Pennsylvania offers a variety of choices for placing bets on horse racing.
Pennsylvania boasts six horse racing venues, evenly split between harness racing and thoroughbred racing. The Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Stakes, hosted at Parx Casino and Racing in September, are now key races for fillies preparing for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup in November.
You can bet on the Triple Crown and upcoming Belmont Stakes online through FanDuel Racing, provided by the Commonwealth, eliminating the need to visit an off-track betting facility.
For those new to horse betting, we provide a brief overview of horse racing in Pennsylvania. We also offer guidance on placing online bets and interpreting statistics found in racing programs.
Best online horse betting sites in Pennsylvania
#1: FanDuel Racing
The FanDuel Racing app is a top-rated platform that offers a strong presence in the horse racing market, in addition to its well-known daily fantasy, sports betting, and casino offerings. It is the leading choice for betting on both local and national horse races in the state.
For Pennsylvania horse racing enthusiasts looking to bet on their favorite races, FanDuel Racing offers a fantastic platform. With helpful tips and a wide range of betting choices, it’s easy for users to get in on the action. Plus, FanDuel Racing regularly features special promotions, including those focused on a featured race of the day, to make the betting experience even more thrilling.
To take advantage of the FanDuel Racing offer, simply click on one of our special links – no code needed.
Sign up for FanDuel Racing today and receive a $20 No Sweat Preakness Bet
Is Horse Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?
There are several regulated options for betting on horse racing, whether in person or online.
Legislation for horse racing was introduced in 1959 with the Race Horse Industry Reform Act. The state issued three racing licenses exclusively for harness racing, leading to the opening of The Meadows Racetrack in 1963 as the first track to operate under these regulations.
Legislation was enacted in 1968 to regulate thoroughbred racing, leading to dual meets being held at all three harness tracks from 1968 to 1972. Penn National Racecourse made history as the first track to exclusively focus on thoroughbred racing.
Shortly thereafter, Keystone Racetrack and Commodore Downs followed suit.
In 1983, The Meadows ownership group introduced the first online betting platform, initially called Call-A-Bet. Over time, it has transformed into Xpressbet and remains a thriving operation.
The horse racing industry in Pennsylvania has been on a decline for years, marked by the closures of Liberty Bell and Commodore Downs. In response to dwindling live betting numbers, both the sport and the state have turned to online wagering options for a much-needed boost.
In 2004, the state passed a law to construct “racinos.”
In order to operate, gaming operators in Pennsylvania are required to collaborate with licensed racetracks, resulting in a significant rise in the number of racinos in the state. Pennsylvania currently ranks second in terms of revenue generated from casinos and racinos, with Nevada being the only state ahead.
Pennsylvania approved online sports betting legislation on October 20, 2017, but its impact on horse racing wagering is still unclear.
The PGCB is responsible for overseeing all forms of horse racing betting, including online wagering, off-track betting sites, and telephone betting.
For operations to proceed, the board must approve OTB parlors and adhere to their guidelines. Pennsylvania is also subject to federal laws such as the Interstate Horse Racing Act (1978) which governs betting.
Where Can I Bet on Horse Races in Pennsylvania?
There are six racetracks in Pennsylvania where you can enjoy live racing and bet on races from all over the world through simulcast betting.
They are:
Thoroughbred Races:
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Park Casino and Racing
- Presque Isle Downs is a popular destination for both gambling and horse racing.
Harness Races:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia features a casino and racetrack.
- The Meadows Hollywood Casino
- Mohegan Sun Pocono’s Downs
In addition, four of these facilities operate Off-Track Betting locations.
What Is an OTB?
An off-track betting facility, also known as an OTB, is a state-approved establishment where bets on horse racing events can be legally placed, separate from any racetrack affiliation.
Prior to the early 1970s, Off-Track Betting (OTB) was only allowed in Nevada.
New York became the second state to establish OTBs in 1970, while Pennsylvania experienced a significant decline in horse racing until the early 2000s.
The establishment of off-track betting (OTB) locations was meant to curb illegal gambling, however, the industry did not foresee that it would also result in a decrease in live betting at racetracks.
