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

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Horse racing in Arkansas has been a cornerstone of the cultural landscape in the Natural State for over a hundred years. Meanwhile, wagering on horse racing has also been an integral part of a different landscape in Arkansas, the sports betting landscape. Since 1929, residents have been legally betting on Arkansas horse racing with all of the major races in the state taking place at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

This page is an extensive guide for finding the best betting sites for horse racing in Arkansas, as well as the best racebooks for free bonus cash and promotions.

Check out our list of the best Arkansas horse racing betting sites below.

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

5 Stars Claim Now
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

Continue reading for an in-depth betting guide for Arkansas horse racing, and the best US sportsbooks to wager with.

To learn more about the top 10 horse racing betting sites in Arkansas, scroll down below.

In This Guide

Ranking The Top 10 Betting Sites For Horse Racing In Arkansas

Not all Arkansas horse racing betting sites are made the same. While there is an ample selection of betting options for horse racing in Arkansas, you can get stuck using an imitation platform, rather than the best in the business.

Here is a list of the best sites for horse betting in Arkansas.

  1. BetOnlineThe Best Offshore Site for Arkansas Horse Racing
  2. BovadaA Great Offshore For All Of The Big AR Horse Races
  3. MyBookieA Competitive Offshore Betting Site For Horse Racing in Arkansas
  4. BUSR – Fresh New Look Betting Site for Horse Racing
  5. XBet – Fun Offshore Horse Racing Betting Site With Major Horse Race Promotions
  6. BetUS –Horse Racing Site With Races From Around The World
  7. BetNow – Competitive Horse Racing Betting Promotions
  8. Sportsbetting.agEasy-To-Use Betting Site For Horse Racing
  9. EveryGame – Top-Notch Sportsbook Offering Horse Racing
  10. GTBets – Early Betting Lines For Horse Races Around the World

Reviewing The Best Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Sites

There are some horse racing betting sites in Arkansas that have been in the racing business for decades, while others are just getting to the party now. When choosing the best horse racing betting sites to use in Arkansas, it’s important to know which sites you can count on before making your first deposit.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top Arkansas horse racing betting sites.

1. BetOnline –The Best Overall Betting Site for Horse Racing in Arkansas

BetOnline is considered one of the top Arkansas horse racing betting sites

BetOnline has been in the internet gambling industry as far as back as 1991 and is one of the oldest active online gambling sites in Arkansas and the United States. Apart from their tenure as a sports betting platform, BetOnline has also developed itself as a go-to space for betting on horse racing online.

Like many other online casinos in the space, BetOnline offers instant payouts, as well as live track odds for each major race track in America, and around the globe. BetOnline also offers free bets and cashback on losses during all the biggest races of the year, as well as special promotions for each signature racing event. BetOnline has a helpful customer support chatline that is fair and honest and has a long reputation of helping U.S. customers wager on horse racing.

BetOnline
The Best Overall Betting Site for Horse Racing in Arkansas
Pros Cons
✅ Easy to Use Mobile App ❌ Not Available in All U.S. States
✅ Instant Payouts and Live Track Odds ❌ Fees for Credit Card Deposits
✅ Free Bets and Cash Back on Losses on Race Day ❌ Doesn’t Provide Coverage Of Many International Tracks
✅ Industry-Leading Customer Support
✅ Flexible Payment Options

Welcome Bonus Offer:

BetOnline has a competitive welcome bonus.

New customers can earn a 50% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000 on first-ever deposits. Apart from the initial welcome bonus, BetOnline’s horse racing betting site also offers a $25 risk-free first bet, as well as daily rebates on losses at select racetracks.

Check out BetOnline and take advantage of these special offers today.

2. Bovada – A Great Offshore For All Of The Big AR Horse Races

Members at Bovada can bet on AR horse races with the click of a button

Since coming into the American online betting space in 2014, Bovada has become one of the most frequently used online betting sites in the United States. The company was founded in 2000 by Canadian entrepreneur Calvin Ayre, existing strictly under the brand ‘Bodog’ as an offshore betting site. In the past five years, the American Bovada brand has risen to prominence as one of the most easily accessible betting sites on the internet today.

The Bovada horse racing betting site operates separately from the main Bovada sportsbook. Bettors have the choice of a wide range of options for racetracks throughout the United States, however, some international tracks are not available. One of the main flaws with Bovada is that the international coverage for races is quite limited.

Bovada
A Great Offshore For All Of The Big AR Horse Races

Pros Cons
✅ Great Looking Site ❌ Lack of International Race Coverage
✅ Simple and Organized Racecard ❌ Lack of Handicapping Features
✅ Wide Range of US Betting Markets
✅ Low VIG Charged on Pool Bets
✅ Live Odds for Most Races

Welcome Bonus Offer:

Horse racing bettors who register a new account with Bovada will be able to claim up to $1,000 in bonus money. This bonus is based on a 100% match of your initial deposit and comes with a 10x rollover before you can withdraw it.

Check out Bovada and take advantage of these special offers today.

3. MyBookie –A Competitive Offshore Betting Site For Horse Racing in Arkansas
MyBookie offers excellent odds for horse racing in Arkansas

MyBookie is an offshore online betting site first established in San Jose, Costa Rica in 2014. The site offers their customers a very easy-to-use horse racing betting platform but tends to focus their attention more towards the big sports leagues, such as the NFL and NBA.

