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

Florida is famed for its white, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and Latin-America culture. But, the southeastern most US state is also well known for its ties with horse racing and we’re going to use this article to bring you everything you need to know regarding horse racing in Florida.

Topics covered will include the best betting sites for horse racing in Florida, Florida land-based horseracing tracks, legalities surrounding gambling in Florida, and a look at some of the welcome bonuses you can claim as a Florida resident looking to bet on horse racing.

BEST SPORTSBOOKS IN FLORIDA Ranked
BetOnline Sports logo

50% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
Bovada Sports logo

Get a Welcome Bonus of up to $750

5 Stars Claim Now
MyBookie Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $1000

5 Stars Claim Now
Everygame Sports logo

$750 Welcome Bonus (3 x $250 Bonuses)

5 Stars Claim Now
XBet Sports logo

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

5 Stars Claim Now
Lucky Block logo

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

5 Stars Claim Now
BUSR Sports logo

150% Deposit Bonus up to $2500

4.5 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

In This Guide

The Top 10 Betting Sites for Horse Racing in Florida

Our list below includes the best betting sites for horse racing in Florida. These 10 ten betting sites have been ranked as the top sites from dozens of reviews. They all have different strengths (and weaknesses) which we will address at length in the next section.

  1. Twin SpiresBest overall betting site for horse racing in Florida
  2. TVGBest odds for horse racing in Florida
  3. BetOnlineHuge welcome bonus worth up to $3,000
  4. XBet – Great links with horse racing betting and sports betting
  5. Bovada – One of the best sites for horse betting in Florida
  6. MyBookie – Huge range of international horse races
  7. BetUS – Great looking and easy to use racecard
  8. BUSR – Dedicated horse racing betting promotions
  9. ag – One of the best-looking horse racing betting apps
  10. BetNow – Early betting lines for horse races around the world

Reviewing The Best Sites for Horse Racing Betting in Florida

We’ve taken the top five from our list of best betting sites for horse racing in Florida and taken a deeper look at why they rank as high as they do. Use the pros and cons boxes to get a quick overview of what we like and what we think needs work.

1 – Twin Spires – Overall Best Horse Racing Betting Site in Florida

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

Twin Spires has been operating since 2006 and is run as part of the Churchill Downs corporation in Kentucky. The site is one of two (TVG being the other) that were initially set up to only cover horse racing but have now expanded to host all sports on their impressive platform.

The site includes a ton of features. Standouts include live race streaming (free feature), handicapping tools and assistance, pari-mutuel betting markets, over 300 tracks covered from around the world, ability to change the interface (pro and express), and dedicated horse racing promotions, such as money-back guarantee bets.

Banking options at Twin Spires include bank transfer, online banking, credit/debit card, PayPal, MoneyGram, and on-site cash, paid at the Churchill Downs racetrack. Deposits start from just $1 and are capped at $1,000 per transaction. A $5 fee is charged for debit and credit card payments.

TwinSpires Review –
Overall Best Horse Racing Betting Site In Florida
Pros Cons
✅ Huge number of races available to bet on ❌ Fees on credit and debit card deposits
✅ Massively in-depth racecard ❌ No casino games
✅ Handicapping tools
✅ Dedicated horse racing promotions
✅ Live streaming which is free for all accounts

Welcome Bonus Offer:

If you’re registering a new account with Twin Spires, then you’re going to get a welcome bonus worth up to $200. The bonus is a cash bonus meaning that you need to wager $400 to trigger $100 worth of the bonus ($800 to claim the full amount).

2 – TVG – Best Odds for Horse Racing in Florida

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

TVG (Television Games Network) has been about since 1993. Originally their role was to provide a network broadcast or races from around the world. However, their buyout by Paddy Power Betfair in 2009 steered the brand into the world of online betting and host one of the best horse racing betting sites in the United States.

Like Twin Spires, TVG is packed full of features, such as dedicated betting app from respective app stores, incredible user interface, live streaming, betting coverage from more than 600 racetracks around the world, access to professional tipsters, handicap betting tools, multiple markets for all races and one of the best racecards you’ll find anywhere on the planet.

Deposit options are decent, with the likes of credit/debit cards, eCheck, PayPal, TVG Prepaid cards, PayNearMe, wire transfer, check and deposit at the track. For the latter, there are no tracks located in Florida, but you can access a range of states with this including California, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Washington.

Payments start from as little as $1, but there are fees attached to a number of deposit options, such as credit and debit cards at $5. Pay at the track, PayNearMe, eCheck, and Money Order are all free to deposit with.

