Horse racing is one of America’s oldest spectator sports, and it’s part of the yearly rhythm for a handful of our US-based writers at Locals Insider. A couple make the pilgrimage to Churchill Downs for Derby week each May. One is a Saratoga regular through August, when the meet takes over the whole town in upstate New York. Others plan detours around Del Mar in July, Keeneland in October, or Santa Anita during the Breeders’ Cup — the racetrack itself is genuinely part of the trip, alongside the local restaurants, the neighborhood the track sits in, and the crowd it pulls.
But betting on the races has quietly moved online. You can absolutely go — we recommend the racetrack experience if you can pull the trip together — and you can also open your phone from wherever you are and place a bet on the exact same race. That’s true for out-of-state racing too: living in New York doesn’t mean you can only bet Saratoga; you can bet Del Mar, Churchill, or Ascot from your couch.
That’s thanks to the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, which specifically exempts pari-mutuel horse race wagering from the online gambling restrictions that apply to sports betting, casino, and poker — meaning that in most US states, you can legally place a bet on Churchill Downs, Saratoga, or Del Mar from your phone without waiting for state-by-state sports betting legalization.
The three biggest US racing events — the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes (collectively the Triple Crown) — draw hundreds of millions of dollars in wagers each spring, most of it now placed online through Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) platforms rather than at the track. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships in the fall is the second-biggest handle event of the year, and international races like the Dubai World Cup and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe also draw serious US action.
If you want to bet on any of it online in 2026, you’re choosing between a handful of licensed ADWs — and among the independents, AmWager is one of the strongest options. Here’s what you need to know about the platform, the current sign-up offer, and how to claim it with the exclusive Locals Insider promo code LOCALS.
What is AmWager?
AmWager is a US-based, independently-owned online horse racing betting platform operated by AmWest Entertainment LLC, headquartered in Prospect, Kentucky, just outside Louisville. The company has been in business since 2009 and is licensed and regulated by the Oregon Racing Commission as a multi-jurisdictional account wagering (ADW) provider — a regulatory status that allows it to accept wagers from residents of most US states under the federal Interstate Horse Racing Act.
Unlike some of its bigger competitors (TwinSpires is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated; FanDuel Racing is owned by Flutter Entertainment), AmWager is one of the few remaining independent ADWs — meaning it isn’t tied to a specific racetrack chain or global gambling conglomerate, and its product development is driven by user feedback rather than by parent-company strategy.
At a glance:
- Founded: 2009
- Parent company: AmWest Entertainment LLC
- HQ: 13011 W Hwy 42 Ste 107, Prospect, KY 40059
- Regulator: Oregon Racing Commission (multi-jurisdictional ADW license)
- States available: 31 US states as of 2026 (California, New York, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and 24 others)
- Race coverage: Nearly 500 tracks worldwide, over 1,000 races per day
- Platforms: Web, iOS app, Android app
- Live streaming: Yes, on most tracks, free with an active account
AmWager Bonus and Sign-Up Offer with Promo Code LOCALS
New AmWager account holders who sign up through Locals Insider using the exclusive promo code LOCALS are eligible for a $50 first-bet bonus — one of the strongest ADW welcome offers on the market for casual players and a great way to try the platform without risking your full deposit.
AmWager LOCALS promo details for 2026
| AmWager Promo code | LOCALS |
| Bonus amount | Up to $50 on your first horse racing bet |
| AmWager Sign up Offer 2026 | 100% first-deposit match |
| Minimum deposit | Match determined by first deposit amount (deposit $50 = get $50 bonus) |
| Wagering requirement | Total bets must equal or exceed deposit within 30 days. 18+ (21+ in states that require it, including California) |
| Eligibility | New AmWager account holders only, one per household |
| Bonus expiry | Unused credits expire 30 days after issue |
| Responsible gambling | 1-800-GAMBLER · Void where prohibited |
How the math works: if you deposit $50 and wager $50 on horse racing within 30 days of signing up, AmWager credits your account with an additional $50 in bet credits — effectively doubling your bankroll for your first month.
