Top5Votes: Horse Race Betting Guide
Your Resource for Racebooks and Betting Information
Top5Votes.com is your go-to resource for horse race betting information and racebook comparisons. We provide comprehensive guides on betting regulations, popular racetracks, and online racebook options across the United States. Our mission is to empower bettors with accurate, up-to-date knowledge to enhance their wagering experience and make informed decisions.
Bet Smarter with Top5Votes
- State Betting Landscapes: Navigate the legal maze of horse race betting across America
- Racebook Showdowns: Our no-holds-barred comparisons of top online betting platforms
- Track Talk: Insider looks at the nation’s most exciting racetracks
- Latest News: Stay updated with the freshest developments in horse racing and betting
Top5Votes: Horse Race Betting Guide
Top 5 Racebooks: A Fast Track to Betting choices
Navigate through the world of online horse race betting is challenging But don’t worry – we’ve done some of the legwork for you. Our members has saddled up, dug through websites, bonuses and the boring stuff, and put these racebooks through their paces to bring you the best out there.
From checking user-friendly interfaces to testing bonuses, payouts information to comprehensive race coverage, state availability, we’ve weighed it all. These top 5 racebooks aren’t just the first past the post – they’re the thoroughbreds of online horse racing betting.
So, without further ado, here’s our winner’s circle of racebooks:
DraftKings DK HORSE
Innovative horse racing betting platform
BONUS
100% Deposit Bonus up to $250
• Backed by DraftKings and Churchill Downs
• User-friendly interface familiar to DraftKings users
• Integration with DK Crowns rewards program
T&C applies
Available in: CA, CO, FL, IL, IN (21+), IA (21+), KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MT, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA (21+), WV, WY
AMWAGER
Advanced horse racing betting platform
BONUS
$150 Deposit Match
• Advanced handicapping tools and features
• Extensive track coverage (over 1000 daily races)
• Generous cashback rewards program
T&C applies
Available in: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Caesars Racebook
Comprehensive horse racing betting platform
BONUS
$150 New Member Deposit Match
• Partnership with NYRA Bets for robust betting technology
• Integration with Caesars Rewards program
• High-quality live streaming of races
T&C applies
Available in: CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MT, ND, NY, OH, OR, PA, WA, WV, WY
BetMGM
Premium horse racing betting experience
BONUS
No Bonus Currently
• High-quality live streaming of races
• Integration with BetMGM Rewards program
• User-friendly interface
T&C applies
Available in: FL, LA, OH
FanDuel Racing
Live horse racing betting
BONUS
$500 no sweat first bet
• Integration with FanDuel’s platform
• NumberFire statistics for betting
• High-quality live streaming
T&C applies
Available in: 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
Horse Racing and Online Betting in the United States
The US has loved horse racing since colonial times, but it still remains popular today, especially because of online betting. In this complete guide we will take you through an overview of horse racing in the USA, the legalities surrounding online gambling on horses, popular bet types, features found on betting platforms as well as responsible gambling practices.
The Landscape of Horse Racing in the US
There are three main types of horse races that take place in America:
- Thoroughbred Racing – This is the most common form which features breeds known for their speed and agility.
- Harness Racing – Horses are involved in this type of race where they pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky.
- Quarter Horse Racing – Shorter distance races with explosive speed from these horses.
Events such as The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes & Belmont Stakes (collectively known as The Triple Crown) attract millions viewers each year who also place bets on them.
Online Horse Racing Betting: Legal Status
Online horse racing betting has a unique legal status within the United States. Unlike other forms of online sports wagering, federal law specifically legalized interstate pari-mutuel bets on horse racing when Congress passed The Interstate Horseracing Act back in 1978; however it wasn’t until 2000 that this was amended to include internet wagering too.
State-by-State Legality
As of 2024 most states have legalized online horse race betting but things can change so here’s what’s currently going on:
States Where Online Horse Racing Betting is Legal
AL AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL ID IL IN IA KS KY LA MD MA MI MN MT NE NH NM NY ND OH OK OR PA RI SD TN VT VA WA WV WI WY
Key Points on State Legality
- Age Restrictions: Most states require bettors to be at least 18 years old but some have set the minimum age to 21, always check your local regulations.
- State-Specific Restrictions: Certain states may place restrictions on betting in-state races. For example, residents of New Jersey can bet on out-of-state races but not those within NJ itself.
