The best horse racing betting sites offer competitive odds on US and international racing. But betting on the sport of kings takes more than good odds.
Our guide offers expert insight into the different bet types, races and even betting strategies. Before we get to that, let’s take a look at the country’s top horse betting sites.
$250 in Free Bets and 100 Free Spins
Welcome Bonus of 125% up to $1,250 Bonus Code: BIGACTION
50% match bonus up to $250
150% Welcome Bonus Package
100% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000
There are lots of racebooks in the USA, but the best ones are often based offshore. Sites regulated by overseas authorities tend to offer better odds, promotions and other perks.
Here are three standout horse racing bookmakers that accept US bettors.
Markets & Odds: Offers futures, as well as exotics like Superfecta and Pick 5. Some of the best fixed odds prices in the country.
Racing Coverage: Comprehensive coverage from every US track, plus international action from dozens of countries, including the UK, UAE and South Africa.
Features: Handy countdown to the next race time at each venue. Easily switch between US odds, fractional and decimal formats. Intuitive bet slip.
Promotions: Special horse racing betting offers, including a huge 9% rebate when placing online bets. VIP loyalty rewards for regular bettors.
Banking: Two dozen payment methods, including major card processors like Visa and American Express, plus 16 crypto options. Same-day withdrawal processing.
User Experience: Easy to use mobile site with the option of switching to a “classic” look-and-feel. Register in minutes with no complex verification process.
Pros
Cons
BetOnline is one of the best offshore betting sites for any sport, not just horse racing. It’s primarily known for competitive odds, regular rebates and ultra-quick withdrawals.
You can bet on all domestic and international races every day, as well as plenty of futures markets. As such, it’s one of the best Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup betting sites.
Markets & Odds: Fixed odds prices are in line with the most competitive horse betting bookies. Also offers pari-mutuel betting.
Racing Coverage: Total coverage of international and US racing. Bet on everything from harness racing in Sweden to jumps racing in Ireland.
Features: Easily search by specific horse, track or jockey. One of few live horse racing betting sites with streams available.
Promotions: Biggest welcome bonus of any US horse betting sites online. Complete special missions to earn individual rewards.
Banking: 16 payment methods, including PayPal, Neosurf and all major bank cards. Among the best crypto horse racing betting sites with nine options.
User Experience: Minimalist design is simple but effective. Easy to navigate on any device thanks to responsive mobile site. Live chat support team responds quickly.
Pros
Cons
Launched in 2023, BetWhale is among the best new horse racing betting sites. It offers one of the biggest sportsbook promos for new players we’ve seen in a while, helping you get off to the best possible start.
The simplistic site is easy to use on mobile and desktop. Everything is designed for convenience, with helpful search tools and an intuitive cashier.
Markets & Odds: Competitive odds compare well to all of the best horse racing betting sites. Exotic bets types include Pick 3, Superfecta and Daily Double.
Racing Coverage: Not as comprehensive as other sites, but full US coverage. International events from most countries, like South Africa, the UK and Ireland.
Features: Bet on virtual races at quiet times. The “Next 5 Races” feature is handy to jump right into the action.
Promotions: Enhanced welcome bonus for crypto depositors. Horse bets earn more reward points than the standard Bovada sportsbook. Earn friend referral rewards.
Banking: Major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum offer same-day payouts. Traditional methods include bank wires and credit cards.
User Experience: Very easy to register and deposit with fast withdrawals. Useful help section and live chat agents are quick to respond.
Pros
Cons
Bovada is primarily known as one of the best online sportsbooks, especially for soccer, football and basketball. However, it’s fast becoming one of the leading horse betting sites online too.
The fixed odds prices are up there with the most generous racebooks. Every major international race is available, along with daily coverage of all US meetings and the top overseas tracks.
