Washington Horse Racing Betting – Comparing the Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in Washington

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Horse racing in Washington state is governed by the Washington State Horse Racing Commission. Bettors can place wagers on various types of horse bets available in the state’s racetracks. There are two physical racetracks in the state where you can place wagers on horse races. However, now with the advancement of technology and online gambling, there are plenty of options for horse racing betting online for residents of Washington.

On this page, we have highlighted the best sites for horse racing betting in Washington while explaining what makes them special. Now it’s time for you to check out the best Washington horse racing betting sites now!

Best Washington Sports Betting Sites
BetOnline Sports logo

50% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Get Offer
Bovada Sports logo

Get a Welcome Bonus of up to $750

5 Stars Get Offer
MyBookie Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $1000

5 Stars Get Offer
XBet Sports logo

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

5 Stars Get Offer
Lucky Block logo

200% Bonus up to $10,000 + 50 Free Spins

5 Stars Get Offer
BetUS Sports logo

125% Sign Up Bonus Up To $2,500

5 Stars Get Offer
BUSR Sports logo

150% Deposit Bonus up to $2500

4.5 Stars Get Offer
Jazz Sports logo

50% Sports Welcome Bonus Up To $1000

4 Stars Get Offer
Sportsbetting AG Sports logo

50% First Time Deposit Match Up To $1000

4.5 Stars Get Offer
Betanysports logo

35% free play up to $700 Bonus

5 Stars Get Offer

Continue to read for our top list of the 10 best racebooks that offer Washington horse race betting.

In This Guide

Ranking The Top 10 Betting Sites for Horse Racing in Washington

To provide you with the most insightful information, we have taken the time to thoroughly review these betting sites which we have ranked as the best for horse racing in Washington state. We have placed them in order from which we think are the absolute best for various reasons, however, we believe that they are all strong contenders and performed incredibly well while offering plenty of exciting gambling options.

  1. Bovada – Overall best horse racing betting site in Washington
  2. BetOnline One of the best WA horse racing offshore betting sites
  3. MyBookie – Some of the best horse racing odds for players in WA
  4. BetNow – Competitive horse racing betting markets for WA horse racing bettors
  5. BetUS – Best features horse racing in Washington state
  6. XBet – The best selection of races from all over the world for WA bettors
  7. BUSR – Offers great bonuses for Washington horse racing
  8. Sportsbetting.ag – Some of the best Racebook specific promotions in WA
  9. TwinSpires – The most appealing online site and mobile app for horse racing
  10. TVG – Best for live streaming horse racing in Washington

Reviewing The Best Washington Horse Racing Betting Sites

We have taken the top 5 Washington horse racing betting sites and created mini-in-depth reviews of each of them below. We hope that these reviews will give you a picture of what types of features you’ll find at each of these and how they compare or differ from one another.

1. Bovada – The most appealing online site and mobile app for horse racing

Bovada Horse Racebook Page

Bovada is a favorite and popular online gambling destination for US players. Not only do they offer casino games and sports betting, but they also have wonderful horse racing betting options for Washington residents.

In addition to a great selection of gambling options, Bovada also has one of the most appealing and user-friendly websites around. As for the racebook, players have a wide range of options for tracks to choose from throughout the US. It’s the US horse racing meetings that get the most coverage. Players can also indulge in virtual racing here which is just another benefit for placing wagers at Bovada.

What we like:

  • Great horse racing promotions
  • Very appealing betting website and mobile app
  • Virtual racing is on the increase
  • Great for US-racing coverage
  • Huge sports betting and casino game offerings

What we don’t:

  • No live streaming
  • Doesn’t have a lot of horse racing features

Welcome Bonus Offer:

When you sign up for an account at Bovada as a new player, you’ll be able to claim the Welcome Bonus, one of their many promo code bonuses. This bonus is a 100% up to $1,000 match bonus and it comes with a 10x rollover to clear the bonus.

2. BetOnline – One of the Best WA Horse Racing Offshore Betting Site

BetOnline Horse Racing Page

BetOnline is not only one of the best WA horse racing betting sites, but also one of the best offshore casino sites for sports betting, live betting, and casino games galore. Since being around for over 20 years, BetOnline offers a large range of international races to bet on. In addition to that, the site is simple and easy to navigate. When you enter the racebook, you’ll see a list of tracks and races for the day.

Also, the race card is easy to use, and most races include straight, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, and series of “pick” bets which depend on the race you’re betting on. You’ll also be able to see a morning line price which gives you a preview of what the price might be for each horse. The site offers plenty of promotions that players can claim on our review page.

What we like:

  • Offers a good range of horse races
  • Early betting lines
  • Odds are about as good as you’ll find – low margins
  • $1,000 Welcome Bonus for new player accounts
  • Also has a massive sportsbook

What we don’t:

  • Only 50% match for the Welcome Bonus
  • Lacks horse racing features

Welcome Bonus Offer:

If you register a new account with BetOnline today, you will get to claim the Welcome Bonus worth up to $1,000. This is a 50% Match Bonus for your first deposit and requires you to fulfill the 10x rollover. Additionally, the racebook offers a $25 risk-free first bet along with daily rebates on losses at select racetracks.

