Best horse racing betting sites in 2025
Online horse racing betting is legal across most of the US, with just a few exceptions. But what are the horse racing derbies you can bet on and, is there a horse race bet which is better than the rest?
We’ll cover this and more betting tips & strategies, in this article. But first, here’s a look at the best sites for horse betting in USA.
| Sportsbook logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-sportsbook button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
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100/100
Betting features rating
by
Jack B.
91%
Playscore
based on
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Bet $5 get $150 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins
|
Bet now |
|
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2
|
96/100
Betting features rating
by
Paul P.
89%
Playscore
based on
|
Bet $5 get $150 in Bonus Bets
|
Bet now |
|
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IN/IL/LA/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) 21+, (KY) 18. |
3
|
95/100
Betting features rating
by
Jack B.
91%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
|
Bet now |
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Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. *Disclaimers valid for Bet and Get and First Bet Offers. Please reach out to your account manager if you are promoting any promotion other than those listed above. *See example for sizing requirement and ON, NY, PA, LA and OH specific Guidelines "First Bet Offer for New customers only" language should only be used for First Bet Offers All other acquisition offers should include "new customers only" language |
4
|
95/100
Betting features rating
by
Jack B.
85%
Playscore
based on
|
Bet $20 get $100 in Bonus Bets
|
Bet now |
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Visit BorgataOnline.com for Terms and Conditions. Must be 21+. NJ only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable free bets or site credit. Free bets expire in 7 days from issuance. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. |
5
|
95/100
Betting features rating
by
Jack B.
94%
Playscore
based on
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Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 20 Bets
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Bet now |
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6
|
80/100
Betting features rating
by
Paul P.
88%
Playscore
based on
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200% match up to $500
|
Bet now |
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Where is online horse betting legal in the USA?
Currently, online horse racing betting is legal in most states, with the exception of 10: Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington DC.
Horse racing betting became legal in the US with The Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, with many states amending bills in the early 2000s to include horse betting sites.
Missouri was the latest one added, with online betting becoming legal as of December 1st, 2025.
Top 3 horse racing betting apps, reviewed
If you’re looking for betting online on the races but you are not sure where to start, this is where I break down 3 of the most trustworthy horse racing betting sites, to help you decide.
FanDuel
Rebranded to FanDuel Racing from formerly being known as the TVG ADW, this is almost unanimously on the lists for best bookies for horse racing. That is because it ticks all the right boxes in terms of betting features. It comes with a live HD streaming covering 300+ global racetracks, and it offers up-to-the-minute odds for the biggest races in the US. Yes, that includes the Kentucky Derby or Belmont Stakes.
The FanDuel horse racing betting app is easy to navigate. It integrates login and wallet access across all its sections: race, sportsbook and casino, both online and via mobile apps.
FanDuel promo
Signing up now to FanDuel will get you bonus cash if you win.
Why is FanDuel the best for horse racing betting?
- Live streaming in HD for 300+ racetracks
- Beginner-friendly tutorials
- Great mobile app
Bet365
The bet365 horse racing app is currently offering fixed odds betting on horse racing on all major US horse racing tracks, in over 38 states, excluding: Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
In the states it operates, bet365 horse racing stands out for its competitive odds as well as its detailed race cards. While it doesn’t excel in features for beginners, compared to FanDuel, it is part of our recommendations list for its reputation.
Bet365 always delivers top class customer support and great promos for any sports you choose, not only horse betting.
Bet365 promo
When you sign up to bet365 sportsbook, you get up to $150 in bonus bets.
Why is bet365 a trustworthy horse race bet app?
- Competitive odds
- Reliable customer service
- Covers all major US racing tracks
BetMGM
With BetMGM racing, you’re getting a polished ADW betting app and a top horse betting experience. The operator combines their casino and sports betting already famous brands with a growing racebook, perfect for you if you want to keep all your betting action under 1 account.
On the BetMGM horse betting app, available for download in Ohio, Florida and Louisiana, you get simple and intuitive navigation between straight and exotic betting options, or even parimutuel wagering.
BetMGM promo
When signing up to BetMGM, you can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets.
Why choose BetMGM for your horse racing betting app?
- Live racetrack streaming
- Most major events covered
- Affiliate of The NY Racing Association
How to bet on a horse like a pro?
Well a good start is to choose your favorite horse racing site above, and sign up. A pro start is to also learn about the racetracks, the horse itself, jokey or their trainer.
While these steps might require a lot of reading, they compliment the types of bets and the combos you can make later in your horse betting experience.
Read about the racetrack
It’s worth informing yourself about the type of racetracks your horse is going to compete on, be it grass or dirt. From my side, a good tip is to stick to establishes races, so you can more easily compare stats from previous competitions.
Read the horse stats
Would a pro place a bet on a horse without finding out its track record? Who is the jockey? How about the record of the trainer? Yes, to become oa pro, you’ll need to get familiar with ‘form guides’. These will provide you with everything you need to know about who is racing, jockeys, trainers, and more.
Budget and take advantage of the odds
I recommend that all players keep an eye on their funds. But if you’re a newbie, above all bet small, and with money that you can afford to lose. Remember; even the most experienced bettors will inevitably lose some of their hard-won cash.
