The best horse racing betting apps are legal and live throughout the US. Betting on horse racing has been a popular activity for hundreds of years. Today, it’s easier than ever to wager on horse racing using some of the best mobile apps, such as FanDuel Racing.
Most states in the US allow you to bet on horse racing online, and many have also legalized sports betting apps in general.
Let’s examine the best horse betting apps and some of the best promos and bonuses they offer.
Top Horse Racing Betting Sites in 2024
Whether you are looking to bet on the Triple Crown, Breeders’ Cup, or day-to-day race cards across the country, there are a number of horse racing apps available. Each offers several horse betting markets for every race, an easy-to-use app interface, a fantastic welcome offer, and much more.
Below, we run down which horse racing betting apps offer the best user experience.
| 🐎 Horse Betting App | 🤑 Current Welcome Promo |
|---|---|
| FanDuel Racing | Get a No Sweat First Bet up to $500 (AR, CA, DE, ID, FL, MN, MT, NH, NM, ND, OR, RI, SD, WA) |
| FanDuel Racing | Get a $20 No Sweat First Bet (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY) |
| Caesars Racebook | 100% Deposit Match up to $150 |
| DK Horse | 100% Deposit Bonus up to $250 |
| TwinSpires | $200 Horse Betting Sign Up Bonus (bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered) |
FanDuel Racing App
The FanDuel Racing app is an elite option among horse racing betting sites. It offers extensive race coverage, live streaming, and a well-designed interface. If you’re new to betting on horses or a seasoned veteran, the FanDuel Racing app is worth checking out during the Triple Crown series, Breeders’ Cup, and top international racing events. It has something for everyone and is the best horse betting app today.
Welcome Offers at FanDuel Racing
Hybrid/Racebook States: Get a $20 No Sweat First Bet (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY)
- Top Features: Well-designed app with plenty of betting choices and high-quality live streaming.
- Platforms: FanDuel Racing is available on desktop, iOS, and Android devices.
- States Available: You can bet on horse racing directly through the FanDuel Sportsbook app in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY. You can also bet on Horse Racing directly through the FanDuel Racing app in the following states: 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.
FanDuel Racing is a market leader among horse betting apps and has the distinction of being the first legal horse racing wagering app in the United States. FanDuel Racing is an official partner of the three Triple Crown races: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
FanDuel Racing offers betting and HD live streaming at more than 300 tracks worldwide. The app also offers exclusive insider access to the FanDuel TV network and handicapping info.
In Dec. 2022, FanDuel announced that its customers can bet on horse racing and other sports with a single account. It became the first US sportsbook to offer this feature. Users can wager on — and stream racing coverage from — FanDuel TV and other racing content for which FanDuel has wagering rights. In Sept. 2022, Churchill Downs Incorporated and FanDuel announced a multi-year agreement involving various facets of FanDuel’s sports wagering, advance-deposit wagering (ADW), and television businesses.
In March 2023, it was announced that FanDuel would keep its status as Official Sports Wagering Partner, Official ADW Partner, Official Mobile Casino Partner, and Official Fantasy Sports Partner of the Breeders’ Cup.
Why We Like FanDuel Racing
Caesars Racebook
In June 2022, Caesars Sportsbook and NYRA Bets partnered to launch the Caesars Racebook app for horse racing, now available on iOS, Android, and desktop.
The app will eventually be available in the 30 states NYRA operates in and currently has access to over 300 tracks, including Horseshoe Indianapolis, Del Mar, Saratoga, Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Oaklawn Park, and Keeneland. You can also wager and watch all the high-stakes international races from Hong Kong, France, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and many others — all on mobile or desktop.
One of the top features of the Caesars Racebook app is that, like the Caesars Sportsbook app, it integrates the Caesars Rewards loyalty program for bettors so that they may earn exclusive experiences with each wager placed.
On May 16, 2023, Caesars announced deals with Keeneland and Red Mile Gaming & Racing in Lexington, KY, to be Keeneland and Red Mile’s official sports betting partner. In addition, Caesars Sportsbook will operate an onsite retail sportsbook at Red Mile.
- Top Features: Live streaming HD video; several depositing options.
- Platforms: Caesars Racebook is available on desktop, iOS, and Android devices.
- States Available: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
DK Horse Betting App
Given the popularity of horse race betting in the US, it’s no surprise that several of the most prominent names in the sports betting industry are joining the action.