MyBookie offers standard live track odds for each of the tracks available for wagering. Along with that, MyBookie offers a competitive sign-up bonus for new customers. MyBookie’s horse racing betting platform does come off as very simple, and unimaginative. However, what it lacks in innovation, it makes up for in extensive promotions and bonus bet offers for all the major American horse races.

MyBookie
A Competitive Offshore Betting Site For Horse Racing in Arkansas

Pros Cons
✅ Risk Free Bets on Race Day ❌ Only Select Tracks Offered
✅ Easy to Use Interface ❌ Limited Betting Markets
✅ Flexible and Updated Payment Methods
✅ 24/7 Customer Support

Welcome Bonus Offer:

MyBookie offers an extensive amount of player rewards, making them one of the most generous online betting sites on the internet.

MyBookie offers a 50% sign-up bonus of up to $1000 to new customers, with the rollover rate varying between 10x and 30x depending on the amount deposited.

Check out MyBookie Bets and take advantage of these special offers today.

4. BUSR – Fresh New Look Betting Site for Horse Racing in Arkansas

BUSR offers excellent odds and bonuses for AR horse racing
BUSR.ag (Formerly Bet US Racing) is similar to MyBookie in design and operation. BUSR puts a lot of focus on their horse racing betting product but still lacks some of the key features that make a top-tier horse racing betting platform. While the site is very serviceable for bettors who want to get their action in quickly, the general experience seems to be pointed towards novice bettors.

BUSR awards customers with risk-free bets on race day, as well as special bonus promotions during premier race events.

BUSR
Fresh New Look Betting Site for Horse Racing in Arkansas

Pros Cons
✅ Risk Free Bets on Race Day ❌ Limited Tracks Offered
✅ Simple Design ❌ Only Select Betting Markets
✅ All Popular Payment Methods
✅ 24/7 Customer Support

Welcome Bonus Offer:

BUSR offers a 50% sign-up bonus of up to $1000 to new sign-ups, with the rollover rate varying between 10x and 30x depending on the amount deposited.

Check out BUSR and take advantage of these special customers benefits today.

5. XBet – Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Site With Major Horse Race Promotions

XBet is one of the best sites for Arkansas Horse Racing
Since coming into the industry in 2003, XBet has inched its way into becoming one of the best horse racing betting sites in Arkansas. Xbet offers coverage from all the big race tracks in the United States but lacks extensive coverage from the European and Australian tracks.

XBet’s racecard interface is very similar to MyBookie’s, and while the betting site on its own lacks eye-catching features, it remains a go-to platform for bettors who are casuals when it comes to horse racing.

With all the major payment and withdrawal methods offered, XBet makes it extremely easy to fund and withdraw money from your account. With deposits starting at a minimum of $45, customers could have their accounts funded, verified, and ready to wager in just a few clicks.

XBet
Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Site With Major Horse Race Promotions
Pros Cons
✅ US coverage of races from around the country ❌ High minimum deposit amount
✅ Simple racecard interface, ideal for novice bettors ❌ No in-track live streaming
✅ Easy to quickly deposit and withdraw money
✅ Sharp looking mobile interface
✅ Serviceable amount of international races

Welcome Bonus Offer:

XBet offers a 100% sign-up bonus of up to $500. The bonus comes with a 10x rollover term, and bettors must use the full bonus within 30 days of funding.

More on gambling in Arkansas…

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

Comparing The Best Sites For Horse Racing Arkansas Has To Offer

There are many factors that should be considered when choosing which horse racing betting site to use when betting on the races in Arkansas. Horse racing bettors should consistently be for the best odds, and ensure they are getting the best betting markets. Bettors should also look for things like daily betting promotions, as well as special features that make handicapping less tedious.

Horse racing bettors should always be aware of all the best welcome bonuses available, as well as the terms of the bonuses being offered.

It may also be significantly important to some bettors that the interface they are using is user-friendly, and not overly flashy or hard to navigate. These are all factors that should be checked off when choosing the best horse racing betting site for betting on horse racing in Arkansas. Let’s take a look at these factors.

Horse Racing Odds

While most horse racing betting sites in Arkansas are regulated to offered true track odds. It is always best to ensure with confidence that the sportsbook you are wagering with is sharing betting pools with the betting pools for the tracks being wagered on. This is important because the odds in horse racing are reflected by the amount of money that is invested on each horse. The more money invested on a horse, the less that horse will payout.

If you are not betting with a horse betting site that is offering true track odds, you may end up being paid out less than what the track pays out on long-shot winners and exotics.

Horse Racing Betting Markets

Most Arkansas horse racing betting sites offer a wide variety of betting markets, but it’s important to know that you are being offered the best market available for each race. If the horse racing betting site you are using does not allow you to create a wager that another online or in-person racebook would allow you to make, you are automatically handicapping yourself against the rest of the field. Be sure that the racebook you are wagering with is offering the most betting markets available.

Horse Racing Betting Promotions

Depending on what kind of player you are, the matter of horse racing betting promotions can be a deciding factor when it comes to picking a racebook to play with. Whether you’re getting rebates on losses, risk-free bets on loyalty points, you may be inclined to research the promotions offered by each Arkansas horse betting site available before making the final call.

