Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in USA
Horse racing betting has always been a popular pastime for sports fans in the US, especially on huge events like the Triple Crown series. In most states you can legally bet online at horse racing betting sites on major meetings such as the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
In this guide, we give you an insight into the world of horse racing betting apps and sites, where you can discover the top providers to join. We provide tips to sharpen your knowledge and reveal handy strategies that will enhance your overall betting experience. Keep reading to find out more about betting on horses in a secure and legal environment.
- All
Up To $1000 Paid Back If First Bet Loses
Up To $1000 Paid Back If First Bet Loses
- Best Promo Code Offers
- Fun and Interactive Features
- Regionalized Promotions and Bonuses
Up To $150 in Bonuses When You Deposit Min. $5
Up To $150 in Bonuses When You Deposit Min. $5
- Top 2 Sportsbook for Daily Fantasy Sports
- Awesome and Easy To Use UX
- 24/7 Customer Service
Bet $5, Get $150
Bet $5, Get $150
- Second Biggest Sportsbook in US
- App With Lots Of Great Betting Features
- Best For Daily Fantasy Sports
5 x 2nd Chance Bets Up To $250
5 x 2nd Chance Bets Up To $250
- Many Unique Bets
- In-House Generous Odds
- VIP Program With Personal Manager
Up To $500 Second Chance Bet
Up To $500 Second Chance Bet
- Plethora of Betting Markets
- Levels Reward Program
- Best in the Market for Live Betting
The Best Horse Racing Betting Sportsbooks List
Horse racing continues to prove very popular with sports bettors, and recent research shows that by sports type, the horse-racing segment accounted for the second-largest sports betting market share in 2022, only behind football, growing at a CAGR of over 8.0% during the forecast period.
With so much racing to bet on, there are a number of sportsbooks for bettors to choose, so feast your eyes on a selection of our expert top picks for horse racing betting sites on the US market. These legal sportsbooks have been carefully chosen due to the fact that they offer awesome odds, up-to-the-minute action and live wagering without having to visit a racetrack.
- BetMGM – Top US horse racing betting site overall
- FanDuel – Longest-established US sportsbook platform
- DraftKings – Best sportsbook for free bets
- PointsBet – Excellent live in-play betting site
- BetRivers – Top betting site for rewards
The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites Reviews
Now that we have listed the best horse racing betting sites on the US market, turn your attention to our in-depth reviews. Here we dig deeper into what each operator has to offer and highlight the facts you need to make an informed decision about which platform to join.
1. BetMGM – Top US horse racing betting site overall
Website: betmgm.com
Established: 2018
License: Yes (Multiple states)
Headquarters: NJ, USA
When it comes to horse racing betting, BetMGM is our number one ranked sportsbook overall. The service it provides is unrivaled and it’s no surprise that it carries the title ‘The King of Sportsbooks’. You can bet on the go easily by downloading the dedicated racebook app on iOS or Android, or wager online via your browser.
You can also use the handy sorting tools to filter races by track or time, along with viewing how many ‘Minutes to Post’ are remaining and gain insights and tips from the BetMGM Trackmaster. There’s also an array of other sports to wager on including NBA, soccer, NFL and college sports, along with hockey, which has some excellent odds and lines, making this brand also one of the best NHL betting sites in the US.
Horse Racing Odds and Markets at BetMGM (5/5)
There are plenty of markets available at BetMGM across 40 racetracks worldwide, more than any other betting site in the industry. Countries include the UK, US, Australia, South Africa and Ireland among others. Top tracks are available such as Delta Downs, Penn National, Exeter, Sandown Park, Yonkers, Woodbine, Remington, Aqueduct, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park. We found that the odds were extremely competitive compared to other sportsbooks on the market.
Payment Methods (4/5)
You can deposit and withdraw to your BetMGM account using a variety of methods, such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover and PayPal. Bank transfer is also available, along with Apple Pay and Play+. Deposits are instant with immediate access to your funds for wagering on horse racing betting lines and other markets.
Customer Support (4/5)
When reviewing the customer support at BetMGM, we found that it was very accessible and responsive to all queries. The agents are knowledgeable and attentive when answering questions using the live chat facility that is available 24/7. There is also a dedicated Help & Contact center with a handy Q&A.
