California is, unsurprisingly, one of the biggest markets when it comes to wagering on horse races. Southern California is home to the final stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby; the Santa Anita Derby is typically the last prep race before the horses and their jockeys head to Churchill Downs. This iconic thoroughbred racing event has been held in CA for almost a century.
The best California horse racing betting sites offer horse racing fans great sportsbooks bonuses, secure payouts and hundreds of online wagering options each day. We review them in-depth right here.
| SPORTSBOOK | TRUST SCORE | ONLINE SINCE | Expert Review | BONUS | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2011
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$750 Cash Bonus
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2001
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100% Free Play
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1996
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$500 Cash Bonus
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2002
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55% Cash Bonus
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1996
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$1,000 Cash Bonus
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2001
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$250 Free Bet
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2014
|
50% Free Play
|
Is betting on horse racing legal in California?
Horse racing has been legal in the Golden State since 1933. Betting is possible at racetracks, off-track betting facilities, websites and mobile apps. You can enjoy legal online horse racing betting at a wide variety of online sports betting sites in California.
California Horse Racing FAQs
Does California have horse racing?
California has a vibrant horse racing scene. Its most famous track is Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, but you can also see live races at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club near San Diego, and Golden Gate Fields near San Francisco.
What is the famous horse race in California?
The most famous horse race in CA is the Santa Anita Derby, which is the final stop before the Kentucky Derby each year. The Breeders’ Cup has also been held at Santa Anita Park.
Can I bet on Kentucky Derby in California?
Yes, you can use any of the online sites for horse race betting that we have covered here. Any of these sites will have betting options for you to wager on the Kentucky Derby and other Triple Crown races.
What are the four horse racing tracks in California?
Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley and Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress.
What famous racehorse is from California?
California Chrome is the only horse from California that became famous. In 2014, he won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.
Ranking the Top 10 Betting Sites for Horse Racing in California
Our experts have identified the top 10 betting sites for horseplayers in California right now:
- Heritage Sports – VIP service for all horse racing bettors
- Bovada – Great loyalty program for racebook bettors
- BetOnline – Offers an excellent racebook rebate
- BetAnySports – Reduced juice sportsbook with horse racing section
- BookMaker – Accepts action from all horseplayers
- WagerWeb – Same-day bitcoin payouts for racebook players
- JustBet – Competitive fixed odds on big races
- Everygame – Very simple user experience
- SportsBetting.ag – Large betting limits on fixed-odds markets
- BetUS – Interesting previews of Triple Crown races
These online sportsbooks are all based offshore, which means they offer online wagering on sports and horse races, along with casino gaming. Your options are far more limited if you sign up with locally regulated sites like TwinSpires or TVG. If you register with one of the sites listed above, you can place all of your online bets under one roof and will have access to broader betting opportunities.
We have carefully vetted these California horse racing betting sites to ensure they pay out quickly and without any issues. They are highly trustworthy offshore sportsbook operators that have been in business for many years, so you can rely on them to treat you fairly.
Reviewing the Best California Horse Racing Betting Sites
1. VIP Service for All Horseplayers: Heritage Sports
Key Features
- Pays full track odds at major tracks and various smaller tracks
- Excellent mobile racebook
Heritage Sports is an elite all-around betting site with a reduced juice sportsbook, an excellent online casino and a full-service racebook. The focus is firmly on ease and convenience, so it is especially useful for mobile bettors. It pays full track odds at many different venues, and you will receive a quick, secure payout if you succeed.
This betting site was initially only open to players who were invited, but the owners eventually bowed down to intense demand and opened it up to all bettors. That is great news for anyone in California who wants to bet on horses while on the move, as you will not find a more accessible mobile racebook in the Golden State. Bettors can also take advantage of one of Heritage Sports’ generous bonus offers which are available.
2. Great Bonuses and Loyalty Program: Bovada
Key Features
- Welcome bonus can be used on California horse racing
- Pays up to $100,000 on Triple Crown races and $30,000 on major tracks
Bovada offers a terrific online racebook alongside its world-class sportsbook, its huge online casino and America’s busiest poker room. The user experience is similar to BookMaker’s. It pays up to $100,000 on the biggest races of the year. Additional benefits include same-day crypto payouts and excellent customer service.