What are horse betting odds and how do they influence payouts?
Horse racing odds give you an idea about how likely that horse is to win the race, based on all bettors trust (parimutuel). The lower the odds, the less advance bettors believe that the horse will succeed.
Now, depending on the betting site, these odds will be displayed in different ways: fractional, decimal or moneyline.
But on the majority, you’ll see horse racing odds displayed in traditional fractions (e.g. 4/1) rather than the typical moneyline US odds (e.g. +110) typical to sports betting sites.
How do fractional odds pay?
The 4/1 (or a 4-1) is the easiest to read for payouts: it means that for $1 bet, you win $4 profit. Your original $1 is added on top of this profit.
Here’s a quick example from the 2021 Preakness Stakes: FanDuel had horse Rombauer (no.6) at 12-1 odds.
If you would have made a beginner “Win” bet of $30 on Rombauer, you’d have come away with a profit of $360 (plus your original bet)
If you would’ve put in practice a beginner tip to combine an across-the-board Win + Place + Show, on a $30 bet (with $10 bet on each) you would have made a net profit of $200, with a much lower risk of losing your entire bet:
| Win (bet $10 for 12-1 odds) | Place (Bet $10 for 5 – 1 odds) | Show (Bet $10 for 3 – 1 odds) |
|---|---|---|
| $120 | $50 | $30 |
Types of horse racing wagers you can place online
Below, I’ve listed and described the most popular horse racing bet types you can place online. You’ll further be able to choose between the ones best suited for you, by filtering the bets based on Payout vs Risk level:
| Bet type | What the bet means | Pay (Risk level) |
|---|---|---|
| Win (straight bet) | You bet on one horse, to be the winner | Low (Beginner) |
| Place (straight bet) | You bet on one horse, to place 1st or 2nd | Low (Beginner) |
| Show (straight bet) | You bet on one horse, to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd | Low (Beginner) |
| Exacta (exotic bet) | You bet on two horses, to place 1st and 2nd, in order | Large (Intermediate) |
| Quintella (exotic bet) | You bet on two horses, to place 1st and 2nd, in any order | Medium (Intermediate) |
| Trifecta (exotic bet) | You bet on three horses, to place 1st, 2nd and 3rd, in order | Large (Intermediate) |
| Superfecta (exotic bet) | You bet on four horses, to place 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, in order | Large (High) |
| Daily double (multi-race/parlay) | You bet on 2 horses, the winners of two races in a row | Large (Intermediate) |
| Pick bet parlays (multi-race/parlay) | You bet on 3 to 10 horses, the winners of 3 to 10 races in a row. Example: Pick 3s-4s-5s. | Very large (High) |
| Key bets | You select one horse to get the 1st place across your other selections | Large (Intermediate) |
| Super high five | You bet on 5 horses to place 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, in order | Large (High) |
| Omni | You bet on two horses to place in the top 3 | Low (Intermediate) |
| Trio | You bet on one horse to place in top 3 | Large (High) |
The most lucrative type of horse racing bets you’ll likely want to try out, are the ones that return large payouts, with an “Intermediate” level of risk. I’m looking at Exacta, Trifecta and Daily Double.
Omni bets are available for international races, while Trio bets are on a select few French horse betting options. Luckily, most horse racing betting sites give access to international races.
Three fast betting tips for beginners
While most bet types don’t require special tips to find and use, I have 3 fast tips to share for the more complex ones:
- On any horse betting platform you choose, always tap on horses to access their stats. Even better: check the horse’s past 5-10 races to give you an overall understanding of their stats. The higher and more stable the ratings, the better the chances of delivering a similar result on race no. 11.
- Beginner’s tip! Across-the-board bets: combine a Win, Place and Show into your betslip. Think of the winner, then use Show and Place as a risk mitigator.
- As an beginner-intermediate tip: Daily Double bets are some of the best in terms of risk vs payouts. To maximize your win potential, bet on multiple horses to win each race.
Top horse racing tracks to bet on from the United States
Horse racing events in the US are part social occasion, part serious gambling event, with the biggest betting brands offering fixed odds or advance deposit wagering on them. Check out some of the best horse racing tracks below:
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby has been held on the first Saturday of May since 1875. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, and the most popular horse racing betting event in the US, with total wagering reaching $233 million in 2021. “The most exciting two minutes in sports” offers exotic, multiple betting options that can (if lady luck is on your side) result in huge payoffs.
Upcoming Kentucky Derby event
The next event, the 152nd running, is scheduled for May 2nd, 2026.
The main event is expected to start early evening, after 18:30 EST.
Where to bet on Kentucky Derby?
If you want to skip the line at the Churchill Downs, I recommend Caesar’s sportsbook. If want to try this option, use promo code TIME2PLAY20X and double your winnings for your first 20 bets.
Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes is one of the biggest events in the US horse racing calendar. Held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, it takes place on the third Saturday in May. All the classic betting options ‘win’, ‘place’, and ‘show’ are available for bettors. Betting options like ‘exacta’ (picking the first two horses) and Trifectas (first three horses) could result in big payoffs if you pick right.
