Horse Betting in the US: Online Racebooks, Promo Codes & How ADW Works
Horse racing is the one form of betting that's been legal online across much of the US for decades. The federal Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 lets licensed advance deposit wagering (ADW) sites take pari-mutuel bets from players in states that allow it, which is why you can bet Saratoga or Del Mar from your phone in places with no sportsbook at all.
Every ADW site is licensed by a state racing regulator and publishes the list of states it accepts. Your bet goes into the same pari-mutuel pool as bets placed at the track.
This hub explains how online horse betting works, compares the main racing apps on real App Store ratings and lists the two racing offers we have for Locals Insider readers.
How we review racing apps
We check each platform against its own terms, help center and licensing disclosures, and we use real App Store ratings. "Top" on Locals Insider means the most popular and most used apps; offers only appear for brands we work with, and every term comes from the operator's own rules. If we can't confirm a detail on an official page, it doesn't go in.
Horse Betting Promo Codes
Offers for Locals Insider readers. New customers only; check that your state is on each site's list.
AmWager · Horse racing
$50 first deposit match
Terms: New AmWager account holders only, one per household. 100% match on your first deposit, up to $50 (deposit $50, get $50). Your total bets must equal or exceed your deposit within 30 days. Unused credits expire 30 days after issue. 18+ (21+ in states that require it, including California). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.
Horseplay · Horse racing
100% match up to $250 + $50 extra in Bonus Credits
Terms: 21+. New players only, in AL, CA, CO, DE, FL, KS, MT, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, VT, WI, WY. 100% match on your first credit purchase of $10–$250, paid in Bonus Credits, plus $50 in Bonus Credits with promo code HORSELOCALS. Bonus winnings need a 10x playthrough within 30 days. T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.
New customers only. Age and state rules vary by site. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.
How Online Horse Betting Works
1. Open an ADW account
An advance deposit wagering site holds your money and places your bets into the track's pools. You fund the account first, then bet from the balance.
2. Bet into the pari-mutuel pool
Horse racing odds aren't set by a bookmaker. All the money bet on a race goes into a pool, the track takes its share, and the rest is split among winning tickets, so the final odds are only known when the race goes off.
3. Pick your bet type
Win, place and show are single-horse bets. Exactas, trifectas and superfectas ask you to pick the first two, three or four finishers in order, and pay more because they're harder to hit.
Racing Apps Compared
| App | iOS rating (ratings) | Partner offer |
|---|---|---|
| TwinSpires | 4.82 (91,025) | – |
| TVG | 4.82 (56,436) | – |
| FanDuel Racing | 4.80 (17,993) | – |
| DK Horse | 4.69 (8,103) | – |
| Horseplay | 4.39 (7,014) | Yes – code HORSELOCALS |
| Xpressbet | 4.77 (2,658) | – |
| AmWager | No US App Store rating found | Yes – code LOCALS |
Ratings are US App Store averages and rating counts, checked November 2026, ordered by number of ratings.
Our Racing Reviews
- AmWager promo code review: independent ADW licensed by the Oregon Racing Commission, with a $50 first-bet offer.
- Horseplay promo code review: real-money racing games where every credit is a wager on a real race, in 19 states.
Tips Before You Bet on Horses
- Check your state. Every ADW publishes the states it accepts; Horseplay, for example, lists 19.
- Know the age rule. Some racing sites accept players from 18, but others, and some states, require 21.
- Watch the takeout. The track's share comes out of every pool, so exotic bets with bigger takeouts need bigger edges.
- Use the replays. Most racing apps stream races and replays; watching past runs is one of the most useful free handicapping tools.
Horse Betting FAQ
Is online horse betting legal in the US?
In many states, yes. The Interstate Horse Racing Act lets licensed ADW sites take bets from states that allow it, and each site lists the states it accepts.
What's the AmWager promo code?
LOCALS. It gives new players up to $50 on their first horse racing bet as a 100% first-deposit match.
What's the Horseplay promo code?
HORSELOCALS. Horseplay matches your first credit purchase 100% in Bonus Credits, from $10 up to $250, and adds $50 extra, with a 10x playthrough within 30 days.
Is Horseplay a sweepstakes casino?
No. You deposit real money, and every credit you play is a wager on a real horse race; the game screen reveals what the race paid.
Can I bet on horses where sports betting isn't legal?
Often, yes, because horse racing runs under separate federal and state racing laws. Check the ADW's state list; Horseplay, for example, operates in California, Alabama and Oklahoma, where online sportsbooks aren't licensed.
Bet with a plan. Set deposit and time limits before your first bet, and never chase losses; licensed racing sites offer cool-off periods and self-exclusion. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET, the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline.
More Gambling Guides
Horse betting reviews and guides
Our reviews of each online racebook and our guides to betting on US racing.
