While the federal government does not prohibit online horse betting, individual states do. Bets on horse races can be placed online in several states, but not all. You may check if online horse betting is legal in your state using this list.
This is not legal advice, and I am not a lawyer. BetAmerica.com’s member area is where we gathered the data used here. It’s best to consult an attorney before making any kind of internet wager, as the law is subject to change.
As a side note, American law is weird. A state license is required for each horse racing website. In other words, while Site A would be considered “illegal” in my state, it might be totally kosher in yours. In case you still have doubts, you can try opening an account with one or both of the betting sites I have suggested. If they do not accept players from your state, they will let you know.
Accepted in Alabama.
There is no legalized online horse betting in Alaska.
Online horse betting is illegal in Arizona.
Allowable in Arkansas
Allowable in California
Except for the Arapahoe Race Course, online wagering is legal in Colorado.
To Allow in Connecticut
Except for the Delaware Park racetrack, online gambling is legal in Delaware.
Washington, DC: Permitted
Permitted in Florida
There is no legalized online horse betting in Georgia.
Online horse betting is illegal in Hawaii.
The one exception is the Los Alamitos Race Course, which does not permit online wagering.
Online horse betting is illegal in Illinois.
Permitted in Indiana; however, bets on the Los Alamitos track cannot be placed online at this time.
Online wagering is permitted in Iowa, with the exception of Dubuque Mat (G) and Prairie Meadows.
Allowable in Kansas
You can legally gamble throughout Kentucky, with the exception of Los Alamitos and Turfway Park.
Gambling is legal in Louisiana, with the exception of Los Alamitos.
Maine: Permitted
Gambling on horses through the Internet is illegal in Maryland.
Except for Los Alamitos and Suffolk Downs, wagering is permitted in Massachusetts.
Betting is permitted in Michigan, with the following exceptions: Hazel Park (H), Northville Downs (H), Pinnacle Race Course, and Sports Creek.
Bets are permitted in Minnesota, with the exception of Canterbury Park and Running Aces (H).
Online horse betting is illegal in the state of Mississippi.
Online horse betting is illegal in Missouri.
Permitted in Montana.
Bets on horses cannot be placed online in Nebraska.
Online horse betting is illegal in Nevada.
To New Hampshire’s Permission
Online horse betting is illegal in New Jersey.
Online wagering is permitted in New Mexico, with the following exceptions: Sunland Park, Sun Ray Park, and Zia Park in addition to Albuquerque and Albuquerque Downs
Except for the Monticello (H) track, online wagering is legal in New York.
Bets on horses cannot be placed online in North Carolina.
Except for the Los Alamitos Race Course, online gambling is legal in North Dakota.
Beulah Park and Los Alamitos Race Course are not available for online wagering in the state of Ohio.
Except for wagers placed on Remington Park in Oklahoma, online gambling is permitted.
Online wagering is permitted in Oregon, with the exception of the Los Alamitos race.
Online wagering is permitted, with the exception of Delaware Park and Parx Racing (Philly Park).
Permitted in Rhode Island
Online horse betting is illegal in South Carolina.
Permitted in South Dakota
Tennesse: OK to do so
Except for Gulf Greyhound Eve (G), Retama Park, and Sam Houston Race Park, online betting is permitted in Texas.
Online horse betting is illegal in Utah.
Allowable in Vermont
Virginia bans equine wagering on the internet.
Washington bans equine wagering on the internet.
Gambling is permitted in West Virginia, with the exception of the Charles Town, Mountaineer, Tri-State EVE (G), (Mardi), and Wheeling Day (G) Racetracks.
Intended in Wisconsin.
Allowed in Wyoming; however, online bets on Los Alamitos are prohibited.
How do I bet on horses online if this is not legal in my state?
If you are unable to bet on horses online because of where you live, you have two other possibilities. If you want to bet on a horse race, you may always go to the track nearest you. Another alternative is to use one of the many unregulated sites that accept bets from people in the United States.
For instance, Bovada.lv welcomes customers from all around the United States despite being based in a foreign country. With online sports betting’s shaky legal grounding, your betting site could be shut down at any time. What I’ve seen suggests that individual gamblers are not subject to the law. Again, I am not a lawyer, so please don’t take anything I say as formal advice. Before you put down any real money on an online wager, do your homework.
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