Here’s an at-a-glance overview of the top 10 horse racing sites in the USA and their key features.
| Racebook | Horse Betting Markets | Horse Rebates | Live Race Streaming | Crypto Accepted |
| BetOnline | Up to 8 | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| BetWhale | Up to 8 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bovada | Up to 8 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| BetNow | Up to 8 | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Everygame | 1 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| MyBookie | Up to 8 | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| BetUS | Up to 8 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SportsBetting.ag | Up to 8 | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| XBet | Up to 8 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| TG.Casino | 3 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
When choosing the best horse racing betting sites, bonuses and promotions are a key consideration. Here are some offers to look out for.
In what is a very competitive industry, all horse race betting sites offer some sort of welcome bonus. This is usually a deposit match, with a percentage reward tied to the size of your first real money transaction.
You may also find free bets, second chance bets and other signup incentives in the welcome package.
Most horse race betting sites reward your loyalty by adding a deposit match bonus when topping up your account. This works just the same as a welcome bonus, but the percentage will likely be smaller – perhaps in the region of 10% to 50%.
A lot of the best horse betting sites now provide cashback rebates on losses. Fail to turn a profit on bets during a specified period and you’ll receive a percentage refund. At BetOnline, for instance, there’s a 9% rebate on daily horse racing bets.
There’s no such thing as a risk-free bet, of course. However, a certain type of promotion at some betting sites used to be called “risk free bets” – until regulators stepped in.
Nowadays, these bonuses are known as “second chance” or “no sweat” bets. They work like this: place a real money bet and, if it loses, receive a free bet of the same value.
Some leading horse betting sites run price boosts, or odds boosts. They’re often found in other sports, like basketball and football, but you can get them at racing sites too.
The odds of selected races are enhanced, providing a little extra value on winning bets. Boosts may be permanent or temporary, in the style of a “happy hour” promotion.
A handful of online bookmakers offer money back specials, where you’ll receive a refund on your stake if certain things happen. You might get your money back as a free bet if your first wager loses, for instance.
However, they’re sometimes more specific. Refunds may come if your horse loses by less than a head, for example, or if it finishes second to the favorite.
All good sportsbooks and horse racing sites offer structured loyalty and VIP programs. With the former, you’ll earn reward points as you place bets. These may be exchanged for free bets or cash, but also determine your loyalty status.
The higher you climb, the better the perks will be. In addition, some sites also have VIP programs, where certain players are hand-picked for exclusive benefits and privileges.
Here are the most popular bet types at the best horse racing betting sites.
Don’t try the best betting sites for horse racing without a plan. Here are a few useful strategies to help you get started.
First things first, understand that there are no shortcuts in horse racing. Paying for tips or systems is a surefire way to lose money, so forget that.
The harder you work – by studying form, learning how to handicap races and developing your skills – the bigger the long-term edge you’ll develop.
Not all race tracks are created equally. Some offer a bias to those who are drawn closer to the rail, for example. If a bias exists, you need to know about it.
Similarly, some courses are better suited to big, rangy types, while others favor small and speedy horses. The surface makes a difference too. It’s harder to come from behind on dirt, for example.
Once you’ve identified a horse to bet on, make sure you shop around. Different fixed odds bookmakers will offer different prices, and it’s important to take the best available.
All of the best horse racing betting sites named in this guide offer competitive odds, so be sure to check each one.
A popular strategy is to take on favorites at very short odds, especially in two year old races. If you have access to a betting exchange, you can confidently lay them without much exposure. This can be a profitable long-term tactic.
All of the top horse racing betting sites have key features in common. Here’s what to look for.
A license from a reputable international regulator is a must. This ensures fair play, as the authority carries out due diligence on the owner, while auditing the company to ensure proper money management.
It’s also vital to ensure the site is using encryption and other security tools to protect your funds and personal data.
Top racing sites offer a good selection of markets for every race and cover major international meetings, as well as the US domestic scene.
You also want to see competitive fixed odds markets, as well as having access to pari-mutuel betting pools.
All bookies offer a competitive signup bonus these days. But the best horse racing betting sites don’t just leave it at that.
You’re looking for a selection of ongoing rewards for regular betting, including reload bonuses and cashback rebates.
The more features a site has, the better. Plus points for detailed form guides, live streams and in-play betting. But usability is also important. Sometimes, and particularly when it comes to site design, less can be more.
