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. 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 | |
| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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
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
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.






