TVG: This betting site is part of the Television Gaming Network, the biggest horse racing channel. Bets are available from hundreds of racetracks. TVG offers a $200 risk-free first bet as a sign-up bonus.
BetAmerica: This site is expanding into sports betting, though their most popular product is horse race wagering. You’ll get a 100% welcome bonus, up to $100. Keep an eye on BetAmerica’s promotions calendar for regular enhanced odds offers.
TwinSpires: Branded around the famous Churchill Downs landmark, TwinSpires offers free past performance reports along with your bet. You will also get a $100 welcome bonus, depending on your wagers.
Dec 20, 2019 Online sports betting sites in the United States. We’re now more than a year into the world of legal sports betting in the United States.The Supreme Court in May 2018 struck down PASPA, the federal law banning single-game wagering.Each state now can set its own rules for online sports betting unless Congress passes a new law. That appears unlikely but not impossible at this point. Is online horse betting legal in the US? Before the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, many forms of online gambling were promoted. While this act stopped the operators of poker sites, casinos and sportsbooks from accepting wagers from the US, horse racing betting sites got a carve-out. Legal US Online Gambling Guide. Everything players need to know about gambling online in the United States including state vs federal laws, which sites are legally licensed and who can be trusted for fair play and reliable payouts. Online Casino Games – Legal in NJ, PA and DE. New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware are the only US states where online casino gambling is completely legal. A plethora of other states are considering legislation that may legalize some popular gaming formats. Legal US Online Casino Sites for 2019 List of Casino sites accepts player from USA: New Jersey. The state of New Jersey took the lead in the U.S and managed to legalize most forms. Gambling in the state of New York has conventionally been regulated to Native American.
Is online horse betting legal in the US?
Before the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, many forms of online gambling were promoted. While this act stopped the operators of poker sites, casinos and sportsbooks from accepting wagers from the US, horse racing betting sites got a carve-out.
Betting online is allowed via pari-mutuel pools in any state, which provides horse race betting within its borders.
There are 30 states that allow betting online:
More recently, individual states have been regulating sports betting within their borders. Horse racing has not been part of this legislation since the federal law already allows it.
When it comes to on-track betting, simulcast wagering, and off-track betting offices, this is under the jurisdiction of the individual states.
In most states, you need to be 21 or older to place a bet.
How to bet on horse races online
Betting on horse races is different than betting on sports. Instead of the betting sites offering lines, bets are pooled into a system called pari-mutuel betting.
As you’ll read below, there are many ways to bet.
The total wagers on different bets (win, place, show, trifecta, and so on) are collected, and then the pool is divided between the winning tickets.
Any last-minute rush to bet on a horse will divide the prize pool between more tickets. Pari-mutuel betting sets the price of each bet, not the betting sites.
There are three main types of bets. You can bet on an individual horse, on several horses in the same race (and the order they will finish) or on the outcome of multiple races.
Here is an explanation of how each bet works.
Single horse bets:
Win: This is the most straightforward horse racing bet. You are wagering that your selection will win the race.
Place: Your horse needs to come in first or second for this wager to be successful.
Show: Adding an extra spot, you’ll receive winnings if your selection finishes first, second, or third.
Multiple horse bets:
Exacta: This bet involves picking two horses. To win, both horses need to finish first and second in the correct order. You can “box” all multi-horse bets, essentially betting twice to cover both finishing orders.
Trifecta: Pick three horses to finish in the correct order, and you’ll potentially have a big payout. Again, it is possible to box these bets, covering the six possible finishing combinations of three horses.
Superfecta: This wager involves picking four horses to finish in the correct order. While it is hard to win this bet, the potential payout can be huge.
Multiple race bets:
Pick 5/6: These bets involve picking the winner of several races at a specific track each day. It is harder to win than many bettors imagine, with one outsider winning a race upsetting a lot of people’s wagers. If a pick bet loses, the prize pool will roll over to the next day. If a pick’s prize pool rolls over more than once, it can create a considerable jackpot, which incentivizes many people to join the betting.
Futures: You can combine futures bets for the most significant race meetings. A popular example would be to pick a horse to win the Triple Crown.
How horse race betting sites work
You can access horse betting sites on your mobile phone, tablet, or via a desktop computer. While there are differences between the brands, they work in much the same way.
Apps are available, too, though they are not required. The websites will adjust automatically to fit your screen size, putting the navigation icons and links behind menu buttons to save space.
Registering for a horse race betting site requires only a minimum amount of individual information.
