Texas Horse Betting - Best Horse Racing Sites & OTB in TX

If you are interested in learning more about horse racing betting in Texas, you have found the perfect source. Horse betting is one of the few forms of gambling allowed in the state. While the legal options are primarily available in the three major metropolitan areas of Texas, a considerable number of individuals in the Lone Star State can still participate in horse betting if they wish to do so.

Horse race betting has become a well-established but largely disregarded pastime in Texas. Although horse racing in the state may have experienced its heyday in the past, there is currently little expectation for a significant increase in attendance at the tracks. Despite facing a small setback in 2015, the tracks are expected to remain a permanent fixture.

The ongoing conflict between the Texas Racing Commission, which oversees racing in the state, and the newly formed federal regulator called the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, has had a significant negative impact on betting at all Texas tracks. Unfortunately, at present, there is no apparent resolution to this dispute. Consequently, out-of-state betting is no longer accessible at Texas’s three tracks, resulting in a loss of revenue that cannot be utilized to fund purses.

Texans have experienced fortunate circumstances thanks to a legislation passed in 2019 that created an escrow account for the horse racing sector. This account has allowed purses to be financed by tax revenue generated from horse tack and feed sales. Nonetheless, the long-term viability of this safety net remains uncertain, casting a significantly gloomier outlook on the future of horse racing in Texas compared to a year ago.

Stay informed about the latest updates on horse betting in Texas by reading further.

Is horse racing legal in Texas?

In Texas, individuals can legally bet on horse racing at authorized racetracks within the state. This form of betting was approved by voters in 1987 through a referendum. Presently, Texas has three functioning racetracks where individuals who are 18 years or older can place bets on live races. Additionally, these establishments offer simulcast wagering options for races occurring throughout the country.

Can I bet on horse races online in Texas?

Online horse race betting is prohibited in Texas. Furthermore, a contentious dispute between the Texas Racing Commission, the governing body of the state, and the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority, a newly established federal regulator, has led to Texas discontinuing the transmission of its racing signal to other states for Advanced Deposit Wagering.

Texans are consistently barred from accessing popular horse betting platforms like TVG due to the state’s strict prohibition of online gambling, including horse betting.

Quick facts on Texas horse betting

Horse betting legalized: 1987
In Texas, the regulatory authority in charge of supervising racing events is the Texas Racing Commission.
Racetracks can be found in Arlington, Fredericksburg, Houston, and Selma.
Online availability: None
Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, and Retama Park in Selma, located near San Antonio, are among the notable racetracks in Texas.
In order to engage in pari-mutuel wagering, individuals must meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years.

Both the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, a federal regulatory body, and the TRC are currently deadlocked in a regulatory standoff, as neither party is willing to compromise.

Where can I bet on horse races in Texas?

At present, Texas boasts four locations that have designated race dates. Three of these locations are permanent facilities strategically located in major metropolitan areas. The fourth location, on the other hand, is a county fairground, serving as the only facility of its kind operating in Texas.

Gillespie County Fair

The address is 530 Fair Drive in Fredericksburg, TX 78624.
Keep an eye out for some of the most exciting races including the GCFA July Firecracker Futurity, Gillespie County Fair Futurity, and Gillespie County Derby.

Located in Fredericksburg, the Gillespie County Fair is the sole racetrack in Texas classified as Class III. It offers the opportunity for pari-mutuel betting during four weekends every year in July and August. These races mark the exciting culmination of the fairgrounds’ event-filled season, which runs from Easter until the end of summer. Of particular significance is the Gillespie County Derby, serving as the grand finale event. In contrast, the fairgrounds’ simulcast facility operates year-round.

Lone Star Park

The address is 1000 Lone Star Parkway in Grand Prairie, Texas 75050.
The Steve Sexton Mile (G3) and the Texas Derby are the races that are emphasized.

Lone Star Park, located in Grand Prairie, Texas, is one of the top three Class I racetracks in the state. It serves the Dallas-Fort Worth community and hosts two separate racing seasons each year. From April to July, spectators can enjoy exciting Thoroughbred races, while from September to December, quarter horses take the spotlight. The most anticipated event at the track is Lone Star Million Day, held on Memorial Day, which includes the prestigious $300,000 Texas Derby and the highly regarded $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile, one of the few graded races in Texas.

Retama Park

The address is 1 Retama Parkway, Selma, Texas, 78154.
Primary race(s): Inductees of the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame and contenders in the Texas Stallion Stakes.

Retama Park, located in Selma, a suburb of San Antonio, is unique among Class I facilities in Texas because it exclusively focuses on quarter horse race dates. Unlike the other two tracks, Retama Park only offers 22 days of racing from July to August, making it significantly fewer race days. One notable feature that sets Retama Park apart is its use of a betting app called MBet. While players must use Retama’s internet for geolocation purposes while on the premises, this app is the only option for limited online horse betting in the entire state.

