Minnesota Horse Racing Betting – Comparing The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Minnesota

This guide highlights the world-class Minnesota horse racing betting sites that offer great features, large bonuses and reliable payments. We will delve into the top sites for horse racing betting in Minnesota and break down their key strengths. You can then make an informed decision on which racebook is right for you. We will teach you how to place a bet at a racebook, what the odds mean and which betting options you can consider.

BetOnline Sports logo

50% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
BetNow Sports logo

150% Match On The First Deposit Up To $150

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Everygame Sports logo

$750 Welcome Bonus (3 x $250 Bonuses)

5 Stars Claim Now
MyBookie Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $1000

5 Stars Claim Now
BUSR Sports logo

150% Deposit Bonus up to $2500

4.5 Stars Claim Now
Bovada Sports logo

Get a Welcome Bonus of up to $750

5 Stars Claim Now
BetUS Sports logo

125% Sign Up Bonus Up To $2,500

5 Stars Claim Now
XBet Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus Up To $500 + $10 Casino Chip

5 Stars Claim Now
Jazz Sports logo

50% Sports Welcome Bonus Up To $1000

4 Stars Claim Now
Sportsbetting AG Sports logo

50% First Time Deposit Match Up To $1000

4.5 Stars Claim Now

Read on to learn more about the best sites and mobile apps for Minnesota horse racing betting, and then keep reading for a thorough guide on how to bet on horse racing.

In This Guide

Ranking The Top 10 Betting Sites for Horse Racing in Minnesota

We decided to find the top 10 Minnesota horse racing betting sites. That required us to sign up for accounts with every single online racebook targeting Minnesotans. That was a painstaking process, but we were able to conduct thorough reviews of all of them. We signed up for accounts with each site offering horse racing betting in Minnesota, made deposits and placed bets.

We rated the quality of the racecards, the features, the handicapping tools and the general interface. We also marked the deposit and withdrawal limits, bet limits, banking options and payout speeds. Our reviewers chatted with support agents to gauge the strength of the customer service too. We focused on the bonuses and promos and the rollover requirements, along with the loyalty programs and rebates.

When this lengthy process was finished, we could compare the different Minnesota horse racing betting sites against each other. These are the 10 bookies that scored the highest overall:

  1. TwinSpires The number one Minnesota horse racing betting site
  2. TVG A superb Minnesota racebook with excellent live streaming
  3. BetOnline A great all-round betting site in Minnesota
  4. XBet – The best Minnesota racebook for beginners
  5. Bovada – Minnesota horse racing site with a great loyalty program
  6. MyBookie – A user-friendly betting site in Minnesota
  7. BetUS  – The largest bonuses for Minnesota bettors
  8. BUSR  – Cash back offers for Minnesota horseplayers
  9. Sportsbetting.ag – Offers Minnesota players a risk-free racebook bet
  10. BetNow  – A large rebate on Minnesota horse racing betting losses

Reviewing The Best Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Sites

The sites offering horse racing betting in Minnesota have different strengths. Some are better suited to advanced horse players, while others are a lot more beginner friendly. Read our reviews of the top five Minnesota horse racing betting sites to learn more about their attributes and you can then make an informed decision about which bookie to register with.

1. TwinSpires – Number one Minnesota horse racing betting site

TwinSpires Horse Racing Homepage

TwinSpires is a world-class online racebook. It offers the most detailed racecards and the most advanced handicapping tools in Minnesota. You can access an abundance of past performance data, results and replays, information about scratches, changes and carryovers, and very detailed information about each runner in hundreds of races every day. There are various interfaces to choose from – TwinSpires Classic, TwinSpires Express, TwinSpires Pro and TwinSpires TV – so the site is highly customizable. It has a great mobile app for betting on horse racing in Minnesota too.

Churchill Downs Inc., the company that hosts the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, owns TwinSpires, which it created 15 years ago. They recently added a sportsbook and a casino, but those sections are not available in Minnesota, and they are also being canceled soon so that TwinSpires can focus solely on horse racing. That seems like a wise idea, as it has a great deal of experience and expertise in this field and it has created a truly impressive racebook. It has live streaming, so you can watch all the races, and it is reasonably quick at paying out. There are loads of offers too – a deposit match bonus, a $100,000 Kentucky Derby Prep Race leaderboard contest, money back specials, trifecta boosts on a Tuesday, exact insurance and loyalty initiatives.