The Bovada welcome bonus encapsulates racing bets. With a Bovada promo code, you will receive a 75% bonus up to $750, which has a 6x rollover requirement if you use it in the racebook. The Bovada loyalty program is also excellent. You get 2 points for every $1 you place on a straight sports bet. That goes all the way up to 40 points for a $1 straight racebook wager and 60 points for every $1 you wager on racebook exotics.
3. Excellent Horse Racing Rebate: BetOnline
Key Features
- Offers a large racebook rebate
- Fast and reliable racebook interface
BetOnline is a great option for fixed-odds futures on Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races. It releases odds several weeks in advance, and they tend to be more attractive than rival sites. You will also benefit from slick software, same-day withdrawals and a generous rebate of 4% on straight bets and 9% on exotics.
The $250 free bet welcome bonus does not cover the racebook, but BetOnline will give you a $25 risk-free bet to use on a horse race. If your first racebook bet loses, you will get your money back as a free play token, which has a 6x rollover requirement. The rest of the bonus package must be used on sports wagering. With that said, there are enticing BetOnline promo codes and rebates to enjoy all over the site.
4. Reduced Juice Sportsbook with Racebook Section: BetAnySports
Key Features
- Monthly, weekly and daily rebates available
- Cash bonuses available despite reduced juice model
This is a reduced juice sportsbook that offers discounted lines on leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. It also hosts a comprehensive racebook covering action from across the globe, with large win limits. There is a cash rebate of 3% on straight bets and 6% on exotics, paid out on winning and losing bets. You will also benefit from 24/7 customer service.
BetAnySports offers a 25% cash bonus as its welcome bonus. The maximum you can receive is $500, so you would need to deposit $2,000 of your own money to claim that. It can be used for wagering on horse races. You need to complete a 6x rollover requirement on your deposit amount and the bonus funds, as is the case at Bovada.
5. Accepts Action from All Bettors: BookMaker
Key Features
- Provides a rebate of up to 8% on winning and losing bets
- Quick to release fixed-odds futures on horse races
Bookmaker.eu is our No. 1 racebook in California. It offers a very clean, simple and reliable user experience for horseplayers in the Golden State. You can place wagers quickly and efficiently on a wide array of U.S. and international meetings every day.
All customers benefit from a daily rebate of 3% on win, place and show bets, and 8% on exotic bets, including winners and losers. There are no weekly volume requirements, and there is also no maximum amount to what you can earn. There are also a number of bonuses and promos at this online sportsbook. BookMaker accepts all action, so this is the best option for professional horseplayers, but it is also perfect for casual bettors.
Comparing the Best Sites for Horse Racing in California
You can use dedicated online racing sites like TwinSpires, which provide lots of features, extremely detailed racecards and various handicapping tools. However, they cannot offer sports betting or online casino gaming and they are also daunting for newcomers.
For the purposes of this review process, our experts concentrated on betting sites that offer horse racing, sports wagering and casino gaming in one place to California bettors. That makes life easier for bettors, as you only need one account. The sites featured on this page also offer a very simple, user-friendly racebook experience. These are some of the areas we focused on when we reviewed the various betting sites that accept California horseplayers:
Horse Racing Fixed Odds
Track betting parlors in California only offer legal pari-mutuel wagering or pool betting. California betting sites such as BetOnline, BookMaker and Bovada provide fixed-odds futures on big races such as the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic. We sought out sites that are quick to release their lines and that offer above-average fixed odds. The odds available will generally differ from one horse to the next, so you can consider signing up with a few of these sites to ensure you get the best odds on each runner.
Horse Racing Betting Options
The top racebooks accept a variety of straight bets and exotic wagers. That includes betting on the win, place, show, across the board, exacta, trifecta, boxed exacta, boxed trifecta, exacta wheel, head-to-heads, Daily Doubles, Pick 3, Pick 4 and so on. The best online horse racing betting sites make it easy to place all types of bets.