Bonuses + Free Bets (5/5)
BetMGM is one of the best sportsbooks in the business for bonuses and sportsbook promotion codes. You can grab regular offers throughout the year that are specific to current events and sports. Some of the promos you can expect to see at BetMGM include parlay insurance, parlay profit boosts up to 40%, cash back, free bets and a $50 refer a friend bonus for each referral. The sportsbook also has one of the most rewarding loyalty programs available, MGM Rewards, where you can convert points for prizes.
Welcome Bonus
| Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | How To Claim |
|---|---|---|
| $1000 First Bet Offer | 1x | 1. Sign up and make a deposit to your BetMGM account.
2. Place your first qualifying bet. 3. If your bet loses, receive free bets up to the total amount of your wager. 4. Bets are awarded in 20% denominations on wagers of $50 or more. |
- PayPal-friendly for deposits and withdrawals
- Live betting available
- Excellent mobile betting platform
- Competitive horse racing betting odds
- Limited selection of payment methods
- Low maximum bets on odds boosts
Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ years of age or older to wager. MI, NJ, PA or WV only. Excludes Michigan Disassociated Persons. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA & WV).
2. FanDuel – Longest-established US sportsbook platform
Website: fanduel.com
Established: 2009
License: Yes (Multiple states)
Headquarters: NY, USA
FanDuel is a US staple in the world of sports betting, DFS and horse racing betting. The brand is trusted by millions of Americans across the country and the operator continues to dominate the market-share, which speaks volumes for the service it provides to customers. Along with horse racing betting odds, you can also wager on more than 20 different sports, including football, basketball and hockey, with competitive odds, exciting props and parlays.
It’s also worth noting that this operator is one of the best live sports betting providers on the market. FanDuel also provides a comprehensive betting guide so that you can master your horse racing betting picks, along with watching the exclusive FanDuel TV channel, keeping up to date with latest news and getting cash back on selected races.
Horse Racing Odds and Markets at FanDuel (5/5)
When it comes to betting on horse racing, FanDuel is without a doubt one of the best horse racing betting sites on the US market. Active in many states, you can enjoy a plethora of betting lines and markets from top racetracks, including Fairview, Del Mar, Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs and Woodbine. The platform is ranked very highly by our experts for betting on horses due to its diversity and competitive odds, second only to BetMGM by a nose.
Payment Methods (4/5)
On the payment front, FanDuel is a site that caters for as many people as possible when it comes to deposits and withdrawals. You can use a range of payment cards such as Visa, MasterCard and Discover, as well as eWallets like PayPal. There are also additional options available including Trustly, Apple Pay and Play+.
Customer Support (3/5)
The customer support available is good and pretty standard for what you would expect from a sportsbook operator of this size. Although the support channels are limited to live chat primarily, this is sufficient for what you need as you can contact them any time of day or night with queries and issues.
Bonuses + Free Bets (4/5)
When it comes to promotions beyond the usual welcome bonus, FanDuel is a site that exceeds expectations. The platform provides plenty of fresh offers and sportsbook promo code deals on specific sports, including seasonal promotions depending on the time of year and current major events on the sporting calendar. When you join FanDuel you can expect to see a variety of free bets, same game parlay boosts, insurance on parlay bets and $1000 up for grabs each day as part of the brand’s Perfect Picks promo. You can also get $50 in free bets for every buddy you refer to the sportsbook.
Welcome Bonus
| Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | How To Claim |
|---|---|---|
| $1000 No Sweat First Bet | 1x | 1. Sign up to FanDuel and make a deposit.
2. Place your first qualifying bet. 3. If your bet loses, you will receive your stake back in free bets up to $1000. 4. You do not need to use your free bet credit in one lump sum. |
- Great variety of SGP
- Excellent in-play betting experience
- Live streaming available on selected sports
- Huge variety of props
- No Bitcoin payment option
- Some payment methods have high fees
3. DraftKings – Best sportsbook for free bets
Website: draftkings.com
Established: 2012
License: Yes (Multiple states)
Headquarters: MA, USA
DraftKings is a reputable online sportsbook that has been active as a DFS site for over a decade. It has used its knowledge and experience to bring the same great experience to sports fans in the US with plenty of wagering opportunities available. You can bet on soccer, basketball, hockey and baseball among other sports with confidence. This operator is also one of the top NFL sportsbooks in the US. Within each category, you’ll find a good variety of moneyline and spread bets, along with props and SGP’s.
