Is Horse Betting Legal?
Yes, horse betting is legal. There are over 75 different horse racing betting locations taking US players from all over the nation. Also, online racebooks offer betting odds on major horse races. Through many laws on the federal and state levels, horse race is legal in almost every state in 2024. While the horse race betting community hasn't grown much over the years, horse race betting sites keep the action going. Some of the best legal horse betting sites even let you live stream the races from your device alongside the odds. Still, some of the best online sportsbooks also offer odds for horse race betting, making it easily accessible everywhere.
How The Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 Started It All
The Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 was enacted in response to the growing horse race betting community within the country. What the act essentially did was allow horse race bettors from other states to wager on horse races. There were laws that made it illegal to transfer money across state lines, but with this Interstate Horseracing Act, horse race bettors were able to legally bet on horses regardless of where they were. The federal government approved the Act and now players from all over the country can bet on any horse race they want. The Interstate Horseracing Act has not been updated since its inception until the year 2000.
Amendment Made In 2000 Expands The Scoop To Internet Wagers
The Interstate Horseracing Act was updated in 2000 with new verbiage that included online horse race betting in the preexisting law. This allowed states that have legalized horse race betting to allow for betting in other states with similar legal laws to their residents. Because of this update, horse race bettors were able to continue betting on horses online across state lines legally.
“(3) Interstate off-track wager’ means a legal wager placed or accepted in one State with respect to the outcome of a horserace taking place in another State and includes pari-mutuel wagers, were lawful in each State involved, placed or transmitted by an individual in one State via telephone or other electronic media and accepted by an off-track betting system in the same or another State, as well as the combination of any pari-mutuel wagering pools.”
UIGEA Has A Clause That Exempts Horse Racing
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), which affects financial institutes, making it difficult for them to process the transfer of money to or from a gambling operation does not affect horse racing. The UIGEA specifically states that due to the Interstate Horseracing Act, horse racing is not affected. The goal of the UIGEA was not to interfere with preexisting laws such as the UIGEA. This is why it is easier to use your debit card or bank wire services like Zillow when betting on horse races as opposed to betting on sports or gambling on casino games.
What States Have Banned Online Horse Betting
There are a few states that have banned regulated online gambling of any kind and this includes horse race betting. States like Georgia have very strict gambling laws that state horse betting is illegal, making it difficult for residents and visitors to partake in online horse race betting. Luckily, international betting sites allow for legal horse race betting regardless of a state’s individual betting law. These online racebooks provide all 50 states with legal betting lines and odds for horse race betting. Since these racebooks are located overseas, they are unaffected by US legislation. No matter where you are in the USA, you will be able to legally wager and find betting lines for all major horse races. The basic way to think about the states is that they fall into two groups - states that have sanctioned horse betting, and states that do not. If you live in a state where horse betting is not legal, your only option is to wager on the international online sportsbooks or to not wager at all.
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
States That Have Legal Online Horse Racing Betting
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What Is At The Window Betting?
Window betting is when you are physically at the racetrack betting on the race. It is simple, you walk up to the window and place your bet then get a betting slip. This is the most traditional form of horse race betting and is popularly used by local bettors who live close to race tracks. You will see a lot of these around times for big races like the Triple Crown events. Window betting is one of the original betting forms but is restrictive to the races at the race track. You will only find odds for the races being hosted there.
How Does Off-Track Betting Work?
Off-track betting works in a number of ways but it is essentially any bet taken when you are not physically at the racebook. This can be from over the phone or online. The benefit to this way of betting is that you do not need to travel to bet on horses and the same betting options are available for you as they are if you would have gone to the racebook. Off-track betting is mainly done online these days as online racebooks have gotten more popular over the years. If you are looking for the best way to wager on horse races, then online racebooks should be your go-to.
Legal Horse Betting Sites For USA Players
There are several online horse race betting sites available to US players. These sites bring legal horse race betting to the player without the need to travel to a physical racetrack. You will find some of the best odds available at these online horse betting sites. If you are looking to legally bet on horses online, then you can find the best racebooks here. These sites are safe and secure, filled with bonuses for both new and returning bettors, have several deposit and withdrawal methods, and allow for live betting.
One of the best online sportsbooks to bet on the Preakness Stakes with is Bovada. This is an industry-leading online sportsbook that has been a legal vessel for horse racing bettors for decades. Whether wanting to bet on the Preakness Stakes or any of the Triple Crown races you can at Bovada. With Bovada, international horse racing betting odds can also be found which adds another layer to the legal horse racing experience. Even if you are not on the go, Bovada’s horse racing odds can be accessed from the internet browser of any Android or Apple device. Whether watching from the comfort of your home or at the sports bar Bovada makes it easier than ever to win big on legal horse racing. If looking for a legal way to bet on horse races far and wide then Bovada will be the go-to online sportsbook for those looking for a stellar mobile and desktop sports betting experience
Legal Mobile Racebook Apps
There are a few legal mobile racebook apps available for players. Many states that have regulated online sports betting in their legislation tend to offer downloadable mobile apps for their residents. These apps give players access to the full set of odds, wager types, and betting lines for the racebook. These apps provide all the amenities that would be found at a physical location or from betting on horses from a computer. International betting sites offer the same level of mobile betting without the need to download any app. These legal online horse racing apps accept US players and are compatible with most web browsers. Simply go to the website from your smartphone or tablet and you will have all the betting options.