Horse Racing Betting Promotions
Great horse racing promotions can make the difference between a horseplayer earning a profit and slumping to a loss in the long term. In a game of fine margins, regular rebates and money-back specials can be very helpful.
Special Features for Horse Racing
The best online horse race betting sites in California will provide tools, past performance information and features to help you make educated betting decisions. We should point out that offshore sites cannot compete with the likes of TVG and TwinSpires in this regard, but you can find some interesting previews and stats at some of the sites we have featured on this page.
Horse Racing Welcome Bonus
Sign-up offers are a way that a lot of sites strive to get the attention of bettors and encourage them to sign up. We looked for sites that offer appealing sportsbook bonuses with achievable rollover requirements, plus plenty of recurring promos. Most sportsbooks do not allow you to use the welcome bonus on horse races, but you can use the Bovada sign-up offer within its racebook. BetOnline also welcomes new customers with a $25 risk-free racebook bet.
User Experience
The user experience is very important for horse racing bettors. There are races going off every few minutes at busy times of the day, so you need a site that allows you to find a race quickly and get your bets on as efficiently as possible. Sites like BookMaker, Bovada and BetOnline do not provide the extremely detailed racecards available at the likes of TVG, but they make it much quicker and easier for you to place bets, either via a mobile device or a computer.
Live Streaming
Live streaming can enhance the user experience as the best California horse racing betting sites. You can place your bets and watch the race unfold all in one place. Sites such as BetOnline offer live streaming of major events like the Kentucky Derby.
Best California Horse Racing Betting Sites
The top California horse racing betting sites share a variety of traits, which we have laid out below:
Brand Reputation
We only recommend California racebooks that have been paying customers out in full and on time for more than a decade. The horse racing betting sites featured on this page have been in business for many years – some were available in the 1990s – and they have all proven themselves to be highly trustworthy operators. If a brand’s reputation is damaged, we will not hesitate to remove it from our top online sportsbooks list.
Payment Options
The best horse racing betting sites in California provide lots of payment options. That includes bank transfers, wire transfers, P2P transfers, credit cards, debit cards and e-wallets such as Skrill, plus a variety of cryptocurrency options, from Bitcoin and Ether to Tether and USDC. They process payouts quickly, so your winnings often arrive on the same day you request them.
Safety & Security
The California horse racing betting sites highlighted on this page have perfect security records. They have not suffered issues in this department, which is a testament to the advanced encryption they use. Once again, if a racebook suffers a security breach, we will warn players and remove it from our list.
Speed & User-Friendliness
Speed is imperative when betting on horse racing. It is a gut-wrenching feeling to miss out on placing a bet because the site was too slow, especially if your horse goes on to win the race. For that reason, we selected quick, reliable racebooks that do not suffer issues like page freezing and crashes.
Customer Support
We know how helpful it can be to receive 24/7 customer support when you are betting on racing from around the world. You may need clarification on a rule or a dead heat, for instance, or you might have an issue with a bet you placed, so the ability to speak to an experienced agent without being kept on hold is crucial. The top California horse racing sites on this page provide great customer service.
Overall Value on Offer
You can weigh up a variety of criteria when assessing the overall value on offer at an online racebook:
- The quality of the fixed odds on big races.
- The size of the rebates and promotions.
- The generosity of the bonuses.
- The lack of deposit and withdrawal fees.
When you have weighed all of those factors up, you can judge the overall value on offer. We rate BookMaker very highly because it offers free Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals, it refunds Bitcoin network fees you incur and it also offers a daily 8% cash rebate – win or lose – on racebook bets.
How To Bet on Horse Races in California
The best way to bet on horse races online in California is to sign up with one of our A+ rated betting sites:
- BookMaker
- Heritage Sports
- Bovada
- BetOnline
They take bets on horse racing, sports, esports, politics, entertainment, slots, table games and live dealer games, which is very convenient. Bovada and BetOnline also offer online poker rooms.
How does horse racing betting work in California?
Most horse races in the United States are paid out on a pari-mutuel basis. The money wagered on each market goes into a pool. The industry takes a small cut, and the remaining money in the pool is split between horseplayers with winning tickets.