3. XBet – Best Selection of Races from Around the World for WA Bettors

Xbet Horse Racebook Page

XBet is one of the best selections for sports betting and horse racing in Washington. As for the overall coverage of this website, it’s a little smaller than the others making it a great website for casual bettors and those that are newer to the game.

The site does have a horse racing section with races from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and many other places around the world. That said, at XBet you can get great market coverage for all races including a mix of prop bets. And for the major races that take place in the US, bettors will often get extensive prop bets like winning margins for horses and winning time. New players can get a bunch of awesome promo codes by visiting our XBet promotions page.

What we like:

  • Good coverage of US and international horse races
  • Appealing racebook on mobile and betting apps
  • Low margins for a lot of the higher-profile race meetings
  • Promotions dedicated to horse racing
  • Minimum withdrawal is $50

What we don’t:

  • Minimum deposit is a bit high
  • Unusual VIP customer ranking levels

Welcome Bonus Offer:

If you sign up for an XBet new account, you’ll have the chance to claim the $500 Welcome Bonus for new players. This is a 100% Match Bonus and comes with a 7x rollover.

4. TwinSpires – Overall Best Horse Racing Betting Site in Washington

TwinSpires Horse Racing Homepage

TwinSpires is a leading destination for online horse racing and betting in the United States including bettors in Washington. The parent company of TwinSpires is Churchill Downs which is the home of the Kentucky Derby which has been a leader in betting ever since 1875. Not only can you place wagers on horse racing, but you can also enjoy sports betting options and online casino games in Washington. Further, this can all be done from your desktop or from your mobile device!

Overall, TwinSpires supports its racing fans, whether experienced or not with plenty of support and options available. This platform provides bettors with educational content, unmatched offerings, handicapping, picks, and strategies.

What we like:

  • Plenty of international races
  • Feature-rich racecard
  • Betting tools that include a handicap tool
  • Promotions that are linked to horse racing
  • Strong betting lines throughout the site

What we don’t:

  • Big site which can be overwhelming for inexperienced bettors
  • Credit card deposits have fees

Welcome Bonus Offer:

When joining TwinSpires you will receive a $200 sign-up offer when using promo code: BET200. To earn the full $200, bettors must wager $800 within 30 days of creating a TwinSpires account. There are plenty of additional offers available here like Free Bets and more.

5. TVG – Best for Live Streaming Horse Racing in Washington

TVG Horse Racing Homepage

TVG is another betting site that’s dedicated strictly to horse racing with plenty of features along with it. This site has been online since 2009 however the brand has been running since the 90s, so it has quite the experience in horse racing. TVG takes you directly to the action, where there are no restrictions on winners on any of the horse racing tracks. TVG has a live streaming feature that is the highlight of this horse racing site along with its tips and tricks.

TVG offers pari-mutuel betting day and night on its online site or its betting app. So, wherever you decide to watch it you can bet on live horse racing from over 150 tracks around the world at TVG.

What we like:

  • Live streaming that links to a dedicated TVG TV channel
  • Betting lines are released up to 24 hours before a race starts
  • Futures for major races around the world
  • Accessible mobile betting app
  • Low margins charged

What we don’t:

  • Fees on credit card deposits

Welcome Bonus Offer:

When you sign up for an account at TVG, you’ll get a 50% Match Bonus of up to $250 on your first deposit. To claim your $250 bonus, you must deposit $500 and use promo code 250DM.

More on gambling in Washington…

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

Comparing The Best Sites For Horse Racing Washington Has To Offer

There are various factors to consider when seeking out the best horse racing site to use when betting in Washington state. Horse racing bettors should consider the best odds and ensure that they have access to the best betting markets available. Other aspects to look into are things like the banking options, the available promotions including the welcome bonus, and any special feature like handicapping.

Other important factors might include things like the website interface and how user-friendly it is. A hard-to-navigate site, whether it’s for gambling or shopping online isn’t pleasant for anyone. For instance, the Bovada website is sleek and very easy to navigate. When looking to find the best racebook in Washington, we suggest you look at the factors below.

Horse Racing Odds

It’s important to confirm that the racebook you are wagering at shares their betting pools with the in-person betting pools for the track that you’re wagering on. The odds in horse racing are reflected by the amount of money that is invested in each horse. If you’re not wagering with a horse racing site that is offering true track odds, you might end up getting paid out less than the track pays out on long-shot winners and exotics.

Horse Racing Betting Markets

Most racebooks will offer a large range of betting markets but to make sure that the racebook you are wagering with is offering the most betting markets available. If your chosen racebook doesn’t allow you to create a wager that another online or in-person racebook would allow you to make, you’re automatically handicapping yourself against the rest of the field.

