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.
Best Kentucky Derby betting sites & apps
You don't have to be at Churchill Downs to bet on the Kentucky Derby. Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings offer Kentucky Derby odds in select states, and bet365 offers odds outside of the United States. These are the best options for betting on the Kentucky Derby on your phone or online:
| Betting App | Where is it legal? | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
 |
CO, IL, IN, KY, MD, NY, OH, VA, WV, WY, NV, which also includes the William Hill app in NV | Claim 10 100% Boosts With 'COVERSBONUSDYW' |
 |
AZ, CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY | $250 Bonus Bets |
 |
FL, LA, MT, NH, NM, OH, OR, RI (+ more select states) | Claim $100 |
 |
Canada*  |
$50 or $1,000 Bonus Bets |
*Promotions not available in Ontario, Canada.
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Betting on the Kentucky Derby at Caesars
Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boosts
Code: COVERSBONUSDYW
You can place Kentucky Derby bets through the Caesars Sportsbook app in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Nevada.
The Caesars Sportsbook promo code COVERSBONUSDYW unlocks one of the more rewarding welcome offers available for new users heading into the Kentucky Derby. After creating your account and making a minimum $10 deposit, simply place a qualifying first wager of at least $1, and you will receive 10 100% Profit Boost tokens, regardless of whether that first bet wins or loses. Each boost token can be applied to any wager of $25 or less, effectively doubling your net profit on up to 10 separate bets.
To illustrate how this works with the Derby, imagine you place a $25 wager on Commandment to win at +600 odds. Normally, a winning bet would return $150 in profit. With a 100% Profit Boost applied, your profit jumps to $300. If you are targeting a long shot like Chief Wallabee or Emerging Market in an exacta or trifecta, the boost tokens can stretch your value even further across multiple exotic wagers.
There are a few key terms to keep in mind before claiming:
- You must use promo code COVERSBONUSDYW at registration
- Your first wager must be a qualifying bet of at least $1
- Boost tokens cannot be applied to wagers with odds of -500 or shorter
- Profit Boost tokens, Reward Credits, bonus bets, Super Boosts, and Round Robin wagers do not qualify as a first bet
- Your qualifying first wager must be placed within 30 days of opening your account
- Maximum bet per boost is $25
If your first wager does not meet the qualifying criteria, you will forfeit eligibility for this promotion entirely, so it is important to review the terms before placing that initial bet.
Betting on the Kentucky Derby at FanDuel
Bet $5, Get $250 If It Wins
New bettors who register for a FanDuel Sportsbook account in a legal state can score $250 in bonus bets after placing just a $5 first wager on any sport, including the Kentucky Derby, in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The good news for new bettors eyeing the Kentucky Derby is that no FanDuel promo code is needed to get started. Simply create a new account, deposit a minimum of $5, and place your first real money wager on any available market, including the Derby itself. If that initial $5 bet wins, FanDuel will credit your account with $250 in bonus bets within 72 hours of settlement.
With Renegade entering as the likely morning-line favorite and closers like Commandment and Further Ado lurking as strong alternatives, there are plenty of compelling ways to place that first wager. For example, if you put your $5 on Renegade to win and he crosses the wire first, you walk away with your winnings plus $250 in bonus bets to use across the platform. If your pick comes up short in the chaotic 20-horse field, you simply move on without the bonus, so choosing wisely matters.
There are a few key terms to keep in mind before claiming. Bonus bets are valid for seven days after issuance and carry a one-time playthrough requirement before winnings can be withdrawn. If you use a bonus bet and win, the bonus stake itself is not returned as part of your payout. For instance, using a $100 bonus bet at +100 odds returns $100 in withdrawable cash, not $200.
Betting on the Kentucky Derby at DraftKings
Bet $5, Get $100 Instantly
DraftKings offers racing markets in Montana, Oregon, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, Florida, Louisiana, and more select states.
The DraftKings promo code offer is straightforward and rewarding for new users looking to bet on the Kentucky Derby. Simply make a minimum $5 deposit and place a qualifying wager of at least $5 at odds of -500 or longer on any sports betting market, including the Derby. No DraftKings promo code is required, as the promotion applies automatically once you meet the qualifying requirements.
Whether you back morning-line favorite Renegade or take a shot on a closer like Commandment or Further Ado, your bonus bets will be on their way regardless of the outcome. Win or lose your first bet, DraftKings will issue four $25 bonus bets totaling $100 within 72 hours of your wager settling. That means even if Renegade gets caught in traffic and your pick finishes off the board, you still walk away with bonus bets to use on future markets.
With a deep and unpredictable field, the 2026 Kentucky Derby is an ideal event to explore value in the 6-1 to 15-1 range or dive into exotic wagers. Keep the following terms and conditions in mind before claiming:
- Minimum $5 deposit and $5 qualifying wager required
- Qualifying bet must be placed at odds of -500 or longer
- Four $25 bonus bets ($100 total) issued within 72 hours of wager settling
- Bonus bets expire seven days from issuance
- Stake is not included in any winnings derived from bonus bets
- Offer expires May 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Betting on the Kentucky Derby at bet365
Bet $10, Get $50 or a $1K First Bet*
The bet365 bonus code offer is straightforward: deposit at least $10, place a qualifying bet of $10 or more, and receive $200 in bonus bets, regardless of the outcome. New users in Canada should enter code COVERS365 at sign-up.
Here is how the offer plays out using the Kentucky Derby as an example. Say you place your $10 qualifying bet on morning-line favorite Renegade to win the Derby. If Renegade holds off closers like Commandment and Further Ado and crosses the wire first, you collect your winnings on top of the $200 in bonus bets. If Renegade gets swallowed up in the 20-horse traffic and finishes off the board, you still receive the $200 in bonus bets to use on future wagers. The key terms to keep in mind are listed below:
- Available to new customers only; minimum $10 deposit required.
- Qualifying bets must include at least one selection at odds of -500 or greater.
- The promo must be claimed via the bet365 app within 30 days of registering.
- Qualifying bets must settle within 30 days of claiming the promo.
- Bonus bets are non-withdrawable; the bonus bet wager is excluded from any returns.
- Bonus bets expire seven days after being credited to your account.
- Cashed-out bets, bets settled as a push, and bets deemed no action do not count toward the requirement.
With a deep field that includes pace-pressers like The Puma and strong closers such as Chief Wallabee and Emerging Market, there is no shortage of betting angles for the 2026 Derby. The bonus bets earned through this offer can be deployed across win, place, show, or exotic markets, giving new bettors plenty of flexibility on one of the biggest days in horse racing.
*Promotion not available in Ontario, Canada.
Where can you legally bet on the Kentucky Derby?
United States
Kentucky Derby betting is legal in many states through licensed sportsbooks and racebooks like Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel. Availability depends on local gambling laws.
Canada & International
Outside North America, availability varies by country, but many global sportsbooks offer Derby betting markets. Canadian bettors can wager on the Kentucky Derby through platforms like bet365 or pari-mutuel services such as HPIbet.
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
Online betting apps like FanDuel Racing and bet365 are the most convenient and widely used options.
Yes, Canadian bettors can use platforms like bet365 or pari-mutuel services.
No, you can bet from anywhere with legal access to a sportsbook or racebook.
FanDuel, TwinSpires, TVG, and bet365 all offer Kentucky Derby wagering.