Horse Racing Odds and Markets at DraftKings (N/A)
The only form of horse racing at the moment at the DraftKings sportsbook is the Free Horse Racing Pool. You can enter the pool by submitting picks before a race begins and win cash prizes. However, the operator has recently struck a new partnership deal with Churchill Downs to launch a new horse racing platform labeled DK Horse. Upon going live, we anticipate, based on what the operator already offers, that the horse racing betting platform will provide competitive odds and plenty of lines including Win, Place and Show among others.
Payment Methods (3/5)
Making a deposit or withdrawal at DraftKings is easy and straightforward and can be done using a variety of major methods, such as credit and debit cards Visa, MasterCard and Discover. You can also use PayPal, one of the most popular eWallets in the US.
Customer Support (3/5)
We found that the level of customer support at DraftKings was average and what you would expect of any major sportsbook brand. You can drop by the live chat facility to speak directly with a member of the team or send them an email if you don’t mind waiting for a response.
Bonuses + Free Bets (4/5)
DraftKings has a dedicated promotions page that is filled some of the best free bets and plenty of offers for existing bettors, including a rewarding refer-a-friend program that gives you $100 free bet for every referral, same game parlay profit boosts, daily free to play pools and an exclusive ‘Missions’ program where you can complete tasks and earn rewards.
Welcome Bonus
| Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | How To Claim |
|---|---|---|
| 20% Deposit Bonus Up to $1000 | 1x | 1. Sign up to DraftKings and make a deposit of $5 or more.
2. Bonus funds are awarded at a ratio of $1 for every $25 wagered. 3. The bonus is active for 90 days from your first deposit. 4. The maximum bonus you can receive is $1000. |
- Competitive odds across a range of markets
- Easy to claim bonus with tracker feature
- Refer friends and get $100 each time
- Excellent mobile compatibility
- Small selection of payment options
- Bonus awarded in DK Dollars
4. PointsBet – Excellent live in-play betting site
PointsBet facts: PointsBet was founded in Australia before expanding to the US. Official betting partner of NBC Sports.
Website: pointsbet.com
Established: 2015
License: Yes (Multiple states)
Headquarters: CO, USA
PointsBet has been an established sportsbook in the US for many years and has consistently increased its presence and footprint in the sports betting market. You can take part in a unique and exclusive betting service known as PointsBetting that offers bet boosts and points for increased profits. PointsBet is popular for betting on NFL, NBA, NHL, soccer, tennis and NCAAF. It is also one of the best MLB sportsbooks available with excellent wagering opportunities on baseball Futures.
Horse Racing Odds and Markets at PointsBet (4/5)
At present, the horse racing markets at PointsBet are restricted to customers in Australia. However, using the Australian site, we were able to get an idea of what racetracks, markets and events are available until the brand officially launches in the US. Overall the markets and lines were good with great coverage across major countries, including Australia, UK and Ireland. We look forward to seeing similar offerings to the BetPTC platform, which is a PointsBet company following the acquisition of Premier Turf Club.
Payment Methods (3/5)
One of the first things we noticed about PointsBet is that the operator provide online banking payments via Trustly, something which not many sportsbooks provide. You can also deposit and withdraw using Visa, MasterCard and PayPal.
Customer Support (3/5)
You can contact PointsBet directly using the email address on site. However, the most popular channel of support is via live chat, where you can speak directly with an agent in real-time. In the absence of telephone, these channels of support are good compared with other sportsbooks.
Bonuses + Free Bets (4/5)
The variety of sportsbook promo codes and free bets at PointsBet is very good. You can browse available offers in the dedicated Promotions section of the site, including same game parlays, lightning bets, PointsBet rewards and be part of the Diamond Club for a premier betting experience with VIP perks.
Welcome Bonus
| Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | How To Claim |
|---|---|---|
| $500 in Free Bets (5 x $100) | 1x | 1. Signup to PointsBet and make a first deposit.