Horse Racing Betting Promotions

Horse racing betting promotions can be a major deciding factor when it comes to picking a racebook. It’s important that the offers are fair. Whether you’re getting risk-free bets on loyalty points or rebates on losses, you should consider checking out the various promotions at each racebook before making the final call.

Special Features for Horse Racing

Handicapping horse racing can be difficult. However, there are features that some racebooks offer that can help make handicapping big races less tedious. Depending on the racebook, you’ll find special features that provide tools and tips to make playing the odds that much easier.

Live Streaming

Most of today’s modern online racebooks offer live streaming for members for every major race track. And so, before making your deposit, be sure to check the streaming services offered at your desired racebook site.

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

How To Choose The Best Washington Horse Racing Betting Sites

Horse racing is an action-packed and quick sport with an unlimited amount of wagering possibilities. Whether it’s North America’s thoroughbreds, international circuits, or UK races, there’s always a horse race to bet on, somewhere in the world. Due to the massive amount of wagering, it’s incredibly important to choose the best reliable horse racing betting site available.

When choosing from the best racebooks available, it’s important to pick one with great brand recognition. And you should know the types of races and racetracks that are available for wagering before making your first deposit. The best way to go is with a racebook that offers up-to-date, trustworthy, and simple banking options.

Also, the security and safety of a horse racing betting site are crucial. The best sites will offer features like two-factor authentication, captcha certification, SSL encryption, and PCI-compliant methods to offer secure transactions and integrations.

Continue to read on for more in-depth information on how to choose the best Washington horse racing betting sites.

Brand Recognition

Brand recognition is one of the most important factors for choosing the best Washington horse racing betting site. You’ll want to use a brand that you can trust and is reputable. Getting your money in and out as quickly and safely as possible while getting the best offers in the market is probably at the top of your list. And with that said, the biggest brands excel at this and all the sites that we have recommended on this page are leading brands in the horse racing sector.

Payment Methods

Making online transactions is also an important factor, whether it has to do with online gambling or shopping online. This isn’t a new concern, and we completely understand the importance of it. The best horse racing betting sites will have a range of various payment methods, all of which are trustworthy and well-known around the world. However, the main thing to consider is potential fees which you’ll want to avoid.

Most Washington horse racing sites will offer most payment methods without fees but there are some that do include them. They can be as high as 5% or a fixed fee. If there aren’t payment methods that you want to use that are not free, then it’s best to avoid that betting site and find one that suits your needs.

Safety & Security

To ensure that your account at your chosen horse racing betting site is as safe as possible, the first thing you can do is create a unique and strong password. A password like this should include at least 10 digits, numbers, letters, and symbols. It should also be used solely for that betting site and not be the same one you use for your email, social media accounts, and so on.

Also, the betting sites we have included take security seriously and have several measures in place to provide a safe and responsible gambling environment. These measures include SSL encryption, licensing, and more.

Speed & Design

The speed of a betting site as well as the design is a major deal-breaker. The experience needs to be smooth, quick, and almost effortless. And the best of the best, have the same quality experience available on mobile devices as well.

As for design, this has a lot to do with attracting customers to your site and keeping them around because of what sets you apart from others. The design should be clean and easy on the eyes. In our opinion, Bovada has one of the cleanest websites designs out there for horse racing.

Customer Service

Another important part of the horse race betting experiences, especially when done online. You should be able to contact someone if something goes wrong on the betting site or if you just need assistance with something. And on top of that, finding the contact information shouldn’t be difficult. The best sites will have several methods of contacting them including live chat which is usually the most preferred form of communication. It’s quick and can be done instantly.

Overall Value

The overall value can fluctuate greatly from player to player, as everyone has their own preferences, likes, dislikes, wishes, and so on. But for us, the overall value is what you can get out of the betting site. Does it have the types of games or bets you like? Is it safe and secure? Can I reach customer support easily? Is the bonus offers fair and appealing? This all plays a major role in the overall value that a site has to offer. We also look for competitive betting lines, live streaming, promotions, interactive race card, and extensive betting markets. And so, any of the horse racing betting sites in Washington that tick all the boxes below are considered to rank high.

What To Look For In The Best Sites For Horse Racing Betting In Washington
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 Washington?

Licensed horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering is legal in the state of Washington. However, there are some exceptions to the legality of horse racing. For instance, greyhound racing is banned in Washington even though horse racing is legal. The only tracks that offer live racing in this state are Emerald Downs and Sun Downs, while the rest of the state’s horse racing industry is based on off-track betting facilities. Further, the Washington Horse Racing Commission also licenses and regulates advance deposit, wagering operators. These specific operators allow bettors to place horse bets from their phones and computers.