Horse Racing Welcome Bonus

As any horse racing bettor will tell you, there’s nothing like a good welcome bonus. However, when it comes to Arkansas horse racing betting sites, a good welcome bonus can be hard to find. It’s important to fully understand the terms and rollover requirements for the racebook you are about to accept a welcome bonus from. This should be one of the deciding factors before making your decision on which horse racing betting site to wager with. The last thing a horse racing bettor needs is to be tied up in excessive rollover requirements.

Special Features for Horse Racing

Handicapping horse racing is an endeavor in of itself. However, there are features included in some racebooks that can help make capping the races a little less tedious. Depending on the site, you can find special features that provide tools and tips to make playing the odds that much easier.

User-Friendly Design

In life, some things are just easier than others. Horse racing betting in Arkansas in the modern age is no different. Whether you’re just not technically inclined, or you find yourself on the tail-end of the generational gap. The matter of user-friendly design can be a make or break factor when it comes to choosing the best  sites for betting on Arkansas horse races. Make sure you are familiar with and fully understand the design of your horse racing betting site interface before the big race day.

Horse Racing Live Streaming

Horse racing is one of the most televised sports on earth, with races going on simultaneously all over the globe at almost every waking money of the day and night. Most of today’s modern online horse racing betting sites offer live streaming for members for every major race track. Before you make your deposit, check the streaming services offered at your desired horse racing betting site.

Comparing Features At The Best Sites For Horse Racing Betting In Arkansas
Live
Track
Odds 
Horse Racing Betting Markets Horse Racing Betting Promotions Special Features for Horse Racing User-Friendly Design Horse Racing Live Streaming
BetOnline
MyBookie
Bovada
XBet
BetUS
BUSR
Sportsbetting.ag
BetNow
GTBets

How To Choose The Best Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Sites

With a seemingly unlimited amount of wagering opportunities, the online horse racing betting space has become one of the most fluid financial markets in the world. Whether it’s the American Thoroughbred season, the late-night international courses, or the early morning UK races, there is always a track to bet on somewhere on earth. With so much potential for wagering, it is incredibly important to choose the very best racebook available.

When choosing the best Arkansas horse racing betting site, be sure to pick one with long-standing brand recognition. It’s essential to know the types of races and racetracks you are looking to wager on before making your first deposit. Be sure to select a betting site with simple, and up-to-date payment methods.

The security and safety of clients should be of high priority for most online gambling sites. Security features like two-factor authentication or captcha verification should be offered with the horse racing betting site you are looking into, otherwise, it would be smart to look else.

Continue reading for a full manual on how to choose the best horse racing betting site.

Brand Recognition

It is important to know who you are doing business with before making your first deposit with the horse racing betting site of your choosing. Be sure to pick an established and reliable horse racing betting site that has years of operating experience, before going with any kind of company that is unknown in the industry.

Payment Methods

A factor that is sometimes easily forgotten is the matter of depositing and withdrawing funds. The best horse racing betting sites will always provide the safest and most reliable deposit and withdrawal options.

Safety & Security

When looking for the best horse racing betting sites in Arkansas, you should always be looking for sites that deliver the very best safety and security for their clients. Features such as two-factor authentication and captcha verification are used by the best horse racing betting site to protect their customer’s personal information.

Speed & Design

When choosing the best Arkansas horse racing betting site, always be on the watch for the site with the fastest software and the most intuitive interface. While the general layouts for most current online horse racing betting site sites are pretty much identical, some horse racing betting site have stepped out of the present design and have found ways to make horse race wagering easier and simple for beginners to understand.

Customer Service

The best Arkansas horse racing betting sites offer friendly customer support, with a 24/7 live chat service. Avoid horse racing betting site that do not appreciate their customers. There are multiple examples of where dealings with customer support staff for online horse racing betting sites can be an outright deal-breaker.

For instance, if you happen to forget your password or are having trouble depositing or withdrawing from your account, it is always important to have the confidence that your problems will be resolved with the best customer support the business has to offer. With that in mind, be sure that the online horse racing betting site you chose offers satisfactory customer assistance.

Overall Value

Overall, the most reasonable way to choose the Arkansas horse racing betting site most appropriate for you is to ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck. The stand-out betting sites for horse racing in Arkansas offer the best odds, live streaming from across the country and around the world, daily promotional offers, and special features. If you’re not checking off those boxes, move on to another racebook.

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

✅ Reliable

Payment Process ✅ Safe Payment Options

✅ Fast, Secure Payouts

Safety & Security ✅ Safety & Security

✅ Protecting Privacy & Personal Information

Speed & Design ✅ Fast Software

✅ User-Friendly Design

Customer Service ✅ 24/7 Live Chat

✅ Friendly Customer Service

Overall Value ✅ Best Odds

✅ Live Streaming

✅ Promotions Offers

✅ Special Features

Is Horse Racing Betting Legal In Arkansas?

Betting on horse racing has been legal in the state of Arkansas for almost a century. The first legalized pari-mutuel horse racing betting in Arkansas took place in 1929. With the advent of modern technology, online horse racing betting has been a legal and regulated industry in Arkansas for many years, making online horse racing in Arkansas easier than traditional in-person betting. While Arkansas racetracks have been patronized by people of all ages for decades, only adults aged 18 years or older can place bets.

Most bets made in Arkansas are pari-mutuel wagers, meaning bets like win, place, or show are perfectly legal, with the payouts and odds being calculated by dividing the money pools for each race among the winning bets for each market. Fixed odds wagers are also legally permitted to be offered in Arkansas, but are generally made through sportsbooks, and are not regulated by the Arkansas State Racing Commission.

