Legal Betting Sites For The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby serves as the oldest and most popular horse race of the year and for good reason. It has been often referred to as the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” It has been run every year in south Louisville, Kentucky, going back to 1875 boasts annual crowds of more than 170,000, easily surpassing the number of people that attended the biggest ever Super Bowl with a grand purse of $2 million. With that, it is best to find great legal Kentucky Derby betting options well before the race so you are ready to go.
Fortunately, unlike some other forms of wagering on sports, horse racing betting is widely legal in various forms in 38 of the 50 states around the nation thanks to generally permissive state laws and specific protections found in federal anti-gambling laws. Whether you prefer to do your betting in person at the internationally famous Churchill Downs, at one of the multitudinous off track betting kiosks found in most states, or online at a domestic racebook, or even at a legal offshore sports betting site based in a foreign country, there are definitely plenty of choices available. Horseplayers are some of the sharpest gamblers out there, but not all of them are aware of the ins and outs of betting on the ponies online, particularly at legal Kentucky Derby betting sites like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, MyBookie, XBet, and BetUS, but that’s where we come in.
Our aim here at LegalKentuckyDerbyBetting.com is to give already savvy horse racing enthusiasts the head start they need to get in on the action of wagering on the upcoming edition of the Derby. We will take a closer look at the current odds on the favorites to win this year’s race, the legal situation for horse racing betting in America today, the best online options for wagering on the Kentucky Derby. We’ll even cover more advanced topics like how to fund your racebook account and how to access a mobile betting platform for your smartphone so that you can take your hobby with you wherever you happen to be on Derby Day.
- 1. Dornoch +2000
- 2. Sierra Leone +400
- 3. Mystik Dan +2000
- 4. Catching Freedom +900
- 5. Catalytic +4000
- 6. Just Steel +2500
- 7. Honor Marie +1400
- 8. Just A Touch +1200
- 10. T O Password +4000
- 11. Forever Young +800
- 12. Track Phantom +4000
- 13. West Saratoga +3500
- 14. Endlessly +3500
- 15. Domestic Product +3000
- 16. Grand Mo The First +5000
- 17. Fierceness +200
- 18. Stronghold +2800
- 19. Resilience +2500
- 20. Society Man +5000
- 21. Epic Ride +5000
Yes, it is legal to bet on the Kentucky Derby. Players can use either international or state-based online Kentucky Derby betting sites to bet on the ponies at Churchill Downs. Internationally-based online racebooks are the best options for people looking to learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby as they are legal in all 50 states, although there are many worthwhile US-based sites as well. US-based racebooks are legalized at the state government level, while offshore Kentucky Derby betting sites are legal because they operate as foreign businesses that are allowed to take US players. Either style of Kentucky Derby betting site is legal, with international betting sites like Bovada legal in more states.
Kentucky Derby betting is legal throughout the United States when players use international racebooks like Bovada, BetOnline, and SportsBetting. These sites operate internationally and are not subject to any laws set at the state level. That means players can bet on horses online no matter if they are in one of the 38 states with horse racing odds or one of the states without legal Kentucky Derby betting odds. There are also states that restrict players to races that are happening within state lines. In total, that means that 15 states + Washington D.C. do not allow players to bet on the Kentucky Derby, with players from those states sticking to international racebooks to get in on the action. In the list below, the states without online Kentucky Derby betting will be listed as will the states that have online racebooks that limit players to races within state lines will be given an asterisk.
| Alaska | Georgia | Hawaii |
| Mississippi | Missouri | North Carolina |
| South Carolina | Utah | Indiana* |
| Maine* | Minnesota* | New Jersey* |
| Oklahoma* | Texas |
Say you live in one of those dozen or so states that do not allow betting on horse races. Maybe you don’t want to limit yourself to your state’s authorized racebook apps and websites, but you want to get in on the action at the end of the upcoming Derby Week. In either case, you can always take your business to one of the several excellent legal offshore Kentucky Derby racebooks online. Of the myriad choices available to you, the best of the best are Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, and MyBookie. These sites not only have the most advantageous odds you are likely to find anywhere, whether online or in person at a track based racebook, but they also have bonuses and promotional offers designed to keep you playing the ponies for free if you meet certain qualifications.
