The best online horse racing betting site is BetOnline. There are a number of horse racing betting sites online, but we believe BetOnline is at the top of that list. With races available daily, this racebook is ideal for both novice bettors and experienced bettors looking for a simple, and fun wagering experience.

Another of the best NJ horse betting sites is AmWager. This betting site was built by players for players. Its key attributes revolve around speed, power and ease of use. Another of the best NJ horse betting sites is AmWager. This betting site was built by players for players. Its key attributes revolve around speed, power and ease of use.

In New York, there may be rigid laws pertaining to online gambling, but there are still many ways to bet in the state. NY residents have long enjoyed the thrills of live horse racing and there are some great tracks in the state that support real money wagers on races.

The Best Online Horse Racing Sites

  1. Twinspires

  2. TVG

  3. AmWager

    Every new account is automatically eligible for our Sign Up Bonus, no promo code needed. Fund your new account with any of our convenient options. Earn 10% back on all WIN and EXOTIC wagers made within the first 30 days after the date of sign up, PLACE and SHOW wagers are not eligible. No track restrictions and no blackout dates. Your Sign Up Bonus will automatically be deposited to your account on the 31st day. Account must remain in good standing during the promotion period to remain eligible. Full T&Cs
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Horse Racing in New York

All racing activities that take place in the state are overseen by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and this will include off-track betting, harness racing, quarter horse racing, and thoroughbred racing.

Within the state, bettors can enjoy the action of racing at four different Thoroughbred tracks and seven Standardbred tracks. While live betting at these venues has been a popular pastime for many years, there is also the opportunity to engage in off-track betting.

With this option, bettors can place wagers on races that are being run in different locations.

How did Horse Betting Become Legal in NY?

Long before online gambling could be visualized, Capitol Hill lawmakers were tackled with interstate off-track betting. Up until 1970, Nevada was the only state that allowed off-track betting. Bettors in one location were given legal room to bet on horse races that are taking place on another track. Thanks to TV’s broadcast live feeds of distant races, audiences in an off-track betting facility could bet and watch the event in real time without stepping on the racetrack.

All that changed when New York went ahead and legalized off-track betting parlors in 1970. This created huge businesses in the Empire State by connecting New Yorkers to racetracks all over the country. After some time, hundreds of off-track betting facilities started to sprout all over New York City as well as the upstate area.

By the year 2000, a powerful amendment was passed (Interstate Horse Racing Act 2000) which expanded the activity to include the pari-mutuel wagers placed via the internet. From that point forward, betting over the internet was now legal within the US. And since New York had already allowed interstate off-track betting, the law also applied to New Yorkers.

Many of the top-rated racetracks in NY offer simulcast races, so bettors have the chance to place wagers on events that are being held all over the world, increasing their chances of winnings and enhancing the betting experience.

In New York, bettors will have a wide selection of live tracks to visit and wager. These include popular venues that are known to host some of the hottest and most popular horse races being run.

The available tracks within New York include:

  • Aqueduct Racetrack
  • Batavia Downs
  • Belmont Park
  • Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track
  • Historic Track
  • Monticello Raceway
  • Saratoga Race Course
  • Tioga Downs
  • Vernon Downs
  • Yonkers Raceway

Betting on Horse Races Online

Even though there are a number of top-notch racetracks in the state of NY, some bettors will want more betting options and will turn to online sites that support real money bets on horse races.

Our Top 3 Horse Racing Betting Sites

BetAmerica

BetAmerica is the US top horse racing sites and is fantastic for punters since it covers horse racing, harness racing and greyhound racing, but you can bet on these events all around the world. BetAmerica Horse Racing features over 200 horse racing tracks from around the world including Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. However, US domestic tracks get special attention.

The wagering process works exactly the same as if you were actually on a track and you receive full track odds on all winning wagers. Major horse racing events such as the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders Cup are well represented. BetAmerica additionally offers a great mobile app that you can access while you are on the go.

TVG

TVG is famous for their easily available tips and handicapping. At TVG, you can find expert daily picks, past performances and races replays, and all of this for free. TVG first started as a TV network that was known for broadcasting horse races. When online wagering became legal in the US, an online site was added that now allows bettors to enjoy extensive TRVG horse race betting. The site has a number of high paying TVG bonus offers and there are always new promos being presented.

To place a wager, you just register or login, select your race from the track list dropdown menu and you can monitor your slip in real time right away.

Twinspires

TwinSpires is the official partner of the American classic that heads off the Triple Crown. It should therefore be your favourite online operator, if you annually bet on on the Kentucky Derby. Members can enjoy a variety of different rewarding TwinSpires promotions featured on the site and TwinSpires offers some best odds in the industry.

Of course, other global races and tracks are supported on TwinSpires as well. You can find special information about them in the blog section, thoroughbred news, and content about harness racing.

What are the Best Horse Racing events to Bet on in NY?

