Best US Horse Betting Apps In March 2023

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 mobile apps or online horse race betting sites.

Most states in the US allow you to bet on horse racing online and many of them have also legalized sports betting in general.

Let’s examine the top three horse betting apps that are available on the market now as we look forward to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in early November.

Editors Choice For Best Horse Racing Apps

• TVG: Best For Overall Horse Betting App
• BetMGM: Best For Odds 
• Caesars Racebook: Best For Rewards Program

Best Online Horse Racing Betting Apps & Sites for 2023

Check out these sites for the best betting markets and sign-up bonuses for horse racing.

TVG/FanDuel

• Visit to claim Bonus Offer: $200 – Get your first single-horse win wager up to $200 back if you lose. Use promo code: 200TVG
• Platforms: Desktop, iOS, Android
• Why We Like This App: Well-designed app, lots of betting choices, good live streaming

TVG is a market leader among apps in the horse betting space, and it has the distinction being the first legal horse racing app in the US. TVG is an official wagering partner of all three Triple Crown races: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

TVG offers wagering and HD live streaming at more than 300 tracks across the world. You’ll also have exclusive insider access to TVG network and handicapping info.

TVG is owned by FanDuel, the premier online gaming company in North America. In December 2022, FanDuel announced that its customers can access both parimutuel wagering on horse racing and traditional sports book wagering with a single account. With this launch, FanDuel Sportsbook becomes the first US sportsbook to offer this feature. Users will be able to wager on and stream racing coverage from FanDuel TV and other racing content for which FanDuel has wagering rights.

In March 2023, it was announced that FanDuel will retain its status as the Official ADW Partner, Official Sports Wagering Partner, Official Fantasy Sports Partner, and Official Mobile Casino Partner of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Can I Bet the Kentucky Derby on TVG/FanDuel?

Yes. In addition to live horse racing throughout the year from top tracks across the country, FanDuel Sportsbook customers will also be able to wager on the Kentucky Derby for the first time through the integrated platform in 2023.

BetMGM Horse Racing

• Visit to claim Bonus Offer: 100% deposit match up to $200
• Platforms: Desktop, iOS, Android
• Why We Like This App: To start, BetMGM offers horse race betting in Louisiana, Florida, and Ohio, but we expect additional expansion, including places like New York, California, and Michigan.

The BetMGM Horse Racing app gives you much more than the ability to bet. You’ll also find live streaming video, race replays, and horse racing content that is updated on a daily basis.  

All of the major races in the US including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes are available to bet on at BetMGM Horse Racing. You can also access a live stream of races from international events like Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and The Grand National.

Caesars Racebook

• Bonus Offer: $250 on Caesars. Make a deposit, and Caesars will match it, up to $250. New users only.
• Platforms: Desktop, iOS, Android
• Why We Like This App: safe and secure, hundreds of tracks to bet at, variety of bet types

Caesars Sportsbook and NYRA Bets partnered to launch this new Caesars mobile betting app for horse racing, which is now available on iOS, Android, and Desktop in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

The app will eventually be available in the 30 states in which NYRA operates. Download today and access over 300 tracks, including Horseshoe Indianapolis, Del Mar, Saratoga, Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Oaklawn Park, Keeneland, and more! You can also wager and watch all the high stakes international races from Hong Kong, France, UK, Ireland, Australia, and many others – all on mobile or desktop.

Caesars Racebook, which also gives users access to handicapping tips and race replays, allows users to watch and wager on computers, too.

Horse Betting Apps Coming Soon

Given the popularity of horse race betting in the US, it is no surprise that several of the most prominent names in the sports betting industry are getting in on the action. For example, FanDuel recently acquired TVG. Not to be outdone, DraftKings has partnered with Churchill Downs to create DK HORSE.

DK HORSE is expected to be available initially in 21 states, pending all necessary licensing and regulatory approvals, and is scheduled to launch ahead of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby in May 2023. The initial launch of DK HORSE will require customers to sign up and deposit funds separate from that of their one account, one wallet tethered to the DraftKings Sportsbook, Casino and daily fantasy sports apps. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission recently voted unanimously to approve DK HORSE as an account wagering provider for Suffolk Downs.

PointsBet, an Australian-based sportsbook that has a significant market share in the US, is planning on launching a PointsBet Horse Racing site/app soon as well. PointsBet announced it has entered into an agreement with 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, a business division of The Stronach Group, North America’s largest Thoroughbred horse racing company, to deliver a PointsBet branded stand-alone ADW offering in eligible states outside those in which the company currently offers sports betting.

Betting On The Triple Crown Races

The most popular horse racing events in the US are the Triple Crown races: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. They span five weeks from May until June.  

The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown and is held at Maryland’s Pimlico Race Course two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The Belmont Stakes takes place three weeks after the Preakness Stakes at Belmont Park in New York.

All three of these apps are great options for betting on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

Kentucky Derby

Rich Strike pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Triple Crown history by winning the 2022 Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs. At odds of 80-1, Rich Strike defeated favored horses such as Epicenter, Zandon, Taiba, and Messier in stunning fashion. Rich Strike was the second longest shot to win in the 148-year history of the Kentucky Derby. In 1913, Donerail scored a Derby victory at 91-1.