TwinSpires Review –
The Best All-Round Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Site

pros Cons
✅ Sophisticated tools for handicapping races ❌ Fees for credit card deposits
✅ Live streaming of many races ❌ Not particularly beginner-friendly
✅ Plenty of money back specials
✅ Fantastic racecards
✅ Faultless coverage of US and international racing

Welcome Bonus Offer:

You will get a 100% deposit match bonus worth up to $200 at this Minnesota horse racing betting site. Claim the offer by using the promo code: BET200 . It has a 4x release requirement. Place $400 worth of bets to earn the first $100 in bonus funds, and then repeat the process for the next $100.

To join TwinSpires, click the button below.

2. TVG – A superb Minnesota racebook with excellent live streaming

TVG Horse Racing Homepage

TVG is another elite Minnesota horse racing betting site. It shares lots of characteristics with TwinSpires – remarkably detailed information about horses’ past performances, in-depth handicapping tools, cutting-edge live streaming capabilities and great bonuses. It is part of Flutter Entertainment, the company that owns brands such as FanDuel, Betfair, Paddy Power and PokerStars, and it has been accepting bets on horse racing in Minnesota for many years.

There are not too many differences between TVG and TwinSpires. You will enjoy a brilliant all-round horse racing wagering experience at both of them, either through a dedicated mobile app or the website. There are not quite as many promos at TVG, although there are cash back specials on certain races each week – meaning you get a refund if you bet on the win and your horse finishes second or third – along with prize pools. There are deposit fees, but they are waived on Mondays and Tuesdays, which is worth bearing in mind.

TVG Review –
Fantastic Live Streaming Capabilities and a Great Mobile App
pros Cons
✅ Terrific live streaming every day ❌ Fees on credit card deposits
✅ Loads of great features  ❌ No sportsbook or casino
✅ Detailed racecards
✅ Dedicated mobile app
✅ Lots of bonuses for new and existing horseplayers

Welcome Bonus Offer:

A 50% match deposit welcome bonus of up to $250 is available to Minnesota horseplayers. To claim this promotion, you can sign up, make a deposit and enter the promo code: 250DM .

To join TVG in Minnesota, follow the link below.

3. BetOnline – Strong all-round Minnesota betting site

betonline horse racing wisconsin

This Minnesota horse racing betting site is very different from TwinSpires and TVG. It is a far more user-friendly site, especially for beginners. The racecards are a lot more sparse – you will only find basic information about the horse’s number, trainer and jockey – and it does not offer handicapping tools or live streaming. This is a great option if you want to bet on racing as quickly and easily as possible. The site is very fast, streamlined and simple to navigate, so you will never miss out on placing a bet. It is also a lot quicker at paying out than TwinSpires and TVG – provided you use crypto – and it has larger bonuses too.

The promo code is for sports bettors and worth up to $1,050, but you’ll also get a risk-free $25 racebook wager and a racing rebate of 4% on straight bets and 9% on exotics.  Lots of people in Minnesota prefer BetOnline to TwinSpires and TVG, because it is very easy to use. There is also an outstanding online sportsbook section, an online casino, a live dealer casino, an esports betting section and a poker room, so you can bet on everything at BetOnline in Minnesota, which is not the case at TVG and TwinSpires.

BetOnline Review –
Strong Betting Site in Minnesota with Detailed Racebook
Pros Cons
✅ Accepts bets on more than 600 racetracks ❌ Fees on credit card deposits
✅ Simple reacecards ❌ No mobile app
✅ Easy-to-use interface
✅ Racebook rebates of 4% to 9%
✅ Very quick to pay customers their winnings

Welcome Bonus Offer:

BetOnline will give you a 105% crypto bonus worth up to $1,050 for the sportsbook when you sign up. You will also get a $25 risk-free racebook bet and there is an ongoing racebook rebate.

To sign-up for a BetOnline Minnesota account and unlock these offers, follow the link that we have provided below.