When you place a pari-mutuel bet, you do not know how much you stand to win if you guess correctly. The morning line odds from the track handicapper give you an indication, but they are never exact.
However, you will occasionally find fixed-odds futures on big races like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Santa Anita Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Fixed odds betting is also popular in countries like the UK and Ireland. In that case, you know exactly how much you stand to win when you place the bet.
Horse Racing Betting Odds
When fixed odds are available on a horse race, they will either be presented in the American format or the fractional format. We have explained each of them below, and we have also highlighted how to calculate your payout from a pari-mutuel bet.
Fixed Odds for Horse Racing Betting in California
If horse racing odds are presented in the American format, they will start with a plus or a minus:
- If the odds begin with a plus, it tells you the profit you would earn by placing a $100 bet.
- A $100 bet at +500 would earn you a $500 profit.
- When the odds start with a minus, it explains the amount you must lay down to win $100.
- A $125 bet at -125 would net you a $100 profit.
You can bet any amount you like, as the numbers are just there to guide you. For example, a $10 bet at +500 would earn you a $50 profit of the horse won. You get your bet amount back if your wager is successful, so your return would be $60.
As the name suggests, fractional odds will be presented as a fraction. You simply multiply your bet amount by the fraction to calculate your potential profit:
- A $10 bet at 7/2 would result in a $35 profit.
- A $10 bet at 5/1 would lead to a $50 profit.
- A $10 bet at 4/5 would result in an $8 profit.
As you can see, American odds of +500 convert to fractional odds of 5/1, while American odds of -125 equate to fractional odds of 4/5.
When you place a fixed-odds horse racing bet, you can choose to be paid out at the odds available at that time. That means you do not need to worry about the odds becoming less appealing as the race draws closer.
Pari-Mutuel Betting in California
Most horse racing bets in California are calculated on a pari-mutuel basis. The money wagered on each market – the win, the exacta, the trifecta and so on – goes into a pool, and the industry takes a small slice before distributing the remainder among winning bettors.
The tote board will reveal the payout available on each market. For example, on the 2022 Kentucky Derby:
- A $2 win bet on Rich Strike paid $163.60
- A $2 place on Rich Strike paid $74.20 and a $2 show paid $29.40
- A $2 place on Epicenter paid $7.40 and a $2 show paid $5.20
- A $2 show on Zandon paid $5.60
- A $1 exacta paid $2,050.60
- A $0.50 trifecta paid $7,435.35
- A $1 superfecta paid $321,500.10
You simply multiply your bet amount by those dividends to calculate your total return. If you had bet $20 on Rich Strike, you would have received $1,636 as your payout. Had you only bet $1, you would have received $81.80. Meanwhile, a $1 superfecta bet paid a cool $321,500.10. These payouts include your profit and the return of your bet amount.
Pool Betting on California Horse Races
Pool betting is another way to describe pari-mutuel betting. This is how payouts on most California horse races are calculated.
What are the different types of horse racing bets?
Win: A straight bet on a horse to cross the finish line first.
Place: A wager on a horse to finish either second or third. You will receive a smaller payout on the place than the win.
Show: A bet on a horse to finish first, second or third. You can also place an across-the-board bet, which divides your stake into three parts – one on the win, one on the place and another on the show.
Exacta: An exotic bet on the horses that will finish first and second, in that exact order. If you do not want to specify the finishing order, place a quinella bet, which allows you to predict the first two horses to finish but in any order. You can also group a bunch of horses together for an exacta box.
Trifecta: A prediction on the winner, the runner-up and the third-place horse, in that exact order.
Superfecta: A bet on the winner, the runner-up, the third-place horse and the fourth-place horse, in that precise order.
Daily Double: A prediction on the winners of two consecutive races on the same day.
Pick 3/4/5/6: Pick the winner in three, four, five or six consecutive races on a card for a larger payout.
California Horse Racing Betting Terms
These are the key California horse racing terms to acquaint yourself with:
- Across the board: Three bets – one on the win, one on the place and one on the show.
- At the post: The horses are lining up to the start of the race. Betting ends at this time at most racebooks, although some offer in-play bets.
- Blinders: Headgear placed upon a horse to restrict its field of vision. This can be helpful or detrimental, depending on the horse.