There’s nothing more exhilarating than betting on the Kentucky Derby, which is known worldwide for being the fastest two minutes in sports. Prior to the 2022 Kentucky Derby, we ran this piece on the five biggest upsets in recent years. You can watch the race broadcast for each, too.

Preakness Stakes

Epicenter, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby, was the betting favorite in the Preakness Stakes. The 147th running of the Preakness Stakes was by won Early Voting in late May. Epicenter was again the runnerup.

The Preakness took a hit when Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike was withdrawn from the race. That development meant that horse racing would not have a Triple Crown winner for the fourth consecutive season. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Justify in 2018.

Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes, which was run on June 11 at Belmont Park, is the final race in the Triple Crown, and it is the longest at 1-1/2 miles. That is a grueling distance for many horses. The Belmont has been nicknamed “the Test of the Champion” as a result.

Last year’s Belmont Stakes winner was Mo Donegal, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Gaming Today readers who followed the advice in this Belmont Stakes preview cashed winning tickets.

Top Horse Betting Races For March 27-April 2, 2023

Kentucky Derby Prep Races

April 1

$1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park

• Race Preview – Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Forte will seek to cement his standing as the top-rated Kentucky Derby candidate in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. The 2022 juvenile champion drew post No. 11 and has been installed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite in a field of a dozen 3-year-olds entered in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, which will headline a 14-race program with 10 stakes, including five graded races, worth $2.375 million in purses.

$1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park

• Race Preview – Southern California-based Reincarnate was among 11 horses entered Sunday morning for the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles April 1 at Oaklawn. Reincarnate, who is trained by Tim Yakteen, will be returning to Oaklawn after finishing a troubled third in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 25.

NOTE: The Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby offer Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 100-40-30-20-10 scale.

Other Top Horse Betting Races

April 1

$250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) at Gulfstream Park

$600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park

$400,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) at Oaklawn Park

NOTE: The Gulfstream Park Oaks and Fantasy will offer Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 100-40-30-20-10 scale.

2023 Kentucky Derby Leaderboard and Contenders

NOTE: UAE Derby third Continuar (JPN) has accepted an invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby for accruing 40 points in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Continuar (JPN) currently ranks 18th on the overall leaderboard with 30 points but he has been removed because he has accepted the automatic invitation, which will be ranked as No. 20. 

Wild On Ice earned 50 points with his win in the Sunland Derby but he was not among the early Triple Crown nominees.

The Kentucky Derby field has been limited to 20 starters since 1975. At least 20 horses have entered the 1 1⁄4-mile race for 3-year-olds in 21 of the last 24 years. 

Latest Horse Betting News

Champion Forte the Star Attraction in Florida Derby

Reigning juvenile champion Forte was installed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite in a field of a dozen 3-year-olds entered in the 1 1/8-miles Florida Derby on April 1.

The 72nd running of the Florida Derby will be featured on a program with 10 stakes, including five graded stakes.

Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Forte established himself as a clear early favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) when he made an auspicious 2023 debut in the March 4 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The son of Violence, who had won three consecutive Grade 1 races to finish his 2022 championship season, raced between horses while rating off the early pace before advancing along the backstretch, swinging four-wide into the stretch and drawing away to a 4 ½-length victory under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Kingsbarns Rolls in Louisiana Derby

Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys Farm’s Kingsbarns earned 100 points to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gates when he took a commanding lead early in the 110th running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), drawing away by open lengths and dominating a field of 11 other 3-year-olds at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Kingsbarns now becomes the fourth colt from the barn of the Hall of Fame conditioner who has likely earned enough points to contest the Kentucky Derby, joining with Forte (90), Tapit Trice (50), and Major Dude (40).

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Future Wager

The Kentucky Derby & Oaks Future Wagers are an opportunity for fans to bet early in the racing season on horses whom they think have the potential to earn a spot in the starting gate and go on to win the Kentucky Derby & Oaks races. Future Wager bets typically offer larger payouts than betting the same horse on race day because it is not yet known which horses will ultimately qualify to run in the Derby & Oaks.

Reigning juvenile male champion Forte, winner of the Fountain of Youth (G2) in his 3-year-old debut, closed as the 3-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) with Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Tapit Trice the 8-1 second betting choice.

“All Other 3-Year-Olds” closed as the 10-1 third wagering option. Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and San Felipe (G2) Practical Move and Kentucky Jockey Club (G2 and Lecomte (G3) winner Instant Coffee were next in the betting at 12-1 and 19-1, respectively.

There will be one additional opportunity for fans to bet early on this year’s Kentucky Derby contenders. Pool 6 will span March 30-April 1.

Other Popular US Horse Racing Events

Breeders’ Cup World Championships

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships started in 1984 as the brainchild of horseman John Gaines. The idea was to create a season-ending championship to determine the best horses in the world.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup took place at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky, featuring 14 championship races spread over November 4-5.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the highlight of this annual event. It’s open to horses 3-years old and older, and the field is limited to 14 starters. The 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic saw overwhelming betting favorite Flightline cap off his undefeated career when he galloped to an 8 1/4-length victory over runner-up Olympiad. Trained by John Sadler, Flightline retired after the Breeders’ Cup Classic with six wins from as many career starts. 