Horse Betting Guides State by State

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

With the development and expansions of modern-day racebook technology, gambling on horse racing in Washington state is more accessible and convenient than ever before. For horse racing bettor beginners, wagering on horse racing can seem complicated and overwhelming, especially with the long list of betting terms. But nowadays, with online wagering and the age of information, betting on horse racing can be learned by pretty much anyone that is old enough to gamble legally. And just like anything, the more practice, the better and easier it gets.

Horse racing betting sites in Washington have made knowing all there is to know about the racetracks and the races as easy as possible. Further, most online horse racing betting sites offer tools like term glossaries and other helpful features to help you make your picks quickly and in a way that assists you in tracking your bets with ease.

Read on for more on how to bet on horse racing in Washington.

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How Does Horse Racing Betting Work in Washington?

Horse racetracks will publish the horse racing odds at the very beginning of each day. They are listed in the track’s race program as morning line odds. Then, the racetrack will handle the wagers made while holding on to a percentage of the revenue as an operator “take out”. The track odds are then recalculated based on the amount of money wagered on each horse and are updated live until each race’s post time. The remaining money after the race 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. With that said it’s important to note that the more money that’s wagered on a horse, the smaller the payout.

Many other types of bets exist within horse racing. For instance, there’s the standard win, place, and show wagers which payout at different tiers depending on the horse finishing the race in 3rd place or higher. There are also single-race exotic eagers that can be made by forecasting the order in which the first two or three horses finish the race (Exacta or Trifecta). On the other hand, there are multi-race wagers such as Pick 5 and Pick 6 which can be placed by picking the winning horse in a string of consecutive races.

Washington Horse Racing Betting Explained

We are using an example of a Fairgrounds race on the XBet racebook platform and we will explain a little bit about it here.

Xbet Fair Grounds Racecard

Listed are the horse’s trainer/runner, weight, medical status, and a section where the claiming price will be added. Also, depending on the horse you decide to place bets on, you can calculate the payout from the factional odds by dividing the fraction and multiplying it by the desired amount wagered.

Horse Racing Betting Odds

Understanding how straight bets work in horse racing can be rather simple but there are other betting markets in horse racing than just the basic straight wager. Also, apart from the standard pari-mutuel betting markets, there are more complex ways of betting on horses. The best Washington horse racing betting sites offer multi-race pool wagering while most offshore sports betting sites offer fixed odds for future races.

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

Fixed Odds for Horse Racing Betting in Washington

Fixed odds are where the price you take is determined as you place your bet. These usually aren’t pool-related bets but come with guaranteed prices. When placing a fixed-odds wager in horse racing, the odds of your selection won’t change and will lock like in any other traditional sports betting wager. For instance, if you wager in April that a specific horse is going to win at so and so horse tracks at +600 odds in May, a $100 wager would pay out $600.

Pari-Mutuel Betting in Washington

Pari-mutuel wagering is a form of betting whereby all particular bets are placed in a pool. Taxes and what the house takes in are deducted and payoff odds are based on splitting the pool evenly among all winning wagers. This type of horse wagering usually occurs in horse racing or greyhound racing, where contestants finish in order.

In Washington, pari-mutuel wagering is permitted on live and simulcast horse racing events. These events take place at the state’s racetracks and off-track betting parlors. Auburn’s Emerald Downs and Sun Downs are the only tracks that offer live racing. Advance-deposit wagering on horse racing is also allowed. Greyhound racing is strictly prohibited.

Pool Betting on Washington Horse Races

Pool betting is similar to pari-mutuel betting and yet has its differences. The process is the same in the sense that you place your bets and if you win, you get your percentage of the dividend. Then, these dividends are worked out just after the race has finished. But with pool betting, bettors pay into a pool instead of giving their money to a bookmaker. So, the money is pooled together and shared among those who wagered on the winning selection.

What Are The Different Types of Horse Racing Bets?

There are many different types of horse racing bets. However, the most popular bets can be divided into two types: straight bets and exotic bets. Straight betting is short and simple; you bet on a horse to either come in first, second, or third. On the other hand, exotic betting allows for multiple bets on multiple horses in one wager. Exotic bets have much less implied probability to win than straight bets but the payouts are much greater.

Here are all the various types of straight and exotic wagers to place when betting on horse racing in Washington state.

Win

If your horse finishes in the first place, you win money.

Place

If your horse finishes in first or second place, you win money.

Show

If your horse finishes in first, second, or third place, you win money.

Exacta

An Exacta bet involves predicting the first two horses to finish a race in the correct order. This market is usually reserved for high-profile races, but its availability differs between horse racing betting sites. You will lose your bet if you predicted the top two in the wrong order, even if you did guess the winning horses.

Quinella

A Quinella bet is a simplified exacta bet where you’re required to wager on the selected top finishers, but they can cross the wire in either order.

Trifecta

A Trifecta bet is like an Exacta bet which involves betting on the first three horses to finish the race and in the correct order. This means you are betting on which runners and riders will finish first, second, and third. Although the Trifecta bet can be tricky to place and quite risky, the potential rewards are significant.