2. Place a fixed odds wager everyday for 5 days. 3. If your bet loses, you will receive your stake back as a free bet up to $100. |
- Exclusive PointsBetting system
- Great selection of betting lines available
- Competitive odds
- Easy to use platform
- Limited selection of payment methodsSlow-processing withdrawals
5. BetRivers – Top betting site for rewards
BetRivers facts: BetRivers is owned and operated by RSI. It has a strong social media presence including TikTok.
Website: betrivers.com
Established: 2012
License: Yes (Multiple states)
Headquarters: IL, USA
BetRivers has been established for over a decade and is a huge brand on the casino and retail sports betting scene. The operator is constantly growing its sportsbook presence in regulated markets and provides plenty of betting lines across various sports, including NBA, NFL, NHL and college sports. It is also one of the top-rated UFC betting sites with great wagering opportunities on weekly Main Cards and Prelims.
Horse Racing Betting Odds and Markets at BetRivers (N/A)
There are currently no available horse racing markets at BetRivers and the racebook is yet to launch online. Having already established itself in the retail betting industry, we’re confident it will go live in the near future with horse racing betting.
Payment Methods (3/5)
Although there could be more payment options available compared with other operators, the platform does allow you to deposit and withdraw using major methods, including Visa, MasterCard and PayPal.
BetRivers provides an adequate number of banking options that will allow you to add funds and withdraw winnings. Credit and debit card are the primary choice, including Visa, MasterCard and Discover, but you can also use bank transfer, PayPal and PayNearMe.
Customer Support (4/5)
Receive customer support via live chat that is timely and responsive. The agents are able to assist with any queries you may have and provide answers and guidance to questions. You can also drop by the dedicated Help Center for extensive reading on using your account.
Bonuses + Free Bets (4/5)
There are plenty of ongoing sportsbook bonuses and promo codes available at BetRivers, including loyalty rewards, SGP contests, deposit match offers, parlay insurance and profit boosts.
Welcome Bonus
| Welcome Bonus | Wagering Requirement | How To Claim |
|---|---|---|
| 100% 2nd Chance Bet Up to $500 | 1x | 1. Signup to BetRivers and make a first deposit.
2. Place your first wager on any sport with no minimum odds. 3. If your bet loses, you will receive 100% of your stake back as a free bet up to $500. |
- Excellent sportsbook promotions
- Live betting and streaming
- House Specials betting options
- Great variety of props
- Not as many payment methods as other sportsbooks
- A lot of emphasis put on casino games
FAQs
What does +1 and +1.5 mean in Horse Racing betting?
The +1 and +1.5 values mean that for every $100 you will $100 or $150. Values are based on 100 due to being a 1:1 ratio.
What is the best option in Horse Racing betting?
The best option for horse racing betting is a Win, where you predict which single runner will win the race outright.
How do you bet on Horse Racing?
You can bet on horse racing by joining a top sportsbook or racebook like FanDuel. Once you have made a deposit, choose a race meeting and view the race-card. Select a horse and enter your stake amount.
What does 10 to 1 odds mean in Horse Racing?
For every $1 that is invested by bettors, you will get $10 profit in return in the event of a successful selection. Odds in this form represent the stake-return ratio that is relative to the amount you wager.
Comparing the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
Compare horse racing betting platforms using the table below and see which operator comes out on top based on a variety of factors.
| Sportsbook | Dedicated App? | Horse Racing Betting | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| FanDuel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| DraftKings | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| PointsBet | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetRivers | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
How we Rank the Best Horse Racing Sportsbooks
Our experts are able to carefully research horse racing sportsbooks based on a variety of criteria that separates the best operators from mediocre or poor ones. When ranking sites, we take the following into consideration:
Bonuses
When it comes to betting on horse racing, the bonus offers and promotions provided by sportsbooks are an important part of giving incentives and enhancing the entire racing experience. We ensure that all listed operators provide the best free bet offers and deposit match bonuses so that you can get more bang for your buck.
Markets
The best horse racing betting platforms will provide you with as many markets to wager on from race meetings and tracks in different countries, including USA, UK, Ireland and Australia among others. The more markets that are available, the more likely you are to enjoy betting on horses and stick around long-term.
