Horse racing is an ancient action-filled sport in the United States that involves at least two horses ridden by jockeys over a set course. Most times, the fascinating idea behind this thrilling sport is to find out, among the horses, the fastest over a set distance or course. However, several other features such as agility and spirit could be interesting to watch.
Over 300 horse breeds on an international scale and the horse races are also different.
Over the years, horse racing has evolved in format, and several other countries have also created their preferred traditions about the sport.
Some of the evolutions around this sport include running over courses without hurdles, also known as flat racing. Steeplechasing involves horses running over hurdles or fences. Another kind of horse racing is the harness race which involves pulling a cart. To test their dexterity and strength, horses are subjected to extreme distances known as endurance races.
Generally, horse races are flat racing, endurance racing, harness racing, or steeplechasing. These four races are the primary forms of horse races. Although horses are raced as a sport in the US, a major interest of fans lies in the gambling or wagering opportunity that comes with it.
Horse racing betting dates to prehistoric times. Essentially, pari-mutuel wagering was first legalized in Kentucky in 1908; New York and Maryland soon followed. Currently, we have more than 30 states in the US where horse racing betting is permitted online and in-person.
States With Legal Land-Based Horse Racing Betting
In 1908, pari-mutuel wagering was permitted in the US. This form of wagering kicked off in Kentucky and involved placing similar bets in a pool. The pool is as big as the number of bets placed. Pari-mutuel betting is also referred to as betting amongst ourselves in most countries, and odds are set about how the audience bets. About 83% of the pool is distributed to the winning players. The remaining 17% goes into taxation, track commission and other expenses.
Fortunately, legal horse racing states with a racetrack offer more options to punters aside from wagering through OTB parlours or simulcasting. Punters can experience the thrilling moments in the game, spending quality time with friends and families. Some punters get to plan out a vacation at the racino and also make new friends.
Each state is responsible for its regulation. Part of the regulation includes the age betting requirement. It is always proper to check out the regulation of the preferred states before hitting the betting centres. However, the legal age across most states is usually 18 years or more. Here are states with legal land-based horse racing betting platforms:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Montana
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- North Caroline
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- Washington
Alabama, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Rhode Island have no physical race tracks. But these states have OTB simulcast venues where punters can enjoy live horse racing betting. South Dakota and Missouri have temporary race tracks, only at county fairs. Although they have no permanent horse race tracks, OTB simulcast venues are readily available.
States That Permit Online Horse Racing Betting
As mentioned earlier, horse racing has experienced some changes over the years. The ripple effect of this change can also be seen in horse racing betting and accessibility. As one of the oldest forms of recreation, punters don’t necessarily have to visit an OTB or racetrack to place a bet. There are several online betting sites available to place a wager.
Online betting changed the dynamics of wagering on horse racing. US punters had no business leaving their homes to an OTB venue or a race track to place wagers. This shift generated more awareness, and the sport’s reach increased, resulting in increased profits for competitors and organizers. Interestingly, almost every state that permits legal horse betting allows punters to wager online.
In 2000, an amendment was made to the language contained in the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, which officially endorsed internet-based betting across states. Essentially, federal laws exclude this form of betting because it includes pari-mutuel wagering. Online betting on horse races is the oldest form of online gambling permitted in the United States.
Online horse racing operators offer several bonus offers for punters to enjoy wagering. Additionally, live streaming and live betting are new features to aid betting. Despite all these great triumphs by the gambling industry, not all US states permit online horse racing betting. However, over 30 states in the US, including Washington D.C, permit online horse racing betting. Check out all the states where you can place wagers on horse races online:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- California
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- New York
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Oklahoma
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Washington
- Wyoming
These states legalize and regulate internet gambling on horse racing games. However, some states like Kansas, Vermont, and Wisconsin have no race tracks or offer simulcast betting. Additionally, they have no OTB venues, but online betting is legal. Online horse racing betting has a learning curve, especially for new punters. Bettors have to become familiar with horse racing terms such as bet types, racing events, online sportsbooks and more.
Betting On Horse Racing Is Not Allowed, What’s Next?
Residents in states with no horse race tracks or Off-Track Betting venues can still participate in horse racing betting. Most states with race tracks and legal betting operations offer to simulcast. Simulcasting could be live or delayed, and it involves several tracks worldwide. Punters in such states have big screens at specific locations to enjoy these races and are also allowed to bet on them.
Interestingly, only a few states have a ban on horse racing betting. Most states have not passed any legislation regarding the sport. And so, it falls in a grey area. Punters who engage are not lawfully punished. Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Caroline, Utah are some states without any legislation regarding horse racing betting.
States like Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas are quite different. They have certain restrictions on what races you can wager on. It only allows in-state events. However, horse tracks, pari-mutuel, and OTB venues are available in the state.
Betting On A Legal Online Horse Racing Site
Legal and regulated platforms are the best horse betting sites to place your bets. Punters have to do the due diligence of checking out sites before signing up. All legal platforms are regulated via the Commission set up by the government. This is to enable players to get the best betting experience and accountability on the part of the betting operator.
The state government does not regulate offshore betting sites, so they do not have the same insurance and guarantee legal horse betting sites would have. In essence, offshore horse betting sites do not have the legal rights to operate in the US. Therefore, they are famously regarded as illegal sites.