Horse Betting Guides State by State

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Guide – How To Bet On Horse Races In Arkansas

With the introduction of modern horse racing betting technology, wagering on horse racing in Arkansas is more convenient than ever before. Wagering on horse racing is often described to newcomers in complex terms that are difficult to understand. In previous generations, the complexities of the industry left beginner bettors confused and vulnerable to making avoidable mistakes. Now, in the current era of online wagering, betting on the ‘sport of kings’ has never been more straightforward to understand, no matter what your knowledge level is.

In the previous century, the movers and shakers of the horse racing industry in Arkansas aligned themselves along the interior mountains in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Now, with the increased usage of online gambling sites in Arkansas, the whales and sharps that used to be regulars at Oaklawn Park, are now making wagers in the comfort of their own homes. While betting on horse racing is one of the oldest forms of sports betting in America, the innovations that online wagering has brought to the sport have turned the industry from a fading niche to a money-making machine.

Horse racing betting sites in Arkansas have made knowing the basics of betting on horse racing as easy as a swipe of a finger. Most racebooks today are filled with tools that will allow you to make your picks quickly, and in an organized way that makes following your bets effortless.

Continue reading for a full guide on how to bet on horse racing in Arkansas.

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How Does Horse Racing Betting Work in Arkansas

Horse racing betting odds are published by the track at the beginning of each race day. Those odds are listed in the track’s race program, typically known as the ‘morning line odds.’ The racetrack then handles the wagers made, keeping a percentage of the revenue as an ‘operators take-out.’ The track odds are then re-calculated based on the amount of money wagered on each horse and are updated live until the post time for each race.. After the race is over, the remaining money is paid out to the bettors with the winning tickets for each betting market.

When horse racing odds are shown using fractions, the number shown represents the amount of profit to the amount invested. In other words, the more money that is wagered on a horse, the smaller the payout.

There are many other bet types in horse racing. The standard win, place, show wager pays out at different tiers depending on the horse finishing in third place or higher. Apart from that, single-race exotic wagers can be made by forecasting the order in which the first two or three horses place (Exacta, Trifecta), while multi-race wagers (Pick 5, Pick 6) can be placed by picking the winning horse in a string of consecutive races.

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Explained

Let’s use this example from the latest races to explain just how Arkansas horse racing betting works.

Below is a racecard from XBet’s horse racing betting site.

An example of a racecard from one of the best Arkansas horse racing betting sites.

The morning line odds are listed along with the horse’s name, poll position, and jockey. Also listed are the horse’s trainer, weight, medical status, and current claiming price. In the example above you can see that the betting favorite is the #3 horse Boomnova, which at 5/2 odds would pay out $250 on a $100 ‘to Win’ wager.

The best way to calculate the payout from fractional odds is to divide the fraction and multiply it by the desired amount wagered. With that, fractional odds of 5/2 would convert to moneyline odds of +250, or decimal odds of 3.50

Horse Racing Betting Odds

While it is easy to understand the basic forms of horse racing betting, there are far more intricate betting markets than just the basic straight wagers. There are also more complex ways of betting on horses, apart from the standard pari-mutuel betting markets. The best Arkansas horse racing betting sites offer multi-race pool wagering, while most offshore sportsbooks offer fixed odds for future races.

As a horse racing bettor, the best way to ensure you are getting the best odds available in your area is by sticking to the online horse racing betting site betting sites.

Fixed Odds for Horse Racing Betting in Arkansas

Fixed-odds betting in horse racing is the term used to describe the standard wager made with a bookmaker. When placing a fixed-odds wager in horse racing, the odds of your selection will not change and is locked in like any other traditional sports betting wager. For example, if you wagered in April that a specific horse was going to win the Kentucky Derby at +600 odds, in May, a $100 wager would pay out $600.

Pari-Mutuel Betting in Arkansas

Horse racing betting in Arkansas has historically worked on the parimutuel betting system, in which all bets of a certain market are placed in a pool together, taxed, and paid out at odds determined by sharing the pool among all winning bets.

Pool Betting on AR Horse Races

Pool betting is another kind of horse racing wager that is different from the traditional pari-mutuel wager or fixed odds wager. With pool betting, bettors pay into the ‘tote’ pool, instead of giving their money to a bookmaker. In turn, the money is pooled together and shared among those who wagered on the winning selection.

What Are The Different Types of Horse Racing Bets?

Arkansas Horse Racing sites like TwinSpires offer a wide variety of betting options

There are numerous kinds of horse racing wager types, but the most popular wagers can be divided into two types, straight bets, and exotic. Straight betting is short and simple, bet on a horse to either come first, second or third.

Exotic betting, on the other hand, allows multiple bets on multiple horses in a single wager. Exotic bets have much less implied probability to win, than straight bets, but payouts are much greater, should they come through.

Let’s take a look at all of the various types of straight and exotic wagers to place when betting on horse racing in Arkansas.

Win

Place a wager on a horse to win the race. This bet is the simplest wager to make in all of horse racing. If your horse wins, you cash your ticket, if not you lose. The win bet should almost always be made on a horse that pays out at odds of 1/1 or higher.

Place

A place bet is a wager on a horse to finish in either first or second place. The payout on the horse to win outright is much lower than the traditional win bet, but a place bet will payout with either a first or second-place finish.