Firstly, the sites will detect your location to ensure you are within a legal jurisdiction. You will also need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number to prove you are old enough to bet (21+).
Here are the main sections you’ll find at horse racing betting sites:
Today’s Races: The default view will show the latest races. You can scroll through this list or use the menu on the left to narrow your search by type of race or track. If you are looking for an individual horse or venue, then the search button is the fastest way. You’ll find basic information on the runners, along with the latest win, place, and show prices. Clicking on these betting lines will move a selection to your bet slip.
Bet Slip: After selecting runners from the day’s races, you can organize your wagers using your bet slip. Some sites have a “quick bet builder” to simplify this process. You can remove selections, bet on single horses, or organize your choices into exacta or trifecta bets.
Video Streaming: Once you have placed a bet, you’ll be able to enjoy the action via video stream. TVG is part of the Television Games Network, which offers additional media content.
Results Databases: There are two levels of research possible at the horse racing betting sites. Primary data on each horse is freely available to help you make the best selection. You will also find the pro-level past performance data, which is free (site dependent) as long as you place a wager at the meeting.
Account Information: This is where you will find your account info, balance, and progress toward clearing any bonuses or collecting loyalty rewards.
Cashier: The cashier section will include your balance and an area to deposit and withdraw your winnings. We cover how to deposit at a horse racing betting below.
Bonuses and Promotions: It is worthwhile to keep an eye on the promotions pages of all the major sites. You never know when a deal will appear, covering the type of bets you were about to place. We explain the types of incentives in more detail below.
How to deposit at a horse race betting site
Depositing any of the major betting sites is both straightforward and safe.
While you won’t find the long list of payment methods available at the state-regulated sportsbooks, it is easy to get your money on board.
The primary method is your bank card, which can be your Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card. You can also use prepaid debit cards, including Visa gift cards.
Bank transfers are available under various names, including ExpressFunding or Expressfund.
Many sites will accept wire transfers, as well as old-fashioned paper checks. For cash deposits, you can use PayNearMe at your local 7-Eleven stores.
Finally, PayPal is available for both deposits and withdrawals. While many bettors welcome this service charge fees, the added security for online purchases.
Bonuses, promotions at horse race betting sites
You can take advantage of bonuses at the major horse racing betting sites. These range from small, completely free bets to matched welcome deals.
You should also consider ongoing promotions and incentives; these can make a big difference to your bankroll over the long term than the initial welcome offers.
Here are the forms of bonuses that the significant sites have in common:
Matched Deposit Bonus: As an incentive to new bettors to deposit, the horse race betting apps will match your first deposit with free bets. With $100 in free bets up for grabs, the standard match is at 100%. You will need to wager your winnings, and typically complete the required betting within 30 days.
Risk-Free First Bet: Removing the risk from your first wager is used in place of the matched deposit method at TVG. Here, your stake gets refunded (as a new bet) if your initial wager loses.
Promotions: Look out for promotions where your stake gets returned for second-place finishes, enhanced odds, and other one-off deals for specific races. Promos are often themed around the most significant events, for example, the Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup. Some sites have regular promotions, while others change their lists all the time.
Free Past Performances: You can get pro-level datasheets, and expert selections at TwinSpires via its free past performances offer.
PicksContests: Here, you’ll compete against others at your site to pick the winners of multiple races.
LoyaltyRewards: Collect points based on the bets you place, and then exchange them for extra bonuses or free bets.
Most popular horse races in the US
There are hundreds of races every day, especially during the summer. The main distinction is between thoroughbred and quarter horse (flat) racing and standardbred (harness) races.
Furthermore, these races can take place on dirt, turf, of artificial surfaces. There are other formats, including endurance races.
The best horses compete in graded races. There are different levels of these with stakes races at the top. Some of these have multimillion prize pools, which attract the top equine talent from around the world.
You can also bet on international races at US horse race betting sites. Some of these, like the Epsom Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, are huge events.
On a day-to-day basis, you’ll have access to races from the UK, South Africa, Australia, and beyond.
Most prominent horse race events
With hundreds of tracks and various types of racing, there is a lot of action when it comes to the domestic horse racing calendar.
The highlights of the year will vary, with each state having its big meetings. When it comes to the biggest races of all, the three components of the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup are as big as it gets.
Here are the details:
Kentucky Derby: The first leg of the Triple Crown takes place on the first Saturday in May at the famous Churchill Downs racetrack. This race is known as “the Run for the Roses.” It is open to 3-year-olds and run over 1¼ miles.
