Where to Bet on the Kentucky Derby: Apps, Sites & Locations for 2026

Peter Clarke - Senior Editor at Covers.com
Peter Clarke • Senior Editor 16+ years betting experience
Updated: Apr 23, 2026 , 12:43 PM ET • 4 min read

Find out where to bet on the Kentucky Derby in 2026. Explore top apps, racetracks, and legal betting options in the U.S., Canada, and beyond.

Discover where to bet on the Kentucky Derby in your state in 2026.
Photo By - Imagn Images. Horse racing action at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Before placing your wagers on the biggest horse race of the year, it’s important to know where to bet on the Kentucky Derby so you can access the top apps, best odds, and fastest payouts. Knowing where to access Kentucky Derby betting sites and apps ensures you can place your wagers safely and quickly on race day.

You can bet on the Kentucky Derby online through licensed betting apps, in person at racetracks, or via off-track betting locations, depending on where you live. The best option for most bettors is using a trusted sportsbook or racebook app, which offers fast payouts, competitive Kentucky Derby odds, and exclusive bonuses.

Below, we break down the best places to bet on the Kentucky Derby in 2026, including top betting sites, legal options in the U.S. and Canada, and how to get your wager down before post time.

You don't have to be at Churchill Downs to bet on the Kentucky Derby. FanDuel offers its FanDuel Racing app in 29 states and is the best option for betting on the Kentucky Derby on your phone or online.

Betting App Where is it legal? Bonus
FanDuel Racing

AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WV, WY

$50 Racing Bonus
FanDuel Sportsbook AZ, CO, IL, IN, KD, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY $250 Bonus Bets

*Promotions not available in Ontario, Canada.

The easiest way to bet on the Kentucky Derby is online. Here are the top apps and sites offering horse racing betting in 2026.

FanDuel Racing / Sportsbook

  • Best for: Overall experience
  • Highlights: Easy interface, strong promos, live betting
  • Availability: U.S. (state-dependent)

bet365

  • Best for: International bettors / Canada
  • Highlights: Competitive odds, global access
  • Availability: Canada + select regions

Where is FanDuel racing available?

Betting on horse racing is legal in 41 states. Here is a detailed breakdown of how to bet on the Kentucky Derby in the United States and which states support apps like FanDuel Racing.

State Legal horse racing FanDuel Racing FanDuel Sportsbook
Alaska
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey 
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming


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Betting on the Kentucky Derby with FanDuel

FanDuel gives bettors two ways to wager on the Kentucky Derby and other horse racing events, including the dedicated FanDuel Racing app, which is available in select states. New users who sign up can claim a $50 Racing Bonus without needing a FanDuel Racing promo code.

Bet $10, Get $50 in Racing Bonus

FanDuel Racing is a leading choice for betting on Kentucky Derby horses in 2026. Availability depends on your location, with a dedicated FanDuel Racing app offered in select states, while bettors elsewhere can access horse racing markets through the main FanDuel Sportsbook platform.

Bet $5, Get $250 If It Wins

New bettors who sign up for a FanDuel Sportsbook account in eligible states can earn $250 in bonus bets after placing a $5 first wager on any sport, including the Kentucky Derby, in select locations.

Where can you legally bet on the Kentucky Derby?

United States

Kentucky Derby betting is legal in many states through licensed sportsbooks and racebooks. Availability depends on local gambling laws.

Canada

Canadian bettors can wager on the Kentucky Derby through platforms like bet365 or pari-mutuel services such as HPIbet.

International

Outside North America, availability varies by country, but many global sportsbooks offer Derby betting markets.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby with bet365

Bet365 Logo

Bet $5, Get $50 or a $1K First Bet*

If you’re outside the United States and looking for where to bet on the Kentucky Derby, bet365 is a top choice. In Canada and other regions, bet365 Sportsbook offers a wide range of Derby odds and betting options.

New users can sign up today using our link to claim the bet365 bonus code, including a Bet $5, Get $50 offer, or a first-bet safety net with up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your initial wager doesn’t win.

*Promotion not available in Ontario, Canada.

Where to place a bet on the Kentucky Derby

There are two main ways to bet on the Kentucky Derby: in person at a racetrack or racebook, or online through a betting app like FanDuel Racing. 

Online💻

Most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces allow legal online horse racing betting. To get started, you’ll need to sign up with a racebook, deposit funds, and then browse available races. From there, you can sort by track, race number, horse, and bet type before placing your wager.

In-person 🏟️

If you’re betting at the track, you’ll need cash in hand and be ready with the key details: track name, race number, horse number, and the type of bet you want to place.

Where to bet on the Kentucky Derby

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Peter Clarke - Covers
Senior Editor

Peter Clarke is dedicated to keeping bettors informed about the biggest sports betting events, such as the Super Bowl and March Madness, and the best way to cash in on sportsbook promos. He's also always on top of the latest welcome offers from the biggest sportsbooks, so he can share the best deals and the most exciting games to use them on every day.

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