Show

A show bet is typically the lowest paying straight wager in horse racing. The show bet is a wager that a selected horse will come in either first, second or third place. The show bet is best utilized when wagering on a long-shot horse at high-paying odds.

Exacta

An exacta bet in horse racing is a wager that selects the first two finishers in a race in the exact order. For example, a 1/4 exacta bet is a wager that is selecting the #1 horse to come in first place, with the #4 horse coming in second place. This type of wager is best used to add variance to a large betting favorite winning a race.

Trifecta

trifecta bet is a horse racing wager that is placed on three horses that are selected to finish the race in first, second, and third place, in a specific order. A trifecta bet offers small-time bettors a chance at big scores. The best way to utilize this wager is by fading a large betting favorite and adding a long-shot underdog as the winning horse.

Superfecta

A superfecta bet is a horse racing wager that is placed on four horses that are selected to finish the race in first, second, third, and fourth place; all in a straight and specific order. While most exotic wagers in horse racing carry a $1 minimum, the implied probability of cashing on a superfecta is so small that some horse racing betting site allow superfecta bets to be made for as little as 10 cents per wager.

Daily Double

A daily double in horse racing is a wager that picks the winner in two consecutive races. The daily double is similar to a simple two-team parlay in sports betting, where both selections are needed to win in order for the wager to payout.

Pick 3

A Pick 3 in horse racing is a pari-mutuel pool wager involving three consecutive races at the same racetrack. The goal of the Pick 3 is to select the winners of three straight races. The payouts for Pick 3 wagers are calculated based on the pool of money put in for each available selection.

Pick 4

A Pick 4 in horse racing is a pari-mutuel pool wager involving four successive races at the same racetrack. The goal of the Pick 4 is to select the winners of four straight races. The payouts for Pick 4 wagers are calculated based on the pool of money put in for each available selection.

Pick 5 

A Pick 5 in horse racing is a pari-mutuel pool wager involving five straight races at the same racetrack. The purpose of the Pick 5 is to select the winners of five consecutive races. The payouts for Pick 5 wagers are calculated based on the pool of money put in for each available selection. In the event that there is no winning ticket claimed across five races, the money pool will carry over until the next race day, until the prize pool is won.

Pick 6

The Pick 6 in horse racing is one of the most difficult wagers to cash in all of the sports betting industry and is likely one of the most lucrative. Sometimes compared to a lottery wager, a pick 6 wager can pay out life-changing amounts of money, depending on the selection and the race day.

A Pick 6 in horse racing is a pari-mutuel pool wager involving six consecutive races at the same racetrack. The objective of the Pick 6 is to select the winners of six straight races. The payouts for Pick 6 wagers are determined based on the pool of money put in for each selection.

The payouts for the daily pick 6 at most major Arkansas horse racing betting site can be upwards of six figures, depending on the overall handle. Some sportsbooks will even offer a guaranteed payout on all pick 6 tickets, if and when no single winning ticket (6 out of 6 races) exists. The best AR horse betting sites will also offer jackpot bonuses for winners in the event that only a single winning Pick 6 ticket exists.

Comparing the Different Types of Bets for Horse Racing in Arkansas
Bet Type Description Bet Cost Minimum Bet
Win Pick horse to win race. $2 $2
Place Pick horse to win race
or come in second place.
$2 $2
Show Pick horse to win race,
come in second, or third place.
$2 $2
Exacta Pick two horses to come in
first place and second place
in straight order.
$1 $1
Trifecta Pick three horses to come in
first, second, and third place
in straight order.
$1 $1
Superfecta Pick four horses to come in
first, second, third, and fourth place
in straight order.
$0.10 $0.10
Daily Double Pick two horses to win in two consecutive races. $2 $2
Pick 3 Pick three horses to win in three consecutive races. $2 $2
Pick 4 Pick four horses to win in four consecutive races. $1 $1
Pick 5 Pick five horses to win in five consecutive races. $0.50 $0.50
Pick 6 Pick six horses to win in six consecutive races. $0.10 $0.10

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Terms

Betting on horse racing in Arkansas doesn’t have to be as complicated as it’s made out to be. While the terms and language used in the horse racing industry can sometimes seem daunting to comprehend,, a few pointers here and there will point a new horse racing bettor in the right direction.

Horse Racing Betting Terms Explained: 

The world of betting on horse racing can be a confusing one, especially with the terms and jargon that have been developed over more than a century. Below is a helpful list of standard terms used within the horse racing world, along with a brief explanation of their meanings.

Furlong

A unit used to measure distance, equal to 1/8th of a mile.

Field

The horses in a selected race.

Handle

The total amount of money taken in on a single race or race day.

Long Shot

A horse that has a small chance of winning based on the measure of expectation. The odds are always higher on long shots.

Maiden Race

A race for horses without a first-place win.

Post position

The position of the horses in the starting gate from rail out. This is also the term to refer to the number assigned to each horse.

Post time

The designated time for a race to start. Post time is essentially the last call for betting on the next race.

Purse

The prize money paid out to the owners of the winning horse.

Scratch

A horse that has been taken out of the race after the morning line is posted.

Thoroughbred

A breed of horse that is bred for racing long distances with speed and endurance.

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Calculator

When placing a horse racing wager, it’s important to know the way that bet payouts are calculated. While long shot wagers come with big payouts, the more likely selections on the racing card may come at higher stakes.