Preakness Stakes: The second leg of the Triple Crown occurs two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and is held at the Pimlico Race Course in Maryland. Attendance is traditionally huge, only beaten by the Kentucky Derby.
Belmont Stakes: Three weeks later, the final leg of the Triple Crown takes place at Belmont Park, NY. If a horse has won the first two legs, expect colossal media coverage of this race. The Belmont Stakes is nicknamed “the Test of the Champion.”
Breeders’ Cup: This series of thoroughbred races with huge prize pools that move from track to track. It attracts the best horses from around the world each year. The biggest purse (at $6 million) is for the Breeders’ Cup Classic race.
Most popular racing events outside of the United States
In addition to the domestic calendar, there are major races from around the world available for betting. Here are some of the richest:
Epsom Derby: This was the original derby that inspired the Kentucky event. It takes place on the first Saturday in June each year over one mile and four furlongs at the Epsom Downs Racecourse near London. This race was first run in 1780.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: France’s most prominent race takes place at Longchamp, near Paris, on the first Sunday in October each year. It is considered Europe’s second most prestigious horse race.
Dubai World Cup: This race meeting is more recent, starting in 1996 in the United Arab Emirates. It is broadcast live on TVG and features the biggest prize pools of any race meeting around the world. It attracts the best global thoroughbred talent.
Japan Cup: On the last Sunday in November, the biggest prize horse race in Japan is run at the Tokyo Racecourse, which is more than 2,400 meters. With a significant purse, this race attracts the best talent from Europe, as well as the US.
Thanks to a carve-out in the federal laws concerning online gambling, horse race betting is available in the majority of states.
As long as you can legally bet on a race in person in your state, you are also allowed to place a bet online. These bets join with the pari-mutuel pools operated at the tracks, which gives everyone a fair payout based on the weight of wagers for each contender.
Three horse race betting sites dominate the scene: These are TVG, BetAmerica, and TwinSpires.
Each site gives you access to hundreds of racetracks around the globe. However, bonuses and incentives vary between these sites. You can enjoy deposit bonuses, risk-free bets, free past performance data, and plenty of promotions.
Whether you bet at the top-rated stakes meetings or regional, daily events, there is a wide range of betting options. You can bet on single horses to win, place or show, pick multiple horses in the right order or bet on several races in a row.
You can bet right now from your desktop or iPhone, iPad and Android device. Check out what online horse race betting sites have to offer soon!
Online casinos can be fun to wager on, but many folks within the United States find themselves confused if they are able to participate or not. The United States, unfortunately, does not have clear laws or regulations relating to betting online unlike some other countries in the world. Due to the lack of clarity, many US citizens are unsure about online gambling in general because they just don’t know how or where to get started.
We’re here to help end the cloudiness surrounding online casino gambling for US residents. Our site is full of information relating to US online casinos. We’ve included site reviews, site recommendations, and some tips for you to use. If you’re new to US casino sites, you’ve found a great starting point here. Check out all that we have to offer, and you’ll be on your way to betting comfortably online in no time.
The Most Trusted US Casino Sites in 2020
If you’re ready to play now at a US casino site, check out the list below of our most trusted US online casinos. We’ve taken the time to do exhaustive research on each of these sites to make sure that they are the best of the best. Each of these recommended sites scored well when it came to important criteria such as variety, trustworthiness, and quality of their customer service. Each of these casinos can provide you with a trusted starting point for a US online casino.
For those of you that are new to playing online or that would like to learn more before proceeding, be sure to check out everything else that we have to offer. Below, we’ll cover much more information about playing online at US Casinos. Our site is full of information to help get you quickly up to speed.
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Is It Legal?
While we wish we could give you a simple yes or no when it comes to the legality of betting online in the US, we, unfortunately, can’t. At a high level, things are very fuzzy and not clearly defined. The United States has not yet fully regulated or legalized online gambling yet. Still today, online gambling in the US falls into a gray area. While the US has laws and regulations relating to gambling in general, there is no update to the laws yet with specific language about online gambling.
We know for a fact that there is no law specifically banning US residents from gambling online. Add to that the fact that we don’t know of a single individual within the US that has ever been arrested for gambling online.
In short, you should proceed without any concerns about trouble with the law when it comes to gambling online.
Online Casinos by State
Below we’ve compiled a list of where you can find the best online casinos for a specific state. Just click on the state that you’d like more information about and you’ll find out where and how to gamble in that state. You’ll notice not every state has a page dedicated to it yet, but please check back frequently as we are continually updating our list so we can better serve you.
Connecticut
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Mississippi
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Why Play Online?