Therefore, the implementation of the 1978 Interstate Horseracing Act established a system linking tracks, states, and OTB parlors. This law set guidelines for sharing OTB revenues among industry participants and banned OTB parlors from operating near racetracks within a 60-mile radius.
The racing industry in Pennsylvania and worldwide embraced off-track betting locations as a strategy to increase revenue. These establishments offered a range of unique betting choices such as exactas, trifectas, and superfectas in order to draw in a larger number of bettors.
In many states, bettors must pay a tax to an off-track betting site that is taken out of their winnings. However, in Pennsylvania, OTBs can charge an admission fee but do not impose an extra charge on winning bets made at their parlors.
Many OTB parlors in the Caribbean and Central America are now implementing systems that provide bettors with incentives, such as rebates.
Where Are the OTB Facilities in Pennsylvania?
Parx Casino and Racing is currently operating two off-track betting (OTB) locations.
These organizations are commonly referred to as turf clubs and consist of the following:
- South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook is conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia, directly across the street from Citizens Bank Park, the iconic home field of the Philadelphia Phillies. This prime location is near all major sports arenas in the city, making it a convenient choice for sports fans. In addition, the site offers the opportunity to place sports wagers.
- The Parx Race and Sportsbook at Chickie’s and Pete’s in Malvern, the country’s first of its kind, opened its doors in February 2022. This unique establishment, located within a restaurant/sports bar, provides patrons with the opportunity to place bets on both horse racing and sports events.
Penn National Gaming runs two off-track betting sites in Pennsylvania.
- Located inside the Barstool Sportsbook at the mini-casino, Hollywood Casino York is the perfect destination for gaming enthusiasts.
- The Hollywood Casino Morgantown, owned by Penn National, offers a sportsbook where visitors can place bets on various racing events.
One more off-track betting venue in Pennsylvania is:
- The Downs at Lehigh Valley, situated in Allentown, is Pennsylvania’s largest off-track betting facility, providing bettors with an extensive selection of horse racing wagering options that surpass those found in other OTB parlors.
What Are Pennsylvania’s Big Horse Races?
Although the Pennsylvania Derby may not have the same level of historical importance or publicity as the Triple Crown, it is still a highly anticipated and popular race. Offering a $1 million prize, this event features 3-year-old colts and geldings competing for division honors at the end of the year.
Established in 1979, the race was upgraded to graded-stakes status in 1981. It is hosted at Parx Casino and Racing, previously named Philadelphia Park and Keystone Park, and spans a distance of 1 1/8 miles.
Many thoroughbred champions are listed in the roster of winners.
- Summer Squall
- Macho Uno
- Honoring and Serving
- Will Take Charge
- Bayern
- Math Wizard
Hot Rod Charlie won the 2021 edition, but Taiba recently claimed victory in the latest race, establishing himself as one of the top horses in his division with an impressive win.
The Cotillion Stakes, which is the female counterpart to the Pennsylvania Derby, has become a prestigious event for 3-year-old fillies. This Grade 1 race spans 1 1/16 miles and offers a generous $1 million purse.
The event first took place at Liberty Bell in 1969, but later moved to Parx after thoroughbred racing was legalized and the required facilities were constructed.
Winners in this race have included Thoroughbred champions such as Shuvee, Susan’s Girl, Ashado, and Untapable.
In 2022, Society was crowned the triumphant champion of this event.
What Is the Triple Crown?
The Triple Crown is a highly esteemed achievement awarded to a horse that wins the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes within a period of six weeks.
The Kentucky Derby was established in 1875, making it the most recent of the three races.
Every year, Churchill Downs Inc. organizes the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, KY on the first Saturday in May. The event, which is owned by BetAmerica and TwinSpires, is known for being one of the most popular and heavily wagered-upon horse races globally.