Superfecta

Superfecta is also very similar to an Exacta and Trifecta bet however for this bet, you need to pick the four horses you think will win in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place. To gain your winnings, you must guess them in the correct order.

Daily Double

Two specific races make up the Daily Double and you must pick one horse in each race. If they finish first in both races, then you win. Keep in mind that you must make your bet before the first race.

Pick 3

A Pick 3 is like the Daily Double but for three consecutive races.

Pick 4

Similar to the Daily Double, but for four consecutive races.

Pick 5

The same as a Pick 3 and Pick 4 but for five consecutive races; the goal is to pick five winners in a row.

Pick 6

The end goal is to pick six straight winners. With many Pick 6 wagers, a jackpot bonus is awarded to any player that’s skilled enough to craft the only winning ticket.

Comparing the Different Types of Bets for Horse Racing in Washington
Bet Type Description Bet Cost Minimum Bet
Win Overall winner of the race $2 $2
Place To finish inside the top 2 places $2 $2
Show To finish inside the top 3 places $2 $2
Exacta First 2 horses in the correct order $1 $1
Trifecta First 3 horses in the correct order $1 $1
Superfecta First 4 horses in the correct order $0.10 $0.10
Daily Double Winner of 2 consecutive races from the same meeting $2 $2
Pick 3 Winner of 3 consecutive races from the same meeting $2 $2
Pick 4 Winner of 4 consecutive races from the same meeting $1 $1
Pick 5 Winner of 5 consecutive races from the same meeting $0.50 $0.50
Pick 6 Winner of 6 consecutive races from the same meeting $0.10 $0.10

Washington Horse Racing Betting Terms

Betting on horse racing doesn’t have to be difficult or so complex that novice bettors can’t figure it out. Although we do have to admit that the terms and lingo that are used in the horse racing industry can be intimidating and sometimes confusing, knowing a few of the terms here and there will definitely help a new bettor along their horse racing betting journey.

Horse Racing Betting Terms Explained:

Wagering on horse races can be confusing at first, especially since there are so many terms for different markets to learn. That said, we have created a list of standard terms used within the horse racing industry, along with a short description of each.

Across the Board

A bet on a horse to win, place, and show.

Card

A term for a program of racing. For instance, ten races on the card mean that ten races will be run for that specific race date.

Chart

A comprehensive account from which past performances are listed, showing the race position of each horse at various stages of the race.

Dead Heat

Two or more horses finish the race at the exact same time.

Distanced

When a horse finishes a race more than 35 lengths behind the winner.

Eighth

A furlong; 220 yards, 1/8 of a mile.

Exactor

A bet where the 2 horses wagered must finish 1st or 2nd in the exact order in the same race.

Exactor Bet

A bet where the 2 horses wagered must finish in either 1st or 2nd in the same race.

Exotic Bet

A wager on a race is something other than win, place, or show.

Favorite

The horse with the largest amount of total money bet.

Furlong

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

Handle

The amount of total money wagered on a race, a program (race card) or in a year.

Inquiry

The review of a race by racing officials – Stewards or Judges to check for any infraction of the rules of racing.

Late Double

A second daily double wager is offered in the later part of a race program.

Morning Line

The professional handicapper’s estimate of what the odds on each horse will be. This prediction is published prior to the beginning of the race program.

Mutuels

The wagering area (counters or window) where bets are placed and cashed.

Odds-on

Odds of even money or less.

Off-Track

A betting establishment that is far away from the track that the horse races are taking place at. This is also referred to as a wet race surface.

On The Nose

Betting a horse to win only.

Parimutuel

A form of wagering in which all the money wagered (fewer taxes and other deductions) is divided up among the people who have winning bets.

Perfecta

A bet where the first 2 finishers in exact order must be chosen.

Place

A horse that comes in second at the finish of a race.

Place (Bet)

A bet on a horse to finish first or second.

Pool

The total amount of money that’s been wagered on a race.

Post Time

The starting time of a race.

Purse

The total amount of money that can be won in a race by the participants.

Quick Pick

A bet where the wager will be randomly chosen for you.

Show

Third position at the finish.

Show Bet

A bet where the horse chosen must finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.

Superfecta Box

A bet where the 4 horses chosen must finish in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place, in any order.

Takeout

This is the money taken out of the betting pool that covers the cost of the races including taxes, betting duties, operating expenses, purses for races, and profits for the operator.

Trifecta

A bet that chooses the 3 horses – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in an exact order.

Trifecta Box

A bet where the 3 horses chosen must finish in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, in any order in the same race.

Triple Crown

The three most prestigious races in America: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

Wager/Wagering

A sum of money that is bet on a sporting event. Wagering is the act of betting.

Win (Bet)

A bet where the horse must finish in the first place.