TVG Review –
Best Odds for Horse Racing in Florida
Pros Cons
✅ Free live streaming ❌ Fees on too many deposit options
✅ Over 600 racetracks covered around the world ❌ No access to Florida racetracks for payment
✅ Dedicated betting app available from app store
✅ Minimum deposits from just $1
✅ Access to professional tipsters and handicapping tools

Welcome Bonus Offer:

TVG allows you to claim a risk-free betting bonus worth up to $250. The bonus is a 50% match and whilst you can’t withdraw the bonus amount, any winning using this money you will be able to keep.

3 – BetOnline – Huge welcome bonus worth up to $3,000

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

BetOnline has been around since 1999 and they are a sportsbook that covers all sports well. They excel in their coverage of horse racing and whilst they don’t quite compete with the dedicated horse racing betting sites such as TVG and Twin Spires, they are the “best of the rest”.

The racing section is a dedicated area on BetOnline. Within the racebook, you can get access to hundreds of racetracks that offer racing every day. The menu system allows you to easily jump between countries, types of racing, and then the meetings themselves.

You get a huge range of betting markets to choose from. These include straight, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, pick 3 and pick 5 for just about all races on site.

Banking options include the likes of Visa, Bitcoin, Mastercard, and American Express. There are no fees to pay for any deposits or withdrawals and deposits start from just $10.

BetOnline Review –
Huge Welcome Bonus Worth Up Tp $3,000
Pros Cons
✅ Great sports betting experience ❌ Lacks depth in terms of dedicated horse racing features
✅ One of the most respected betting brands in the United States ❌ No live streaming
✅ Great coverage of races on an international scale
✅ Huge range of markets attached to all races
✅ Early betting lines for races (up to 48 hours in advance)

Welcome Bonus Offer:

One of the highlights for BetOnline is the $1,000 betting bonus that you can claim a new account. This bonus is a 50% match of your first deposit and to trigger it you need to use the promo code BOL1000. This offer comes with a 10x rollover attached.

4 – XBet – Great links with horse racing betting and sports betting

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

Open since 2003 XBet is one of the best Florida horse racing betting options on the market right now. They host a ton of races from the United States and whilst international coverage is not as consistent, there should be more than enough for most from the likes of the UK, Australia, South Africa, and the Middle East.

The racecard is one of the best and we liked that it’s incredibly clean and simple to follow. It lacks in terms of features, but we think that people who are new to betting on horse racing will appreciate the simplicity of it.

Moving money in and out of the sportsbook is very simple. You can access Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire, with no fees to pay at any point. Processing times are just 48 hours for most and minimum deposits start from $45.

XBet Review –
Great links with horse racing betting and sports betting
Pros Cons
✅ Great US coverage of races from around the country ❌ High minimum deposit amount
✅ Easy to use racecard, ideal for beginners ❌ No live streaming
✅ Ability to move money in and out quickly
✅ Good looking design for both online and mobile use
✅ Decent international race coverage

Welcome Bonus Offer:

At XBet you can claim a $500 bonus which is a 100% match on your opening deposit. The bonus has a 10x rollover attached and 30 days to clear the full amount.

5 – Bovada – One of the best sites for horse betting in Florida

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

Bovada is one of the best-looking racebooks for betting on horse racing in Florida. They’ve spent an incredible amount of time homing in this section of the site to make it as user-friendly as it possibly can.

One of the site’s strengths is that it offers early betting lines for their races in the form of Morning Line odds. These are released the day before for most races, which is very early compared to some.

The racebook is separate from the main sportsbook and you get the option to choose races from a wide range of tracks throughout the US. One of the few downsides for Bovada is that international coverage is limited and you’d be better off using Twin Spites or TVG for this.

Bovada Review –
One of the best sites for horse betting in Florida
Pros Cons
✅ Stunning site, comfortably best looking ❌ Lack of international race coverage
✅ Clean, concise racecard ❌ Lacks features outside of simple betting options
✅ Good range of betting markets for most races
✅ Low VIG charged on pool bets
✅ Live betting for some of the more popular races

Welcome Bonus Offer:

When you register a new account within Bovada you 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.

More on gambling in Florida…

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

Comparing The Best Sites for Betting on Horse Racing Florida Has To Offer

Testing betting sites for horse racing is a long process. We’ve got a dedicated team that are experts in the horse racing industry, so we know what to look for in terms of what works well and what doesn’t.

We’re also fully aware that not all features suit all punters. For example, live streaming would be something that you would assume all players would prioritize, but in fact, a lot of people bet at the start of the day and simply track the results as they come in, meaning that live streaming isn’t as popular as you might think.

In the upcoming section, we want to look through a range of areas that we consider to be important for comparing the best betting sites on horse racing in Florida. These aren’t in any order of importance, just features that you can find from sportsbooks in Florida.

Horse Racing Odds

An easy place to start with these features are the horse racing odds. These can vary massively from site to site and whilst features like streaming, promos, and interactive racecard are great, there is no getting away from the fact that the most important part is making money.