- Claiming Race: A horse race in which every runner is up for sale.
- Dead Heat: This occurs when two or more horses finish at exactly the same time.
- DQ: A horse has been disqualified
- Exotic Bet: A bet that combines multiple outcomes, such as an exacta or trifecta.
- Favorite: The horse with the highest implied probability of success and the lowest potential payout.
- Fixed Odds: These odds highlight the precise profit that you would earn if your chosen horse wins. This is different to standard pari-mutuel betting.
- Furlong: This distance is one-eighth of a mile.
- Length: The full length of a horse. This is often used to describe how comfortable a horse’s margin of victory was, along with a head, a neck or a nose.
- Morning Line: The official track handicapper’s prediction on the eventual odds each horse will essentially have in the pari-mutuel payout.
- Pari-Mutuel Betting: The main method used to determine horse racing payouts in California. The money goes into a pari-mutuel wagering pool, which is split between winning bettors after the industry takes a cut.
- Purse: The total prize money issued to the owners of the horses in a race, with the winning owner taking the largest slice.
- Tote Board: A digital board that highlights the payout dividends for each market on the most recent race at a track.
- Triple Crown: The three leading races for three-year-olds in America: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
- Wager: Another term for a bet.
How To Calculate Horse Racing Betting Odds
When you place a fixed-odds horse racing bet, the betslip will inform you of the payout you stand to receive. You will be credited with the funds after the race if you guess correctly.
On pari-mutuel bets, the track dividend will determine your payout. Once again, when pari-mutuel betting, you will be paid out after the race based on that dividend. However, if you want to calculate it yourself, you can use an online tool or refer to our chart below, which guides you on horse racing payouts.
California Horse Racing Odds Chart:
This chart highlights the payout you would earn from a $2 bet at a variety of fixed odds. We have shown the fractional odds first, as that format is popular at racebooks; we have shown the American odds conversion in brackets. You will also see the implied probability of success that each price suggests in the final column.
| Horse Racing Odds | $2 Wager Payout | Implied Probability of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| 1/5 (-500) | $2.40 | 83.33% |
| 1/4 (-400) | $2.50 | 80% |
| 1/3 (-300) | $2.60 | 75% |
| 1/2 (-200) | $3.00 | 66.67% |
| 4/6 (-150) | $3.33 | 60% |
| 1/1 (-100) | $4.00 | 50% |
| 2/1 (+200) | $6.00 | 33.33% |
| 3/1 (+300) | $8.00 | 25% |
| 5/1 (+500) | $12 | 16.67% |
| 10/1 (+1000) | $22 | 9.00% |
| 50/1 (+5000) | $102 | 1.96% |
California Horse Race Tracks
Most of the big races in California take place at Santa Anita. There are some excellent races at the Del Mar and Golden Gate horse tracks too, and California also hosts satellite racing and a variety of minor race meetings at fairgrounds and low-key venues. These are the most prominent racing venues in the Golden State and their respective leading races:
- Cal-Expo – Bob Staats Pacing Series
- Del Mar – Pacific Classic
- Ferndale – Ferndale Arabian Stakes
- Golden Gate – California Derby
- Los Alamitos – Ed Burke Million Futurity
- Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack – California Wine Stakes
- Santa Anita – Santa Anita Derby
The History of Horse Racing in California
Horse racing was popular in California back in the 19th century. Records state that a 1-mile oval race track was built in Pleasanton in 1858, which makes it the country’s oldest track. These are the key dates that chart the progress of California horse racing:
- April 2022: The California Horse Racing Board approves a rule allowing jockeys to use riding crops only for safety purposes, banning them for encouragement.
- June 2019: A bill that would have allowed race tracks in California to administer furosemide, also known as Lasix, to horses on race day fails to pass in the state legislature.
- December 2018: Santa Anita Park, one of the most famous horse racing tracks in California, suffers a spike in horse fatalities, leading to temporary closures and increased scrutiny of the sport.
- May 2018: The Supreme Court lifts a federal ban on sports betting, allowing states like California to pursue legalization of the activity.