Total all-sources, global common-pool handle for the two-day 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course was $189,060,373, a record for the two-day event.

The 2023 Breeders’ Cup will return to the site of some of its most memorable moments, Santa Anita Park for the 40th running of the World Championships. In 2024, the Breeders’ Cup returns to San Diego’s iconic racing venue: Del Mar, where the turf meets the surf. The FanDuel Group, home of FanDuel Sportsbook, FanDuel Racing, FanDuel TV, and TVG.com, has a multi-year agreement as the official wagering partner of the Breeders’ Cup.

Popular International Horse Racing Events

 TVG and other horse racing apps also allow you to place bets on international horse racing events. Some of these include:

• Dubai World Cup: Broadcast on TVG, this race card boasts one of the richest purses in the world. Meydan Racecourse is home of the $30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting on March 25, 2023.  
• Epsom Derby: This event started in 1870 and served as the inspiration for the Kentucky Derby. 
• Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: This is another high-profile event that takes place near Paris in the fall.  

All three of the biggest horseracing sites mentioned earlier – TVG, BetMGM Horse Racing, and Caesars Racebook – allow you to wager on these international events.

What States Offer Online Horse Racing Betting?

More than 40 states in the US allow either in-person or online horse race betting. Before the removal of PASPA in 2018, the states that allowed horse race betting were largely those that already had horse racetracks and whose state revenue benefited greatly from its inclusion. As a result, states like Kentucky, New York, and California have allowed online and retail horse race betting for many years now.

Recently, states such as New Jersey and Colorado have legalized both regular sports betting and online horse race betting, provided you sign up with a licensed sportsbook.

What Types Of Bets Are Available On Online Horse Betting Sites In The US?

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 be 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 Wagers: Win, Place, Show

Single horse bets have you place your wager on an individual horse’s race result.

• Win wagers mean you wager that your chosen horse will win the race outright
• Place wagers mean that your horse must come in either first or second place
• Show wagers mean your horse can come in first, second, or third place and you’ll win

You also have the option of betting a single horse “across the board” and that means you’ll collect win, place, and show money if he wins the race. This option is tantamount to making three different bets, so you’ll pay three times as much for the privilege!

Multi-Horse Wagers

Naturally, multi-horse wagers mean placing a bet on multiple horses.

• Exacta wagers have you pick two horses that must finish in first and second place and 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 in which the first two finishers must be picked 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

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, there will typically be two daily doubles on the race card. There’s an early double (races 1 and 2) and a late double (races 9 and 10) 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

Exotic bets are more complex than straight bets. A good example of an exotic bet in the superfecta, which requires to 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.  

What Types Of Bonuses Are Available When Betting On Horse Races Online?

To entice new bettors, horse race sites and betting apps usually offer welcome bonuses. Some are relatively small but others can significantly build your bankroll right out of the gate.

Deposit Match

Deposit match bonuses 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 up to $200 will potentially let you start wagering with up to $400 of app credit. TVG offers a 50% deposit match bonus up to $250.

Bet Credits

Bet Credits are quick and easy to access. They just give you some site credit for opening an account without any strings attached. However, usually need to take advantage of the extra credit within seven days or so.  

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. In the above TVG example, 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.

Is Online Horse Race Betting Legal In The US?

Yes, but it’s up to individual states as to whether they will allow it. Under a provision of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, states could decide whether they wanted to legalize horse race betting or not.  

Is It Safe To Bet On A Legal Online Horse Betting Site?

Yes, as long as the betting site is licensed and regulated. These horse betting sites including TVG, 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, illegal horse betting sites cannot be trusted with your money or personal information due to inferior digital security systems. 

How Do You Register At Online Horse Race Betting Sites In The US?

There are multiple ways in which you can register for an online horse racing site or app in the US.

Desktop Registration

Desktop sites have the easiest registration process by far. You can visit the desktop site of your chosen horse race betting operator and click “Register”. Then you’ll need to provide some personal information like your date of birth, address, and Social Security number.

Once the site verifies your identity and age, you’ll be allowed to fund the account through a variety of deposit methods. Once funding is complete, be sure to take advantage of any opening bonus that may apply and begin betting!

iOS Device Registration

Apple makes it easy to register for a horse race betting app on any iOS device:

• Simply 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. The geolocation software will make sure you only use the app in your registered state.  

Android Device Registration

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. That means your best bet is to visit the desktop site using your Android device.
• Find the link to either the Google Play store or to download the app directly to your device from the website.
• The download should begin automatically. You may need to allow a .apk file access to your phone.
• Once the installation is complete, follow the same registration process as above. Geolocation software will also be installed.

What Options Are There To Deposit and Withdraw At Online Horse Betting Sites?

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.  

Other options can include prepaid debit cards, like Visa gift cards. You can also use your online bank account and connect it to your horse race betting account.

PayPal, Skrill, and PayNearMe are also alternatives, but check your  horse betting site to be sure what methods are currently available.

Online Horse Race Betting FAQs