Delaware locals looking to place wagers on horse races in-person and online have the legal right to do so. It was one of just four states exempt from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection of 1992 (PASPA).
Horse racing in Delaware has a rich history dating back hundreds of years and its horse-wagering stance also holds a historical position as far back as the 1930s. Today’s guide will cover all of this and more, including an overview of the state’s entire horse racing industry and the best Delaware online betting sites for horse racing in 2024.
| SPORTSBOOK | TRUST SCORE | ONLINE SINCE | Expert Review | BONUS | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2001
|
100% Free Play
|
|||
|
|
1996
|
$500 Cash Bonus
|
|||
|
|
2001
|
$250 Free Bet
|
|||
|
|
2002
|
55% Cash Bonus
|
|||
|
|
1994
|
30% Cash Bonus
|
|||
|
|
1996
|
$500 Cash Bonus
|
Is horse race betting legal in Delaware?
Horse racing betting is completely legal in Delaware and residents have been wagering on horse racing since the 1930s. The Department of Agriculture Thoroughbred Racing Commission oversees horse racing and online horse racing betting in Delaware.
However, many Delaware residents opt to use offshore betting sites. These sites can offer a bigger variety when it comes to types of bets and bonus offers. Offshore sites also tend to have better odds on horses, as well as offering online casino games and betting on all types of sports markets.
Delaware Horse Racing FAQs
What is the famous horse race in Delaware?
The most famous race in Delaware is the Barbaro Stakes, which is held every July at Delaware Park Racetrack in Stanton.
Does Dover Downs still have horse racing?
Even though it’s called Bally’s Dover Casino Resort now, the track that was once Dover Downs is still alive and well. Live harness races are held from November to March.
How long is the Delaware Park racetrack?
The Delaware Park racetrack, located in Wilmington, Delaware, is a one-mile dirt oval. In addition to the main track, it features a seven-furlong turf course inside the dirt track.
What days does Delaware Park have live horse racing?
During race season, events are held on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
What is Delaware's state horse?
The state of Delaware does not have an official state horse; however there is a horse featured on some DE quarters.
Top-Rated Online Horse Race Betting Sites for 2024
Before we delve into the world of online Delaware horse betting, we will share our top 10 sites so you’ll understand where your attention should lay as you enter this comprehensive guide.
- BetOnline – The best horse racing betting site in Delaware
- BookMaker – A wide variety of U.S. and international horse racing venues
- Heritage Sports – A reputable racebook with high betting limits in Delaware
- BetAnySports – Cashback rebates on horse wagers
- Everygame – Great promotions and rebates with this DE racebook
- WagerWeb – A great selection of horse racing betting markets
- SportsBetting.ag – Excellent coverage of international markets
- BetUS – The most lucrative racebook welcome bonus in Delaware
- JustBet – Fantastic live betting service on race days
Our Highest-Rated Online Racebooks Reviewed
We’ve provided you with an in-depth look at the top 5 online racebooks in Delaware. Each site presents its own specific strengths, but there’s no denying these operators are the best options for wagering on horse racing.
1. The Best Horse Racing Betting Site in Delaware: BetOnline
Key Features
- Horse racing-specific tools
- Form guides for horses and jockeys
Even the most novice online horse race bettors will likely have stumbled across the name BetOnline. This top-tier online sportsbook, racebook and casino operator has flourished in the online gambling space for years. With its decades of experience in delivering a reputable online gambling service, it provides a comprehensive racebook for Delaware residents.
Finding a suitable bet on the ponies has never been simpler than with BetOnline, as customers can choose from hundreds of U.S. and international racetracks at the dedicated horse racing section of the site. Furthermore, this operator’s mobile site works seamlessly in conjunction with its desktop offering, allowing users to have a similar betting experience whether they’re using a mobile device or a laptop/PC.
All popular horse betting markets can be found with BetOnline, including win, place and show, daily doubles, pick bets, exacta, trifectas and more. The information for each race is conveniently viewable and shows a bettor valuable handicapping data like the morning odds, thus allowing you to see how the prices have changed.