Upcoming Preakness Stakes event
The next event, the 151st competition, will take place on May 16, 2026.
It will be held at Laurel Park in Baltimore, Maryland, while the typical Plimico park is in renovations.
Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes is run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York – nicknamed “test of a champion” the race is held exclusively for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Belmont Stakes also boasts the longest racetrack of the Triple Crown events, coming in at a mile and a half. Pari-mutuel betting is restricted to two days, in contrast to the Kentucky Derby where you can place bets months before the race.
Upcoming Belmont Stakes event
The 206th annual Belmont Stakes event is scheduled to start June 6th, 2026. Due to reconstruction of the typical Belmont Stakes location, the next event will be held at Saratoga Race Course.
The Grand National
A trip across the Atlantic takes you to one of the most-followed races in the world: 4 miles and 514 yards of racing by beasts of at least 7 years of age, who’ve been rated 125 or higher in a previous race by the British Horseracing Association. In this steeplechase, participants must pass over 30 fences over 2 laps.
Upcoming Grand National event
This British event’s next competition is April 11, 2026, in Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England.
Breeders Cup
The Breeders’ Cup is held around the first weekend in November and is run at a different racetrack each year. Along with the best-thoroughbred horses from around the world, spectators can expect to see the world’s top jockeys and trainers. With a prize of $31 million for the winners, you can see why the best of the best are keen to participate. As well as the prizes for the pros there are always great opportunities for bettors to win big, too.
Upcoming Breeders Cup event
On October 30th, 2026, it will be the turn of Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, to host the next Breeders Cup event.
How we rank the best horse racing sites in the US
What does it take to rank as the best horse racing sites in the US? Below I’ll break down the different factors that influence our scores. We believe in a rigorous data-driven approach to our ratings – and always with you, the user, in mind.
Overall betting site rating
I’ve looked for sites that offer the best experience for users overall. What does that mean? That my top 3 very best choices have round-the-clock customer support, a decent range of payment options, and more than anything, good terms and conditions.
Races available
The best horse racing sites should offer bettors a wide range of choices in terms of race tracks and events. I’d expect to see not only races from top racetracks like Santa Anita Park in California but also the best international racetracks like Cheltenham in the UK. I’d also expect the biggest events on the racing calendar, like the Kentucky Derby, to be viable for bettors.
Bet types
The online horse racing sites that I ranked highest are those that offer betting types above and beyond the basic straight and exotic bet types. When it comes to types and race styles, I expected thoroughbred horses and harness racing to be easy to filter between and choose.
Bonuses
Transparent terms and conditions are essential along with an attractive bonus. I want to know how many times you have to play through before you can see your winnings as real money. A risk-free bet can seem like the perfect bonus, but if you’re having to play through up to x 15, then I’d mark that site down compared to others.
Odds
Odds are constantly changing, and depend on a variety of factors, so it’s difficult to rank a site based purely on finding ‘the best’ odds. A particular horse on a particular day at a particular event might have good odds in retrospect i.e. if that horse wins. So here I looked for consistency – if the site tends to have favorable odds compared to others over time.
Apps and platforms
If the platform itself keeps glitching and crashing, then it could spoil the racing experience. I’d also expect to see all the features that are available on desktop be available on mobile, too. It should be simple to navigate for users of all levels so that betting options and odds are easy to find and calculate. Overall, my best ratings go to those apps that offer the smoothest and most user-friendly experience.
State licenses
Online horse racing is legal in the majority of states in the US. But it depends on the operator where it chooses to broadcast and what licenses it has acquired. When I rate a site, I’d expect as many of those states as possible that offer horse racing to be represented. FanDuel Racing’s mobile app, for example, is available in over 20+ states. One more reason why it was my top choice for horse betting.
FAQs
What is the best online horse racing betting site?
Out of all the best horse racing sites that we have reviewed is FanDuel. It covers over 300 racetracks and it keeps a simple design with beginner-friendly tips for all betting types.
How can I bet on horses online?
First, choose one of our suggestions on this page, and sign up from your state. Then, have a look at our basic betting tips and get familiar with how payouts work. Finish by placing minimum bets to practice on the most popular local competitions.
Is it legal to bet on horses online?
In the majority of states in the US, it’s legal to bet on horses online. There are 10 states where you can’t do that: AK, GA, HI, MS, NV, NC, SC, TX, UT, DC.
What is the best way to bet on horses?
If you are a complete beginner, the best way to bet on is to do across-the-board bets (which splits your bet in three, for a win, place and a show lower bet, and less losses). For an intermediate strategy, the best way to bet is by choosing multiple horses on exotic bets like: Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4 etc. Why? Because it can render larger payouts at a lower risk, without having expert expertise.
Where to find the best horse racing odds?
My personal recommendation is bet365. It is an internationally renowned betting site which brings some of the best brokers under the same roof, for better odds combined with good promotions.
What are contest style bonuses for horse betting?
Contest-style bonuses for horse betting refer to tournaments/handicapping events where players bet on horses to gain points against each other, and to try to win from a prize pool. FanDuel is one of the bookies who organizes these for in the US.