How To Calculate Horse Racing Betting Odds

As previously explained, most horse race betting is based on the pari-mutuel betting system, implying that bettors are wagering against each other, rather than against the house. Wagers are gathered in a pool for each betting market, and the winnings are dispersed after a vig is collected by the track.

The payouts in horse racing depend on which type of bet is placed. The amount paid out varies, especially between straight and exotic wagers.

While calculating the payout on an outright Win bet is rather easy, calculating the payouts for exotic wagers can be far more complicated. While straight bets offer displayed odds, exotic bets do not have exact odds due to the many variables involved.

Arkansas Horse Racing Odds Chart:

Payouts for straight wagers can be determined using basic calculations, while exotic wagers are calculated in a totally different way. Generally, exotic wagers are calculated after the house takes a 15% take. The remaining amount is then divided between the winning bettors. The payout odds are calculated by subtracting the winning dollars from the total pool, with the remaining pool of money divided by the amount of money bet on the winner.

Continue on to the chart below to learn how to calculate the best horse racing odds.

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Odds Chart
Arkansas Horse Betting Odds Payout on $2 Bet Implied Winning Percentage
1/5 $2.40 83.3%
1/2 $3.00 66.7%
4/5 $3.60 55.6%
1/1 $4.00 50%
7/5 $4.80 41.7%
3/2 $5.00 40%
9/5 $5.60 35.7%
2/1 $6.00 33.3%
5/2 $7.00 28.6%
3/1 $8.00 25%
7/2 $9.00 22.2%

Arkansas Horse Race Tracks

While the modern horse racing bettor has grown accustomed to watching all the biggest races of the day on whatever screen of their choosing, there is still nothing that compares to the experience of being at the races in person. Betting on horse racing online brings a whole other opportunity when it comes to generating profits. However, the overall atmosphere of a premier racetrack on race day is something that transcends gambling entirely.

Arkansas has a rich history of horse racing that dates back to the turn of the 20th century, and while the sport has gained popularity across the state over the last twenty years, there remains just one thoroughbred racing track in the state of Arkansas.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort – 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901

Oaklawn hosts the Arkansas Derby, one of the biggest Arkansas Horse Racing events.

If you want to bet on a horse in AR, Oaklawn Park is the place to go. The only horse track in Arkansas, Oaklawn Park race track is an American thoroughbred race track located in Hot Springs. It is the site of the Arkansas Derby and the Apple Blossom Handicap, which are both Grade I stakes races.

Oakland Park first opened in 1905 and has been the cradle of horse racing in the state of Arkansas since before the days of legalization. Despite being located in a sleepy town in central Arkansas; Oaklawn Park has been transformed over a century from a small town hobby racetrack to one of the richest thoroughbred horse racing tracks in America.

List of Horse Race Tracks in Arkansas
Arkansas Horse Race Track Address Phone Number Notable AR Horse Races
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort 2705 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR +1 501-623-4411 Arkansas Derby

The History of Horse Racing In Arkansas

Oaklawn Park, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas opened for the first time on February 24th, 1905, with more than 3000 people attending the park on the first day of racing. In the early years of the track, only six races were run in a day, similar to British racing cards at the time.

In 1907, due to a changing political climate, Oaklawn Park was forced to close its doors. However, after years of business dealings falling through, the track reopened under the guise of the Men’s League of Hot Springs in 1916. For the next few years, leading up to the 1920s, Oaklawn Park would go on stints of closures due to the continued shift in the political environment of Arkansas. When the state was controlled by conservatives, efforts were made by the government to close down the track, as it was believed to attract vagrants and undesirables.

After years of political lobbying, in 1929 the Arkansas legislature passed a bill to allow horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering. The next few years would see Oaklawn Park increase its purses to become one of the most competitive race tracks across the country. The industry boom led to the very first running of the Arkansas Derby in 1936, which ran for a purse of $5,000. The track continued to see increased purses for its most prominent races going into the 1940s. In 1944, Oaklawn park remained open, after the majority of American tracks had closed their doors because of World War II. The track would close its doors for the first time in 15 years in the spring of 1945, due to World War II.

The post-war era would see an even heavier increase in race purses, as the track also continued to climb in general attendance, and betting handle. In 1962, the track became the fifth-highest to report profits of all North American horse racing tracks, and in 1965 the Arkansas Derby became a $50,000 stakes race and was attracting some of the top prospects for the Kentucky Derby.

In 1972, the Arkansas Derby became a $100,000 stakes race, becoming one of the major American races on the spring schedule. The following year marked the debut of the Fantasy Stakes, a prep race for the Kentucky Oats. In 1974, the Racing Festival of the South was created to be held annually at Oaklawn Park. The week-long festival holds a stakes race each day and leads up to the Arkansas Derby.

For the 100th anniversary of Oaklawn Park, the track offered a $5 million dollar bonus to any horse that could win both of its three-year-old graded stakes, and then go on to win the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones collected the bonus by winning all three races. With the exposure garnered from the Kentucky Derby and subsequent Triple-Crown win by Smarty Brown; Oaklawn Park saw heavily increased participation for the Arkansas Derby the following years after. In 2010 the American Graded Stakes Committee officially made the Arkansas Derby a Grade I stakes race and is now one of the most prestigious non-triple crown races in North America.