DraftKings announced on March 29, 2023, that the DK HORSE app — its first-ever horse racing product — had launched in 12 states. Now live in 20 states, DK HORSE allows customers to access pari-mutuel wagering on a standalone horse racing app. Through the DK Horse app, you can wager on tracks such as Saratoga, Del Mar, Woodbine, and Colonial Downs, as well as the Triple Crown races, Breeders’ Cup, and international tracks.
In Nov. 2022, Churchill Downs Incorporated and DraftKings announced a multi-year agreement under which CDI’s subsidiary, TwinSpires, agreed to power the advance deposit wagering technology for the DK HORSE app. DraftKings is also an official betting partner of both Saratoga Race Course and the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, as well as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Travers Stakes.
If you already have a DraftKings Sportsbook account, you can log into DK Horse using the same credentials. However, you will need to deposit funds into your DK Horse account separate from your DraftKings Sportsbook account. If you don’t have a DraftKings Sportsbook account, you will need to create a separate DK Horse account.
- Top Features: Live streaming, extensive betting markets, betting guides.
- Platforms: DK Horse is available on desktop, iOS, and Android devices.
- States Available: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana*, Iowa*, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington*, West Virginia, and Wyoming. (*Note: Washington, Iowa, and Indiana state residents must be at least 21 or older).
BetMGM Horse Racing
The BetMGM Horse Racing app is an affiliate of NYRA Bets, which is owned by The New York Racing Association. It allows users to watch and wager on Thoroughbred, Harness, and Quarter Horse races at more than 200 tracks around the world.
On the BetMGM Horse Racing app, you’ll also find live streaming video, race replays, and horse racing content — both Thoroughbred and Standardbred — updated daily. All the major horse races in the US, including the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, are available to wager on at BetMGM Horse Racing, as well as tracks like Saratoga, Del Mar, Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, and Aqueduct Racetrack.
You can also access a live stream of races from international events, including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and The Grand National.
- Top Features: Daily horse racing content, live streaming video, race replays.
- Platforms: BetMGM Horse Racing apps are available on desktop, iOS, and Android devices.
- States Available: Only available to residents of FL, LA, and OH.
TwinSpires App
Owned and operated by Churchill Downs, Inc., the TwinSpires Racing app is one of the top online horse racing wagering platforms and is the official online betting partner of the Kentucky Derby. Users can wager through the TwinSpires desktop, mobile, and app-based advance-deposit wagering platforms, as well as at retail locations and tracks across the country.
The TwinSpires app is available in nearly 40 states and is known for its live streaming, race replays, and free past performances available to account holders.
- Top Features: Live streaming, expert analysis, free past performances for account holders.
- Platforms: TwinSpires is available on desktop, iOS, and Android devices.
- States Available: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Popular Horse Betting Wagers
Horse race betting operates on a pari-mutuel basis. You’re not competing against the house but rather your fellow gamblers. All of the money from individual gamblers goes into one pool.
Rather than having odds calculated by professional statisticians called oddsmakers, horse race betting odds are calculated based on how much money is bet overall. Payoff odds are calculated by sharing the total money in the pool among all winning bets (after taxes and the vigorish have been collected).
With online horse race betting, there are several different types of bets that you can make.
Single horse bets have you place your wager on an individual horse’s race result.
- Win wagers mean your chosen horse will win the race outright.
- Place wagers mean your horse must come in first or second place.
- Show wagers mean your horse can come in first, second, or third place, and you’ll win.
You can also bet a single horse “across the board,” which means you’ll collect win, place, and show money if he wins the race. This option is equivalent to making three different bets, so you’ll pay three times as much for the privilege.
- Exacta wagers require you to pick two horses that must finish in first and second place in the correct order to win.
- Trifecta wagers are similar to exacta wagers, but you have to pick three horses in the correct order.
- Superfecta wagers have you pick four horses. Each horse must come in the wagered place (first, second, third, or fourth) for you to win the bet.
- Quinella bets are wagers that require you to select the first two finishers (in either order).
With each of these wager types, gamblers can “box” their bets, meaning they bet more than once to cover multiple finishing orders. Again, this form of insurance also requires doling out more cash at the betting window.
Multi-race wagers have you place bets on the outcomes or places of horses over more than one race. Examples include:
- Daily Doubles: This wager revolves around picking the winner of back-to-back races. In thoroughbred horse racing, the race card will typically have two daily doubles. An early double (races 1 and 2) and a late double (races 9 and 10) are available to bet on.
- Pick 5/6 Wagers: With these wagers, sports bettors will pick the winner of multiple races at a particular track during the day.