Betting on the go is important. That’s why you should look for a website that’s compatible with all mobile devices.
Native iOS and Android apps are a bonus. But the main thing is that you’re able to log into a mobile-friendly site with the same selection of features as the desktop.
There can be no real money betting without the ability to move cash in and out of your account. The best online horse betting sites know this, which is why they provide a selection of secure, trustworthy and above all, fast payment methods.
An underrated element of the best online horse racing betting sites is the support team. As we all know, chatbots can be annoying, so you should be able to speak to a friendly human at any time of day.
Live chat and email support is the bare minimum, while telephone numbers and instant messaging clients are nice to see.
With so many races around the world you’ll want access to your racebook at any time of the day or night. That’s why the best horse racing betting sites invest a lot of time developing mobile sites and high-quality apps.
There are some minor performance advantages to native mobile apps. But we prefer responsive sites, as there’s no need to download and install software. Either way, mobile betting sites allow you to bet on horses at any time, from anywhere.
The best horse racing betting sites offer a good range of secure and reliable payment options.
There are many impressive and historic race tracks in the United States. Here’s some useful information when betting on races held at a few of the most famous.
It’s often said that the home of the Kentucky Derby doesn’t retain as much moisture as other tracks. As such, the old adage of “horses for courses” applies more here than anywhere else.
Mile races at Churchill Downs tend to play out like sprints. So, if you’re considering back a horse that’s not proven over the trip, it’s a better idea to focus on those stepping up.
Home to the famous Preakness Stakes, Pimlico has both a seven furlong turf course and a mile long dirt track.
Both tracks favor speedsters, with as many as 40% of dirt sprints being won by front-runners. Similarly, around 30% of route races – those of a mile or more – went to horses that led early.
This is a relatively fair track, but there are still a few minor biases.
On turf, it’s wise to follow horses with early speed, especially if the race is run on the inner course. Additionally, starting from the inside post positions is desirable.
Like any dirt track, horses that run close to the lead tend to perform well. A little under one third of sprint races are won gate to wire.
Home to the Santa Anita Handicap and a frequent Breeders’ Cup venue, this iconic track is a favorite with California sports betting fans. From a betting perspective, it’s quite fair, with no stall or pace biases.
With 108 Grade One races, no other country in the world has more than the United States.
The three most famous are, of course, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, as these comprise the historic “Triple Crown”.
Here’s a look at the USA’s most prestigious races, available at all of the leading betting sites for horse racing.
| Month | Racing Event | Where? | Approx Purse | Surface |
| January | Pegasus World Cup | Gulfstream Park, FL | $3,000,000 | Dirt |
| March | Florida Derby Santa Anita Handicap |
Gulfstream Park, FL Santa Anita Park, CA |
$1,000,000 $1,000,000 |
Dirt Dirt |
| April | Santa Anita Derby Arkansas Derby |
Santa Anita Park, CA Oaklawn Park Race Track, AR |
$1,000,000 $1,000,000 |
Dirt Dirt |
| May | Kentucky Derby Kentucky Oaks Preakness Stakes |
Churchill Downs, KY Churchill Downs, KY Pimlico Race Course, MD |
$5,000,000 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 |
Dirt Dirt Dirt |
| June | Belmont Stakes Metropolitan Handicap |
Belmont Park, NY Belmont Park, NY |
$2,000,000 $1,000,000 |
Dirt Dirt |
| July | Belmont Derby Belmont Oaks |
Belmont Park, NY Belmont Park, NY |
$750,000 $500,000 |
Turf Turf |
| August | Travers Stakes Whitney Handicap Arlington Million |
Saratoga Race Course, NY Saratoga Race Course, NY Colonial Downs, VA |
$1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,000,000 |
Dirt Dirt Turf |
| September | Pennsylvania Derby Cotillion Stakes |
Parx Racing and Casino, PA Parx Racing and Casino, PA |
$1,000,000 $1,000,000 |
Dirt Dirt |
| October | Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes Champagne Stakes |
Keeneland Race Course, KY Belmont Park, NY |
$750,000 $500,000 |
Turf Dirt |
| November | Breeders’ Cup (14 Races) | Various | $34 million | Turf & Dirt |
This prestigious race is held every May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Along with the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, it makes up the USA’s Triple Crown.