Sam Houston Race Park

The address is 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston, Texas 77064.
The John B. Connally Turf Cup (G3) and the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) take the spotlight as the highlighted races.

Sam Houston Race Park is a large venue situated in the northwestern region of Houston. It is known for hosting live racing events for both thoroughbreds and quarter horses. The race park takes pride in organizing two highly regarded graded thoroughbred races, the John B. Connally Turf Cup and the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes, both of which hold a prestigious Grade III status. What sets Sam Houston apart from other race tracks in Texas is its ability to offer race dates in January, making it the only facility in the state to do so. Additionally, it is the only establishment that operates its racing seasons consecutively. This means that from January to June each year, race enthusiasts can enjoy an uninterrupted schedule of captivating live racing events at this remarkable venue.

Are other racetracks likely to open in Texas?

The chances are slim. It seems that the Texas Racing Commission has three more racetracks on record. Unfortunately, one of them, Manor Downs, has permanently shut down. The other two, Laredo Downs and Valle de Los Tesoros, do not appear to have been fully constructed or have held any races. Consequently, it is probable that the four existing locations will remain as the present state of horse racing for the time being.

Despite the governing regulations, the racing industry within the state still has potential for growth. Although Class I licenses only allow for three permanent parks, smaller venues like Gillespie and county fairs can also apply for licenses. However, those with Class II, III, and IV licenses are limited in the number of race dates they can host. As a result, many eligible locations may not be incentivized financially to seek a license.

Is there off-track betting in Texas?

Although located near the track, all four operating facilities have simulcast venues on their premises that enable betting on horse and dog races nationwide. Moreover, these off-track betting sites remain open year-round.

If you’re in Texas and want to bet on a horse race, you’ll have to make a trip to one of the four locations in the state that provide pari-mutuel betting since independent off-track betting establishments are not allowed.

Types of horse racing bets in Texas

Although Texas has a relatively restrained approach towards horse racing, the betting choices offered in the state are comparable to those found elsewhere. If you are unfamiliar with horse race betting, the different types of wagers can be overwhelming. To bring clarity, here is an explanation:

Straight wagers/single-horse wagers

Straight wagers, also known as single-horse bets, can be categorized into two main types in horse racing. These include wagers that are solely based on the performance of a single horse. The following are the commonly known straight wagers:

In order to achieve victory, your horse must emerge as the indisputable champion of the race.
Your horse must either win the race or secure a second-place finish in order to succeed.
Show: To have a successful outcome, your horse must finish in either first, second, or third place in the race.

The order of increasing bet winnings is as follows: win bets, place bets, and show bets. This is because each position carries a higher level of risk. Moreover, it is possible to make multiple straight wagers on a single horse in a race. So, if you believe in a horse’s victory, you can also place bets on it to place and show. In case the win bet is successful, you will receive payouts for those additional wagers as well.

Exotic wagers/multiple-horse wagers

Exotics, also referred to as exotic wagers, are preferred by a specific group of bettors who find pleasure in placing bets on the positions of multiple horses in either a single race or multiple races. The term “exotics” is used to describe these wagers due to their complex nature. The following list comprises the common types of exotic wagers:

To make an exacta bet, you must correctly predict the precise sequence in which two horses will finish in a race. Your bet will only be successful if the horses cross the finish line in the exact order you have chosen.
Quinella bets involve predicting the first and second positions of two horses in a race, without specifying their exact order. Compared to exactas, quinellas are priced twice as much since you are essentially paying for both potential outcomes. In essence, quinellas can be considered as a combination of two separate exacta bets.
To successfully place a trifecta bet, you must accurately forecast the precise sequence of three horses in a race, determining their first, second, and third positions.
To win the superfecta bet, you must accurately anticipate the precise order in which four horses will complete the race, specifically determining their placements in first, second, third, and fourth positions.
Choose 3, choose 4, and so on: Make bets on the winning horse for three, four, and progressively higher number of races. These wagers, referred to as Pick bets, share similarities with parlays in the world of sports betting.

Exotic wager modifiers

In simple terms, selecting more horses increases the likelihood of both losing and potentially earning a higher profit. To clarify, the payout for a superfecta is greater than that of a trifecta, while a trifecta has a higher payout compared to an exacta, and so on.