4. XBet – Perfect for beginners in Minnesotaxbet horse racing

XBet is even easier to use than BetOnline. The racecards are sparse, only giving you the most pertinent information. The design is lean and stripped-back, and everything is geared towards speed and simplicity. If you are new to betting on horse racing betting in Minnesota, and you find a site like TwinSpires intimidating or confusing, XBet is the ideal antidote. You will have no problem finding your way around the site, and it makes the process of putting on a bet very simple. Highly trained customer support reps are on hand 24 hours a day to take calls and help you with the betting process too. Our promo code for XBet offers you up to $500 in free sportsbook credit, and there is a racebook revoke available too.

XBet Review –
Best for Horse Racing Betting Newcomers in Minnesota
pros Cons
✅ Very beginner-friendly ❌ Relatively small sign-up bonus
✅ Generous racebook rebates
✅ Takes bets on worldwide racing
✅ Credit card deposits are free
✅ Trustworthy reputation

Welcome Bonus Offer:

 You will receive a 100% deposit match sign-up bonus worth up to $500 at XBet. This is smaller than the welcome bonus at MyBookie, which is XBet’s sister site, but the rollover requirement is lower. To register XBet and start Minnesota horse racing betting today, click on the link below.

5. Bovada – Great loyalty program for Minnesota horseplayers

bovada horse racing

Bovada is a legendary betting site in Minnesota. It arguably offers the best online sportsbook in the state, which covers a phenomenal array of sports in detail, with dozens of props. There is also a huge online casino, a live casino, and the busiest online poker room in Minnesota. Our Bovada review page has details about those sections of the site. When it comes to betting on horse racing in Minnesota, Bovada is similar to BetOnline and XBet, with clean, simple racecards, an easy-to-navigate betting interface and an effective betslip. You can bet on hundreds of races each week. It has some terrific bonuses, a great loyalty program, excellent customer service, a trustworthy reputation and solid security. It also processes withdrawals and pays out winnings extremely quickly.

Bovada Review –
Great Loyalty Program for Minnesota Horse Racing Bettors
pros Cons
✅ Terrific loyalty program ❌ Smaller sign-up offer bonus than BetOnline
✅ Strong sportsbook, casino and poker sections
✅ Quick to payout
✅ Trusted online bookie

Welcome Bonus Offer:

Bovada will allow you to use your sign-up bonus on horse racing betting in Minnesota. It is a 75% deposit match offer worth up to $750, which has a 5x rollover requirement for racing.

To claim this welcome bonus and start horse racing Minnesota betting, click the link below and register a Bovada account.

More on gambling in Minnesota…

Learn about all types of online gambling in Minnesota in our expert guides below:

Comparing The Best Sites for Horse Racing Minnesota Has to Offer

There are certain characteristics that our reviewers look out for when assessing how impressive a Minnesota horse racing betting site is. We recommend you consider each of these categories and determine which are most important to you. That will help you arrive at your ideal racebook, as each operator excels in different areas.

Horse Racing Odds

Most races are settled on a pari-mutuel basis, including events at Minnesota horse racing tracks. All the money wagered goes into a pool, and after the race it is distributed among the winning horseplayers. This is how horse racing works across the USA. However, you will sometimes be able to bet on fixed-odds races taking place in other countries, or you will find fixed-odds futures on major races set to take place later in the year, such as the Kentucky Derby. In that case, the odds available at Minnesota horse racing betting sites can vary. It is important to find a racebook that offers above average fixed odds on those races, as it will increase your probability of earning a long-term profit. The odds at BetOnline are very impressive.

Horse Racing Betting Markets

You should be able to bet on the win, place, show, exacta, quinella, trifecta and superfecta on each race. You should also be offered the chance to create exact, trifecta and quinella boxes, and to place multiple bets like a daily double or a Pick 3. In very big races, you may be able to bet on individual matchups between specific horses too. The top five horse racing Minnesota sites on this page offer all of those straight and exotic wagering opportunities.

Live Streaming

TVG and TwinSpires stand out from their competitors by offering live streaming of every race. That includes Minnesota horse racing tracks, venues from across the country and international races. TVG is especially strong when it comes to live coverage. You can bet on the races and watch the action all in one place, and there are replays in case you miss anything.

