New York online horse race betting is legal, even though online sports betting is not. New York State has a rich history of horse racing and online betting is just the lastest step in this story.
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Betting on horses online is legal in New York State as long as it’s pari-mutuel betting rather than contest betting. Another requirement is that you’re at least 18 years old.
Other ways to bet on horses in New York include visiting an off-track betting (OTB) facility or visiting one of several NY racetracks.
Online horse race betting falls outside of sports betting, which is why it is legal while online sports betting is not. You cannot bet on horses from retail sportsbooks in New York.
Because online horse racing is legal in New York, adults in the state have their choice of several different racebook options.
Website | Bonus Offer | Other States |
---|---|---|
TVG | 50% up to $250 | Available in 30+ states including New York, New Jersey (under 4NJBets), and Pennsylvania |
NYRA Bets | 100% up to $200 | Available in 30 states including New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania |
TwinSpires | $200 when you bet $800 within 30 days | Available in 35+ states including New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania |
BetAmerica | $200 when you bet $800 within 30 days | All states except for Arizona, Nevada, and Virginia |
Xpressbet | $10 no-deposit bonus; 10% rebate for first 30 days up to $500 | Available in 25+ states including New York, Connecticut, and Delaware |
TVG is owned by Flutter Entertainment, which also owns FanDuel. However, FanDuel Racing is different, and only one is allowed in New York State: TVG.
At TVG, you can place pari-mutuel wagers on horse races from New York. At FanDuel Racing, you enter contests much like with Daily Fantasy Sports, and the payout is based on the total prize pool. For pari-mutuel betting, your winnings are based on the odds presented and the size of your wager.
New players at TVG can receive a 50% first deposit bonus up to $250. That means you’ll need to deposit $500 to receive the maximum amount, but any amount will suffice.
NYRA Bets is the racebook operated by the New York Racing Association. This is your local choice for online horse race betting, but NYRA Bets is available in dozens of states.
The parent brand, NYRA, runs races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course. They’re also part of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Safety & Integrity Alliance, giving bettors and spectators alike some nice peace of mind.
On the betting side, NYRA Bets offers remote pari-mutuel betting for races that go well beyond the three they operate. You can bet on races in England and France one minute and a race in California the next.
With an offer to double your first deposit up to $200, they’re worth giving a try.
TwinSpires is owned and operated by the same company as BetAmerica, so their offers are the same.
When you join, you can receive $200 in wagering credits for betting $800 within the first 30 days. The bonus is credited in increments of $100 for every $400 bet as well, so you can just go halfway to still get a nice wager amount.
Basically, it’s a 25% deposit bonus worth $200.
TwinSpires offers pari-mutuel betting as well as live streams for races across the US and beyond. They also have a lucrative VIP program that rewards the most avid horse race bettors.
BetAmerica is quickly becoming better known for its online sportsbook (available in Indiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) and its online casino (available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania). But outside of those states, the only available BetAmerica wagers are in the racing category.
BetAmerica has the same offer as TwinSpires, as the two brands share the parent company: Churchill Downs Inc. Basically, if you bet $800 in the first 30 days, they’ll give you $200 in free wagering credits.
BetAmerica offers both pari-mutuel and contest wagering, but people in New York can only legally play the pari-mutuel bets.
Xpressbet, DRF Bets, and 1/st Bet are all interchangeable, with Xpressbet being the most well-known iteration for New York bettors. But you can wager at any of the sister sites to enjoy a comparable experience.
This is one of the first major horse racing sites to offer pari-mutuel betting. But they’ve updated the site right alongside the evolution of the internet. However, it’s not difficult to find the old-school Xpressbet site (or the BetAmerica one for that matter) by doing some Googling.
Xpressbet also offers a no-deposit signup bonus of $10. You can also receive a 10% rebate on losses accrued in the first 30 days up to $500.
A deposit bonus is where the online horse race betting website matches your deposit by a certain percentage up to a maximum amount. Make sure to read all terms and conditions before taking advantage. But no matter where you get the bonus, you will need to wager the full bonus and deposit amount at least once before you can withdraw any winnings.
Similar to a deposit bonus, a wagering bonus is where you receive bonus credits for wagering a certain amount. You don’t need to worry about how much you deposit, just how much you wager. At BetAmerica and TwinSpires, you need to wager at least $400 within the first 30 days to receive a $100 bonus.
A signup bonus is a somewhat rare offer where you receive free betting credits just for registering at the site. At Xpressbet, you can receive a signup bonus of $10 for signing up.
With a rebate offer, you’ll receive a percentage of your losses or a fixed amount. For example, a 10% rebate on all losses for the first 30 days at Xpressbet.
A moneyback (AKA insurance) offer means you receive your money back if the specific wager isn’t a winner. The offer may apply to the entire bet or just a percentage.
Jackpots and prize pools invite players to wager on specific events in exchange for entries into jackpot drawings or prize pools. Winners are either determined by random or their level of betting success.
If you know someone who bets on the horses, you can refer them for a bonus. For example, at TVG, you and your referred friend receive up to $25 in betting credits.
