the winners in two consecutive races when you play a daily double. The minimum increment is $1 or $2, depending on the track policy. You can pay more and select multiple horses to win each race to increase your chances.

A word of caution: playing four horses in one race and three in the next race may sound like a sure winner. But beware of low payoffs if favorites win, so you must strike a delicate balance.

Pick 3

The Pick 3 is the same concept as the daily double, but you must pick the winners of three consecutive races. Since the task is more difficult, the payouts are higher than the daily double returns.

The minimum Pick 3 bet is just $1 at most tracks.

Pick 4

With a couple of exceptions, Pick 4s are offered at every track at this point. As the number of legs increases, the potential returns get more and more juicy.

The horizontal payouts are based on the odds of winning horses, so they are larger when long shots win unexpectedly.

The Pick 4 bet is favored due to its balance of risk and reward. It involves predicting winners in four races, which is challenging but achievable. Affordable tickets can include multiple horses, and payouts can be substantial, especially with long shots.

Even with moderate favorites, returns are decent.

You want to play a single horse in one race if you can. If you single a race, it will keep the ticket price affordable when you use multiple horses on the other legs.

Can you bet all the horses in every race? Yes, but the total bet would cost over $600 for a $0.50 increment, even if there are no more than seven horses in any race in the sequence. In all likelihood, the Pick 4 will not pay that much. If big favorites win four straight legs, it may pay less than $20.

Pick 5

If you want to aim for a bigger payout, you can attempt to pick the winner in five consecutive horse races. Pick 5 is another market based on a minimum $0.50 increment, but you can bet more if you choose to do so.

At most tracks, the Pick 4 will start in the second race of a Pick 5 sequence. This placement allows you to play the Pick 4 if you are knocked out of the Pick 5 after the first leg.

Using only one horse in one leg is especially important when making these bets. And, of course, you can choose overlapping actions to maximize potential returns.

Pick 6

At most tracks, the Pick 6 is the ultimate bet that centers around consecutive races. When you try to pick the winner of this many races, you need as many entries as possible in each race. That’s easier said than done because it’s expensive to keep adding horses to your ticket.

It is made easier at tracks that have a $0.20 base Pick 6 wager. The old-school standard is $2, still in place at some tracks like Santa Anita in Southern California.

Since it is extremely difficult to pick the winners of that many races, the payouts are significant. How much are we talking about?

In 2017, a lucky bettor won $891,000 on a $2 Pick 6 wager. Back in 2008, a 49-1 shot named Future Prospect crossed the finish line first in the last race at Churchill Downs, and the Pick 6 paid an incredible $1.127 million.

Pari-Mutuel Horse Betting vs. Fixed Odds Wagering

Pari-mutuel wagering pools are used for horse race betting. Pari-mutuel betting is a system in which bettors essentially wager against each other, pooling their money together. Winning bets are paid out after the track subtracts the money for expenses (sometimes called the "takeout"), whether the bettor is in person or watching from a remote facility (often another track that shows race simulcasts).

This contrasts with the fixed-odds betting model of online sportsbooks, where the bookmaker sets odds to balance action on both sides, ensuring a profit regardless of the outcome.

As we have explained, there are many separate markets.

Each has a different pool, so the winners can split different bundles of prize money.

Let’s say you have three horses in an exacta box. Two of your three horses finish first and second, so you are a winner. After the track takes its cut, you get your share of the money in the exacta pool.

This is not your only bet on that race. You also have a win bet and boxed the same three horses in the trifecta. Your win bet is correct, so you get a piece of the win pool, and there is yet another trifecta pool that you missed out on.

So, the money you collected was once in the pockets of other people who were contributing to the pools. Ultimately, you are not competing against the house but competing for the prize money with other bettors.

Types of Horses You Can Bet on

Horse racing genres are broken up by breed, and United States racing has three distinct breeds.

Thoroughbreds

The thoroughbred breed is the most dominant in American and worldwide racing. As we have explained, some specialists race on certain surfaces and races are restricted by gender.

Generally speaking, colts and older male horses are faster than fillies and mares, and male horses have more stamina.

Quarter Horses

Quarter horses are bred to run short distances of a quarter mile or less. There are fewer quarter-horse meets, but quarter-horse racing is relatively popular.

Los Alamitos in California, Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, and Remington Park in Oklahoma are some notable quarter-horse tracks.

Standardbreds

Standardbreds run in harness races, and they pull carriages that are called “sulkies.” The drivers do not have to be extremely light like jockeys. These horses are trained to either trot or pace, which are two slightly different gaits.

The highest quality standardbred races are run at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Top U.S. Horse Races to Bet On

Horse racing betting is a popular pastime in the U.S., with a rich history that dates back centuries. It's legal and widely available in many states, in person and online. Some major races, like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, attract significant betting interest, and new betting options and technologies continue to enhance the betting experience.

The big-stakes races are typically held on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. There are stakes races run all around the country each weekend, so there are hundreds of total American stakes events each year. Some of them are graded, and these races attract the best of the best.

The Kentucky Derby kicks off the Triple Crown series on the first Saturday in May. The Preakness comes two weeks later, and after a three-week hiatus, the Belmont Stakes is the third jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is the most famous horse race of them all. This one is a little more significant than the next two races because every Derby winner is remembered forever. The other two Triple Crown races are important but not quite the same.

Read our guide to the best Kentucky Derby betting sites to learn more.

Preakness Stakes

A colt named Preakness won the Dinner Party Stakes on the first day of racing at the brand-new Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. This was back in 1870, and the inaugural Preakness Stakes was run three years later.

If the Derby winner conquers the field in the Preakness, the Triple Crown will hang in the balance going forward. 

Read our guide on Preakness Stakes betting sites to learn more about the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.

Belmont Stakes

The excitement is at a fever pitch when the Triple Crown is on the line going into the Belmont Stakes. People who are not big fans are still interested, but it can be anticlimactic if the Kentucky Derby winner did not take the Preakness.

Regardless of the circumstances, this is one of the most important events for three-year-old thoroughbreds. 

Read our guide to Belmont Stakes betting sites to learn more.

Breeders' Cup

The Breeders’ Cup is a series of races run on the first Friday and Saturday in November. It is the culmination of the annual campaigns for the best horses on the planet. There are 14 different graded stakes events, so there is a lot of money to be made betting on the Breeders’ Cup.

Read our guide to the best Breeders Cup betting sites to learn more.

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