- July 2017: The California Horse Racing Board approves a rule requiring trainers to submit medical records for horses before they race, in an effort to improve safety and prevent horse fatalities.
- October 2015: California Governor Jerry Brown signs a bill legalizing online horse race betting in the state, expanding options for bettors who can now place bets from their computers or mobile devices.
California Horse Racing Betting Bonuses
There are a variety of different bonus opportunities for horseplayers. We explore some of the most common offers below.
Welcome Bonus
Some sportsbook welcome bonus offers can be used on horse racing. For example, Bovada’s 75% up to $750 sign-up bonus is available for racing bets, and you need to complete a 6x rollover requirement on the funds before cashing out.
Risk-Free Bet
You may receive risk-free bets on horse racing at certain sites. For example, BetOnline gives all new customers a $25 risk-free bet to use in the racebook. It is also an excellent source of free bets on sports.
Loyalty/VIP Program
You will often be awarded loyalty points when you place wagers on horse races, sporting events and casino games at an online betting site. They will stack up in your account, and you can exchange them for a free bet further down the line.
Racebook Rebates
Racebook rebates are available at the best horse racing sites in California. The operator will normally give you back a percentage of your losses as site credit, which you must then roll over 1x before cashing out any profits. Bookmaker.eu goes one step further by providing a rebate on all your racebook bets – win or lose.
Bonus Terms and Conditions at California Horse Racing Betting Sites
Bonuses at California horse racing betting sites come with terms and conditions. They explain the minimum deposit and/or bet amount required to claim the bonus funds, and the time limit to fulfill your rollover. You will also learn who qualifies for the bonus and how to redeem it.
Rollover Requirements
This explains how many times you need to play your bonus funds before making a withdrawal. For example, a 6x rollover requirement is applied to the bonus credits and your deposit amount at Bovada. If you deposit $100, you will be given $100 in bonus funds, leaving you with $200 in total. You must then place $1,200 worth of bets before you can cash out any money left in the pot.
Virtual Horse Racing Betting in California
You can bet on simulations of horse races at some online sites in California. They are controlled by Random Number Generators, which determine the finishing order of the horses. In that regard, they are just like video slots. You can place bets on how the virtual race will end.
California Horse Racing Betting Apps
California horse racing betting apps make it quick and easy for you to wager on action from across the United States and around the world. They are simple to download, and they are optimized for mobile play.
California Horse Racing Betting Apps for iPhone
You can download California horse racing betting apps such as TwinSpires via the App Store on your iPhone or iPad. Alternatively, visit a mobile-optimized site such as BookMaker or Heritage Sports for a seamless mobile wagering experience.
California Horse Racing Betting Apps for Android
Head to Google Play to download a horse bet app for an Android device. Once again, you can alternatively just visit a mobile version of one of the sites listed on this page. That means you will not need to download a native app, it will not take up space on your phone and you never need to worry about upgrades.
How to Start Betting at Horse Racing Sites in California
- Choose your favorite California racebook after carefully reviewing our guide.
- Hit the “Join Now” button and fill in the registration form.
- Make a deposit using any of the methods selected.
- Click “Racebook” at the top of the page and choose an upcoming race.
- Check the win, place or show box next to a horse to place a straight bet.
- Use the separate tabs to create an exacta, trifecta or superfecta.
- Type in your risk amount and click “Place Bet.”
Other Types of Gambling in California
California does not have locally-regulated online casinos and online sportsbooks due to its strict gambling laws. Unfortunately for sports bettors, recent legislative efforts to expand those gambling laws to allow legal sports wagering failed.
However, it is perfectly legal for you to use offshore sites like BookMaker and Heritage Sports, which take bets on races, as well as offer online sports betting and casino gambling like online slots and table games. Bovada and BetOnline go one step further by offering online poker tournaments and cash games too.
What is the best site for horse racing betting in California?
We rate BookMaker as the best site for horse racing betting in California. It offers a similar user experience to Heritage Sports, Bovada and BetOnline, but it also provides a great rebate, free deposits and withdrawals and sharp fixed-odds futures, along with excellent customer service. According to all of the criteria we use in our Rating Guide, BookMaker passes with flying colors.