If you are a thoroughbred betting enthusiast, then you’ll be impressed by the runner competitions organized in New York. The events come in plenty all year round depending on the season. If you have time on your hands, you can watch some of the most exciting races in history live at the stables. In case you are on the lookout for some of the best horse racing events to bet on in New York, we’ve got your back. Here are a few options that will blow your mind and earn you solid payouts if you make the right predictions:

Belmont Stakes

Belmont Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race which takes place on the first and second Saturday every June. You can catch the action live at Belmont Park, in Elmont New York. It is known as the “Championship Track” because nearly all American champion runners have competed in the Track. With it’s wide, long homestretch and sweeping turn it is considered to be one of the fairest tracks.

Jockey Club Gold Cup

Established in 1919, it is a thoroughbred race open to horses of three-year-old gender and above. It is the main event of the fall meeting at Belmont Park. Just like Belmont Stakes, the event is a spring meeting.

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Wood Memorial Stakes

This is an American flat thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses, which takes place annually in April. The runners go head to head on a 9 furlongs dirt track at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens New York. This event was ranked as a Grade II event since 2017, but before that, the grades were switched back and forth from Grade I.

Types of Horse Racing Bets Available

When it comes time to begin placing bets on horse races in New York, one will find they have many great options that can yield impressive payouts. So first of all, you will want to make sure you know exactly how to talk about NY Horse Betting.

Most used Horse Betting Terms

Here is an explanation for the most used Horse Betting Terms:

  • Blinkers: Blinkers are also known as blinders. These are devices shaped like cups that cover the horses’ eyes. This narrows their field of vision to just the track ahead of them.
  • Win: This is the most basic type of bet that you can make. You just predict the winner of the specific race.
  • Daily Double: This is a bet that requires wagers to pick the winners of two highlighted races. Typically, this races happen in a row.
  • Handicap: This is where a weighting system is added to the better horses in order to even up the odds in the race.
  • Colt: This is a young male horse.
  • Filly: This is a young female horse.
  • Pari-Mutuel: This is a type of bet where the bets end up pooled together and then the pay out is determined by the amount of bettors who picked the winning horse.
  • Place: This is a bet where bettors decide whether they think a horse will place first or second.
  • Show: This is a bet where bettors decide whether a horse will finish first, second, or third.
  • Trifecta: This is a bet where bettors choose which horses will place first, second, as well as third.
  • Furlong: This is a measure of distance.
  • Exacta: A type of bet where you have to choose the first and second place finisher in the correct order.
  • Gelding: A hard to control horse who ends up getting neutered to make him easier to control.
  • Harness Racing: A type of race where jockeys ride in small carts behind the horses.
  • Post Position: This is where the horses are in position in the starting stalls that is in relation to the position of the rail.

What are best bets to place?

Many new bettors will begin placing straight wagers as these are the easiest to place and the simplest to understand. There are a few Straight bets that are supported at leading horse racing venues in New York.

Here, one can bet to Win, Place, or Show. All of these can provide some great payouts based on the amount of the bet.

For those that are seeking a bit more action and wish to win more from the races they bet on, exotics may be a better option.

These are a bit more complex than Straight bets but they will offer more in terms of payouts when they win. Exotic bets can include Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Box bets.

Bettors will also have the ability to place Multi-Race bets at some of the leading horse racing locations in New York and with these, one will be selecting the winner on consecutive races.

These bets include Daily Double, Pick Three, and Pick Four.

With so many betting options available, those visiting tracks in New York or betting at trusted online sportsbooks will find they always have great ways to wager and some outstanding opportunities to collect high paying returns.

One interesting aspect of signing up with a legal betting site is the range of promotions and rebates offered to enhance the betting experience.

This guide looks at a variety of ways in which you can claim rebates and other forms of extra funds. We will discuss some of the most popular bonus types, in detail, with examples from some of the leading racebooks. The guide ends with advice about how any bonus works.

  • Horse racing rebates: How the online horse racing betting sites replaced flat-rate rebate deals.
  • Welcome offers: Bonuses when you sign up at a new site.
  • Cashback and bet insurance: Lose your bet but meet the conditions and get your money back.
  • Best odds guaranteed: Best of available odds, whether taken early or at the start.
  • Understanding rollovers: How do rollovers work and what to look for to maximize value.
  • Free past performances: Studying the form without payment.

Top Horse Racing Bonus

On Deposit
Use Promo Code LSRTVG

Horse racing rebates: Offline and online

Offering bettors flat rate rebates on bets — win or lose — has been a popular way to offer loyalty rewards for many years. This (live) betting offers return between 3% and 10%, depending on the type of bet (singles, multiples, trifectas and so on) and the amount you bet.

While many gray-market bookmakers offer flat rate rebates, the risks associated with betting at these books make them dangerous for informed bettors.

What you will find from legal horse betting sites is a mix of welcome offers and ongoing loyalty rewards that take the place of rebates. These promotions cover regular and occasional bets. You might also find special loyalty programs aimed at high rollers.

Examples of rebates and promos available at the three biggest legal online horse racing sites

#1TVG: Use promo code LSRTVG to claim a risk-free bet of up to $200 on your first single wager. Earn credits for every bet, which can then can become wager rewards. TVG promos include sweepstakes, free past performance reports, and cashback for three out of four picks.