Claim Your $50 Bonus
How to claim the LOCALS bonus?
Registration at AmWager takes about 2 minutes. Here’s the full flow:
- Visit AmWager.com — go directly through the Locals Insider link so the promo code is pre-attached
- Click “Sign Up” in the top-right corner
- Enter your email address and choose a password
- Enter the AmWager promo code LOCALS in the bonus code field during registration (this is essential — the bonus cannot be applied retroactively)
- Verify your identity — AmWager needs your legal name, date of birth, address, and last four digits of your Social Security number (standard for all US gambling operators, required by anti-money-laundering regulations)
- Make your first deposit — via debit card, ACH bank transfer, PayPal, or other supported methods. Deposit at least $10 to activate the offer; deposit up to $50 to maximize it
- Place your first horse racing bet — on any race, any track, any bet type
- Wager the deposit amount within 30 days — once your total bets equal or exceed your deposit, the bonus credits are added to your account
Important: your account must be verified before you can deposit and bet. AmWager’s verification is typically instant for US residents in eligible states.
What you can bet on with AmWager
AmWager covers nearly 500 tracks worldwide with over 1,000 races per day, giving it one of the widest track catalogs of any US-licensed ADW.
Track categories
- Major US thoroughbred tracks: Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, Saratoga, Del Mar, Santa Anita, Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, Aqueduct
- International thoroughbred: Royal Ascot, Epsom, Longchamp, Dubai World Cup, Meydan, Sha Tin (Hong Kong), Flemington (Australia), Tokyo, Nakayama
- Harness racing: The Meadowlands, Yonkers, Woodbine Mohawk, Pocono, Northfield Park
- Quarter horse racing: Los Alamitos, Ruidoso Downs, Sam Houston, Remington Park
- Greyhound racing: Wheeling, Palm Beach (where legal)
- Virtual horse racing: Daily virtual race cards from a database of 100,000 past races at Tampa Bay Downs, Palm Beach, and Derby Lane (not available in Kentucky or New York)
Bet types available
AmWager online horse betting platform supports the full menu of pari-mutuel wagers you’d expect at a major US racebook:
- Straight bets: Win, Place, Show
- Exotic bets within a race: Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Super High 5
- Multi-race exotics: Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6
- Advanced wager structures: Boxed bets, wheels, part-wheels, key horse bets
- Same-race: Head-to-head match-ups where offered
Top AmWager horse racing betting features
1. Speed — AmWager claims 60× faster odds updates than most other ADWs, which matters most in the final seconds before post time when odds shift rapidly. In a market where a fraction of a second can be the difference between a good price and a missed opportunity, this is a real product edge.
2. AmWager Edge handicapping tools — the platform’s proprietary Pro % tool lets you assign a personal weight (a probability of winning) to each horse in a race and automatically construct bets based on those weights. It’s a genuinely useful feature for handicappers who prefer to model races themselves rather than rely on public tipsters.
3. Free live streaming — most tracks stream live inside the app with no additional subscription required, provided your account has recent activity. This is a meaningful benefit compared to some competitors that gate streaming behind a monthly minimum-wager threshold.
4. Cash back and loyalty program — AmWager offers real cash back on wagering volume, tiered by monthly activity. Not the biggest rebate program on the market, but among the most straightforward.
5. Fast withdrawals — most competitors take 3-5 business days for ACH withdrawals; AmWager processes in as little as 24 hours for verified accounts.
6. Customer-driven product development — AmWager is known in the horse racing community for regularly shipping features requested by users, which is unusual in the ADW space where most product roadmaps are dictated by parent-company strategy.
How AmWager compares to other legal US horse racing sites
How AmWager Compares to Other Legal US Horse Racing Sites
Six major online horse racing platforms available to US bettors, side by side: ownership, sign-up offer, track coverage and whether they operate independently.