Known as “The Run for the Roses”, the race was first run in 1875. As well as the lion’s share of the $5 million prize fund, the winner is also presented with a blanket of roses.
The top Kentucky Derby betting sites offer futures odds all year round. Then, to mark the occasion, they run special promotions in the lead up to race day.
The second-oldest race in the country, behind the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes dates back to 1873. It’s often nicknamed “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans”.
Pimlico Race Course in Maryland plays host to the event and the prize purse is set at $2 million, with $1.2 million reserved for the winner.
The third leg of America’s Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes was inaugurated in 1867. Like the other Triple Crown events, it’s only for three year old fillies and colts.
There’s a $2 million prize fund available and the race is affectionately known as “The Run for the Carnations”.
A series of 14 races held at various locations around the country, on both turf and dirt. Launched in 1984, the total prize money on offer at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup totaled more than $34 million. Highlights include the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
All of the best online betting sites for horse racing allow you to bet on the Breeders’ Cup ahead of time. But you’ll often see special promotions and free bet offers in October, as the event draws near.
The best horse racing betting sites offer international races. Here are some of the biggest overseas events.
The pinnacle of British jump racing, this four-day event is held every March, in the most stunning of venues.
There are 28 races across the four days, including 14 Grade One events, and the prize money totals £4.6 million. Festival highlights including the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Established in 1996, this series of high-stakes races culminates in the flagship 2,000 meter dirt race with a prize purse of $12 million. Winning connections secure a $7.2 million payday, making the race one of the richest in the world.
The Dubai World Cup is held every March at the impressive Meydan Racecourse.
The “race that stops a nation” is the nickname of Australia’s premier horse racing event. Held at Flemington Racecourse in November, most of the country takes advantage of a public holiday.
The top two-mile handicappers in the world fight for an $8 million prize. You’ll find Melbourne Cup futures markets at all of the best online betting sites for horse racing.
Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool is home to the UK’s best-known race, which dates back to 1839. It’s the toughest test of stamina for steeplechasers, run over a grueling 4 miles and 514 yards, with 30 notorious fences.
The historic race has become controversial in recent years, despite changes to make things safer for horses and jockeys.
Held on the first Sunday of October, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe draws a global audience and highlights French racing tradition.
Longchamp in Paris plays host to the 2,400 meter turf race, the most prestigious in France. It attracts elite international horses aged three and older. And it’s not hard to see why, given the €5 million prize pool.
Did you know there are several different types of horse racing? Naturally, the best horse betting sites feature all of them.
Odds are displayed differently around the world. However, the best horse racing betting sites allow you to switch between different types.
Although there are many systems, including Malay, Indo and Hong Kong odds, the following three formats are the most common.
Odds with positive and negative odds will be most familiar to bettors in the US.
A negative number indicates a higher chance of winning. You should bet that amount in order to win 100 units. For example, you’d need to stake $150 at odds of -150 to make a $100 profit.
Positive odds, however, suggest an underdog. In that case, you should bet exactly $100 to win the figure stated in the odds. A $100 bet at +135, for instance, returns a $130 profit.
With fractional odds, the numerator shows the profit made when betting the denominator. A price of 6/4 means you must risk $4 to make a profit of $6 – a total return of $10.
These are traditionally the most common odds in the UK and Ireland, where they’ve been used for centuries.
Originating in Europe, decimal odds are increasingly being used around the world.
They make the math easier when calculating parlays, for instance. But they also allow odds setters to create more nuanced markets.
To work out your returns, multiply the odds by the stake. For example, a $10 bet at 3.00 returns $30. The figure includes your stake, so that’s a $20 profit.
There are two different approaches to horse racing odds: fixed odds and pari-mutuel, or “pool betting”. But what’s the difference?
As the name suggests, fixed odds bookmakers give you set prices when striking the bet. Regardless of what happens later, the odds you received are fixed in place.