The best Florida horse racing sites offer great odds for US horse races.

To be honest, all the top five picks for horse racing betting in Florida performed well when it came to testing the odds. BetOnline probably shaves this section and one of the reasons for this is the reduced VIG/juice compared to other sites.

We found some markets with BetOnline that had VIG set at just 5%, which is low for fields with as many runners as horse racing has. Other notables were Twin Spites and Bovada, both good choices for horses that are slightly longer prices.

Horse Racing Betting Markets

Horse racing isn’t that well known for market depth. Most races allow you to choose from the win, place, show, and then a range of multi-finish bets. If you compare this with the likes of NFL where you get hundreds of markets and props for every game, it’s a small amount.

Again, all the top five picks performed well here and there was little to choose between them. Twin Spires must edge it though as they allow you to bet on exacta, trifecta, and superfecta markets on more races than the other betting sites.

Live Horse Racing Betting

Live betting is the most exhilarating type of horse racing betting. Betting able to bet on the race after the start gun has fired can allow punters to get in early and therefore, create value.

Live betting options are limited here, but Bovada was the best from our testing. We decided that ties to live streaming were not relevant given the circa 30-second delay that was applied to all racing streams. At Bovada markets moved quickly and they were suspended (or closed) for the least amount of time from our testing.

Horse Racing Betting Promotions

Promotions that are specific to horse racing can be some of the most lucrative of any sport. Anything from money back specials to free bets on high-profile races are quite common amongst all of our horse racing betting sites.

TVG had a good range of horse racing promotions for this section. We liked the inclusion of the cashback bets when your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd and you’ve backed it to win (on selected races).

It’s also worth noting that Twin Spires run a lot of enhanced prices for the big races, which tends to make the best price as a result. The only downside here is that you’re limited to the amount of money you can wager on these enhanced odds bets.

Special Features for Horse Racing

Special features for horse racing is a broad subject, but there are some betting sites that do this better than others.

By far the best two for horse racing features are Twin Spires and TVG. They have things like handicap betting tools, expert analysis, race previews, horse racing news, free tipsters, and a betting university, where novices can learn how to make money betting on horse racing from scratch.

Horse Racing Welcome Bonus

You may have noticed in the betting site reviews earlier in the piece we’ve included several welcome bonuses that you can claim when you create a new account. These are must-claim offers for us and most of them offer a huge amount of value.

We’re going to pick two offers that are quite different. The first is the $3,000 bonus from BetOnline that you need to wager through 10x before you can withdraw the cash. This is the most “free” money that you can claim from any single promotion.

The next is the free wager offer from TVG. Here you simply get a $250 bonus (based on 50% deposit match) and then any winnings from that bonus you get to keep.

User-Friendly Design

Design is a key aspect for any element of a horse racing betting site. By far and away the best here is that of Bovada. Not only does the online site look great, but their dedicated mobile betting app is an absolute triumph as well.

Live Streaming

Live streaming is one of the coolest features that any Florida horse racing site can include. Streams need to be clean, accessible, and easy to load.

Once again, there are two standout winners for this, and they are TVG and Twin Spires. TVG comes from a broadcasting background, so you’re getting access to their racing channel, which is incredible. Not only are races streamed but so is around-the-clock talk and chat all related to horse racing.

Below we’ve included a table that highlights a range of features and which Florida horse betting sites accommodates said features.

Comparing The Best Sites For Horse Betting Florida Has To Offer
Live Streaming   Racecard Enhanced Lines Welcome Offer Mobile App Handicapping Sports Betting Casino
TVG
Twin Spires
BetOnline
XBet
Bovada
MyBookie
BetUS
BUSR
Sportsbetting.ag
BetNow

How to Choose the Best Florida Horse Racing Betting Sites

We’ve already spoken about how horse racing in Florida is accessible via betting sites and what features they include. We now want to look at how you can pick the best betting sites based on how well these sites perform as sportsbooks.

For this section, we want to briefly move away from horse racing and focus on betting attributes that all the best betting sites will include.

Brand Recognition

You need to be able to trust the brand that you’re about to use. Trust is something that is earned and it’s not just a case of picking who has been open the longest. Whilst length of time in the industry shows that they’re doing something right, often, brand recognition is something that is earned.

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

We’ve taken the time to make sure that we include brands that we trust. This allows us to confidently promote and recommend sites based on this trust. If you’re new to a brand, then you need a certain amount of trust before you start, and the only way to get this is by reviews or sites like ours.

Payment Methods

Moving money is a major focus in our Florida horse racing reviews. We include this because each site is different and even though they might have the same payment methods on offer, they can work in very different ways.

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

Another key area to note here are fees. You want to avoid these at all costs, especially those that charge to deposit money. There are enough betting sites and payment options online that will allow you to both deposit and withdraw money without being charged a fee.