Track | Location | Year Founded |
---|---|---|
Aqueduct Racetrack | Queens | 1894 |
Batavia Downs | Batavia | 1940 |
Belmont Park | Elmont | 1905 |
Buffalo Raceway | Hamburg | 1942 |
Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack | Farmington | 1962 |
Goshen Historic Track | Goshen | 1838 |
Monticello Raceway | Monticello | 1958 |
Saratoga Casino Resort | Saratoga Springs | 1941 |
Saratoga Race Course | Saratoga Springs | 1863 |
Tioga Downs Racetrack | Nichols | 2006 |
Vernon Downs Race Track | Vernon | 1953 |
Yonkers Raceway | Yonkers | 1899 |
Belmont Stakes is one of three races that make up the Triple Crown, the other two being the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Belmont Park is the host of the Belmont Stakes, and it’s one of the must-see events in horse racing.
Belmont Park is also a four-time host of the Breeders’ Cup, which is the third most of any other track.
Located just outside of New York City, Belmont Park is the number one major thoroughbred racing track in the state. The track’s seating capacity is 90,000, the third largest in the US and the tenth largest in the world.
Saratoga Race Course is the other major thoroughbred track in New York State. Founded in 1863, Saratoga is also considered one of the oldest major sporting venues in North America.
However, the Saratoga Casino Resort holds harness racing right down the street. While separate entities, the combination of both facilities make a stay at Saratoga Springs worth the trip. Plus, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) offers some of the biggest live shows in the state outside of New York City.
Saratoga Race Course hosts Travers Stakes, the “Mid-Summer Derby” awards a purse of $1.25 million, which is greater than the purse at the Belmont Stakes.
The Aqueduct Racetrack, like Belmont and Saratoga, is operated by the NYRA. And while it’s not as nationally recognized as the other two, the Aqueduct in Queens is a major thoroughbred racetrack and racino. It’s also adjacent to Resorts World New York City, the biggest casino in the state.
The track itself has 17,000 seats, but the racetrack has a capacity of more than 40,000. For the major events, the place can be filled to near its limit, and the atmosphere is often electric.
For fans of the HBO show The Sopranos, many scenes centered around Tony’s horse Pie-O-My were shot at the Aqueduct.
Yonkers Raceway is the only one of the four major horse race tracks in New York State that isn’t operated by NYRA. Instead, it’s owned by MGM.
The Yonkers Raceway hosts standardbred harness racing on a dirt track. The seating capacity is 7,500, and it shares a site with the Empire City Casino, a racino with slots and other electronic gaming machines. It does not have card games or a sportsbook.
The most notable annual race at Yonkers Raceway is the Art Rooney Pace, which often has a purse of $1 million. Other major races include the Yonkers Trot and the Messenger Stakes.
Yes, online horse race betting is legal in New York. However, it must be pari-mutuel wagering. That means bets like win, place, or show are legal, and payouts are determined by the odds and the amount wagered.
New York State does not legally allow contest-style horse race betting such as what’s offered at FanDuel Racing.
While Kentucky is widely considered the horse racing capital of the US, New York has the honor of having the first ever horse race track.
In fact, the first New York track predates the Revolutionary War. So it was technically the Province of New York, a British colony, when the Newmarket course opened in Salisbury, New York, in 1668. Today, Salisbury is now the Hempstead Plains of central Long Island.
Since then, New York has remained a major figure in horse racing on an international level, hosting both the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes. There are 12 total racetracks that host some form of horse racing every year.
Online horse betting in New York is safe as long as you bet with a licensed and legal horse race betting site.
While this applies to brands like TVG and TwinSpires, some horse bettors may find the most peace of mind from NYRA. Of all the other options, they’re based in New York, so you know for sure every wager you make is well within local laws.
It is unsafe to bet on horses in New York through illegal sites. These are usually sites that also offer sports betting and casino games to people in New York, which is against state law.
The biggest horse racing event in New York is the Belmont Stakes, which is required to win if one wants to score the Triple Crown. But the Belmont Stakes is far from the only major race in New York, a state that also hosts:
From New York State, you can also bet on major horse races around the world. Some of the biggest fixtures include:
Yes, some racetracks in New York do offer casinos. These “racinos” usually only feature slot machines, video poker, virtual horse racing, and other forms of electronic gaming. They do not have any table games like blackjack or roulette.
However, some do offer electronic versions of table games. For example, Resorts World New York City has what basically amounts to on-site online casino games. These mirror the odds and gameplay of the real life version, but they’re played electronically.
Basically, if it’s a commercial casino (not tribal-owned) in New York State, it only has electronic gaming. If it’s a tribal casino, it has slots and video poker as well as physical roulette, blackjack, and craps tables.
The catch with the tribal casinos is that there aren’t any racetracks, so the racino is limited to commercial ownership in New York State. That means you can catch the races, but you can’t play many traditional casino games.
Yes, New York State has 170 different off-track betting (OTB) facilities across the state. No matter where you are in New York, be it Midtown Manhattan or up by the Canadian border, you have an OTB facility within relatively close proximity.
In fact, New York has more OTB facilities than any other state in the US.