Horse Racing Betting Promotions

The Minnesota horse racing betting industry is competitive, so operators give out bonuses to attract customers. TwinSpires has some fantastic bonuses, including the deposit match sign-up bonus, the money back specials and the contests. We also like the large sign-up offer at Bovada, which can be used on racing, along with the loyalty program it provides. A $25 risk-free bet at BetOnline is great too, and it has the best rebate system on any net losses.

User-Friendly Design

Speed is often crucial for horseplayers. It can be devastating to come up with a winning pick and then miss the opportunity to place the bet because the racebook is too slow, buggy and glitchy. You need a quick, reliable racebook that you can navigate easily. For that reason, we highly recommend BetOnline and XBet, which are both perfect for beginners and anyone that wants to get their bets on fast. The design at TwinSpires and TVG does not seem so user-friendly at first, but they are also easy to use when you grow accustomed to their quirks.

Special Features for Horse Racing

TwinSpires stands head and shoulders above the competition in Minnesota in terms of special features. The past performance details, the handicapping software, the databases, the news updates and the sheer detail of the racecards makes it an exciting destination for advanced and experienced horseplayers. We highly recommend TwinSpires if you are looking for special features when betting on horse racing in Minnesota.

Additional Betting Options

One advantage BetOnline holds over TwinSpires and TVG is that it allows you to bet on sports, esports, slots, table games and poker tournaments as well as horse racing. State law prevents American companies from offering online casino games, poker rooms and sports betting. BetOnline is based overseas, so that rule does not apply to the company, and it is perfectly legal for Minnesotans to sign up at BetOnline and use it. Bovada also offers all of those betting options, so they are both great choices. XBet does not have a poker room, but its online sportsbook and casino are excellent.

Comparing Features At The Best Sites For Horse Racing Betting In Minnesota
US Racing International Racing Horse Racing Betting Promotions  Special Features for Horse Racing User-Friendly Design Horse Racing Live Streaming Sports Betting Casino Games
TwinSpires
TVG
BetOnline
XBet
Bovada
MyBookie
BetUS
BUSR
SportsBetting
BetNow

How to Choose the Best Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Sites

By now you should have a pretty clear idea of which Minnesota horse racing betting site is best for you. However, there are some additional considerations you should concentrate on before making your final decision:

Brand Recognition

We recommend placing bets with strong, recognized brands. We advocate using Minnesota horse racing betting sites that have been established for several years, with large customer bases and a reputation for delivering quick, dependable payouts. This is important, because flashy new sites often spring up, tempting Minnesotans with promises of large bonuses and huge dividend boosts. Yet many of them turn out to be scam sites, which take your money willingly and then refuse to pay out winnings. It is better to avoid that risk and stick to the recognized brands featured on this horse racing in Minnesota guide.

Payment Methods

The leading Minnesota horse racing betting sites highlighted here provide plenty of payment methods. However, the list varies from one racebook to the next, so it’s important to make sure a site offers your preferred method. For example, TwinSpires and TVG do not accept crypto, whereas BetOnline, XBet and Bovada do. TwinSpires takes payments via methods like PayNearMe, Play+ and PayPal, which are not available at the other three.

horse racing payment

Safety & Security

We advise you to only use safe, secure sites for horse racing betting in Minnesota. The bookies we have listed on this page use the latest encryption tools to keep your details safe. If security is especially important to you, find a site that offers two-factor authentication, choose a strong password and change it every few months.

Speed ​​& Design

Many horseplayers like to bet on a high volume of races each day in order to maintain the excitement. That requires an intelligently designed online racebook, which allows you to find races and place bets quickly. If that sounds like something you are interested in, XBet and BetOnline are highly recommended. They are designed with speed and convenience in mind, and their software is ultra-reliable, so you won’t miss the opportunity to place your bet.

Customer Service

Customer service should be offered 24 hours a day, every single day of the year. This is important if you make a mistake or need help with a rule or placing a wager. BetOnline offers magnificent customer service. TwinSpires also looks after customers well and it will normally provide a full refund if you accidentally place a bet on the wrong horse before the race.