Crypto payments are incredibly popular these days. If you’re comfortable banking with crypto (Bitcoin, etc.) then often you get increased deposit limits and even faster withdrawals.

Safety & Security

Safety on a betting site is a priority. We take the time to make sure that all the horse racing betting sites on this page are 100% safe and secure.

There are several areas that we look for to assure this and these include SSL certificates, legitimate licenses, and trusted payment methods for banking.

Speed & Design

The speed of the site and how it looks are two more key areas. You need to have a reliable site where you can jump between races quickly and without any lag. A good design would enable this.

Customer Service

Finally, you need to be able to get in touch with someone, should things go wrong. This is not to say that things will, but there is always a time where you might need advice, information, and help with your account, which is all undertaken by the customer service team.

Accessibility is key here. The likes of email, phone, and live chat are generally the three most common forms of contact for the customer service team.

What To Look for In the Best Florida Horse Racing Betting Sites
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 Florida?

Horse racing betting in Florida is legal. You are permitted to bet on horse races both on track and off track. This includes online betting as well.

Florida is on the cusp of legalizing all forms of online gambling and sports betting had been given the green light for November 2021. However, there has since been a fallout between the Seminole Tribe and the state regarding a renegotiated compact, meaning that the bill has now on pause until it can be resolved.

This bill has not affected horse racing as in Florida they allow most forms of betting that are not deemed to be games of chance. You need to be 21 years or older to bet on horse racing both online and at the track.

Horse Betting Guides State by State

Horse Racing Betting Guide – How to Bet on Horse Racing in Florida

We’re going to take a deeper look at how to bet on horse racing in Florida. The guide below will highlight how horse racing betting works online, odds, bet types, and betting terms.

To kick things off we want to look at the types of races you can bet on. In the US and Florida in particular, most horse races are going to be flat races. The alternative to this is jump races, and whilst the latter is less common in the US, in places like the UK and across Europe, it’s much more popular.

Betting markets for each race are going to vary. They will vary based on the profile of the race and the betting sites that are covering the race.

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

Most sites will be able to offer basic win, place, and show bets. Any less than this and we would state that they were poor when it comes to market coverage.

It can be expanded further with the likes of daily doubles, trifecta, superfecta, and a range of combination bets. This requires the punter to bet on the outcome of more than one horse in a single race. It makes it much tougher to call, but the rewards are incredibly high.

Check Out Our Popular Horse Racing Guides

Pool Betting
Learn all the details you need to know about pool betting in the USA. We’ll explain how it works, the best sites at which you can play, and more.
Pool Betting
Parimutuel Betting
Discover the best offshore sportsbooks and racebooks for online parimutuel betting. We'll explain what it is, how it works, the best strategies and more.
Parimutuel Betting
Exacta Bets
In this guide, we'll reveal everything you need to know about an exacta bet. We’ll tell you what these intriguing bet types are, how to use them, and more.
Exacta Betting
Horse Racing Free Bets
Wondering where you can find the best horse racing free bets? Join us as we reveal the top sportsbooks for horse racing free bets, the different types & more.
Horse Racing Free Bets
Virtual Horse Racing
This guide will take you through the best virtual horse racing betting sites, as well as taking you through the inner workings of virtual horse racing.
Virtual Horse Racing

How Does Horse Racing Betting Work in Florida?

Horse racing in Florida works in much the same way as it does in the rest of the country. You choose your race, pick your horse, decide on a betting market, and then place your bet.

The bones of horse racing betting are incredibly simple to get to terms with, the skill is making money!

One of the advantages of betting in Florida is that you have a handful of tracks that you can visit to watch live racing. The biggest benefit of this is that it allows you to see first-hand which horses might be worth betting and see how markets are moving at the track.

If do find yourself at one of the Florida horse racing tracks, don’t feel like you are confined to using the on-track bookmakers to place your bets. Online betting on horse racing is legal, so you can bet online to make sure you get the best price.

Odds aren’t always displayed on track as they would be online. At the track, some bookmakers change between fractional (more popular across Europe, especially the UK) and American-style odds. It’s worth learning how both work if you’re planning on betting at the track.

If you’re betting online, you’re going to be able to flick between the style of odds that you want to use. This might be American, decimal, or fractional.

FL Horse Racing Betting Explained

We want to run through a quick example of a betting site and how they might typically show horse racing betting odds.

An Example of a Florida Horse Racing Card

In the image above there are several key areas to note. The first section is the Win, Place, and Show. These are your bet types for this market and race. You simply enter your stake in those boxed and then click on the add to bet lisp. We talk more about

To find out the odds, you need to shift your attention to the M/L column which stands for morning line. These are your odds for the race, and they will change quite a bit as the race gets nearer.