The different OTB facilities are operated by five licensed corporations, each one in charge of a specific part of the state. These entities include:
While you can visit each of these OTB corporation’s websites for locations and more information, the easiest way to find a location closest to you is through Google Maps. Simply type in “OTB Facilities Near Me,” and you’ll find a range of licensed locations.
No. Horse race betting websites and apps are available in most states, so there’s no strict geo location protocols.
In fact, many of these sites are legally available but offer bets that aren’t legal in New York. Specifically, contest-style horse race betting is not technically legal, but some of the sites available to New Yorkers offer it. They leave it up to the user to stay within the law.
Yes. Many horse racing tracks in New York are considered racinos because they also offer slots, video poker, and other forms of electronic gaming. However, racetrack casinos do not offer table games on physical tables. Instead, bettors who enjoy blackjack, roulette, craps, and casino poker need to play the electronic version of the games. Racinos also do not have a sportsbook, and neither do New York’s OTB facilities.
Yes. TVG offers its services to bettors in New York State. TVG is one of the most popular horse race betting websites, and they have an app for both iOS and Android. Aside from taking pari-mutuel wagers on races in the US and worldwide, they’re an online simulcast platform that lets users live stream directly from their computers or mobile devices. TVG will also match your first deposit by 50% up to $250.
Yes. BetAmerica is available in New York State. However, the only BetAmerica product that New Yorkers can legally enjoy is horse race betting.
The BetAmerica Sportsbook is limited to people over 21 years old and located in Indiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The BetAmerica Casino is only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
New York residents are legally permitted to play at the BetAmerica Sportsbook or Casino online by visiting PA or NJ.
Yes, you can bet on Triple Crown races in New York State. You can legally do so at licensed online horse race betting websites, one of close to 200 OTB facilities, or the 12 race tracks across the state.
In fact, you can bet on a Triple Crown race in-person in New York State by going to Belmont Park for the annual Belmont Stakes, one of three Triple Crown races.
18. You need to be at least 18 years or older to bet on horses in New York State. While New York racetracks are usually for people of all ages, only legal adults can place bets. However, to get onto the casino floor at racinos, you normally need to be at least 21. Some OTB facilities are also sports bars that only permit people 21 and older. All online horse racing websites accept New Yorkers 18 and over.
You can stream horse races through the YouTube channels of NYRA as well as TVG. Depending on the race, it can also be shown on major sports networks like BBC Sports, FOX, NBC, and so on. For example, a standard cable package should have the Kentucky Derby readily available. Another option is to stream the races through the online horse race betting sites and apps. However, membership is usually required.
Betting on horse races on the internet is greater than just being a convenience. Rather than getting stuck to just a local racetrack (maybe there are none near to you), you can bet on races all over the world. The opportunities are much greater for making money and you can test out your handicapping skills now that you are no longer restricted to just a few races at your local racetrack.
You can get access to the big races from around the world from the best horse racing betting websites. You get the same kinds of bets that are available in person, however the selection is much bigger. You even get to be part of promos, get bonuses and in some cases, you can watch live streaming of races right at home.
Our ultimate objective is to show you the best-betting sites that are aligned with your needs. We only provide sites that are reputable, fair and safe. Below are our recommendations for the best horse racing betting sites online.
Horse betting online has the main advantage of not being limited to your local racetrack or even in your city or state. The big racing sites give you access to all the major horse racing events from around the world. If you want to try different kinds of horse racing you can easily do that too. Betting online won’t make much sense if you didn’t have access to a wide variety of racetracks.
Bonuses and promotions are not the only things to consider when it comes to horse racing, however having them don’t usually hurt. If two sites are fairly evenly matched in every other factor, we often go with the one that provides the best bonuses and promotions. There is nothing wrong with getting some extra money when you are betting.
Worlds Biggest Horse Races – Biggest Flats Races – Popular Jump Races – Great Britain Horse Racing – Thoroughbred Horseracing – Horse Racing in Great Britain
Horse Racing Major Festivals
April
Aintree – Aintree Grand National
Ayr – Scottish Grand National
Newmarket – Craven Meeting
Sandown Park – Gold Cup Celebration
May
Newmarket – Guineas Meeting
Chester – Chester’s May Festival
York – Dante Meeting
June
Epsom Downs – Epsom Derby Meeting
Ascot – Royal Ascot
Newcastle – John Smith’s Northumberland Plate
July
Sandown Park – Coral-Eclipse Meeting
Newmarket – Newmarket’s July Meeting
Ascot – King George Day
Goodwood – Glorious Goodwood
September
Haydock Park – William Hill Sprint Cup
Doncaster – St. Leger Meeting
Ayr – Western Meeting
Ascot – Ascot’s September Festival
October
Newmarket – Totesport Cambridgeshire Meeting
Newmarket – Newmarket’s October Meeting
Ascot – Champions Day
Doncaster – Racing Post Trophy
November
Cheltenham – The Paddy Power Open
Haydock & Aintree – North West Masters
Newbury – Hennessy Meeting
December
Sandown Park – Tingle Creek Meeting
Kempton Park – Stan James Christmas Festival
Chepstow – Coral Welsh National