Overall Value

Before choosing your Minnesota horse racing betting site, it might be worth focusing on the overall value it provides. Your overall chances of earning a profit will be boosted by welcome bonuses, risk-free bets, rebates, money back specials, loyalty schemes offering free bet credit, generous fixed odds and profit boost. Handicapping software and astute picks can also provide positive value, which is why TwinSpires is so popular. On the other hand, poor fixed odds and deposit and withdrawal fees reduce your overall chances of earning a profit. Focus on which site offering horse racing betting in Minnesota provides you with the best overall value.

What To Look For In The Best Sites For Horse Racing Betting In Minnesota
Brand Recognition ✅ Trustworthy

✅ Reliable

Payment Process ✅ Safe Payment Options

✅ Fast, Secure Payments

Safety & Security ✅Safety&Security

✅ Protecting Privacy & Personal Information

Speed ​​& Design ✅ FastSoftware

✅ User-Friendly Design

Customer Service ✅ 24/7 Live Chat

✅ Friendly Customer Service 

Overall Value ✅ Best Odds

✅ Live Streaming

✅ Promotions Offers

✅Special Features

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Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in Minnesota ?

The state constitution permits betting on horse racing in Minnesota. You can place bets at Minnesota horse racing tracks, casinos on reservations and online. Operators like TVG and TwinSpires are permitted to offer betting on horse racing in Minnesota. You can alternatively use offshore sites like BetOnline, SportsBetting.ag, XBet, MyBookie and Bovada. Those sites also offer sports betting, slots and table games. State law does not allow American companies to accept bets on sports and casino games.

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Horse Betting Guides State by State

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Guide – How to Bet on Horse Races in Minnesota

The best online gambling sites for Minnesota bettors allow you to wager on races every couple of minutes. That includes betting on Minnesota horse racing tracks, along with tracks in lots of other states and various international markets, such as Australia, the UK, Ireland, France, Sweden, South Africa and Japan. You can start by signing up for an account with one of the Minnesota horse racing betting sites featured on this page. The rest of this guide explains how to bet on horse races in Minnesota, so read on to learn how to become an expert horseplayer.

Check Out Our Popular Horse Racing Guides

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This guide will take you through the best virtual horse racing betting sites, as well as taking you through the inner workings of virtual horse racing.
Virtual Horse Racing

How Does Horse Racing Betting Work in Minnesota?

The goal is to predict how a race will pan out. The best approach is to assess the past performances of the various runners to determine how they have performed in races of a similar class and distance. You can then make educated guesses about how they will fare in the upcoming race, factoring in the jockey, trainer and other variables. You can bet on the winner, the place or the show, or exotic markets like the exact or trifecta.

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Explained

The image below shows  a basic racecard that you will find at a site offering horse racing betting in Minnesota. It informs you of the horse name, the number on its saddlecloth and the jockey. You will then see the name of the trainer. The column on the far left highlights the Morning Line odds. This is a prediction from the track’s capper on the dividend each horse would pay if it were to win the race. Remember that it is only an estimate, and you could receive more or less than the Morning Line odds imply. You will find more detailed racecards at TVG and TwinSpires, providing you with more information about the past performances of each runner, but this gives you a rough idea of what to look out for. You can type your bet amount in the corresponding box and then add it to the betslip to place a wager.

Beth Slip

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Odds

betonline thin banner

There are three terms you should learn when betting on horse racing in Minnesota:

Fixed odds for Horse Racing Betting in Minnesota

You will find some fixed-odds betting on futures and on racing held abroad. Some states are pushing for fixed-odds racing, but it has not yet gained approval in the USA. If you see fixed-odds, such as 2/1 or 5/2, it tells you exactly how much you will earn if your bet wins.

Pari-Mutuel Betting in Minnesota

Pari-mutuel betting is the way horse racing wagers are settled in the United States. The system began in France many years ago, and the USA adopted it, so this is how bets are graded at Minnesota horse racing tracks. All the money wagered on each market – the win, the exacta, the trifecta and so on – goes into a pot. The industry takes a small cut and then divides it among the horseplayers that hold winning tickets after the race.

Pool Betting on Minnesota Horse Races

Pool betting is the same as pari-mutuel betting. They refer to the same thing, but the terms are often used interchangeably.