As you can see, the odds are displayed as a fraction. The easiest way to work out returns is to assume that every unit in the right column returns the digit in the left. So, a 4/1 bet would mean that for every 1 unit staked, you would win 4 units.

FL Horse Racing Betting Odds

Choosing the best odds possible is the number one priority when it comes to horse racing betting. You need to be able to move between betting sites to take the best price as often as you can.

A major mistake we see from most punters is that they use one betting site and take whatever price they are offering for all bets. This is a massive leak.

The best betting sites offer competitive odds for Florida horse racing

In the image about you can see the odds for a race in the UK. The horses are listed vertically and the betting sites horizontally.

This should give you an idea of how the odds differ from site to site. For example, for Jabber to win, we have odds from as high as 7/4 to as low as 11/8. A little further down we have Delphinus at best price 5/1 and worst 7/2. This means that just by betting with the right betting site, you would make $15 extra for every $100 you staked, should the horse win.

Generally, horse racing odds fall into three categories. We’ve outlined these below.

Fixed Horse Racing Betting Odds FL

Fixed horse racing betting odds are where the betting site sets the price and then the user can take it or leave it. This is your more traditional style of bookmaking, although it’s not necessarily the most popular in the US.

Pari-Mutuel Betting for FL Horse Racing

Pari-mutuel betting is where you bet into a pool. Payouts from this bet will be based on the number of people who’ve wagered on the same result. The more people, the lower the payout. This is a common horse racing bet type in the United States.

Pool Betting for Horse Racing in FL

Pool betting for horse racing is a lot like pari-mutuel but the key difference is that pools can be fixed in terms of the payout. So, you still bet into the pool, but the odds are set by the bookmaker and then you gamble on if the payout is going to be more or less than you would have got with an even split with a pari-mutuel bet.

What Are the Different Types of Horse Racing Bets?

The best Florida horse racing sites offer several different types of bets.

Most horse races come with a range of bets you can place. It’s not a sport that has a huge range, but there is enough diversity to keep things feeling fresh and to allow you to take advantage of bets that offer high value.

Below we’ve highlighted a range of horse racing bets that you’re going to find from most online betting sites.

Win

The win bet is the most common and this is simply where you bet on the horse to win the race. If it does, then you make some money. If it fails to win, then you lose. Most bets placed on horse racing will be for the horse to win.

Place

The place bet is where you bet on a horse to finish in the top two spots. In some races that have huge fields (Grand National for example), some betting sites will expand the number of places that they payout on. For most races that are ten or fewer runners, the place bet will be the top two.

Show

The show bet is an extension of the place and instead of betting on the two places, this pays out on the top three places. In smaller field races the show bet is one of the easiest to call, but it also pays a lot less than the win or even the place.

Exacta

Exacta bets are the start of the combo bets for horse racing. This bet requires you to pick the first two horses in the race in the right order.

Trifecta

Trifecta bets are an extension of Exacta and for this, you need to pick the first three horses in the right order. The odds for these bets can be huge, especially if you throw in a longer-priced horse as well as one of the favorites.

Superfecta

The Superfecta takes things up another notch and for this, you need to choose the top four horses from the race. Like the previous two combo bets, you need all four horses in the correct order for this bet to win.

Daily Double

The daily double is where you choose the winner of back-to-back races from a single race meeting. This is not a bet where you choose two winners from any race, they must be races that follow on from each other.

Pick 3/4/5/6

Pick bets are an extension of the daily double and for this, you need to back multiple consecutive winners. They come in 3, 4, 5, and 6 (most meetings have a max of 6 races) picks, with each of them needing to be the race that follows.

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

FL Horse Racing Betting Terms

Horse racing has a lot of betting terms and abbreviations attached which can be confusing for beginners. Knowing each of these terms is imperative as it may be the difference between backing a winner or a donkey.

Below we’ve created a list of some of the more common horse racing betting terms that you need to know.

  • Across the board – A bet on a horse to win, place, and show
  • At the post – Signifies the start of the race
  • Blinkers – Headgear is worn by the horse to restrict their field of view (helps them concentrate)
  • Claiming Race – A race where all horses running are up for sale and have a fixed price attached
  • Classic – Race of particular importance (For example, Florida Classic)
  • Dead Heat – Two or more horses finish at the same time
  • DQ – A horse that’s been disqualified
  • Exotic bet – A bet that is not a win, place, or show
  • Favorite – Most likely to win the race
  • Furlong – 1/8th of a mile
  • Length – Distance that horses are measured in as they cross the line
  • Morning Line – Handicappers estimate what the odds on each horse will be
  • Odds – The price that you get when betting on a horse or market
  • PariMutuel – A bet that forms a pool of money and is distributed evenly to those who win the race
  • Purse – Amount of money that can be won by the horse owners/trainers
  • Tote Board – A board that contains the odds for that race
  • Wager – Bet that is placed on a race

Horse Racing Betting Calculator

When you place a bet on horse racing the bookmaker will automatically work out your return. This will be determined once the race has started or more commonly, once it’s finished (takes time to work out the money wagered and dividends that need to be paid out).