Washington Horse Racing Betting Calculator

The horse betting odds will be calculated by the sportsbook. Therefore, it won’t be necessary for you to calculate the odds for pool bets. Also, they will highlight the odds for fractional bets. You should be able to use the bet slip to work out your returns based on how much you want to stake. Keep in mind that long-shot wagers will come with big payouts and 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, which implies 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 and the amount paid can vary especially between straight and exotic wagers.

While calculating the payout of a Win is much easier than others, calculating the payouts for exotic wagers can be much more complicated. Straight bets offer displayed odds but exotic bets don’t have exact odds because of the many variables involved.

Washington Horse Racing Odds Chart:

Straight wager payouts can be determined using basic calculations while exotic wagers are calculated totally differently. Usually, exotic wagers are calculated after the house takes 15% and the remaining amount will be divided between the winning bettors. To calculate the payout odds, you have to subtract the winning dollars from the total pool with the remaining pool of money divided by the amount of money bet on the winner.

In the chart below, you can learn how to calculate the best horse racing odds.

Washington Horse Racing Betting Odds Chart
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%

Washington Horse Race Tracks

Horse racing in Washington is governed by the Washington State horse Racing Commission and punters can place wagers on various types of horse bets available at the state’s racetracks. The two horse racing tracks in Washington are Emerald Downs and Sun Downs which are over 200 miles apart.

Emerald Downs – 2300 Ron Crockett Dr, Auburn, WA 98001

Emerald Downs is located a half mile east of highway 167. These tracks are named after horse racing in Seattle Washington, the Emerald City. This racetrack is known for thoroughbred horse racing after first opening its doors in 1996. History has it that the Emerald Downs racetrack replaced the Longacres Racetrack after it closed in 1992. In 2002, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe bought the land where Emerald Downs is situated and has made improvements to the facilities ever since.

Emerald Downs Horse Race Tracks Washington

Sun Downs – 1500 S Oak St, Kennewick, WA 99337

Sun Downs Racetracks opened in 1981 and remains in operation to this day. The racing types available here are thoroughbred and quarter-horse. The facility has a Northwest Fair Track with a small covered wooden grandstand surrounded by metal bleachers with a total capacity to accommodate about 3,800 race goers.

Sundowns Horse Race Tracks Washington

List of Horse Race Tracks in Washington
Washington Horse Race Track Address Phone Number Notable Races
Emerald Downs 2300 Ron Crockett Drive, Auburn, WA 98001 253-288-7000
Sun Downs 1500 S Oak St, Kennewick, WA 99337 509-582-5435

The History of Horse Racing In Washington

The origins of horse racing in the state of Washington go way back. Starting in 1872 was when the first Seattle racecourse opened and pari-mutuel wagering formally began. In 1901, the Spokane race tracks opened and just a year later in 1902, so did the Meadows Race Track (King County). Pari-mutuel wagering was available directly at the track.

In 1933, pari-mutuel betting on horse races was authorized as the Washington Horse Racing Commission was established in March of that year. The commission is required to license, regulate, and supervise all race meets held within the state of Washington. Also in 1933, the Longacres Race Track opened in Renton, and in 1935, the Playfair Race Course opened in Spokane.

In 1961, the Yakima Meadows horse racing Washington racetrack opened, and in 1972, the Washington State Constitution was amended to allow gambling activities when authorized by a 60% majority vote of the Legislature or a 60% vote of the people. In 1973, social gambling opportunities were authorized, and the Gambling Commission was created. Not too long after in 1976, the first tribal casino opened on the Puyallup Reservation.

In 1987, there were satellite broadcasts of live, in-state horse races to off-track betting locations became authorized. In 1990, the Washington State Council on Problem Gambling was created. In 1992, the final season at Longacres came to an end, and in 1996, Emerald Downs opened up in Auburn. The Playfair Race Course and Yakima Meadows both closed in 1998. Then in 2000, the Playfair Race Course reopened for one season, and in 2003 it opened for simulcast, but no live racing was conducted.

Satellite facilities (off-track betting) were authorized to operate year-round in 2004. And in 2005, advance deposit wagering was authorized along with a problem gambling treatment program getting established. Later in 2006, WHRC funding incentives were authorized for the purpose of developing the equine industry, maintaining and upgrading facilities, and assisting in equine health research. The WHRC assumed responsibility in 2009 for processing both Washington-bred Owner Bonuses and Breeder Awards. And in 2015, Emerald Downs Racing LLC took over the operation of Emerald Downs.

A Timeline of the History of Washington Horse Racing
Date Description
1872 Seattle Race Course Opens & Pari-mutuel wagering officially begins
1902 Meadows Race Track opens & Pari-mutuel wagering operated at the track
1909 Widespread bookmaking led to a prohibition of horse racing
1996 Emerald Downs opens in Auburn
2004 Satellite facilities (off-track betting) authorized to operate year-round
2006 WHRC funds incentives to develop the equine industry
2015 Muckleshoot Tribe buys Emerald Downs Racetracks

Washington Horse Racing Schedule 2023

In the chart below, we have included the major races that take place at the few racetracks in Washington state throughout the year.