Ownership and offers verified against each platform’s official site, BloodHorse, Thoroughbred Daily News and BettingUSA in August 2026. Sign-up offers and state availability can change — always check current terms at the operator’s site before signing up.
Must be 18+ (21+ in some states). Terms and conditions apply. Void where prohibited. Gamble responsibly. 1-800-GAMBLER · ncpgambling.org
Where AmWager wins on the comparison: the widest track coverage (nearly 500 tracks vs. 150-300 for most competitors), independent ownership (no parent-company conflict of interest when suggesting which races to promote), and the fastest odds updates. Where it doesn’t: the top-line dollar value of the welcome bonus is smaller than TwinSpires’ or FanDuel Racing’s — but the wagering requirements at AmWager are also much simpler (1× the deposit vs. multi-x rollover at some competitors).
For casual bettors who want a straightforward welcome offer and access to more tracks than any other US ADW, AmWager is the strongest overall pick.
Big horse racing events to bet on in 2026 and 2027
2026 US calendar highlights
- Travers Stakes — Saturday, August 22, 2026 · Saratoga
- Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe — Sunday, October 4, 2026 · Longchamp, France
- Breeders’ Cup World Championships — October 30-31, 2026 · Del Mar, California
- Melbourne Cup — Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · Flemington, Australia
2027 US calendar highlights
- Pegasus World Cup — late January 2027 · Gulfstream Park, FL
- Dubai World Cup — late March 2027 · Meydan Racecourse, UAE
- Kentucky Derby — Saturday, May 1, 2027 · Churchill Downs (the 153rd running)
- Preakness Stakes — Saturday, May 15, 2027 · Pimlico
- Belmont Stakes — Saturday, June 5, 2027 · Belmont Park (returning after renovation)
- Saratoga meeting — July through Labor Day 2027
- Del Mar summer meet — mid-July through early September 2027
- Breeders’ Cup World Championships — early November 2027 · Santa Anita Park, California
All of these are available for pre-race and (where legal) in-race betting on AmWager.
AmWager Questions Answered
Is AmWager legal in my state? AmWager is available in 31 US states as of 2026, including California, New York, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky. It’s not available in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, or a handful of others where state law does not permit online pari-mutuel wagering. AmWager will check your state at signup and let you know immediately if you’re eligible.
How old do I have to be to bet on AmWager? The minimum age is 18 in most states. California, Iowa, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and a few others require you to be 21. AmWager verifies your age during signup.
Can I use the LOCALS code if I already have an AmWager account? No — the promo code LOCALS is for new AmWager account holders only. Existing customers are not eligible for the first-deposit match bonus. If you’ve had an AmWager account in the past (even a dormant one), you won’t qualify for the LOCALS offer.
How do I withdraw my winnings? AmWager supports withdrawals via ACH bank transfer, PayPal, or check. ACH withdrawals typically process within 24 hours for verified accounts. First-time withdrawals may take slightly longer due to additional identity verification.
What happens if I don’t wager the deposit amount within 30 days? The bonus credits will not be released, and any unused bonus credits will be removed from your account after the 30-day period expires. You keep whatever you deposited and any winnings from wagers you placed — you just don’t receive the bonus match if the wagering requirement isn’t met.
Contact AmWager customer support
If you need help with your account, the promo code, or a specific bet:
- Email: support@amwager.com (response typically within 24 hours)
- Corporate phone: (502) 292-1075 (AmWest Entertainment LLC)
- Address: 13011 W Hwy 42 Ste 107, Prospect, KY 40059
- Business hours: Support operates on standard US business hours; closed on major US holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and Easter Sunday)
- In-app support: available on iOS and Android
- Website support: amwager.com/contact
Gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org. Must be 18+ (21+ in some states). Terms and conditions apply. Void where prohibited. Offer subject to change; verify current terms at AmWager.com before signing up. This article contains affiliate links.