A Timeline of the History of Arkansas Horse Racing
Date Description
1905 Oaklawn Park Opens
1907 Oaklawn Park Closes due to Political Climate
1916 Men’s League of Hot Springs Reopens Oaklawn Park
1929 Arkansas legislature allows horse racing and parimutuel betting
1936 First running of the Arkansas Derby
1965 Arkansas Derby attracts top Kentucky Derby prospects
1974 Racing Festival of the South is created
2004 Oaklawn Park celebrates 100th anniversary
2010 Arkansas Derby becomes Grade I stakes race

Arkansas Horse Racing Schedule 2023

The 2023 horse racing schedule kicks off with the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The Grade 2 stakes race will be run on Saturday, February 26th. The premier race of the Arkansas horse racing season, the Arkansas Derby, takes place this year on April 2nd and will be run alongside other Kentucky Derby qualifiers such as the Florida Derby.

The spring session in Arkansas horse racing is capped off with three grade 2 stakes races. The Apple Blossom Handicap, the Azeri Stakes, and the Oaklawn Handicap will all take place on the fourth week of April at Oaklawn Park in Hot Spring, Arkansas.

Arkansas Horse Racing Schedule 2023
Arkansas Horse Race  Arkansas Race Track Date
Rebel Stakes Oaklawn Park February 26th
Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Park April 2nd
Apple Blossom Handicap Oaklawn Park April 23rd
Azeri Stakes Oaklawn Park April 23rd
Oaklawn Handicap Oaklawn Park April 23rd

Arkansas Derby 2023

The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds. The race is held annually in April at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The race is currently a Grade I stakes race, and is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, on a dirt track.

The Arkansas Derby has been the premier race in Arkansas horse racing since 1936. Over the year, 17 horses that have won the Arkansas Derby have gone on in that race season to capture at least one leg of horse racing’s Grand Slam. The most notable Arkansas Derby horse racing champion is American Pharoah, who is the first Arkansas Derby winner to take home the Triple Crown, doing so in 2015.

Arkansas Derby 2021 Results
Arkansas Derby Results 2021 Arkansas Derby 2021 Horses Arkansas Derby 2021 Odds
1st #1 Super Stock 6-1
2nd #2 Caddo River 7-2
3rd #5 Concert Tour 1-1
4th #4 Get Her Number 6-1
5th #6 Last Samurai 15-1
6th #3 Hozier 3-1

Comparing Betting At The Racetrack With Online Horse Racing Betting

Wagering at an AR horse race track in person, compared to online, can be a very different and jarring experience. While the overall wagering remains generally the same, it is the added periphery of the in-person betting site that can be distracting and somewhat counterproductive to generating profits.

Comparing Betting at the Racetrack With Online Horse Racing Betting
Betting at the Race Track in Arkansas Online Horse Racing Betting in Arkansas
✅ All the latest live track odds readily available ✅ Online Handicapping tools and features to help make selections
✅ Authentic horse racing atmosphere ✅ Make bets instantly
❌ Overstimulating and easily distracting ✅ Never miss a race.
❌ Long lines can prevent bettors from getting action in on time ✅ Online bonus offers
❌ Exposed to the opinions of other bettors ✅ Handicapping in a controlled environment

General Terms and Conditions at Horse Racing Betting Sites in Arkansas 

The general terms and conditions on most horse racing betting sites in Arkansas will primarily include age and location requirements, as well as agreements involving the verification of customers before an account withdrawal is permitted.

The terms and conditions will also outline the roll-over requirements needed to fully withdraw a promotional bonus, as well as certain liabilities concerning consequential damages arising from the improper use of the horse racing betting site.

Before registering with a horse racing betting site, it is very important to thoroughly understand the terms and conditions that apply to you as a bettor. Be sure to search the fine print for relevant information before agreeing to the offered terms.

Rollover Requirements

Rollover requirements are the wagering conditions set by an online horse racing betting site that is needed to be bet before a bonus becomes eligible for withdrawing. Rollover requirements are typically attached as terms to bonus offers or a promotional match on an initial deposit.

Rollover requirements are an added term meant to force a bettor to wager a certain amount before obtaining the true value of their bonus. These types of offers are done on behalf of the horse racing betting site under the premise that the average bettor will lose their balance before completely rolling over the required amount.

Check out the chart below for a quick comparison of the welcome bonus offers and rollover requirements at the best horse racing betting sites in Arkansas.

Comparing Welcoming Bonuses At The Best Arkansas Horse Racing Sites
Brand  Welcome Bonus Offer Rollover Requirement
BetOnline 100% Deposit Match Up To $1000 10x Rollover
Bovada 50% Deposit Match Up To $250 5x Rollover
XBet 50% Sign Up Bonus Up To $250 5x Rollover
MyBookie 50% Sign Up Bonus Up To $250 5x Rollover
BetUS 100% Sign-up Bonus up to $2500 10x Rollover
BUSR Deposit and earn $150 in Free Plays 5x Rollover
Sportsbetting.ag 50% Sign-Up Bonus Up To $1,000 10x Rollover
BetNow 100% Sign Up Bonus Up To $250 8x Rollover
TVG 50% Deposit Match Up To $250 1x Rollover
TwinSpires Up To $200 Bonus Money 5x Rollover

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

The best online horse racing betting sites in Arkansas offer a wide array of welcome bonuses. Apart from the initial sign-up deposit bonus, most horse racing betting sites also offer bonuses in the form of money-back rebates and boosted odds on select betting markets.