Bovada Racebook has been around for over 20 years now and over that time they have proven to be a major player in the online gambling industry. They are easily one of the more recognizable names in the business and their longevity points to an obvious trend of sustained success that is always a comforting feeling when deciding on a gambling site to use.
Although they are mostly known for their sportsbook, the racebook at Bovada is one of the best you will find as well. Not only do they offer great bonus opportunities but they also have a horse racing betting rebate of 3% on all straight bets and 5% on all exotic bets. You can accept these rebates on bets regardless of whether you win or lose so you immediately know you are getting at least some of your bet back. These are just a few of the excellent betting opportunities offered at Bovada Racebook so sign up for an account today and bet on all of your favorite races, including the Kentucky Derby.
SportsBetting is a great site to choose if you are looking for a solid racebook, despite the fact that their name points to them being specific to sports betting. They are licensed and regulated out of Panama and after being bought by BetOnline in 2012, have quickly become one of the top sportsbooks on the web. Kentucky Derby fans and horse racing betting fans, in general, will love all that this site has to offer them and it is a no brainer when deciding on a site to place bets with.
SportsBetting offers Derby fans the opportunity to accept rebates on all of their bets, win or lose. Their rebate is 7% and it is always nice going into a wager knowing that you will at least get some of your bet back. There are also bonus opportunities like their welcome bonus of 75% of your first deposit up to $1,000 and their $25 horse free play. Take advantage of all of this today and sign up for an account at SportsBetting Racebook.
BetOnline is a big time name in the online gambling industry and a major reason for that is their racebook. BetOnline has enjoyed an incredibly successful sportsbook for over two decades, while their racebook has only been around for less than half of that duration. They are licensed and regulated out of Panama so they are a completely safe site for all horse racing fans to use.
The BetOnline Racebook has betting lines on every major track in North America and lines on a lot of smaller tracks as well. Along with the bonuses, rebates, and other features like their mobile betting option, they also have free picks and head-to-head horse racing matchups as well. This is just the tip of the iceberg when discussing the racebook at BetOnline so sign up, deposit some money, and win big while betting on the Kentucky Derby at BetOnline.
- Betting Fans Get 50% to $250!
- GET STARTED
- Racebook Bonuses up to 75%!
- GET STARTED
- Bonuses up to $2.500!
- GET STARTED
One of the main reasons to use any one of the legal Kentucky Derby racebook sites we mentioned is the other ways to legally bet on the Kentucky Derby besides picking the winner.
- Sites like Bovada offer a way to pick the Kentucky Derby winner excluding the favorite or top two.
- They also have betting lines for who will finish last at the Kentucky Derby - much harder than you think.
- Find prop bets on the Kentucky Derby time, including over/unders at the 1/4 mile, half mile, and 3/4 mile.
- More Derby props include the margin of victory, saddlecloth numbers, gate positions, color of horse, etc.
- Not to mention, you can choose if a horse will finish in the top 2, 3, 4 all the way up to 8... offering an easier way to win.
- And that's just one horse betting site. BetOnline lets you bet on the horses head to head, the national anthem, broadcast appearances, and more.
Once you have decided to get started wagering on Derby Day you will need to first fund your Kentucky Derby Racebook account. The good news is that, no matter whether you choose an in-state domestic racebook or a legal offshore racebook site, you can use pretty much all the same methods. All our most highly rated legal Kentucky Derby betting sites accept major credit cards like MasterCard and VISA, and several accept American Express cards as well. Additionally, methods such as a check in the mail, a bank wire transfer or even popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dash can also be used to bankroll your racebook account. In the case of offshore horse racing betting sites, you may need to wait a few minutes up to a few days (depending on your deposit method of choice) before your funds are available for placing wagers.
The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, May 4th at 7:30 pm Eastern, with Mystik Dan winning it all. Full coverage was provided by NBC, Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports App.
Will I Go To Jail For Betting On The Kentucky Derby?