You can use tools like the Morning Line to get an idea of what professional handicappers think a reasonable starting price would be for that horse. Whilst this price is not the exact odds that you will get, it’s usually not too far away.

In the next section, we’re going to look at how to calculate the odds for horse racing betting.

How To Calculate Horse Racing Betting Odds

There are two types of odds that you need to know about.

Fixed odds are where the betting site chooses the odds for that horse to win and then the odds fluctuate based on the amount of money coming in. The more money that is bet on the horse, the lower the odds will be.

Pool betting or Pari-mutuel betting is where you bet into a pool. From here the odds are formulated after the race depending on the number of people who have bet on that horse.

For example, if you have a pool that 100 have equally (stake) entered and a race with 5 horses. Then payouts will be based on the number of people that have bet on each horse.

Assume that 100 people each bet $10, this makes a pool of $1,000. 50 people bet on one horse, then 10 each on the other four horses.

The total amount of money on the one horse that 50 people have bet on is $500. If that horse wins, then we need to divide $500 by 50, to make a profit of $10. If one of the other horses won, then they would pay out $10 each equally.

Florida Horse Racing Odds Chart:

To give you an overview of the odds available for horse racing betting we’ve created a table. In that table, we’ve included the American odds, payout from a $2 bet, and the implied winning percentage from those odds.

Horse Racing Betting Odds Chart
Odds Payout on $2 Bet Implied Winning Percentage
-500 $2.40 83.33%
-400 $2.50 80%
-300 $2.60 75%
-200 $3.00 66.67%
-150 $3.33 60%
-100 $4.00 50%
+200 $6.00 33.33%
+300 $8.00 25%
+500 $12 16.67%
+1000 $22 9.0%
+5000 $102 1.96%

Florida Horse Race Tracks

If you asked us which offers better value betting on horse racing, at the track or online? We would always say that betting online is our preferred method as you get better odds and in turn, better value.

However, you can’t beat a day at the races and the atmosphere is truly unrivaled. The elation when your horse wins is second to none, especially if you’ve won with a group of friends.

Horse racing in Florida allows you access to a lot of very good racetracks and some not so good. Below we’ve taken the top 5 horse racing tracks in the state and highlighted what you can expect from each.

Hialeah Park – 100 E 32nd St, Hialeah, FL 33013

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

Opened in 1922 originally as a dog racing track, Hialeah Park was switched to horse racing in 1925. The Park is one of the most popular in the state and in 2009 saw a return for Quaterhorse racing. On-site is a casino, restaurants, and live entertainment.

Tampa Bay Downs – 11225 Racetrack Rd, Tampa, FL 33626

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

Tampa Bay Downs is a party town for horse racing. The nightlife is as famous as the racing and the site includes casinos, live music venues, places to eat, and tons of evening entertainment. This is one of the winter venues for the state and is open for racing from November to May, with an additional 2-day meet at the end of June.

Florida Quarter Horse Racing – 9085 Magnolia Hill Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32309

Florida Quarter Horse Racing is, as the name would suggest, home to quarter horses. These are some of the fastest in the country and they travel from far and wide to race here. The track is made of dirt and is incredibly quick, making for an exceptional spectacle.

Pompano Park – 777 Isle of Capri, Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Pompano Park is as well known for its casino as it is its rich history in harness racing. This is another site that takes advantage of the warm winters in Florida but has 365 days of entertainment based within the casino.

Gulf Stream Park Racing and Casino – 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009

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

The Gulf Stream Park Racing and Casino is one of the most iconic horse racing spots in the state. It has races running from December through to October and is only closed for one month to carry out essential track maintenance. It’s home to the Triple Crown which includes the Holy Bull Stakes, Fountain of Youth Stakes, and the Florida Derby.

List of Florida Horse Racing Tracks
Horse Race Track in Florida Address Phone Number Notable Races
Hialeah Park 100 E 32nd St, Hialeah, FL 33013 +1 305-885-8000 N/A
Tampa Bay Downs 11225 Racetrack Rd, Tampa, FL 33626 +1 813-855-4401 Tampa Bay Derby
Florida Quarter Horse Racing 9085 Magnolia Hill Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32309 +1 850-345-4777 N/A
Pompano Park 777 Isle of Capri, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 +1 954-972-2000 N/A
Gulf Stream Park Racing and Casino 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 +1 954-454-7000 Florida Derby

The History of Florida Horse Racing

In the table below we’ve taken a trip down memory lane with the Florida horse racing history. Florida is one of the top states in the United States for horse racing.