You’ll also discover noteworthy horse race betting tools at BetOnline’s racebook. Some of these features include the multiview option where you can scour the markets and place multiple wagers simultaneously and the conditional wagering tool, a feature that allows bettors to select a price and range and not have their wagers placed until the odds you’ve requested have been reached. Not forgetting the Racebook 101 page, a site section dedicated to helping new horse bettors. Additionally, there is a wide range of promo codes at BetOnline.
2. A Wide Variety of U.S. & International Horse Racing Tracks: BookMaker
Key Features
- Over 100 racetracks covered
- Horse betting rebates
Stunting more than 100 racetrack locations throughout U.S. and international horse betting markets, Bookmaker.eu gives Delaware residents a plethora of variety. This wide variety of horse racing tracks allows for a diversified set of options when looking for wagers on ponies.
Alongside its extensive racebook, BookMaker is most respected for its no-ban policy on sharp bettors. No other sportsbooks in the world offer this promise and to add further enticement, they lead the industry in releasing odds and providing some of the highest online betting limits in Delaware. There are also several generous bonuses available at BookMaker as well. Because of these stand-out features, BookMaker has been one of the most trustworthy racebooks as many sharp and pro bettors congregate with this operator for their wagering needs.
The experience of BookMaker dates back to the 1990s, resulting in an edge over the competition regarding customer service. In combination with their horse-betting-specific features, early released lines, no-ban policy and extensive market coverage, it’s challenging to find a more well-rounded Delaware horse racing betting site.
3. A Reputable Racebook With High Betting Limits in Delaware: Heritage Sports
Key Features
- 8% rebate for horse bettors – win or lose
- Live horse racing betting
Sitting behind 25+ years of experience, Heritage Sports is no amateur in the horse racing betting world. This complete operator provides noteworthy sportsbook, racebook and casino services and has countless positives that have positioned it within our top-rated rankings.
With more than 60 U.S. and international thoroughbred and harness racetracks on offer, finding the perfect horse wager will never be a problem. Daily horse betting rebates go up to 8% whether you win or lose at major tracks. Heritage Sports presents one of the lowest bonus rollover requirements (x4), as cashing in on your bonus funds has never been easier. In addition, your rollover requirements can be achieved at the sportsbook, casino or racebook.
Handicapping the latest meets is assisted at Heritage Sports as jockeys and horses information are visible for each race, thus assisting pro and new bettors alike. More impressively, exotic wager limits go as high as $200, and alongside a $1,000 limit on win, place and show bets, they are some of the most substantial online horse racing betting limits in Delaware.
4. Cashback Rebates on Horse Wagers: BetAnySports
Key Features
- Industry-leading 9% horse racing rebates
- A wide choice of U.S. and international racetracks
Browsing the latest horse racing betting markets with BetAnySports (BAS) is a pleasurable experience. The site’s simplistic layout makes navigability simple for new and experienced bettors. And naturally, with the name “BetAnySports”, punters won’t just find a wide range of horse racing tracks but also an extensive sportsbook that covers hundreds of betting markets.
Attention to detail and unique features aren’t absent as this Delaware horse racing betting site has continuously fought to position itself amongst the elite.
One of its unique features involves a 9% rebate on horse wagers, one of the highest percentage rebates available. Its coverage of U.S. and international racetracks is massive and rebates on major events can even extend to 10%. With the addition of industry-leading cashback rebates on winning and losing wagers, betting value is always close when wagering with BetAnySports. If you combine the aforementioned factors with excellent customer service and competitive odds, BAS becomes an ideal choice for Delaware horse racing enthusiasts.
Our Rating Methodology
Our team of industry experts, long-standing handicappers and racebook connoisseurs have tried and tested tons of online betting sites, so you don’t have to. As our team compiles a list of the best racebook operators in the Blue Hen State, some of the features they inspect include:
- Racetrack coverage (U.S. and International)
- Betting value (odds)
- Bonuses/Promotions
- Banking options
- Site safety and security
- Brand recognition/reputation
- Customer service
History of Delaware’s Horse Racing Betting Laws
Pari-mutual wagering was first legalized in 1936 as Delaware Park Racecourse (now Delaware Park Casino & Racing) opened its doors. Since this date, Delaware has thrived with its horse wagering offerings as more tracks like Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs began hosting meets.