Payment Options
A good selection of payment options is imperative to being able to deposit and withdraw funds to and from your sportsbook account. We always ensure that each operator has a minimum of two traditional payments and one additional option, such as PayPal or Apple Pay.
Mobile Compatibility
The rise of sports betting apps and mobile device betting is a huge part of modern sports wagering, including mobiles and tablets – indeed, during a survey conducted in the United States in January 2020 to determine the most common methods of gambling, a slight majority of respondents of 30% indicated that they gamble using an online or app based company.
Each sportsbook that we recommend has a mobile compatible website that you can access via your browser or a dedicated app you can download.
Customer Service
Customer service is like insurance, you only need it when you have an issue. However, it’s vital that a member of the sportsbook team is on-hand and waiting to help at any time day or night when you need it. We rank highly operators that have a minimum of two support channels for customers, including live chat, email or telephone.
Horse Racing Betting Explained
In the US, horse racing betting has been popular for centuries, particularly at racetracks and retail sportsbooks. However, you can now perform horse racing betting online and on mobile devices with daily meetings at racetracks across the country and around the world.
A horse race takes place with a set-number of runners and you are able to bet on which horse you think will win the race. You can also use multiple or combination bets for more complex wagering and greater returns.
Horse Racing Betting Markets
When betting on horse racing and browsing horse racing betting lines, you will notice that there are a variety of markets to wager on. Unlike other sports, the markets are based on how well you think a particular horse will do in a race. Below are a few example of different betting markets you can choose.
Win
The most common betting market in horse racing is the win market. Here, you are predicting the outright winner of a race.
Win-Place-Show
Predict whether a runner will finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd with this betting market. Alternatively, select ‘Across the Board’ to say whether a particular horse will finish in any of the top three positions.
Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta
Specify the exact horses you think will finish in spots 1-4 with these bets from 2, 3 and 4 respectively. These multiple-selection bets are available as a ‘Box’, whereby you can air on the side of caution and indicate that the runners can finish in any order.
Bonuses Available at Horse Racing Betting Sites
When you register a new account at a horse racing betting site, you will be given the opportunity to claim one or more bonuses on an opt-in basis, usually with a bonus code. These bonuses come in different forms and sizes and can vary from one site to another. Let’s take a look at them in more detail below.
Match Deposit Bonuses
A matched-deposit bonus will give you free credit in your account based on the amount you deposit. Sometimes referred to as a welcome bonus or reload bonus (existing customers), you can receive a percentage of your deposit for free on top of your added funds. If you deposit $500 as part of a 100% match deposit bonus, the sportsbook will give you $500 free, making a total of $1000 to wager.
No Deposit Bonuses
Make your real-money horse racing betting picks for free with a no deposit bonus. These bonuses are awesome for familiarizing yourself with a new sportsbook operator and using the free credit without spending to get free cash and keep what you win. If you sign-up and claim a $25 no deposit bonus, you will immediately have $25 in credit to place wagers without depositing any of your own money.
Free Bets
Free bets are offered by online sportsbook operators as an incentive for you to sign up and continue betting regularly as a loyal customer – they are also ideal for betting on horse racing. Free bets often come as part of a welcome bonus, but can also be offered a regular basis to reward loyalty. You can receive a set amount free bet when you deposit a specific value of money, or get a free bet as part of an insurance promotion in the event of you losing your stake.
Bonus Comparison at Horse Racing Betting Platforms
Use the table below to compare bonuses easily so that you can see exactly what is on offer at each sportsbook.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Minimum Deposit | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | $1000 First Bet Offer | $10 | Visit Site |
| FanDuel | $1,000 No Sweat First Bet | $10 | Visit Site |
| DraftKings | 20% Deposit Bonus Up to $1000 | $5 | Visit Site |
| PointsBet | 5 x $100 Free Bets (5 Days) | $10 | Visit Site |
| BetRivers | 2nd Chance Bet – $500 Free Bet | $10 | Visit Site |
Live Betting with Horse Racing Sportsbooks
Live horse racing betting is an exciting variation of wagering, whereby wagers are placed as the race is in motion, making racing truly one of the best live sports betting events around. Instead of making your predictions pre-event, you can wait until the race starts to get the latest stats and data, including how well the horse has started in the early parts of a race. FanDuel is currently the best sportsbook on the market for live betting on horses due to its intuitive platform, real-time statistics and live action.