However, exotic wagers offer a range of bet modifiers that can increase the complexity and price of your chosen bet. These modifiers also allow you to place a wager on a horse race in any way you prefer. Here are the main choices available to you:

By boxing your selected horses in a race, you enable all possible combinations of them to be considered as potential winners. For instance, boxing two horses in a quinella is essentially placing an exacta box bet. It is important to keep in mind that each of these combinations must be paid for separately. For instance, if you choose to box a $1 trifecta bet, the cost will increase to $6 since there are six distinct combinations in which the three horses can finish.
When participating in a race with an uncertain outcome for most participants, utilizing a key bet enables you to select a horse as the anticipated winner, while also choosing multiple horses for potential place and show positions. This approach becomes advantageous particularly when there is a clear favorite among the contenders.
A wheel or field bet in horse racing entails choosing all the horses to finish in a particular position. You can select one or two horses for the win and place positions, and designate the field for the show position. In these cases, it is advantageous for a high-risk horse to secure the third position.
Instead of betting on the entire field, partial wheel betting enables you to place bets on a specific portion of the field. This grants you the freedom to select particular horses to finish in a designated position. With partial wheel bets, you have the flexibility to wager on any desired combination of horses.

Understanding horse racing odds

Compared to other gambling methods, horse racing utilizes a simple odds format that is relatively easy to comprehend. If you have a basic understanding of fractions, you will find it straightforward to navigate.

The odds of winning for each horse in a race are expressed as fractions. The lower the fraction, the higher the probability of the horse winning. Therefore, a horse with odds of 2/1 is more likely to win compared to a horse with odds of 3/1 or 4/1. If you bet on a horse with odds of 2/1 and it wins, you will make a profit of $2 for every $1 you bet.

It is important to acknowledge that horse odds are subject to change. They tend to fluctuate, particularly as the race time approaches. This distinction arises from the unique nature of horse betting, which utilizes pari-mutuel wagering, as opposed to the fixed-limit wagering typically found in other types of sports betting.

If you notice a decrease in the odds of a specific horse (e.g., from 3/1 to 2/1), it suggests that experienced handicappers view the horse as a promising contender. In such cases, it would be prudent to consider placing a bet on that horse too.

In general, horse odds usually depict each horse, even the favorite, as an underdog in comparison to the other horses in the race. For example, a horse with odds of 2/1 may be seen as the frontrunner to win a particular race, but it may only win once if the race were to be repeated three times.

On occasion, a horse with an outstanding lineage and remarkable racing history may stand out as the indisputable favorite. In these situations, the fractional odds may present a larger number in the denominator, like 2/5. In such cases, the chances of winning a bet are high, but the payout is relatively modest. For example, if you wager $5, you would only gain a profit of $2. Consequently, it becomes necessary to evaluate whether the diminished potential payout outweighs the heightened likelihood of winning.

Texas horse racing betting FAQ

Who regulates horse racing in Texas?

The Texas Racing Commission (TRC) and the recently formed federal regulator, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, are currently engaged in a regulatory standoff. The TRC, which is in charge of supervising all four horse racing venues in the state and granting race dates, is now facing scrutiny from the federal authority.

What is the gambling age at Texas horse tracks?

To bet on horses at any race tracks in Texas, individuals must be of age 18 or older.

Do I have to pay taxes on winnings from horse races?

Although Texas does not levy income tax, it is crucial to recognize that the IRS considers winnings obtained from Texas horse tracks as taxable income, just like any other gambling earnings.

Is there any simulcast wagering at Texas casinos?

Casinos in Texas, including the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass and Naskila Gaming in Livingston, do not offer simulcast wagering on horse races.

Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby in Texas?

Of course. The state’s four simulcast facilities have the capacity to take bets on prestigious horse racing events like the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup, and other renowned races held both nationally and internationally.

Texas horse racing history

Texas’ historical aversion to legal gambling made the approval of horse (and dog) tracks in 1987 a highly surprising development.

Gambling had been deemed unlawful in the state since 1903, encompassing almost all its forms. This prohibition extended even to horse racing, except for a short period in the 1930s. Law enforcement consistently took strict measures against betting, transforming Texas into an unwelcome destination for gamblers.

Since 1989, horse and dog betting in Texas has been allowed, making it an early form of gambling before the introduction of the Texas Lottery. It was also the only alternative to charitable bingo for a certain period of time. At present, there are three Class I facilities and several county fairs that organize races during their designated seasons for thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Throughout the year, Texas offers more than 100 race days in total. Some races have gained notable reputation, including the Breeders’ Cup event held at Lone Star Park in 2004, and the Bank of America Racing Challenge hosted multiple times at Sam Houston Race Park.

Despite some quiet success, horse racing has never quite matched the conservative interests in the state, leaving room for its potential downfall. A critical moment arose in 2015 when a dispute over historical horse race replays threatened the entire industry in Texas. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, securing the ability for Texans to continue their horse race betting activities.

The legalization of sports betting in Texas has the potential to significantly impact the future of horse tracks in the state. If the Legislature decides to allow sports betting, the tracks would be ideal locations for retail sportsbooks. Conversely, if the tracks are not granted the authorization to offer legal sports betting, their survival may become uncertain. It is worth mentioning that any advancements related to sports betting will not take place until 2025 at the earliest.