Washington Horse Racing Schedule 2023
Washington Horse Race  Washington Horse Race Track Date
Live Horse Racing Emerald Downs May 2022
$150K Longacres Mile (G3) – Handicap Weights Emerald Downs August 2022
Horse Racing Sun Downs Canceled

Emerald Downs Live Horse Racing 2023

Washington state isn’t known for having a Kentucky Derby type of horse racing event however, it has a variety of live horse racing events at Emerald Downs throughout the season starting from early May until the mid-end of September. There are a total of 52 races over the weekends starting from Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons. The 2023season at Emerald Downs is the 27th season and will feature a new horsemen incentive program.

In addition, Emerald Downs also hosts the Longacres Miles Handicap which is an American Thoroughbreds horse racing event usually held in August. In 2023, it’s expected to have a purse of $150,000 which is a $50,000 increase from recent years.

Emerald Downs 2021

Here we have the most recent horse racing results from Emerald Downs in Washington. A recap of Emerald Downs is that it’s a thoroughbred racetrack located in Auburn, Washington. From mid-May to the end of September, this track hosts live thoroughbred racing with large ungraded stakes and overnight handicaps.

Emerald Downs 2021 Results
Emerald Downs Results

2021

Emerald Downs 2021 Horses Emerald Downs 2021 Odds
1st #4 Extractor 4-3
2nd #5 Barbarius 5-6
3rd #3 Starzan 3-5
4th #2 The Press 2-5
5th #5 Candied Lute 5-8
6th #4 Kevin E. Orozco 4-2
7th #6 Coastal Kid 6-5

Comparing Betting At The Racetrack With Online Horse Racing Betting

When it comes to horse racing, whether online or live and in-person, there are pros and cons, much like anything else in life. However, when betting online on horse racing, you get a better range of races to choose from as well as the odds to take advantage of. But on the other hand, at the racetracks, the atmosphere cannot be replicated online.

We have come to the conclusion that there are way more advantages to betting online than there are when betting at the track. Although experiencing in-person horse racing at the tracks is something that’s unique and should be experienced at least once in life, if you’re looking to make money from betting on horse racing, there isn’t a better substitute for betting online.

The number of options available online will never be possible at a single track. For instance, online you get tools, live streaming, different betting markets, and a bigger range of races to wager on.

We have highlighted the biggest pros and cons for betting at racetracks versus online in the chart below.

Comparing Betting at the Racetrack With Online Horse Racing Betting
Betting at the Racetrack Online Horse Racing Betting
✅ You can see multiple prices from several bookmakers without the need to register for an account. ✅ Can claim Welcome Bonuses as well as other offers for your wagers.
✅ A clearer idea of how the horses look before the start of the race. ✅ Much easier to find the best price for your bets.
❌ There’s a limit to what races you can bet on. ✅ Many race options to choose from.
❌ Bonuses or promotions aren’t available. ✅ Can bet from your mobile device.
❌ Don’t always get the best price. ✅ Safer because you don’t have to carry wads of cash with you at the racetracks.

General Terms and Conditions at Horse Racing Betting Sites in Washington

To sign up at a betting site, you need to be a resident of Washington and be 18 years or older. However, there are some sites that require you to be 21 years or older, but this will all be stated in the Terms and Conditions. At some point in time, you might be required to verify your account which might involve sending proof of address or proof of payment method used.

Rollover Requirements

When you sign up for a new account at your chosen betting site, you’ll most likely be able to get a Welcome Bonus. These usually are deposit match bonuses, not always but usually, and then a bonus will be assigned to your new player account. For instance, when you register for an account at BetOnline, your first deposit will be matched 100% up to $1,000. But when the bonus hits your account, you have to wager the bonus before you can withdraw it as cash. In this case, at BetOnline, you’ll need to wager this 10x which means that you need to place $10,000 worth of bets if you want the full $1,000 bonus before you can withdraw any winnings from the bonus. It’s important to read the Terms and Conditions before claiming any sort of bonus so you understand what the bonus entails and so on.

The table below highlights the Welcome Bonuses that are linked with each of the best Washington post horse racing betting sites.

Comparing Welcoming Bonuses At The Best Online Horse Racing Sites
Brand  Welcome Bonus Offer Rollover Requirement
Bovada Up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus – BVD1000 10x Rollover of Bonus
BetOnline $1,000 Welcome Bonus 10x Rollover of Bonus
MyBookie 100% Deposit Bonus up to $1,000 10x Rollover of Bonus
BetNow 100% Welcome Bonus 15x Rollover of Bonus
XBet 100% up to $500 Welcome Offer 7x Rollover of Bonus
BetUS 150% up to $3,000 15x Rollover of Bonus
BUSR 20% up to $500 – WELCOME20 5x Rollover of Bonus
Sportsbetting.ag 100% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000 – KICK100 10x Rollover of Bonus
TwinSpires Up to $200 Bonus Money Risk-Free Bonus
TVG 50% Deposit Match up to $250 Risk-Free Bonus

Washington Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

Most racing sites are going to offer new players a Welcome offer of some kind as well as a range of promotions to take advantage of. The Welcome Offer is an important bonus that you should take advantage of. In addition to this one-time offer, there are other promotions you can look forward to like loyalty rewards, moneyback, free bet offers, and more.