Exotic bets are more complex than straight bets. A good example of an exotic bet is the superfecta, which requires you to pick the top four horses in a race (in the correct order). The Pick-6 wager referenced above can also be considered an exotic bet. Bettors will often place small wagers using multiple horses in each race to try and land a big payout from picking six winners in a row.
How To Register for Horse Betting Apps
You can register for an online horse racing betting site or app in the US in multiple ways.
Desktop Registration
Desktop sites offer the easiest registration process. You can visit the desktop site of your chosen horse race betting operator and click “Register.” Then, you’ll need to provide personal information like your date of birth, address, and phone number.
Once the site verifies your identity and age, you can fund the account through various deposit methods. Once funding is complete, take advantage of any opening bonus that may apply and begin betting!
How To Join a Horse Betting App (iOS Users)
Apple makes it easy to register for horse race betting apps on any iOS device:
- Type the name of the betting app in the App Store’s search bar. This will take you to a download page.
- Download the app and let it install on your device.
- Then, follow the same registration process as outlined above. Provide personal information like your address and age.
- The app will automatically install geolocation software, which will ensure that you only use the app in your registered state.
How To Join a Horse Betting App (Android Users)
If you have an Android device, you may need to follow a slightly more complex process to register for your horse race betting app of choice:
- The Google Play Store began allowing gambling apps on its platform in early 2021, but not all horse race betting apps are listed. Your best bet is to visit the desktop site using your Android device.
- Find the Google Play Store link or download the app directly to your device from the website.
- The download should begin automatically.
- Once the installation is complete, follow the same registration process as above. Geolocation software will also be installed to ensure you’re betting on horse racing from a legal location.
What To Look for in Horse Racing Apps
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which horse racing betting app is the best choice for your needs. All of the horse wagering apps are legal and regulated, so they all offer top-level security. In addition to protecting your funds, here are some of the other key issues to weigh when choosing an app for your wagering needs.
Welcome Bonuses
Horse betting sites and apps often offer welcome bonuses to entice new bettors to sign up. Some are relatively small, but others can significantly build your bankroll out of the gate. Some of the bonuses offered include:
- Deposit Match Bonuses: A deposit match bonus will match your initial deposit (and no other deposits, so choose your first funding wisely) with site credit. For example, a 100% deposit match bonus of up to $200 will potentially let you start wagering with up to $400 of app credit.
- Bet Credits: Bet credits are quick and easy to access. They give you some site credit for opening an account without any strings attached. However, you usually need to take advantage of the extra credit within seven days or so. Bet credits can also be delivered as a loyalty program as a reward for using your preferred app.
For many of these bonuses, note that you’ll need to “play through” any awarded site credit one or more times before you can withdraw your winnings. With some apps, you have to play through your deposit match credit at least once before you can withdraw any winnings you get from wagering that credit in a bet.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Horse race betting sites and apps typically provide a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods. Many people opt to use Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards. Gaming Today lists the best sports betting sites that accept credit cards.
Other options can include prepaid debit cards, like Visa gift cards. You can also connect your online bank account to your horse race betting account.
PayPal is one of the easiest and best options for deposits and withdrawals. Most of the top sports betting sites are sportsbooks that accept PayPal.
Skrill and PayNearMe are alternatives, but check your horse betting site to be sure what methods are currently available.
Available Betting Markets
Perhaps the biggest intangible to consider when choosing a horse racing betting app is what tracks are available to wager on. The good news is that pretty much all of the top apps allow users to wager on the best racing action across the country, including marquee tracks such as Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Keeneland, Saratoga, Santa Anita, and Gulfstream Park.
Most of the top horse betting apps also allow you to wager on international racing, so you don’t have to miss out on top events such as the Royal Ascot meeting.
States With Legal Horse Racing Apps
More than 40 US states allow in-person or online horse betting at racebooks. Before the removal of PASPA in 2018, the states that permitted horse race betting largely had horse racetracks and would benefit financially from its inclusion.
