Much like in the rest of the United States, in Washington, horse racing betting is an extremely popular way for people to increase the excitement of an already thrilling sporting event. Whether you’re new to horse racing betting or just want to brush up on some of the details involving the sport, you’ve come to the right place. This page is a guide to all things Washington horse racing betting. Here, we’ll go over the laws that dictate pari-mutuel wagering in the state. We’ll also discuss legal betting venues, both land-based and online. We also discuss popular horse racing events, like the Triple Crown, and how residents can go about betting on them. By the time you’re through with this page, you’ll be able to call yourself a Washington horse racing betting expert.
Horse racing betting in Washington is a legal form of sports betting. Betting on the horses in the state must be done one of two ways – either at a licensed land-based location or at an online horse racing betting site. Residents of the state must be 18 years of age or older to legally bet on horse racing in Washington. For those who would like to read the law in its entirety, you’ll find everything in Washington state codes 9.46.010 and 67.16.010.
Read More: Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Washington?
In Washington, betting on the Triple Crown is both legal and enjoyable. Betting on the Triple Crown can be done at a land-based location within the state, or at an online horse racing betting site. We recommend using the online sites because then you don’t have to travel across the state to a racetrack every time you want to place a wager and because there are more wagering options offered online than there are at land-based locations.
Below are a few popular wager types. We’ve separated them into categories. The first category is straight bets. These wagers are straightforward and don’t require more than a single element for the ticket to be considered a win. Exotic wagers, the second category, have multiple working parts. Due to their risk, they have the higher payouts. Each wager type can be profitable, however.
Straight Bets
Win – bet on the horse to come in first place.
Place – Bet on a horse to be one of the first two horses over the line.
Show – Bet on a horse to be one of the first three horses over the line.
Across The Board – Picking a horse to finish in first, second, or third. You place an even amount on each position, so a $6 across the board bet requires you to put $18 down. If your horse wins, you collect all three bets. 2nd place, and you collect two wagers, place and show. 3rd place, and you collect the show bet.
Exotic Wagers
Exacta – A bet placed on the two horses that will finish in first and second place, respectively.
Quinella – Choose two horses to finish first and second. It doesn’t have to be in the correct order, they just have to be the first two horses over the line.
Trifecta – choose the horses that will finish in first, second, and third, in order. The bet is not considered a winning ticket unless all three horses finish in the position you chose for them.
Land-based Washington horse racing betting can be conducted at Emerald Downs, in Auburn. This is the only licensed pari-mutuel betting facility in the entire state, leaving residents with few choices when it comes to betting. Fortunately, residents can access an online horse racing betting site directly from their own homes, eliminating the need to travel across the state. Below, we review a few of the best online horse racing betting sites available to Washington residents.
With just one land-based horse betting racetrack in the state, residents should definitely be looking into online horse racing betting sites. These gambling sites accepting Washington residents can offer you so many more opportunities that really can only be found online. In addition to more races to wager on, you’ll also find bonuses, horse racing tips and strategies, and comprehensive how-to sections which can really improve your bets. Below are two of our absolute favorite online horse racing betting websites available to Washington residents.
There is plenty of choice around for sportsbooks when you get online and look around. However, how can you settle on which are the best, which are the most trusted and secure. This is where this site comes in, because we have tested many and are able to present the best of the best gambling sites accepting Washington residents who wish to bet sports online.
Signing up for a SportsBetting racebook account is simple and free. All you have to do is create an account. You don’t even have to put any money into it until you’re ready to do so. This online horse racing betting site allows you to peruse all of its features, giving you the chance to really familiarize yourself with everything.
While you’re looking around, be sure to check out the racebook info section. There, you’ll find everything there is to know about online horse racing betting. The rules, wager types with definitions and examples, and even a section on how to bet on horses.
You’ll also find a section that contains articles covering all of the past races and previewing races that are yet to come. This section also includes free horse picks from the experts at SportsBetting.ag. All of this is readily available for every member of SportsBetting, no deposit required. You don’t have to put any money down until you’re ready to. So what’s there to lose? Sign up for your account today.
As far as online horse racing betting sites go, Bovada is definitely one of the best. Whether you’re betting on a race at Gulfstream Park, the Santa Anita Handicap, or even the Kentucky Derby, Bovada will provide the absolute best odds and overall betting experience to each and every one of its members.
Washington residents only have one land-based option available to them. But with Bovada, they could bet on any race, anywhere, anytime. Along with an up to date and comprehensive interface that residents can access from their computer, they also have a mobile betting feature, which allows players to access their bet slip from a smartphone or tablet.
Everything done on the computer can be done from a mobile device. The best thing about Bovada is that the interfaces are identical, so you don’t have to worry about learning an entirely new layout when you’re first starting to use the mobile betting app. This racebook really does have it all.
| Racebook | Bonus | Washington Welcome? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SportsBetting | 50% Match On First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| Bovada Racebook | 50% Up To $250 First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| BetOnline Racebook | $1,000 On All Deposits - 25% | Yes | Visit |
| 5Dimes Racebook | 50% To $200 Then 20% To $500 | Yes | Visit |