For a full breakdown of the promotions offered by the best sites for horse racing betting in Arkansas, check out the chart below.

Comparing Betting Bonuses At The Best Sites For Horse Racing Betting In Arkansas
Welcome Bonus Loyalty Rewards Racebook
Welcome Bonus
Regular Promotions Money Back Specials Enhanced Odds 
BetOnline
MyBookie  ❌
Bovada  ❌
XBet  ❌
BUSR

Virtual Horse Racing Betting in Arkansas

Virtual horse racing allows bettors to place a wager on a racing event after the day’s racing coverage has been completed. Virtual horse races are in essence a simulation of a race that would take place on a simulated racetrack, generally designed to imitate the major horse racing tracks around the world. With the expansion of online horse racing betting, alternative and niche betting markets such as virtual horse racing has become a distinguished piece of wagering in the world of horse racing.

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Apps

Mobile wagering has changed the way bettors access horse racing and horse racing odds. Mobile betting has also changed the way that people bet in Arkansas but in less than half of the time. Today, the best Arkansas horse racing betting sites all offer top-of-the-line apps that give a smooth betting experience, with easy-to-use interfaces and coverage from all the biggest race tracks from across the country.

TVG Betting App for New Mexico Horse Racing

Arkansas Horse Betting Apps for iPhone

There are numerous horse racing betting apps for the iPhone in 2023, however, the app that standouts for any iOS user is surely the TVG app. The TVG horse racing app was developed as America’s very first legal horse racing betting app. With betting coverage for over 300 tracks around the world, the TVG betting app connects horse racing bettors to the races like never before.

Arkansas Horse Racing Betting Apps for Android

If you’re not an iPhone user, you don’t need to worry. There is a wide variety of other horse racing betting apps for Android phones. TwinSpires is an industry-leading horse racing betting site in American and offers an android betting app that brings a new feel to the space that other horse racing betting sites don’t. TwinSpires offers over 150 live race tracks for streaming and legally connects bettor to the best horse racing on earth, all in the stroke of a finger.

How To Start Betting At Horse Racing Sites In Arkansas

Signing up with MyBookie to start betting on horse racing in Arkansas is not at all complicated. All you have to do is provide your personal identification, along with your payment details and you should be up and running and betting on the races in no time. Continue reading for a full guide on how to register for a horse racing betting account with XBet.

Step 1: Sign up at XBet

XBet, one of the best Arkansas horse racing sites, makes signing up quick and easy.

Head on over to XBet.ag and click on “Join Now”.

Step 2: Enter Personal Information

Enter all of the necessary details in the fields provided. This will contain your full name, address, phone number, date of birth, email, preferred username, and your chosen password.

Step 3: Verify Your Account

Every new XBet member will be requested to provide verifiable identification in order to gain access to deposits and withdrawals. Once you have verified your account, XBet will allow you to deposit funds and collect your sign-up bonus.

Step 4: Make Deposit and Collect bonus

After you’ve confirmed your account, you will be able to choose your preferred payment method and fund your account. Once your account is funded, the applicable bonus offer will be rewarded to your account, with rollover terms applied. Along with a 100% sign-up bonus, XBet is also offering an 8% rebate on losses for all horse racing betting site customers.

Step 6: Place your bets

Once your XBet account is financed and ready to go, dive into the action and start wagering on all the best daily races.

XBet makes it easy to best on Arkansas horse racing

Other Types of Gambling in Arkansas

Arkansas passed state legislature back in 2018, which legalized and fully authorized Arkansas sports betting at four locations in the state.

While the best online casinos in Arkansas also offer odds for all major sports, there are now three Arkansas casinos with sports betting available on site. Currently, there is also one stand-alone state-regulated location for sports betting in Arkansas.

Like in most US states, Super Bowl betting draws the most attention at the sportsbooks. However, online poker sites in Arkansas are also growing in popularity as well.

What Is The Best Site For Horse Betting In Arkansas?

In conclusion, when it comes to horse race betting in Arkansas, the most suitable horse racing betting sites to choose from comes down to personal preference. Whether it be the comfort of familiarity, an easy-to-use app or betting site, or a friendly customer support team, the choice is ultimately subjective to the bettor themselves. With that said, the best site for horse racing betting in Arkansas, based on overall value would have to be BetOnline.

BetOnline has over 20-years of background in the industry and delivers coverage on a range of racetracks all across the United States and around the world. BetOnline offers seasonal promotions for the largest horse races in the world, from the Breeders’ Cup to the Belmont Statkes. BetOnline’s online horse racing interface is a simple design that adapts to any smartphone, tablet, or laptop, making BetOnline one of the most convenient online horse racing betting sites to use.

BetOnline has a competitive welcome bonus, with new clients earning a 50% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000 on first-ever deposits. Apart from the initial welcome bonus, BetOnline’s horse racing betting site also offers a $25 risk-free first bet, as well as daily rebates on losses at select racetracks. Head over to BetOnline and take advantage of these special offers today.

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100% Up To $3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus

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Arkansas Horse Racing FAQ

What horse race is in Arkansas?

Can you bet on sports online in Arkansas?

Is betting on horse racing legal in Arkansas?

How many horse race tracks are in Arkansas?

Can you bet horses online in Arkansas?

Alan is an experienced writer of online betting and casino guides. He is one of the main editors of Basketballinsiders.

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