What Are the Different Types of Horse Racing Bets?

twinspires horse racing

Win

A prediction on the winner of a race.

Place

A bet on a runner to either win a race or finish second.

Show

A bet on a horse to finish first, second or third.

exact

An exact bet requires you to name the horse that will win a race and the horse that will take second place. You need to state the exact order. A quinella is a bet on two runners to finish first and second in either order.

trifecta

A trifecta is a prediction on the first three horses to finish a race. Once again, you need to state the exact finishing order.

Your perfect

A superfecta is a prediction on the first four horses past the finishing post.

Daily Double

A wager on the horses that will win two consecutive races at a racetrack.

Pick 3/4/5/6

A parlay on the winning horses in three, four, five or six races.

Comparing the Different Types of Horse Racing Betting Options
Bet Type Description
Win Overall winner of the race
Place To finish inside top 2 places
Show To finish inside top 3 places
exact First two horses in exact order
trifecta First three horses in exact order
Your perfect First four horses in exact order
Daily Double Winner of two consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 3 Winner of three consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 4 Winner of four consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 5 Winner of five consecutive races from the same meeting
Pick 6 Winner of six consecutive races from the same meeting

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Terms

These are some of the key Minnesota horse racing betting terms to familiarize yourself with:

  • At the post – The horses are ready to start the race and betting is now unavailable.
  • Dead Heat – Two or more horses have finished a race at the exact same time.
  • DQ – This means that a horse has been disqualified from a race.
  • Exotic bet – A bet on a market like an exact, trifecta or superfecta.
  • Favorite – The horse deemed to be the strongest, with the best implied probability of winning a race.
  • Fixed Odds – Odds that tell you the precise amount you will be paid.
  • Furlong – One-eighth of a mile. This term is often used to describe the length of a race.
  • Harness – A race with horses pulling a two-wheeled car.
  • Maiden – A race made up of horses that are all seeking a first win.
  • Morning Line – The track handicapper makes his or her best guess on the dividend each horse will pay if it wins the race. These odds do not necessarily tell you the payout you will receive, but they give you a rough idea.
  • PariMutuel – All the money that is wagered on a race goes into a pool, which is distributed among winning bettors after the race is over.
  • Purse – The prize funds that will be distributed among the horses’ owners in order of their finishing positions.
  • Quarter-Horse – A horse breed that thrives at sprints.
  • Steeplechase – A jumps race, mainly run in the UK and Ireland during the winter.
  • Thoroughbred – A horse breed known for its speed and endurance. Minnesota horse racing tracks feature thoroughbreds.
  • Tote Board – The board that tells bettors the pari-mutuel payout on each market after the race is over.
  • Triple Crown – The three leading races for three-year-olds in the United States, including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
  • Wager – Another name for a bet.

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Calculator

A Minnesota horse racing betting site will calculate your payout after each race and automatically add your winnings to your cash balance. If you would like to check that you are receiving fair payouts, you can use a simple calculator found online, or read the next section to learn how to calculate payouts yourself.

How To Calculate Horse Racing Betting Odds

Fixed-odds are normally presented in the fractional format. The chart below shows you how fractional odds convert to American odds – which start with a plus or minus symbol – but most racebooks use fractions. You simply multiply your bet amount, known as the stake, by the fraction to work out the profit you will receive. For example, if you bet $10 at 7/1, you would earn $70. If you bet $10 at 15/2, you will earn $75. You get your stake back if the wager wins, so your total return on a winning $10 bet at 7/1 would be $80.

Most bets are calculated on a pari-mutuel basis. A dividend for each market – win, place, show, exacta, quinella, trifecta, superfecta – is shown on a tote board after the race. It tells you how much you will be paid out for each $1 you wagered, including the profit and the return of your stake. For example, if you bet $20 and the win pays $5.45, you should expect $108.80 to be added to your account balance after the race.