While it is true that not every state in the country allows pari-mutuel horse racing betting, in the vast majority of states it is completely legal to play the ponies for real money. Not only will you not go to jail for betting on the Kentucky Derby, there are actually many state laws and a few crucial federal laws that specifically make provisions allowing horse racing wagering to take place. Even if your particular state does not allow residents and visitors to bet on horse races, you can always hop online and check out Bovada, BetOnline, and SportsBetting, as these legal Kentucky Derby racebooks, being based overseas, aren’t subject to federal laws in the first place.
Can I Sign Up At More Than One Kentucky Derby Racebook Site?
There is no limit to the number of legal Kentucky Derby racebook sites at which you can sign up. In fact, we strongly encourage our readers to take advantage of this strategy as a way to make sure you are getting the best odds on the horses and races of your choice. Shopping around for the best odds is one of the most effective long term betting tactics that any savvy bettor should definitely adopt. Additional benefits of signing up at more than one sportsbook include spreading out your winnings over several accounts so that you can avoid getting stuck with sub-par odds once you win too much (hey, the leading racebooks are not charities!) and taking advantage of multiple sites’ promotional offers.
How Much Money Is Bet On The Kentucky Derby?
Though there is no way to know exactly how much money is bet worldwide on an event as internationally prestigious as the Kentucky Derby, especially given that legal Kentucky Derby racebooks based in foreign countries don’t have to report their handle to US authorities, it is a substantial amount indeed. However, Churchill Downs’ on-site racebook takes in approximately $200 million in wagers on race day alone, and several million more through the run up to the “Run for the Roses” during Derby Week. It is estimated that the total online handle from all around the world is in the billions of dollars, but it could be even more.
If The Horse I Bet On Gets Scratched, What Happens To My Bet?
Two things can happen if the horse you bet on gets scratched, or does not line up at post time. If you bet on a horse to win or place at the Kentucky Derby on a futures betting line, then your money will not be returned to you. However, if you place a bet on the day of the race but he fails to make it to the starting gate or is disqualified then you will have your money refunded. This is referred to as a “consolation payment” worth the amount you wagered on the scratched horse.
What Is The Fastest Withdrawal Method At Legal Kentucky Derby Racebooks?
If you decide to do your betting in person at Churchill Downs on the day of the race, then you should have your winnings in hand as soon as your bet grades. Alternatively, you can wait a few minutes to provide several forms of identification before your winnings are released. If you did your wagering at legal offshore racebooks like Bovada, BetOnline, or SportsBetting, we recommend you accept your payment in a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum. The wait time is comparable to getting cash at the counter in Kentucky. Otherwise stick to banking apps or bank wire transfers, as those are generally the fastest withdrawal methods.
There are two different kinds of bets to choose from at legal online racebooks, straight wagers, and exotic wagers. Straight wagers include win, place, show, and across the board bets, while exotics contain exacta, trifecta, and superfecta bets.
- Win – A win bet is exactly what it sounds like, a wager on a horse you believe will win the race.
- Place – A place bet is a wager on a horse finishing in either first or second. If you aren’t feeling confident enough to guarantee a victory, a place bet allows you to predict a horse you feel is going to finish in the top two.
- Show – A show bet is the same as a place bet except you can bet on a horse to finish in one of the top three positions. With you being allotted three-bet positions, you won’t get as much of a payout as you would with a more specific bet like a win or place.
- Across the Board (Win, Place & Show) – Across the board bets are wagers in which you bet on a horse to win, place, and show. So you select three horses to finish in the top three. Regardless of where they finish, you win as long as all three finish in the top three.
- Exacta – An exacta is an exotic bet that is a prediction for who will finish first, and second, in order.
- Exacta Box – Just like a traditional exacta bet, an exacta box bet allows you to select several other horses that you might think could finish first or second.
- Trifecta – A trifecta is the same thing as an exacta except you are predicting the top three finishers of a race in order.
- Trifecta Box – A trifecta box allows you to have multiple predictions for who will finish in the top three spots, in order.
- Superfecta – A superfecta is the toughest exotic bet of them all as it requires bettors to wager on the top four finishers of a given race, in order.
- Superfecta Box – Gives you multiple predictions of the first, second, third, and fourth place finishers in order.