A Timeline of the History of Florida Horse Racing
Date Description
1921 Pari-mutuel betting was legalized in the state for the first time and became very popular with horse racing.
1930 Horse racing is firmly established in the state. Miami is often referred to as the “center” for horse racing in Florida.
1964 Harness racing was introduced in the state for the first time.
2001 Florida went down to just four tracks; Gulfstream, Calder, Tampa Bay, and Pompano Bay
2004 Counties within the state were able to link casinos to horse racing tracks. A much-needed boost for the sport.

 

Florida Horse Racing Schedule 2023

We’ve taken the best races from the Florida circuit and included them in the table below. These races are recognized throughout the country and some are feeders into bigger races such as the Kentucky Derby.

Florida Horse Racing Schedule 2023
Florida Horse Race  Florida Horse Racetrack Date
Holy Bull Stakes Gulfstream January
Donn Handicap Gulfstream January/Early February
Fountain of Youth Stakes Gulfstream February
Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Downs March
Florida Derby Gulfstream End March/Beginning April

Florida Derby 2023

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

The Florida Derby is the biggest race of the year in the state. It’s run at the end of March or early April at Gulfstream Park and comes with a massive $750,000 purse.

The race is run over 9 furlongs and is a classic sprint race if ever there was one. The race is only open to three-year-old horses and takes place 5 weeks before the Kentucky Derby of which this Grade 1 race is a feeder.

It’s been running since 1952 and no less than 20 winners of the race have gone on to win the illustrious Triple Crown, which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

In the table below we’ve included the results of the Florida Derby 2021. Include are the Florida Derby entries and Florida Derby results.

Florida Derby 2021 Results
Florida Derby Results 2021 Florida Derby 2021 Entries Florida Derby 2021 Odds
1 Known Agenda 5-1
2 Soup and Sandwich 20-1
3 Greatest Honour 6-5
4 Nova Rags 12-1
5 Collaborate 6-1
6 Southern Passage 30-1

Comparing Betting at the Racetrack with Online Horse Racing Betting in Florida

Betting at the racetrack has a certain lure. There are aspects that you just don’t get when you bet online. The atmosphere is one, but also the ability to study horses before they go down to post.

However, there is little substitute for betting online. Most people are trying to win money, whilst also having some fun, but the easiest way to maximize those winnings is by betting online.

When you bet online you get access to more races, more data, better odds, betting bonuses, and horse racing tools, which allow you to make more informed picks.

The table below shows the pros and cons of online and at-the-track horse racing betting in Florida.

Comparing Betting at the Racetrack with Online Horse Racing Betting in Florida
Betting at the Racetrack Online Horse Racing Betting
✅ Able to see horses before they go down to post ✅ Easier to shop around and get the best prices
✅ Great experience, especially taking advantage of the Floridian weather. ✅ Value is often higher online due to lower margins compared to track-side bookies
❌ Odds can be poor across the board ✅ Welcome bonuses and horse racing promotions
❌ Can only bet on races on the day ✅ Huge range of races to choose from
❌ No bonuses or promotions to access ✅ More markets to bet on

General Terms and Conditions at Horse Racing Betting Sites in Florida

When you open a new account and claim the welcome bonus, you’re going to need to be aware of a few terms and conditions that will be applied.

One is that you need to roll over any bonus claimed. This means that you need to stake a multiple of that bonus. For example, a $1,000 bonus that has a 10x rollover applied means that you need to stake $10,000 before that $1,000 is turned into cash.

You also need to be aware that bonuses need to be wagered within a timeframe. Usually, you get 30 days before they expire, but it’s uncommon to see as short as 7 days with some offers (you likely want to avoid these).

The table below shows the best betting sites for horse racing in Florida and the welcome bonuses attached. We’ve also included the rollover requirement for each of these.

Comparing Welcoming Bonuses at The Best Online Horse Racing Sites in Florida
Brand  Welcome Bonus Offer Rollover Requirement
Twin Spires Up to $200 Bonus Money Risk Free Bonus
TVG 50% Deposit Match up to $250 Risk Free Bonus
BetOnline $1000 Welcome Bonus 10x Rollover of Bonus
XBet 100% Up To $500 – No Code Required 7x Rollover of Bonus
Bovada Up To $1,000 – BVD1000 10x Rollover of Bonus
MyBookie 100% Deposit Bonus Up To $1000 10x Rollover of Bonus
BetUS 150% Up To $3,000 15x Rollover of Bonus
BUSR 20% Up To $500 – WELCOME20 5x Rollover of Bonus
SportsBettting.ag 100% Welcome Bonus Up To $1000 – KICK100 10x Rollover of Bonus

Florida Horse Racing Betting Bonuses

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

When it comes to bonuses, it’s not always just a welcome bonus that you can claim with horse racing. Below we’ve included a range of bonuses that you can claim and, in the table, highlighted which betting sites offer what sort of promotions and bonuses.