Horse Racing Sportsbooks with Live Streaming
Watch live streams of horse races at FanDuel, our top-pick sportsbook for live horse racing betting with streaming facilities. You can wager on horses and watch the race unfold online and mobile.
Biggest Horse Racing Events to Bet On
Horse racing is available almost every day of the year and takes place around the world in countries such as UK, Ireland, Australia and UAE. In the list below, we have outlined five of the biggest horse racing events based on a variety of factors, including coverage, bettors, wagers and interest.
- Kentucky Derby: An annual horse race in Louisville, Kentucky that takes place in May for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at Churchill Downs.
- Grand National: One of the most watched horse races in the world dating back to 1839 and taking place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England.
- Gold Cup: A grade 1 national hunt horse race that takes place every year at Cheltenham Racecourse in England during the Cheltenham Festival.
- Dubai World Cup: An annual horse race for Thoroughbreds at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Melbourne Cup: A flat race meeting for Thoroughbreds aged three or older taking place at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.
Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in the US?
Betting on racing is legal in most US states and many horse racing betting online sites provide access to a dedicated platform that allows you to place wagers in a licensed and regulated environment. Retail sportsbooks still hold a large percentage of the market-share, but online and mobile are gaining ground thanks to the relaxation of some gambling laws in various states.
Payment Methods available at Horse Racing Betting Sites
Before you can place wagers on your horse racing betting picks, you must first deposit money into your account. You can do this using a number of different methods available at online sportsbooks.
eWallet Betting Options
eWallets are widely used for horse racing betting online and are a safe way to deposit and withdraw funds from a sportsbook. Although some eWallets charge a fee per transaction, they are extremely popular because of their fast-processing times, security and ease of use. The most popular eWallets include PayPal, Neteller and Skrill.
Traditional Payment Methods
Traditional payment methods still hold a solid place in the world of online betting. Although eWallet usage has increased, many bettors still prefer adding money to their accounts using debit or credit cards and bank transfer. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are widely used at betting sites in the US.
Payment Method Comparison at Horse Racing Betting Sites
In the table below, we have highlighted the different payment methods available so that you can compare one against the other.
| Sportsbook | Key Payment Methods |
|---|---|
| BetMGM | Visa, MasterCard, Discover, PayPal, Bank Transfer, Apple Pay, PayNearMe, Play+ |
| FanDuel | Visa, MasterCard, Discover, PayPal, Apple Pay, Play+, Trustly, Venmo |
| DraftKings | Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal |
| PointsBet | Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Trustly |
| BetRivers | Visa, MasterCard, Discover, PayPal, Bank Transfer, PayNearMe |
Horse Racing Betting Systems and Strategies
Learning about horse racing betting systems and strategies can be useful to your overall betting experience and can structure your wagering in a way that will allow you to potentially win more than you lose. In the segment below, we have outlined some of the most common betting systems deployed at sportsbooks or racebooks.
Tipster Betting
Betting on horse racing to turn a profit can take decades to master. By using the tipster betting strategy, you can benefit from years of experience and knowledge from experts. Use independent tipsters or tipsters that are associated with sportsbooks to gain valuable knowledge and receive horse racing betting picks that may be more likely to win.
Lay the Favorite
Instead of backing a horse to win, you can put money on it to lose. This is known as lay-betting and is a common strategy deployed by advanced bettors. You can place a lay bet at a betting exchange.
Public Betting
Use public betting percentages to predict which horse will win a particular race. By following the majority of public bettors, you are utilizing opinion or knowledge from others to wager on a potential outcome. Public betting strategies can be useful for beginners looking to capitalize on more-knowledgeable bettors in the industry.
Tips for Horse Racing Betting
Maximize your horse racing betting potential for returning successful bets with our top expert tips that will help you sharpen your knowledge.
1. Research
Horse racing betting can be enjoyed by any bettor with as much or as little knowledge. However, if you spend time researching race tracks, meetings and horses you are able to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible and give yourself the best chance of landing a win. Be sure to check out the past and current form of a horse, note what the ground is like (hard, soft) and view previous races at specific venues. It also helps to research specific races and big meetings to look for trends, such as the Breeders’ Cup.