People often ask us why they should consider playing online versus playing live at a real casino. Below, we’ll give you our top three reasons why we love playing games online. After checking out these reasons below, we think you’ll begin to see things our way!
Convenience
First and foremost in our minds is the convenience of playing online. Most people in The United States do not have an easy path to stepping foot in a casino. For most, it requires a long car ride or possibly an airplane to get there. Due to this, most folks in The United States do not get into a physical casino nearly as often as they would like.
The magical part of playing at US casino sites is that you can do it from anywhere as long as you have a connection to the internet. It does not get more convenient than that, friends! Want to wager from your office? No problem! Want to wager while you take a dump at home? No problem! Want to wager while walking your dog? No problem!
Hopefully, you get the point by now that playing at online casinos is super simple and easy. No gas money, no wasted time in the car or an airplane. You do it when you want from wherever you want!
Bonuses and Promotions
Our second most favorite thing about playing games online at US casino sites is the bonuses and promotions that they offer clients. Unlike traditional casinos, US online casinos are literally offering money for you to come and wager on their site. This bonus cash can be a great way to build your account balance on the online casino of your choice.
With casino sites offering free money to do what you are already planning to do, you’d be an idiot not to take them up on it. Be sure to check out the bonus/promotions page on a casino’s website to get a feel for what all they offer. Do your best to claim every free cent because each free cent is literally free money!
Variety
Our last reason that we like to play online relates to the variety available. Like we mentioned before, most folks in The United States don’t have easy access to a physical casino. However, online, you can find a massive amount of US online casinos to choose from.
With so many choices online, you can shop around to find the one that really fits all your criteria. You won’t need to settle simply because it is the only game in town. The variety available online is a huge plus, and that’s another reason why we like to play online.
Important US Casino Site Criteria
While searching for a US casino site to wager on, you’ll want to look into six key criteria. These six criteria are the same items that we dive deep into when we’re doing a review of an online casino. If you can find a US online casino that scores well on all six of these, you’ve probably found a great spot to get your online gambling career in motion!
Bonuses and Promotions
As you saw above, bonuses and promotions offered by US casino sites are one of our favorite perks when it comes to playing online. In order to help maximize your bonus cash, you’ll need to make sure that you shop around to find yourself the best deal for your situation. Bonuses and promotions vary greatly between different US online casinos, so you’ll need to take a little time to do your homework.
When it comes to bonuses and promotions on US online casinos, they tend to targeted at two main groups: new customers and current customers.
New customers tend to be the ones that can get the most bang for their buck with bonuses and promotions as US online casinos are competing to win their business.
Most US online casinos will offer large signup and initial deposit bonuses to new clients. For current customers, we often see reload bonus offers.
US casino sites tend to offer up bonuses and promotions on a wide variety of items. For example, one US online casino might have bonuses and promotions targeting slots while another one may be focused on table games at that point. With so much variance out there, find a trusted US casino site that has the best deals on the games that you plan on playing.
Your goal is to locate a trusted US online casino that offers you the chance to earn the most bonus cash. Pay close attention to the initial deposit match offers. If you’re planning to make a large initial deposit, be sure to locate a US online casino that will get you the max cash back on that initial deposit. By doing a little bit of homework, you can come out way ahead in the long run with some extra cash in your pocket!
Variety
We’re big fans on options when it comes to playing online, and you should be too. Seek a US online casino that offers you a wide variety of game selection. Not only do you want to find a casino site that offers you a wide selection of different types of games, but you also want them to have a broad selection of options within each game.
Take Slots as an Example
It’s great if a US casino site offers slots as one of their gaming options. However, there is a massive difference between an online casino that offers 20 different type of slots versus another one offering hundreds of different types of slots.
Your goal is to locate a casino site with a nice variety of games. By locating a US casino site with a wide variety, you’ll have plenty of gaming options for the future.
Consider finding a site with a large variety of games now even if you’re new to betting online or if you just like to play one type of game. By getting started with an online casino with a large variety of games, you’ll be less likely to outgrow that site in the future as you play more and more games. Finding a US online casino with a large variety of games should help you create a one stop shop for all of your online casino needs.
If you’re into table games, we highly suggest that you find a site that offers you live dealer options. Live dealers are one of the biggest trends right now in the online casino industry. They tend to be a big hit with folks that want to feel more engaged with the game they are playing. If you have not tried it, be sure to check it out!
Quality Customer Service
We can’t stress enough how important finding a US casino site with quality customer service is. While we hope that you never have a significant issue arise that requires customer service to step in and help, you’ll want quality customer service at that time. Consider finding an online casino with quality customer service as good insurance for the future.