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus is usually eh biggest bonus you can claim in terms of monetary value. Most of them are worth at least $1,000 in terms of bonus cash and the biggest can be as high $10,000. The majority lie somewhere in the middle of this.

A welcome bonus will be based on your first deposit and then a match of that amount. Most are 100% matched, but again, these can range anywhere between 50% and 200%.

Loyalty Bonus

Loyalty bonuses are sometimes rolled into VIP sections. These are promos that reward people for betting with that betting site.

The bonuses can often be labeled as a “reload bonus” which means that if you make another deposit following your first, you get another bonus.

Racebook-Specific Bonuses

A racebook-specific bonus is one that is targeted at horse racing. These can be along the lines of betting on X race and getting X amount of bonus money. They can also work the same as a welcome bonus, but the clearing terms will usually be linked to horse racing bets.

Moneyback Offers

One of the more common offers that you can claim with some Florida horse racing betting sites, is a moneyback offer. This is where you bet on the result of the race and if your pick fails to win or potentially place depending on the bet types, you get your stake back (ideally as cash, sometimes as a bonus).

Enhanced Odds

Enhanced odds are some of the most popular horse racing betting offers you can access. These are simply where the betting site increases the odds for one or more of the horses in a race. For example, they might jump from +500 to +800 on the win market.

Use the table below to see what bonuses each of our top Florida betting sites accommodate. Please note that these bonuses are rarely all running at the same time, but the table reflects that at some point, they have been live.

Comparing The Best Florida Horse Racing Betting Bonuses
Welcome Bonus   Loyalty Racebook Moneyback Enhanced Odds
TVG
Twin Spires
BetOnline
XBet
Bovada
MyBookie
BetUS
BUSR
Sportsbetting.ag
BetNow

Virtual Horse Racing Betting

Virtual horse racing is starting to gain popularity in the US. As the name would suggest these races are virtual and you’re basically betting on a computer-generated outcome for the race.

Florida Horse Racing Betting Apps

TVG Betting App for Florida Horse Racing

The switch to mobile betting is in full flow and most punters are betting on their phone instead of betting online. The ability to access betting sites on the go and take advantage of brilliant user interfaces within the app, making Florida horse racing apps an obvious choice.

Florida Horse Racing Betting Apps for iPhone

Both Twin Spires and TVG offer iPhone apps. You can download both from the App Store. All you need to do is search for them once you get into the App Store and then click on the “Get” button.

FL Horse Racing Betting Apps for Android

Android horse racing apps are much more accessible. You can open any of these betting sites within the Android browser and save them to your phone as an app. If you want to download directly from the Google Play Store, then Bovada, TVG, and Twin Spires are your best options.

How To Start Betting on Horse Racing Sites in Florida

We’re going to walk you through the process of placing your first bet on a Florida horse racing site. The guide below will use XBet, but you’re able to copy this process into just about any horse racing betting site.

Step 1 – Open a New Account

The first thing you need to do is open an account. To do this, click this link and then select the join button at the top of the page.

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

Step 2 – Find the Horse Racing Section

Once logged in, it’s time to find the horse racing section. With XBet you will need to click on “racebook” at the top of the page.

Step 3 – Choose Your Race

When you enter the racebook you now use the menu to choose the meeting you want to find a race at. Then you just click on the race to open the racecard.

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

Step 4 – Choose and Place Your Bet

The racecard will highlight all the runners for that race. enter your stake next to the horse you want to bet on and then click on “Add to Bet slip”. Once the bet is there, confirm your stake and then confirm the bet.

A bet slip from a Florida horse racing site

Other Types of Gambling in Florida

There are several other forms of gambling you can access in Florida. NFL betting is one of the most popular sports, with the Miami. Dolphins betting the team of choice. Like in most states, Super Bowl betting generates the most excitement at the Florida sportsbooks.

You also get access to online casinos games as well as online poker within all of the sportsbooks (not TVG) that we’ve listed on this page.

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

We’ve listed 10 excellent horse racing betting sites in Florida on this page. Picking one is not easy and to be honest, comes down to personal preference.

However, we fully stand by our earlier claims that Twin Spires is the best betting site for horse racing in Florida. Not only do they cover hundreds of racetracks from around the world, but it’s packed with features, betting tools, live streaming and comes with a nice $200 risk-free bet.

What horse race is in Florida?

How many horse racetracks are in Florida?

Is betting on horse racing legal in Florida?

Jonathan has been working within the iGaming sector since 2007. After graduating with a BA Hons in Marketing from Northumbria University, he's been able to set up his own online content business, working with some of the biggest brands in the iGaming sector. Outside of work he enjoys any type of sports, especially cricket, golf, football and darts.

More on horse racing …
Horse Racing in Your State
Recent Posts