Minnesota Horse Racing Odds Chart

This chart shows you the payout – including the profit and the return of your stake – on various fixed-odds, and it also highlights the implied winning probability that the odds carry:

Minnesota Horse Race Betting Odds Chart
Odds Payout on $2 Bet Implied Winning Probability
1/5 (-500) $2.40 83.33%
1/4 (-400) $2.50 80%
1/3 (-300) $2.60 75%
1/2 (-200) $3.00 66.67%
4/6 (-150) $3.33 60%
1/1 (-100) $4.00 fifty%
2/1 (+200) $6.00 33.33%
3/1 (+300) $8.00 25%
5/1 (+500) $12 16.67%
10/1 (+1000) $22 9.0%
50/1 (+5000) $102 1.96%

Minnesota Horse Racing Tracks

There is one major horse racing track in Minnesota: Canterbury Downs. Horse racing in Minnesota takes place at that track from May to September, and the venue also has a casino and poker room. It is located in Shakopee, to the southwest of Minneapolis. The track has a Minnesota horse racing license from the Minnesota Racing Commission. It previously hosted the Claiming Crown, but that has now been moved to Gulfstream Park in Florida.

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting – Comparing The Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Minnesota 

You can also occasionally watch Minnesota harness horse racing at Running Aces in Columbus. The season begins in June and runs until late August or early September, concluding with the Night of Champions. There is also a casino at Running Aces.

The History of Horse Racing in Minnesota

A constitutional amendment to allow pari-mutuel betting on horse racing in Minnesota was approved by voters in 1982. Three years later, Canterbury Park opened its doors for the first time. It has had a tumultuous history – it closed between 1992 and 1994 due to poor attendances, and then again in 2011 amid the state government shutdown – but it is now owned by the Canterbury Park Holding Corporation and going strong. In 2008, the second of the Minnesota horse racing tracks opened in Columbus. Running Aces is 5/8 of a mile and hosts harness races.

Comparing Betting At The Racetrack With Online Horse Racing Betting

This chart highlights the differences between betting online and visiting Minnesota horse racing tracks:

Comparing Betting at Race Tracks with Online Horse Betting in Minnesota
Betting at Horse Race Tracks Online Horse Race Betting in Minnesota
✅ Check out each horse warming up to see how fired-up it looks ✅ Great bonuses, rebates and loyalty programs
✅ Enjoy the atmosphere and the thrill of the horses battling to the finish line ✅ Live streaming from around the world
❌ Waiting in line to place bets ✅ Quick electronic payments
❌ Limited races to bet on ✅ High-end handicapping tools
❌ No promotions available ✅ Bet on hundreds of roots

General Terms and Conditions at Horse Racing Betting Sites in Minnesota

The terms and conditions will be laid out in a dedicated section of each Minnesota horse racing betting site, where you will find rules on disqualifications, dead heats, minimum bets, maximum payouts and so on. You must be aged 18 or older to enjoy pari-mutuel betting on horse racing in Minnesota.

Rollover Requirements

This tells you how many times you need to turn your bonus credit over before withdrawing it. For example, if you get $100 and it has a 7x rollover requirement, you need to place seven $100 wagers – $700 in total bets – before you will be able to cash out.

Comparing Welcoming Bonuses At The Best Online Horse Racing Sites
Brand  Welcome Bonus Offer Rollover Requirement
TwinSpires Up to $200 Bonus 4x Release Requirement
TVG 50% Deposit Match up to $250 Risk Free Bonus
BetOnline $1,000 Welcome Bonus 10x Rollover Bonuses
Xbet 100% up to $500 Welcome Offer 7x Rollover Bonuses
Bovada Up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus (BVD1000) 10x Rollover Bonuses
MyBookie 100% Deposit Bonus up to $1,000 10x Rollover Bonuses
BetUS 150% up to $3,000 Bonus 15x Rollover Bonuses
BUSR 20% up to $500 (WELCOME20) 5x Rollover Bonuses
SportsBetting 100% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000 10x Rollover Bonuses
BetNow 100% Welcome Bonus 15x Rollover Bonuses

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

horse racing sites like BetUS offer big bonuses

Welcome Bonus

This is a sign-up offer designed to encourage new customers to join. The basic premise is that you need to deposit some of your own money to be rewarded with bonus funds. The bonus funds come with a rollover requirement – it could be 1x or 10x – and you can withdraw any winnings if you manage to complete that requirement.