2. Back the outsider
If you want to land successful bets in horse racing that are profitable and provide the biggest returns, you can back the outsider instead of the favorite. Favorites typically win around 35% on average, leaving plenty of room for second favorites and outsiders with greater odds.
3. Bet on large races
Large race meetings or events that take place on rare occasions, such as once per year, usually have the most interest from fellow bettors and a higher number of runners. Therefore, the odds are greater and can provide better returns, along with more money to be win in pooled jackpots.
4. Keep your own records
Recording your own data and information is a sure-fire way to learn more about horse racing and recognize patterns and bets that occur regularly. You can keep a permanent record of horses that win or lose at particular tracks or in certain weather conditions.
5. Look for winning jockeys
A jockey is just as important as a horse in a race and can be the difference between winning and losing. Become familiar with winning jockeys with solid track-records and you can potentially increase the number of successful bets you land.
Horse Racing Betting Terms
Familiarize yourself with horse racing betting terms and industry lingo so you know exactly what you’re looking at when browsing the latest events and track meetings. The more knowledge you have, the better your overall betting experience will be.
- MTP: The amount of time remaining before the next race is off (Minutes to Post).
- Runner: A term used to describe the horse taking part in a race, such as 10 x runners.
- Track: The location / venue of the race taking place.
- Carryover: A type of betting pool that is ‘carried’ over when there is no winner of the day’s race.
- Place: A type of bet on a horse to finish first or second.
- Show: A type of bet on a horse to finish first, second or third.
- Exacta: The bet type for choosing the first and second finishers.
- Trifecta: The bet type for choosing the first, second and third finishers.
- Quinella: Choose two horses to finish first and second in any order.
- Daily-double: A bet involving choosing the winner in two different races.
- Banker: A horse that is most likely to win, is reliable and has a high finish rate.
- Buck: A movement by which the horse lowers its head and raises its hind legs.
- Dead-heat: When two horses finish the race at the exact same time resulting in a tie.
- Nose: The distance by which a horse can win a race based on the horse’s nostril, indicating a very close finish between two or more horses.
- Outsider: A long-odds horse or underdog that is unlikely to win.
- Steeplechase: A type of horse race that is ran over a distance and consists of fences or ditches to jump.
How to Bet on Horse Racing Online in the USA
You can get started with horse racing betting picks in a few simple steps. In the guide below, we walk you through the process from start to finish.
1. Sign Up
Visit BetMGM and hit the Register button to sign up.
2. Enter Registration Details
Enter your registration details, including personal and financial information so that you can start wagering for real money.
3. Verify, Login & Deposit
Verify your account with the requested details and make a deposit transaction.
4. Bet Now
Login and bet now on hundreds of horse racing betting lines across the globe.
How to Create an App for a Horse Racing Betting Site
Create your own mobile app on iOS or Android using a progressive web app (PWA). You can choose any URL you wish to link directly to the horse racing betting page of your chosen sportsbook. In the example below, we use our top choice sportsbook BetMGM to explain the steps you need to take.
Step 1: Load your mobile browser (Safari)
Click on the browser app to load it and visit BetMGM Racebook.
Step 2: Select the menu button
Select the menu button at the bottom of the browser screen.
Step 3: Select ‘Add to Home Screen’
When the menu pops-up, select the ‘Add to Home Screen’ option and an app icon will be added to your phone’s home screen.
Step 4: Give your new app a name
Give your new app a name or keep the default chosen title based on the details of the web page.
Step 5: Bet now
Your new horse racing betting app is ready to use. Select it and start betting.
Conclusion
Not all online sportsbooks provide horse racing betting. However, one operator that really stands out above the rest in this niche is BetMGM. The operator dubs itself the ‘King of Racebooks’ and it’s fair to say that we agree. The platform is intuitive, simple and effective, with plenty of wagering options for beginners and seasoned bettors.
The BetMGM racebook app is available on iOS and Android, along with a desktop version running from your browser. There are over 40 racetracks to select from around the world, including USA, New Zealand, Australia, UK and Ireland, with sorting options by track and time with Minutes to Post countdown.