Timeline of Horse Racing Betting in Delaware
- 2023: Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway are open and host regular live races.
- June 2018: Delaware becomes the first state outside of Nevada to offer single-game sports betting, following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Murphy v. NCAA.
- May 2008: Delaware launches sports betting at its three racetracks, becoming the only state other than Nevada to offer legal sports betting at the time.
- 1995: The Delaware Racing Commission approves the introduction of slot machines at the state’s three racetracks, paving the way for racinos in the state.
- 1989: Brandywine racecourse is shut down.
- 1969: Dover Downs opens as a multi-purpose horse racing and auto racing facility with thoroughbred events.
- 1945: The Delaware Harness Racing Commission was founded.
- 1937: The Delaware Park racetrack opens, becoming the first legalized racetrack in the state.
- 1936: Pari-mutual horse betting begins as Delaware Park racecourse opens its doors.
- 1933: The Delaware General Assembly passes legislation to legalize pari-mutuel betting on horse races, creating the Delaware Racing Commission.
Important Features the Best Online Racebooks
Our team considered many factors and features while searching for the best sites for Delaware bettors. As our experts evaluate each platform and its numerous features, it’s important to consider the following.
Betting Odds
Competitive odds are a must as they provide betting value for the customer. In today’s climate, it’s difficult for a racebook to pull the wool over a horse bettor’s eye as they can easily shop for odds elsewhere. However, the sites we promote own a reputation for presenting industry-leading odds.
Betting Markets
While major U.S. race meets are important to most North American horse bettors, operators focusing solely on these markets aren’t providing enough variety. We like to see a market selection that extends to European and other international racecourses, thus giving its customers an extensive range of bets to consider.
Banking Methods
Debit and credit card payment methods are traditional and necessary, but we also look for horse racing betting sites that offer several banking options. Cryptocurrency options and e-Wallets are a must, but the more, the merrier.
Promotions & Bonuses
The marketing teams at each racebook will heavily focus on their bonus and promotion offerings. Providing a lucrative welcome bonus will gain the attention of potential customers, but we look beyond the face value of these bonuses. We like to see respectable terms and conditions, such as obtainable rollover requirements.
Furthermore, an operator should give its returning customers regular promotional offers, rebates, free bets and contests to assist in their bankroll building.
Live Betting
Modern-day horse bettors require a notable live betting market, and despite the difficulty of live wagering on fast-paced horse races, we want to see this as an available option.
User Experience
The complete user experience with an online horse race betting site should be stress-free and simple. This is achieved by using the latest software, thus allowing players to browse and place wagers without lag easily and by presenting a desirable layout that isn’t cluttered with promotional banners. We also want to see similarities between each operator’s desktop and mobile versions, as it’s important to give a top-tier user experience in both facets.
Customer Support
We don’t expect the customer service teams to solve every potential issue, but we want to see a 24/7 live chat option so players can raise a complaint instantly. In addition, fast response times are required, and alternative contact points such as phone numbers, emails and complaint forms can further boost an operator’s ratings.
Safety & Security
This guide’s most reputable racebook operators must keep a customer’s data safe. This is achieved through notable site security features such as SSL encryption, but it’s also important that the operator owns a license to operate.
Delaware Racetracks & Off-Track Betting
While online horse betting in Delaware is the most commonly approached type of wagering on the ponies, visiting a physical track in DE is still possible and provides a thrilling experience for horse betting enthusiasts.
These three active racecourses in Delaware allow pari-mutuel wagering.
Delaware Park
- Address: 777 Delaware Park Blvd, Wilmington, DE, 19804
Dover Downs
- Address: 1131 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE, 19901
Harrington Raceway
- Address: 18500 S Dupont Hwy, Harrington, DE, 19952
Types of Horse Racing Betting Odds in Delaware
Dissimilar to most sports betting odds, horse racing odds are slightly different. There are multiple ways to wager on horse racing events online and at the racecourse.
Below you’ll find the available horse racing betting odds.