Risk Free Bet

This bonus gives you the chance to place a bet on a race and get a refund if it loses. The refund tends to be paid in site credit, and you have to complete a rollover requirement on that site credit before you will be permitted to withdraw it.

Loyalty/VIP Program

You will be rewarded with loyalty points for betting on horse racing. The points gradually build up in your account, and you can then exchange them for site credit, which you use to place free bets. If you place large bets or a high volume of bets, you may qualify for the VIP program. That normally entails better point redemption rates, gifts, perks, invitations to events and very attentive customer service.

Money Back Specials

This bonus earns you a cash refund on certain races if you back a horse to win and it finishes second or third. The size of the refund you receive is normally capped at a certain limit. It is different to a racebook rebate, where you get a percentage of your losses back each day or week.

Betting Site Welcome Bonus Loyalty race book money-back Enhanced Odds
TVG
TwinSpires
BetOnline
Xbet
Bovada
MyBookie
BetUS
BUSR
sportsbetting.ag

Virtual Horse Racing Betting in Minnesota

Sites like Bovada allow you to bet on virtual horse racing. It can be a fun pursuit if there are no live races taking place. The games are controlled by a Random Number Generator, which dictates the order in which the virtual horses will finish. It works just like a slot machine or virtual table game. You can place bets on the virtual race and watch it unfold.

Minnesota Horse Racing Betting Apps

horse racing sites offer great odds and bonuses

Minnesota horse racing betting apps make it highly convenient for you to place your bets. You can use them from anywhere in Minnesota/

iPhone Apps for Minnesota Horse Betting

There are some terrific horse racing apps in Minnesota. You can download TwinSpires, TVG and a couple of others. The app will sit on your main interface, so you can pick up your phone, place bets and watch races wherever you are.

Android Apps for Online Horse Betting in Minnesota

You can visit Google Play to download TVG or TwinSpires mobile apps in Minnesota. They are both highly rated, brimming with great features and easy-to-use.

How To Start Betting at Horse Racing Sites in Minnesota

You can follow these easy steps to start betting on horse racing in Minnesota today:

Step 1 – Select a Recommended Racing Site

Choose one of the top rated Minnesota horse racing betting sites that we have recommended.

betonline Login

Step 2 – Fill in the Registration Form

Add in your personal and contact details.

BetOnline Racebook Sign Up Step 2

Step 3 – Head Over to the Racebook Section

You will find a clear link on the toolbar menu near the top of the homepage.

Betonline Racebook Sign Up Step 3

Step 4 – Choose a Race You Would Like to Wager On

Select a race that interests you and clock on it.

betonline races

Step 5 – Place a Bet

Check out the runners, assess their respective merits and decide which bet you would like to place. Type in your bet amount in the right box and add the selection to the betslip. Click “Submit All” to confirm. If your wager wins, the racebook will add the funds to your account balance shortly after the race.

betonline tickets

 

Other Types of Gambling in Minnesota

Leading betting sites in Minnesota provide sportsbook and online casino sections. Great examples include BetOnline, XBet, Bovada, MyBookie, BetUS and SportsBetting.ag. You can also play online poker tournaments and cash games at Bovada, BetOnline and SportsBetting.ag. You only need one single account to access all the different sections, which is convenient.

What Is the Best Site for Horse Racing Betting in Minnesota?

We make TwinSpires the number one site for horse racing betting in Minnesota. It offers magnificent features and all the handicapping tools you will ever need. However, TVG is also very strong, and sites like BetOnline and XBet may be a lot better for beginners, so we encourage you to read the reviews on this page, decide which racebook most appeals to you and start betting on horse racing in Minnesota today.

Minnesota Horse Racing FAQs

Can you bet on sports in MN?

Can you bet on horse racing in Minnesota?

Is TwinSpires legal in Minnesota?

Can I bet on horse racing online in Minnesota?

Jackson Holland is an experienced sports writer and handicapper based in Pennsylvania. He worked part-time at a racetrack and casino while majoring in English Literature at college, and that inspired a passion for gambling. Holland spent a decade as a journalist working for a variety of regional newspapers before joining the sports betting industry. He writes long-form betting guides for Basketball Insiders, Augusta Free Press and various other publications.

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