The race, known as “the Run for the Roses,” spans a distance of 1.25 miles, which is the standard length in the sport. Male horses must carry 126 pounds, while fillies carry 121 pounds. For more than forty years, the field has been limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
The Preakness Stakes is held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, occurring two weeks following the Kentucky Derby. Established in 1873, it is the briefest of the three Triple Crown races, covering a distance of 1 3/8 miles. Referred to as “the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans,” the Preakness is limited to 14 entries who must carry the same weights as those in the Kentucky Derby.
The Belmont Stakes, known as “the Test of the Champion,” is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY on Long Island, just east of New York City. Established in 1864, the race was originally held at different tracks before permanently moving to Belmont Park in 1905. It takes place three weeks after the Preakness and is the longest of the three races, spanning 1.5 miles. The field is limited to 16 horses, with weights assigned similarly to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Only 13 horses have won the prestigious Triple Crown, with Justify being the most recent champion in 2018. Although Sir Barton was the inaugural winner in 1919, the term was not officially established until 1930.
How To Bet on Horses
Although betting may appear daunting to beginners, it is actually a straightforward process that can be completed through various methods such as a live teller, standalone machine, online, or over the phone.
Here are simple steps to follow:
- Designate which track.
- Determine which race.
- Decide on the amount of money you wish to wager.
- Choose the bet you want to place.
- Select the horse or horses you want to bet on by their program number.
Make a $10 bet on horse number 5 to win in Race 5 at Parx Racing.
You can choose to collect your winnings in person at a teller, have them deposited directly into your online account, or use standalone machines.
Vouchers can be easily redeemed at any time without the need for cash or a bank account.
How To Read a Program
Just like how placing your first bet can be intimidating, reading a horse racing program can also be a daunting task.
There is an abundance of data accessible, such as workout times, race placements of horses, and performance statistics based on distance and surface type.
Here is a guide to optimize the program’s potential:
- Race dates show when a horse has competed and how many races it has entered. Bettors review the frequency of a horse’s races and its performance to make well-informed decisions.
- The abbreviations and numbers for racetracks and races are easy to understand. The program clearly shows which tracks the horse has raced at and the specific race numbers.
- The track conditions determine whether a course is fast, muddy, sloppy, or off the turf, with some horses performing well in challenging conditions while others find it difficult to succeed.
- Race restrictions are the guidelines used to determine which races a horse is eligible to enter. Factors like age and earnings are important in determining where a horse will compete. Generally, high-caliber horses participate in graded-stakes races, while lower-quality horses may be found in allowance or claiming contests.
- Standard codes are utilized to classify the various types of races in which a horse has competed and to monitor its performance in each race.
- Fractional times indicate the time taken by each horse to cover a quarter-mile distance during the race. The pace of the race can significantly influence the final result.
- The final time of the winning horse shows how long it took to finish the track from start to finish.
- Equibase figures are a tool for handicapping that evaluates a horse’s speed rating based on factors like weather conditions and final time. This metric allows for comparisons of different horses’ performance quality, with higher numbers representing stronger horses.
- The post position designates where the horse will start in the gate.
- The sequence of calls during a race reflects the horses’ positions at various stages, offering insights into their racing strategies and tendencies. By analyzing this data, one can determine if a horse prefers to be a front-runner or a closer, and predict potential race outcomes.
- The horse’s finishing place and the margin of defeat both show how the horse placed and the extent of its loss.
- The jockey’s name is straightforward, and it’s easy to access both their overall statistics and those specific to the horse they’re riding.
- Weight is the amount of pounds that a horse carries during a race.
- Medication and equipment can reveal if a horse has been administered Lasix for anti-bleeding, Bute for pain relief, or is equipped with blinkers, a shadow roll, or bandages.
- Equivalent odds show the exact odds at which the horse was positioned in a race.
- The race charter provides comments after observing the race in person, documenting details for the program. These comments offer insight into why a horse may have excelled, encountered challenges, or shown a preference for a specific distance.
- The number of horses in the race tells us how many horses are participating in a particular competition.
- The morning works document provides information on the location, time, and schedule of a horse’s training sessions for racing. Clockers track and record the times of each workout, creating a list where the fastest workouts are ranked at the top. This data is essential for bettors to evaluate a horse’s readiness for an upcoming race.