#2 BetAmerica: You can get a 100% matched welcome bonus, up to $100. Customers earn points for each bet they make. Promos include VIP Daymaker, where losing bettors can get their stake back on their star selection, plus specials for the big races.

#3 TwinSpires: Get $20 in bonus bets for every $100 in bets (up to $100 max). Loyalty points scheme gives regular bettors additional free bets, separate VIP scheme for high rollers. It offers a long list of promos including “Winsurance,” “Bet Back” and added prize money offers.

Welcome offers at online racebooks

Online racebooks compete for business by offering a welcome deal for new customers. These take the form of matched welcome bonuses or occasionally a free bets bonus.

An excellent example of a welcome bonus is at TwinSpires, which offers a $100 bonus to all customers. This is a straightforward bonus that awards the customer in increments of $20 every time he or she bets $100 at the site.

There is no expiration on this bonus. You must make an initial deposit, keep betting, and the full $100 bonus will be yours. High rollers might want to place a $500 bet immediately and claim the $100 right away, while others might want to place 50 bets of $10 over a few weeks.

While this looks like a 20% rebate, you need to account for the need to bet the bonus money before you can withdraw it.

100% matched bonus

One of the attractive welcome bonus offers featured by racebooks is a 100% match on your first deposit.

For example, when opening a new account at TVG, customers will receive a 100% match bonus up to $200.

The TVG matched bonus has no strict conditions attached to the bonus money – just as long as you use it for a bet. This makes it the equivalent of an instant rebate, win or lose.

Loyalty rewards

As well as creating offers to entice new customers, racebooks also offer a series of incentives to keep existing customers happy.

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Most sites offer a loyalty scheme, where customers will earn points every time they bet. Once earning a certain amount of points, customers can convert them into cash and add it to their account.

A good example of a loyalty scheme is Wager Rewards at BetAmerica. By earning 1 point for every dollar wagered, and additional bonus points if placing exotic bets such as exactas and Pick 6 bets. Customers can convert these points into cash at any time.

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The rebate potential for these loyalty schemes depends on the mix of bets made. While small in percentage terms, this money will add up over time, providing a bankroll boost.

High rollers can sometimes qualify for VIP schemes. By betting a certain amount, bettors can enjoy additional benefits such as special promotions and extra deposit bonuses. The biggest bettors can expect custom offers and even a dedicated host.

Horse racing rebates via cashback or bet insurance

Another way of rewarding customers is via cashback offers. This is much like insurance on bets involving multiple selections.

As an example of a cashback offer, a horse racing betting site will offer you a rebate on your stake should your selection finish second in a selected race. This kind of offer is usually only available for the bigger races, such as the Kentucky Derby, or the more significant lead-up races to the main events. Occasionally these offers extend to third place, too, with your stake returned to your account.

Insurance bets are slightly different, as they offer rebates when one leg of a combination bet doesn’t win. For example, if you enter a Pick 4 contest and only pick three of the winners, a promotion such as this will see you win your initial stake back as a rebate.

Best odds guaranteed

These are promotions mostly available at European sites that offer their own odds, as opposed to betting in a pari mutuel pool. You’ll usually have a choice of either taking the current odds offered by the site or taking the odds at the starting of the race (the starting price.)

With a “Best Odds Guaranteed” offer, you get the best of the two. If you opt for an early price and the odds do become longer, you’ll get those longer odds. If you took a price early and there is a lot of money for the horse, you’ll keep those longer odds.

Understanding bonus rollovers

At some sites, you’ll receive a bonus with rollover requirements. A rollover requirement is the number of times you’ll need to play through your account cash and the bonus funds before your bonus cash clears.

For example, you might sign up to a new site with a 100% deposit bonus with a 5x rollover requirement. If you then deposit $100, you’ll receive $100 in bonus cash. This means you’ll have to bet the total $200 five times to make the bonus cash yours. And, in this case, it’s $1,000 worth of betting.

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Make sure you compare rollover requirements when deciding between bonuses. These affect the rebate potential for each of the offers.

Free past performances

Past performances are a key aspect of reading the form. You would usually pay for the opportunity of reading them. However, some online horse racing sites will offer past performances as an additional perk.

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For example, at TVG, you can purchase a series of past performances. However, if you place a bet of at least $10 on the meeting in question, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost of this information.

Some sites will also offer free past performances to all members on selected races, especially at the largest race meetings.

Live streaming

In this day and age when there seems to be a cost attached to any streaming channel, racing fans can enjoy free streaming widely.

All of the three legal horse racing sites offer standard live streaming. You can watch any race you have placed a bet on, and many significant events you can watch in real-time.

Read the terms and conditions

Whenever you sign up at a new site or take part in any bonus or promotion, check the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of both the site and the bonus in question. Yes, the T&Cs can seem a little long-winded at times, but you will find out valuable information.

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For example, in the terms and conditions, you’ll find the expiration date for the bonus. You’ll also find out if there are any state restrictions when using a particular site.

Generally, you’ll find all of the terms and conditions above board. However, they can be useful in finding out if a bonus offer is not such a good one.

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For example, if you read in the T&Cs that a bonus has a 50x rollover requirement, it’s pretty clear immediately that this offer probably is not as worthwhile.