While horse racing and wagering on horse racing is legal in Texas, you have to wager in person. There are currently no online options for betting on horse racing in the Lone Star State.
| 📱 States With Legal Horse Betting Apps | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Louisiana | Ohio |
| Arizona | Maine | Oklahoma |
| Arkansas | Maryland | Oregon |
| California | Massachusetts | Pennsylvania |
| Colorado | Michigan | Rhode Island |
| Connecticut | Minnesota | South Dakota |
| Delaware | Missouri | Tennessee |
| Florida | Montana | Vermont |
| Idaho | Nebraska | Virginia |
| Illinois | New Hampshire | Washington |
| Indiana | New Mexico | West Virginia |
| Iowa | New Jersey | Wisconsin |
| Kansas | New York | Wyoming |
| Kentucky | North Dakota | |
States Without Legal Horse Betting
There are a handful of states that do not allow for wagering on horse racing of any kind. Those states are:
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Utah
Wagering on horse racing in North Carolina was approved in the legislation that legalized sports betting in the state. However, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission has not yet authorized horse racing in the state, and no entities are licensed to offer or accept bets on horse racing in the state.
States with Fixed Odds Wagering
Horse racing utilizes pari-mutuel wagering, where the odds fluctuate depending on how much money is in the pools. A couple of states, however, have implemented fixed odds wagering, where you can lock in a price on a betting interest.
At Monmouth Park in New Jersey, fixed-odds wagering is available at select tellers on the first floor of the Grandstand, the first floor of the Clubhouse, Parterre Level 1, or the Picnic Area with a Live Teller or Self-Service Machine.
In Feb. 2024, bet365 in Colorado became the first mobile platform to offer fixed-odds betting on horse racing along with its other sports offerings.
Betting on Triple Crown Races
The most popular horse racing events in the US are the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. They run for five weeks, from May until June.
The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes — the second leg of the Triple Crown — is held at Maryland’s Pimlico Race Course. Three weeks after the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes occurs at Belmont Park in New York.
Due to construction and renovations at Belmont Park, the 2024 Belmont Stakes was held at Saratoga Race Course, contested at 1 1/4 miles.
You can bet on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in the days leading up to each race.
Kentucky Derby
The 2024 Kentucky Derby delivered a finish worthy of the 150th edition of the first leg of the Triple Crown. Mystik Dan got a rail-skimming trip under heady handling from jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., and that ground saved made all the difference as the colt held off late runs from Sierra Leone and Forever Young (JPN) to win by a nose. Mystik Dan is trained by Kenny McPeek, who also conditioned Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna. McPeek became the first trainer since 1952 to sweep both races in the same year. Hernandez, who also piloted Thorpedo Anna, became the first jockey since Calvin Borel in 2019 to prevail in both the Oaks and Derby on the same weekend.
Preakness Stakes
The 149th Preakness Stakes was one for the ages as Seize the Grey defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in the middle leg of the Triple Crown to add to the legacy of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Seize the Grey became the seventh career Preakness winner for the 88-year-old Lukas, who became the oldest trainer to win a Triple Crown race. Seize the Grey ran the 1 3/16 miles in 1:56.82.
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes, typically held at Belmont Park, is the final race in the Triple Crown series, and it is the longest at 1 1/2 miles. It’s a grueling distance for many horses. As a result, the Belmont has been nicknamed “The Test of the Champion.”
The 2024 Belmont Stakes was held at Saratoga for the first time to allow for the ongoing construction of a new Belmont Park. Due to the configuration of Saratoga’s main track, the Belmont Stakes was contested at 1 1/4 miles rather than the traditional 12 furlongs. The race was won by the Danny Gargan-trained Dornoch by a half-length over Mindframe. Dornoch’s win in the Belmont Stakes added to his family’s history of classic success as the son of Good Magic is a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage.
Horse Betting Apps FAQ
FanDuel Racing is the best horse betting app, offering the top customer experience and market depth. FanDuel Racing is an official wagering partner of all three Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
Yes, online horse betting is legal in the US. However, it is up to individual states to determine whether they want to offer online horse racing betting within their borders. Most states with legal sports betting allow online horse race betting.
You must be at least 21 to place horse racing wagers in most states.
Yes, the DK HORSE app launched on March 29, 2023, and is currently live in 20 states.
In addition to FanDuel Racing, DraftKings offers horse betting through its DK HORSE app, while BetMGM and Caesars also have highly-rated horse racing betting apps.
Yes, as long as the betting site is licensed and regulated. These horse betting sites, including FanDuel Racing, DK Horse, BetMGM Horse Racing, and Caesars Racebook, are safe thanks to their high-quality digital security and the regulation they receive from state gaming commissions. Conversely, due to inferior digital security systems, illegal horse betting sites cannot be trusted with your money or personal information.
No, horse racing betting apps like FanDuel Racing and DK Horse only offer odds for upcoming horse races. Bettors interested in placing wagers on other sports can join one of the many legal US sportsbooks (if located within a state with legal online betting).
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