Morning line odds are a list of the participants of a horse race and their betting lines as decided on by a sportsbook, bookmaker, or track handicapper. Called a morning line because it is usually posted on the morning of the race, before wagering even starts.
A tote board is where the Kentucky Derby betting odds are calculated and posted at a race track. The name comes from the old calculator company named “American Totalisator”. It posts the odds of every horse in a given race as well as the potential payouts.
Things to know before placing a bet include the track name, race number, dollar amount of your bet, the type of bet you are looking to place, the number given to the horse you are wagering on and things like that. You can never be too prepared to place bets and the more information you know before you actually place said bet, the more educated your bets become.
Triple Crown betting starts picking up steam after the first race of the series, the Triple Crown. After that race, the Triple Crown is in play for the winner of the Kentucky Derby. This means you are betting on the winner of the Derby to win the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes. Only 13 horses have ever won a Triple Crown.
- The Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs - May 4, 2024
- The Preakness Stakes: Pimlico - May 18, 2024
- The Belmont Stakes: Belmont Park - June 8, 2024
The first ever Kentucky Derby was run in the year 1875. It’s made up of 20 three-year-old thoroughbreds, which is a larger field than most races. The track itself, Churchill Downs, is 1.25 miles and is located in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s the first race of the Triple Crown series and it is run on the first Saturday of May every year. It’s been nicknamed the “run for the roses” and the “most exciting two minutes in sports” and is one of the most prestigious sporting events in all of American sports.
| Past Winners (Since 2005) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey |
| 2024 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez |
| 2023 | Mage | Javier Castellano |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | Eric Reed |
| 2001 | Mandaloun | Florent Geroux |
| 2000 | Authentic | John Velazquez |
| 2019 | Country Horse | Flavien Prat |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike E. Smith |
| 2017 | Always Dreaming | John R. Velazquez |
| 2016 | Nyquist | Mario Gutierrez |
| 2015 | American Pharaoh | Victor Espinoza |
| 2014 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza |
| 2013 | Orb | Joel Rosario |
| 2012 | I’ll Have Another | Mario Gutierrez |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | John Velazquez |
| 2010 | Super Saver | Calvin Borel |
| 2009 | Mine That Bird | Calvin Borel |
| 2008 | Big Brown | Kent Desormeaux |
| 2007 | Street Sense | Calvin Borel |
| 2006 | Barbaro | Edgar Prado |
| 2005 | Giacomo | Mike Smith |
| List Of Past Triple Crown Winners | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey |
| 1919 | Sir Barton | Johnny Loftus |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox | Earl Sande |
| 1935 | Omaha | Willie “Smokey” Saunders |
| 1937 | War Admiral | Charles Kurtsinger |
| 1941 | Whirlaway | Eddie Arcaro |
| 1943 | Count Fleet | Johnny Longden |
| 1946 | Assault | Warren Mehrtens |
| 1948 | Citation | Eddie Arcaro |
| 1973 | Secretariat | Ron Turcotte |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew | Jean Cruguet |
| 1978 | Affirmed | Steve Cauthen |
| 2015 | American Pharaoh | Victor Espinoza |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith |
The directions to Churchill Downs starts with knowing the address of the track, which is 700 Central Ave. Louisville, Kentucky 40208. You will take I-65 South from Indianapolis to exit 132, which is Crittenden Drive near the Fair Expo Center. Once you get to the stop light after that exit at Central Ave. you take a right. Take Central Ave. all the way down until you hit Churchill Downs on your left. If you are going to Gate 17, take a left on 9th, and if you are going to gate 10, take a left on Taylor Boulevard and take another left onto Longfield Avenue.
For those of you taking I-264 West from Lexington, Kentucky, just take Exit 10 to Third Street and Southern Parkway. Take a right and you will run into Central Avenue. From there, you take a left and if you are heading to gate 17, just stay that route. If you are going to gate 10, take a left on Fourth Street and follow the right curvature by the barns.
Finally, if you are taking I-65 North from the Nashville Airport, take I-264 West to Exit 10 to Third and Southern Parkway and from there it’s the same directions as the instructions above.