- Regulatory Bodies: Horse racing and betting are overseen by a regulatory body in each state. e.g., Kentucky’s – The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regulates all forms of gambling related to horses including pari-mutuel pools and advance deposit wagering (ADW).
- Changing Landscape: The legal status of online horse betting can change as some states have recently legalized it after prohibiting for many years while others might be considering legislation soon.
- Operator Licensing: Operators must obtain proper licensing even if they operate from one state where such activity is allowed into another where it isn’t so as to offer their services legally there too.
States with Restrictions or Prohibitions
There are a few states which have more restrictive laws when it comes to wagering on horses over the internet:
- Nevada – Because of its land-based casino industry most forms of off-track betting including online horse racing bets are prohibited in this state.
- Hawaii & Utah – These two states do not allow any form of online gambling whatsoever including betting on horses.
- Alaska, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas – Currently these states do not permit people within their borders access to online horse race betting platforms although some might be considering passing bills that will legalize them soon.
Before starting online horse racing betting, gamblers must check whether their country has legalized this or not. Rules can be modified and what is allowed in a single state might not be so in another one. Always consult the latest information from official state gambling regulatory bodies.
Different types of popular horse racing bets
Online platforms for horse race betting provide a wide range of bet types that cater to beginners as well as experienced punters:
Win, Place, Show: The simplest wagers
- Win: Your horse should finish first
- Place: Your horse should come first or second
- Show: Your horse should be among the top three finishers
Other Popular Bets
- Exacta: Predicting which horses will finish first and second place in exact order
- Trifecta: Predicting the first, second, and third-place finishers in exact order
- Superfecta: Choosing the first four horses to finish in exact order
- Daily Double: Predicting the winners of two consecutive races
- Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 6: Selecting winners for 3, 4 or 6 consecutive races.
Exotic bets may also be available on many platforms along with an option to “box” your selections which increases your chances of winning but at a higher cost.
Features offered by Online Horse Racing Betting Platforms
Contemporary sites and apps designed for horse racing betting provide various features that enhance your experience while placing bets:
- Live Streaming – Some platforms allow you to watch races live through video feeds so you can see all action happening right before your eyes!
- Handicapping tools – Past performance data; expert picks; statistical analysis etc., are some examples of handicapping tools that can help you make more informed decisions when it comes down to choosing which horses look like they will perform better than others during any given race event.
- Mobile Apps – Most major platforms offer mobile apps for iOS and Android devices making it possible for people who are always on-the-go or prefer betting from their mobile phones to do so conveniently.
- Promotions and Bonuses – Welcome bonuses; reload bonuses; special promotions tied to major racing events etc., are some examples of promotional offers that you can take advantage of on various sites.
- Rewards Programs – Some platforms have loyalty programs where they reward frequent bettors with points which can be redeemed for cashback, free bets or other perks.
- Educational Resources – Many sites provide guides explaining different types of bets available; racing terminology used etc., this is particularly useful for newcomers who are just starting out in this field and may not be familiar with everything yet.
Responsible Gambling
Reputable online horse race betting platforms in the US take responsible gambling seriously. They typically offer features such as:
- Deposit limits
- Betting limits
- Self-exclusion options
- Links to problem gambling resources
It’s important for punters to use these tools and always gamble responsibly.
The Future of Online Horse Racing Betting
The online horse racing betting industry is constantly evolving. Some trends and possible future developments include:
Integration with Sports Betting
As more states legalize sports betting we may see greater integration between horse racing and general sports betting platforms becoming available across different parts of the country.
Technological Advancements
Perhaps in future there could be better quality live streaming services offered by bookmakers where people can watch races as if they were standing right at the trackside, virtual reality experiences might also become possible through VR headsets designed specifically for use within this sector; more sophisticated handicapping tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) technology may also emerge making it even easier than ever before for anyone interested in having a flutter on any given day’s race card at any given racetrack.
Cryptocurrency Adoption
Some online platforms have already started accepting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum as valid payment methods when it comes down to making deposits or withdrawing funds from your account balance with them. This could open up many new possibilities for people who prefer using such digital currencies over traditional ones when taking part in online gambling activities involving horse races etc., especially now that they are known to offer better security features and faster transaction speeds.
Social Betting Features
Many platforms could introduce more social elements whereby punters can share their picks or even compete against friends to see who can achieve the highest total return on investment (ROI) over a given period of time.