While all US casino sites offer some form of customer service, some simply do it way better than others.
The good sites are fast to respond and offer you several different ways to get in touch with them while the poor sites tend only to offer one way to reach them and are slow to help.
Having quality customer service can make a world of difference when you need it.
To gauge a site’s level of customer service, check out site reviews like the ones that we offer here. Also, test drive the customer service for yourself. Give them a quick call or shoot over an email and see how well and quickly they respond to your inquiry. If you get a fast and helpful response, you’re most likely on your way to finding a good fit when it comes to quality customer service.
User Interface
The user interface is another one of our key criteria that we suggest you closely analyze when searching for an online casino home. A site’s user interface is what determines how you get around and find things on a site. You’ll quickly see that user interfaces vary between each casino site, so you’ll want to find one that offers you a good fit.
The best way to test your fit with a site’s user interface is to test drive it yourself. As you’re digging into the other key criterion listed here, take note of how easily you’re able to find things that you’re looking for. Also, make sure that you feel comfortable on the site. If you get around quickly and easily, you’ve found a good fit. However, if you struggle to locate things or get around in general, we suggest that you move onto another site that offers you a better user interface fit.
Graphics Quality
If you’re going to be spending lots of time on any particular US casino site, you’ll want to make sure that you find the right one that offers you some great game graphics. While all casinos have games, they are not all created equal when it comes to the quality of the game graphics. Games with much better graphics tend to be much more engaging and create an overall better experience.
You can get a feel for a site’s game quality by checking out casino reviews like the ones that we offer here on this site. You can also easily test drive them yourself by playing a few games on a potential site. Most US online casinos offer you the ability to play for free without having to wager real cash. This is a great way to see how the games look and feel before you have to deposit a single dime on the site.
Banking Options
One last that you’ll want to check for is to make sure that you’ll be able to get your money on and subsequently off of your selected casino site. It is important for you to find an online casino that offers you the types of deposits and withdrawal options that you need for your situation. If you need to bank using bank wires, then your goal is to find a site that operates with bank wires as one of their banking options.
Banking options across different US online casinos vary quite a bit. You’ll find standard options such as credit and debit card accepted by most everyone. After that, it becomes pretty random. Some sites will take methods such as PayPal and Bitcoin while others won’t.
At the end of the day, just make sure to do your homework and make sure that you’ll be able to bank using the methods that you most prefer.
As a final reminder, the six key criterions above are the same things that we look for when reviewing a US casino site. Check out our honest and trustworthy reviews to jumpstart your search. In most cases, we’ve already done the homework for you which will allow you to get to gaming online faster!
Staying Safe
When gambling at US casino sites, remember always to keep your guard up. While you might end up in a trusted site at this time, things could always change. We’ve compiled a short list below of our top tips to keep you safe while using US online casinos. Keep these in the front of your mind while you wager online.
Top Tips to Stay Safe Gambling Online:
Do your homework. The more informed that you are, the more likely that you’ll have a great experience.
Limit your deposits. Only keep the funds that you need for wagering in your US online casino account. This account should NEVER serve as a savings account.
It’s your money. Because it’s your money, you’re the boss of safeguarding it.
Walk away. If something ever doesn’t feel right, pack up and head on to another site.
FAQs
We’ve gathered a list below of some of the most common questions that we get when it comes to US casino sites.
Are Online Casinos Safe?
Sports Gambling Sites Online Legal In Usa
Most online casinos are safe. Unfortunately, there are some bad eggs out there that you should avoid. If you’re here, you’re doing what you should be by researching. A little bit of research will go a long way in helping you end up on a good online casino. Check out our list of most trusted US casino sites at the start of this article see great starting points for a safe experience.
Legal Online Gambling Sites Usa
I’m New to Using Casinos Online. Where Do You Suggest I Start?
Congrats! You’ve found the place that you should be to get things started if you’re new to online casinos. We’re here to help get you acquainted with playing online as well as helping you with in-depth reviews for some of the US online casinos that are out there. We’re an independent and unbiased source of information for you.
Check out all of the information on this page. After that, dig into our casino reviews to get a feel for which one might be the best fit for you.
How Can I Move Money Onto and off of These Online Casinos?
Most US casino sites will offer you a wide variety of banking options for your deposits and withdrawals. The options will vary from site to site, but you should not have an issue finding a site that provides you with the options that you need. You’ll find an assortment of basic banking options all the way up to more rare ones.