Fixed Odds Betting
Fixed odds are commonly found in all sports betting markets, and if you’re familiar with the world of online sportsbooks, you’ll instantly notice these sets of odds. With fixed odds, the prices available are fixed from when your wager is placed and while they can change right up until the race begins, the price you lock in won’t change.
Pari-Mutuel Betting
Pari-mutuel wagering is the most commonly approached horse racing odds. Instead of receiving fixed odds that can’t change once a wager is placed, every bet impacts the final payout. The more wagers made will see the odds fluctuate as they’re placed into a pool of funds, and the bettor gets the price of what the closing odds finish at.
Pool Betting
Pool betting is almost identical to pari-mutuel wagering; the only difference is that pool betting often refers to exotic wagers.
Calculating Horse Racing Betting Odds in DE
Most sports wagers use American odds; however, horse betting odds are commonly presented with the fractional odds format. You can use the comparison chart below to easily understand the profits gained from horse wagering and its various odds.
The comparison table below will assist you in understanding the potential profit you can make from various odds. Unlike most Delaware sports wagers that use American odds, horse betting prices are often calculated with the fractional odds format.
The implied probability column shows your percentage chance of bet winning based on the current odds. The higher the odds, the higher your payout will be; however, the percentage chance of the bet winning is lowered.
| 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% |
Horse Racing Bet Types in Delaware
Before wagering on horse races, you must understand the various bet types available. Below we’ll go over some common types of horse racing bets.
- Win: Simply pick a single horse to be the winner of the race.
- Place: Pick a single horse to come in first or second place.
- Show: Pick a single horse to come in first, second or third place.
- Exacta: Pick two horses to finish in first and second place.
- Trifecta: Pick three horses to finish in the top-three positions in a race.
- Superfecta: Pick the four top finishing horses in the correct order.
- Daily Double: Place two win bets on two consecutive races.
- Pick 3/4/5/6: Pick three horses to win three consecutive races, four horses to win four and so on.
Horse Racing Betting Terms
As with most sports, horse racing betting has its unique terminology. We’ve explained the horse racing slang below if you’re unequipped in this area.
- Ante-Post: Horse bets are placed on a horse race before the day of the race.
- Drifter: Odds increase on a horse before a race due to the lack of market support.
- Dead Heat: When the winning result of a race cannot be determined.
- Dutch: A term used to describe the backing of more than one result in the same event.
- Exotic Bet: Unlike straight wagers on one horse, these bets involve multiple horses.
- Favorite: The horse most expected to win.
- Furlong: A unit of distance equal to one-eight of a mile.
- Longshot: These odds are lucrative for a horse that’s not expected to win.
- Morning Line: The expected odds on each horse before the betting lines open.
- Odds: The mathematical representation of how likely an outcome is of happening.
- Pari-Mutuel: A form of horse betting where the odds aren’t known when placing a bet, and payouts won’t be determined until the race has ended.
- Stake: The amount of money placed on a horse wager.
How To Create a Racebook Account in Delaware
You’re close to reaching the conclusion of our comprehensive Delaware horse race betting guide, and if you haven’t found the perfect racebook for you, check out the top 10 list above. However, if you’ve picked a top-ranked operator, you’re ready to register an account.
Below are the four steps to registering a Racebook account in Delaware, whether using a phone, tablet, PC or laptop.
Step 1: Signing-Up for a Racebook
Enter a top-rated Delaware sportsbook address into your mobile device or desktop browser, locate the “Sign-Up” or “Register” button and click it. You’ll be presented with a registration form. Enter basic details and confirm.
Step 2: Verify Your Racebook Details
A confirmation email will arrive in your inbox; open it and click the link provided to verify your account.
Step 3: Funding Your Racebook Account
It’s time to fund your racebook with real money; ensure you’ve found the best promo code or the sign-up bonus before continuing. Select your preferred payment method, enter the banking option details, choose how much you’d like to deposit and confirm.
Step 4: Placing Your First Horse Bets
You can now browse the horse racing betting markets with your verified and funded account. Select a desired race and market, enter the amount you wish to bet and confirm the wager.
