If you’re looking for information on Colorado horse racing betting, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve put together an overview of everything that goes into horse racing betting in Colorado, from the legal standpoint to the basics of pari-mutuel wagering. We include betting venues that are available to residents, while also providing information on alternatives that might be more convenient, like online horse racing betting sites. These websites are able to bring residents a plethora of events and wagering opportunities that they might not find at land-based locations. We also briefly go over some of the more popular betting events in horse racing. We hope you find everything you wanted to know about Colorado horse racing betting here on this page.
We have established that horse racing betting in the state of Colorado can legally be done at licensed pari-mutuel wagering facilities as well as off-track betting shops. Colorado residents may also participate in online horse racing betting. Neither land-based nor online horse racing betting has been prohibited by the federal government, either, so there are no legal roadblocks standing in the way of residents betting the horses. The state pari-mutuel laws can be found in Title 12 Chapter 60 Section 101 of Colorado’s revised statutes if you have any interest in reading the law in its entirety.
Read More: Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Colorado?
One of the most bet on events in all of sports is the Kentucky Derby. This race, held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, is known for fancy drinks, big hats, and even bigger bettors. It also happens to be the first race in a three-race series called the Triple Crown. The Crown is the most sought after title in all of American thoroughbred racing.
Betting on the Triple Crown in Colorado can go a couple of different ways. You can drive to a land-based racetrack or simulcast location for each race – they are run in a five-week span at the tail-end of spring – or you can log on to an online horse racing betting site from the comfort of your own home. Most online horse racing betting sites have more Triple Crown betting odds and futures than any land-based location possibly could. Further down this page, we recommend some of the best online Triple Crown racebooks.
In Colorado, there is one licensed pari-mutuel racetrack and one licensed off-track betting location. Both can be found in Aurora, off of route 83. The racetrack is called Arapahoe Park, and they host events from the middle of May to the middle of August. Mile High Racing & Entertainment is the only off-track betting shop in the state.
With the only two land-based locations in the entire state both residing in the same city and only one of them operating all year round, it would be pretty hard for residents to get out there for every race they want to bet on. That’s why we recommend online horse racing betting sites. These websites allow you to bet on races all over the country, not just in Colorado. You gain access to an entire world you would never find at a land-based shop, and you don’t even have to leave your house.
Below are a list of the most popular horse racing betting terms. These are wagers that can be made on any horse racing event, whether you do so at a land-based location or an online racing betting site. All payouts are relative to the risk associated with each wager. You’ll get a higher payout on a win than a show bet, just like you’ll get a higher payout on a Superfecta than you would on an exacta.
Win – Betting on a single horse to win the entire race.
Place – Betting on one horse to come in either first or second.
Show – Betting on a singular horse to be one of the first three horses across the line.
Across the Board – Betting on one horse to either win, place, or show. You bet an equal amount on all of these positions, so a $2 bet is actually $6. If your horse wins, you collect everything. Horse comes in second? You collect the place and show wagers. Horse comes in third, and you get to keep the show bet.
Exacta – Betting on two horses, naming which one will win and which one will place.
Trifecta – Betting on three horses. Must correctly pick the winner, place horse, and show horse.
Superfecta – betting on four horses in a single race. Must name the winner, place, and show, in addition to the fourth place horse.
Wheeled Bets – Choosing one horse in a single position and several horses to finish the race either ahead or behind that single horse. For example, you can bet a horse that will win and select three horses that might take second place. So, your bet would look something like Horse 1 to win and Horses 2-3-4 to place. As long as the 2, 3, or 4 horse come in second, your ticket is a win. You can wheel all exotic wagers.
Daily Double – Choosing the winner of two back-to-back races. Usually the first two or last two of the day.
Betting at an online horse racing site is the best way for Colorado residents to participate in pari-mutuel wagering. There are only two land-based locations in the entire state, only one of which stays open year round. Online horse racing betting sites will never close, giving you 24/7 access to races all across the country. These sites even offer lines on races that are held in the UK, Europe, and Australia. There’s nothing you can’t do at an online horse racing betting site for legal Colorado gambling.
Horse racing is the most exciting minute in sports. So it almost goes without saying that horse racing betting is the most exciting way to bet on a sport. If you, like many other Colorado residents, don’t feel like traversing the state every time you want to bet on a horse race, then you should check out BetOnline.
This online racebook has been around for decades, providing a convenient and safe way for American bettors to place as many wagers as they’d like on as many races as they can. BetOnline has one of the largest horse racing calendars of any online racebook, ensuring that even the most avid bettor won’t run out of races to bet on. This site covers racing events not just in the US, but all over the globe.
In addition to their incredible amount of wagering opportunities, this book also offers an incredible rebate deal. You can earn up to 7% back daily when you place your wagers at BetOnline.ag. There are no minimum amounts associated with this promotion, and limit on how much you can get back. All you have to do is place your bets at BetOnline.
Not quite sure how to bet the horses on race day, or looking for a little refresher before you start placing bets on the big race? Head on over to SportsBetting.ag. This site has one of the best how-to sections of any online racebook. Here, it doesn’t matter if you’re an expert, beginner, or somewhere in between. Everyone can learn a thing or two from SportsBetting.
Once you’re done learning how to bet on the horses, you can move on to track limits, payoff odds, and wagering terms. These sections will further help to guide you on your way to becoming a horse racing betting connoisseur. You can even find a section with horse matchups, to further inform your wagering.
SportsBetting also includes several bonuses for their players. When you first sign up for an account, you are eligible for their welcome bonus, which matches 75% of your deposit up to $1,000. You’re also eligible for their $25 horse racing credit, which will cover the first bet you make in the racebook up to $25 for a risk-free bet. SportsBetting is always adding unique and useful features, so head on over now to see exactly what this book has in store.
| Racebook | Bonus | Colorado Welcome? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline Racebook | $1,000 On All Deposits - 25% | Yes | Visit |
| Bovada Racebook | 50% Up To $250 First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| SportsBetting | 50% Match On First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| 5Dimes Racebook | 50% To $200 Then 20% To $500 | Yes | Visit |