The chart below shows you what offers you can claim from each of the best horse racing betting sites in Washington.

Betting Site Welcome Bonus Loyalty Racebook Moneyback Enhanced Odds
Bovada
BetOnline
MyBookie
BetUS
XBet
BUSR
Sportsbetting.ag
TwinSpiers
TVG

Virtual Horse Racing Betting in Washington

Virtual horse racing is becoming more popular as bettors can watch a 3D race. This time of horse racing still comes with all the necessities like proper racecards and odds attached to each horse while you watch the race pan out. With the expansion of online horse racing betting, alternative markets like virtual horse racing have become more prominent.

Washington Horse Racing Betting Apps

Mobile betting apps have become more and more popular throughout the years as everything is becoming more convenient and accessible than ever before. With that said, there are plenty of horse racing betting options for residents in Washington that can be done on mobile as well. For instance, there’s TwinSpires and TVG, which both have downloadable apps. And all our recommended sites are mobile-friendly, so you can access their racebooks from your mobile devices as well without the need of downloading anything.

TVG Racebook Mobile App for Washington Horse Racing

Washington Horse Racing Betting Apps for iPhone

There are plenty of horse racing betting apps for iPhone available nowadays however, the one that stands out the most to us is the TVG and TwinSpires apps. They are free to download and have a seamless iOS platform. The TVG app alone covers over 300 tracks around the world while connecting horse racing bettors to the races like never before!

Washington Horse Racing Betting Apps for Android

There are also plenty of options for Android users such as TwinSpires which offers an android betting app with a sleek appeal that most other racebook apps don’t yet offer. Also, there are over 150 live racetracks available for streaming with some of the best horse racing in the United States. All of which can be accessed from your Android mobile device!

How To Start Betting At Horse Racing Sites In Washington

To start placing wagers on horse racing in Washington, you first need to register for an account at a licensed and trustworthy betting site such as BetOnline or another one of our most recommended sites from above.

Below, we have created a quick step-by-step guide on how to open an account with BetOnline so that you can place bets on horse races.

Step 1: Click ‘Join Now’

BetOnline Racebook Sign Up Step 1

To create an account at BetOnline, click on the bright green ‘join now’ button that’s in the top right-hand corner of the website.

Step 2: Fill In The Registration Form

BetOnline Racebook Sign Up Step 2

When you click ‘join now’, you’ll be brought to a registration form landing page where you will be asked to input details like your name, a valid email address, and address. Once you do this, follow the prompts to complete this process, and then you can make your first deposit and head over to the racebook section!

Step 3: Choose Your Desired Race

Betonline Racebook Sign Up Step 3

Here you can pick the race you want to wager on. To open the race, all you need to do is click on the race.

Step 4: Choose Your Bet and Place It

BetOnline Racebook Sign Up Step 4

On the BetOnline racecard, you can click to select the horse or the best that you want to make. When you do this, the best will be added to your bet slip. Here you can see the selection, enter in the stake, and then confirm your bet. This is all you need to do to place your first bet on horse racing.

Other Types of Gambling in Washington

Casino games, lottery, sports, and race betting (pari-mutuel only), and charitable bingo games are also available for residents in the state of Washington. There are plenty of casinos that can be found throughout Washington, most of which are tribal-owned. Tribal casinos are authorized for class three games: Craps, Poker, Blackjack, and Roulette. Also, players can opt for online casinos to enjoy an abundance of casino games like video slots, jackpot slots, and table games. In addition, there are online sports betting at the top sportsbooks we have also mentioned on this page. To clarify again, they are all safe and secure and can be enjoyed without worrying about being scammed or information passing through unsafe transactions.

What Is The Best Site For Horse Racing Betting In Washington?

We have included a lot of information on this page regarding horse racing in Washington state and which betting sites to wager at. The ten sites we have listed are very strong betting sites however, if we had to pick one, we would choose TwinSpires. The reason is that this site is dedicated to horse racing and it offers live streaming, early betting lines, huge pools, betting tools, and dedicated horse racing promotions. This all offers bettors the chance to win more for their horse racing bets!

New accounts to TwinSpires can claim their $200 Risk-Free Bet as a Welcome Bonus. All that you need to do is open your account to get started today!

FAQ

How many race tracks are there in Washington state?

What is the biggest horse race in the US?

Is Emerald Downs racetrack still open?

 

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

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