The 2024 Kentucky Derby is set to take place on Saturday, May 4 with the post time at 6:57 p.m. ET on NBC. This is the first leg of the revered Triple Crown.

Luckily, horse racing betting is widely-available across the United States and the vast majority of locations can find racebook betting apps. Some of the apps are proprietary versions of bigger platforms (FanDuel Racing, DK Horse) while others are standalone betting platforms (AmWager, DFR Bets, etc).

We’ll walk you through where horse racing betting is available online, different types of bets to make and how to sign-up with the top platforms just in time for the Kentucky Derby.

Online horse racing betting is currently available across 41 out of the 50 states. You can bet on the Kentucky Derby online or via mobile app in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

This is not an all-encompassing list but features the most popular types of bets for new customers betting on the Derby.

Single Race bets

Multi-Race bets

First, it’s important to note that horse racing odds work differently from traditional sports betting. In normal sports betting, the house (sportsbooks) set the odds and the odds fluctuate until the time of the event. This can change based off information regarding a team like injuries, how the team has fared in recent games and any other pertinent info.

When I place a sports bet on a platform such as FanDuel, my bet is locked in at that price. No matter how the odds fluctuate after I place the bet, I can profit whatever the odds were at the time of my wager.

Horse racing, called pari-mutuel betting, means you bet into one big betting pool with other bettors. The odds fluctuate in real time based off who is betting what so a favorite that’s not getting a lot of action can drop for more payout. Think of this more like the stock market and each horse is a stock.

However, your payout and odds can change even after the race has begun so the payout isn’t locked in until after the race has concluded.

Next, you may be wondering why the odds are fractions vs. American odds in sports betting. It is essentially reading your profit vs. stake.

Let’s say I pick a horse at 5-1. This would be the same line as +500 in American odds or that I will win 5x my stake.

Sometimes, fractional odds can be confusing on first glance with odds like 8-5 but it’s essentially saying you would win $8 for a $5 stake or +160 your money.

My personal favorite platforms for betting on major horse racing events such as the Derby are TwinSpires and FanDuel Racing. Here are the major welcome promotions happening across those apps.

TwinSpires offer code: HANDLERACING

$100 bonus for every $400 wagered up to a $400 bonus

States available: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MT, NH, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Follow these easy steps to sign-up and earn the bonus with TwinSpires.

The bonus requires you to hit a threshold of $400 or more wagered within 30 days to start earning. Every $400 wagered earns $100 in bonus up to a maximum $400 bonus with $1,600 wagered in that timeframe.

The bonus funds can be used within the TwinSpires platform on any races you prefer and isn’t limited to the Kentucky Derby.

$500 No Sweat First Bet — AR, CA, DE, ID, FL, MN, MT, NH, NM, ND (21+), OR, RI, SD, WA (21+)

This acts as a first bet insurance for new customers in states that only offer the FanDuel Racing app. You’ll use the module below or click here to set up your account prior to Saturday’s race.

Place any real-money wager on any race or track to qualify for the No Sweat First Bet. If your bet wins, you profit cash while a miss is covered by FanDuel Racing up to $500 in racing credit.

The racing credit will hit your account within 72 hours and last for seven days.

$20 No Sweat First Bet — AZ (21+), CO, IL, IN (21+), KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY

The FanDuel states that also offer sports betting can find a $20 no sweat bet whether you are a new or existing customer.

You’ll need to place a bet of any size on a single horse to win the Kentucky Derby to qualify. If the horse wins, you profit cash while a miss is covered up to $20 in racing credit.

The racing credit can be used within FanDuel racing until June 10 so you could use the racing credit on the Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes.

States available (18+, certain states 21+): CA, CO, FL, IL, IN (21+), IA (21+), KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MN, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA (21+), WV, WY

Welcome offer: 100% Deposit match up to $250 bonus

States available (21+ for all AmWager states): AL, AZ, CT, DE, FL, ID, IN, IA, KA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MT, NH, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, RI, SD, VT, VI, WA, WV, WY

Welcome offer: 100% Deposit match up to $150 bonus with deposit and wager

States available (18+, certain states 21+): AL (21+), AZ (21+), AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA (21+), KS (21+), KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NH (21+), NM, NY, ND (21+), OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WA (21+), WV, WI

Welcome offer: Deposit $200, Earn $200 in bonus

States available (21+ for all TVG states): AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WV, WY

Welcome offer: First bet insurance up to $100 bet