With pari-mutuel betting, all of the money is pooled together. After the race is over, the prize fund is shared proportionally between the winners.
Pari-mutuel betting is most common in the United States, as well as places like Japan, Hong Kong and France. Fixed odds betting is the preferred choice in countries such as Australia, Ireland and the UK.
Some horse racing online betting sites in the US use both systems. While day-to-betting is likely to be pari-mutuel, futures markets are always fixed odds.
Horse racing is legal in most US states, but the exact regulations vary by jurisdiction.
On-track pari-mutuel betting is almost always allowed, with a few notable exceptions including Hawaii, Georgia and Utah.
More than 40 states allow online horse racing bets. Most US sports betting apps and websites have a pari-mutuel racebook that’s separate from the sportsbook.
It’s also possible to access offshore betting sites from within the United States. These offer fixed odds betting on US and international racing, often with much better odds and bonuses.
Should you bet at the track or online? Well, both certainly have their upsides. Let’s compare the two.
| Online Horse Betting Sites | On-Course Betting |
| ✅ Convenience. Bet from anywhere, whenever you like. | ✅ Insight. Watch horses parade and see their condition, gait and mood. |
| ✅ Promotions. Online betting sites offer rewarding bonuses and promos. | ✅ Social. Enjoy racing with friends and meet new like-minded people. |
| ✅ Choice. Bet on horses at different tracks, including overseas. | ✅ Occasion. There’s no substitute for the thrill of betting at the track. |
| ✅ Admin. Betting sites automatically track your betting history. | ✅ Support. It’s good to contribute to the local economy. |
| ❌ Technology. If the website is down, you can’t bet. | ❌ Options. Betting is restricted to the events in front of you. |
| ❌ Experience. Watching online doesn’t give you the same excitement. | ❌ Access. You must physically travel to a race track. |
In the age of online betting, the sport of kings remains popular. And the best betting sites for horse racing, such as BetOnline, have lots in common.
Related Guides
Best New Betting Sites & Sportsbooks for 2025
There are new betting sites launching on an almost daily basis and finding the best of those can be confusing. But that’s where we can help. This guide will give you a breakdown of some of the best new sports betting sites for 2024. We’ve even included some of our favorite established sites that have […]
Best No Verification Betting Sites for 2025
If you’d like to stay anonymous when backing your favorite sports, then no verification betting sites are the way to go. You can sign up and start betting in a few minutes while payouts are super fast. Sounds great, but how do you find the best no KYC betting sites and what does no KYC […]
Best Offshore Sportsbooks in the USA for 2025
Did you know that when you wager at the best offshore sportsbooks you’ll get better value odds and more market coverage? They also offer bigger bonuses and faster payouts than state-licensed brands. We’ll share our top rated offshore sportsbook reviews you can join that are legal and available in the majority of US states. Plus […]
Best Sports Betting Sites in the US for 2025
The best sports betting sites in the US offer a huge variety of markets, great odds, and exciting promotions. We’ll help you find the right sportsbook by taking a look at bonuses, bet types, payment options, and coverage of the country’s most popular sports. But first, here’s a run-through of the best online sportsbooks for […]
CardPlayer.com is the world’s oldest and most well-respected poker magazine and online gambling guide.
Since 1988, CardPlayer has provided poker and casino players with poker strategy, news, and results while also
covering anything related to casino gambling: how to play casino games, strategies, and online casino
recommendations. Today, CardPlayer.com is the best poker and gambling information portal for free poker and
casino content, offering online poker site and casino reviews and exclusive online gambling bonus deals.
We offer daily poker and casino news, poker professionals’ blogs and tweets, exclusive gambling videos,
thousands of free gambling articles, as well as coverage from all major poker tournaments in the world. You
can also find poker player profiles, casino game rules, tournament poker results, reviews of the best online
casinos and sports betting platforms, strategy articles, poker magazines, poker tools, and poker training
resources.
Ever wonder who is the best poker player in the world? Check out our Poker Player of the Year race, as well
as years of data of poker player results and casino poker tournament pay-outs.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
