Best Kentucky Derby Betting Sites for Mar. 2023

Best legal US Kentucky Derby betting sites & apps

Online betting for the Kentucky Derby is a bit different than placing bets on other events like the Super Bowl. There are two Kentucky Derby betting sites/apps that dominate the race’s wagering scene in particular including TVG, and Twinspires. Look below for information on the best betting sites for the Kentucky Derby.

TVG

TVG, owned by FanDuel Sportsbook, rebranded to ‘FanDuel TV’ in September 2022. The original TVG website is still available despite rebranding and remains a premier horse racing betting platform.  It also specializes in live coverage of horse racing, including live marquee events, meaning it could be a great option for those seeking a reliable stream.

• Live streaming
• Available on digital, cable and other TV networks
• Quickly updated race results

Twinspires

Twinspires, owned by Churchill Downs, is the official online betting partner of the Kentucky Derby. It stems from one of the oldest betting entities in American history, founded nearly 148 years ago. Twinspires is currently available in Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

• Desktop, mobile, and app-based advance-deposit wagering platforms
• Access to horse racing experts and other industry insiders
• Free past performance summaries, insider picks and power plays

Best Kentucky Derby betting promos & bonuses

TVG Kentucky Derby Betting Promotions

Choosing the TVG’s Kentucky Derby betting promotion presents great value in both betting and live streaming. Its current sign-up offer features $200 in bet credits, which will be added to your account after your first-ever bet settles (if it loses).

Twinspires Kentucky Derby Betting Promotions

Twinspires’ present sign-up incentive is a 100% deposit match up to $100, which will be received almost immediately upon first real-cash deposit. This is the perfect promotion for those hoping to place some extra wagers with betting credits before the derby begins.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby in Canada

Every year, more Canadians bet on the Kentucky Derby than they do on any other horse race.

Residents of Canada can use the following sites:

Sports Interaction

bet365

Bet Victor

Pinnacle

Editor's note: Users are not permitted to bet on the Kentucky Derby in Ontario.

Residents of British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan can only place retail or online wagers via PlayNow (PlayNow.com). There is currently not online or retail sports betting available to those who live in either Nunavut, Yukon, or the Northwest Territories. These three provinces/territories are all regulated by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC).

Those in Alberta are currently limited to using Play Alberta, but it is also the closest province to legalizing a full slate of the best sportsbooks. All of the Atlantic provinces including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia have legalized single-game betting. It can only be done so via PROLINEStadium.com, the sole sports betting platform that has been approved by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.

How we rate & review Kentucky Derby betting sites

There are several ways in which SBR evaluates Kentucky Derby Betting Sites. Given the event's popularity, several sportsbooks will offer promotions, but knowing where you'll get the best bang for your buck is essential. On top of that, there is a multitude of other factors to consider, including security, payout speeds, and customer service. Some of the most essential benchmarks include:

Exclusive Kentucky Derby Promotional Offers

There are always offers aplenty when it comes to choosing the best Kentucky Derby sportsbook. Whether it’s deposit matching or bet credits, there’s always an incentive to play. It’s also important to remember that more than one promotion can be activated at once. There is no limit to how many sportsbooks a player can have an account with, and simultaneously taking advantage of different offers is a strategic move. Whether activating one or multiple, there will be a promotion that appeals to you.

Variety of Kentucky Derby Bet Types

Betting on horse racing is far different from betting on other sports due to how unique it is. Like other sports, the most popular bet type is ‘outright winner’. The other variations are essentially centered around the order in which the horses are expected to finish. Different sportsbooks may offer alternative bet types, and the greatest variety will naturally attract the largest pool of sports bettors.

Kentucky Derby Live Streaming & Boosted Odds

Some sportsbooks may offer other desired perks, are live streaming and boosted odds. Kentucky Derby live streaming is highly-sought after in particular as many people need cable, and finding reliable streams for such a high-profile event can prove challenging. Additionally, some sportsbooks will boost odds to attract 'line shoppers' This refers to experienced bettors who continually scour several sportsbooks to maximize betting value.

Payout Speed & Customer Service

There’s nothing worse than celebrating a big win only to wait several days to enjoy your profits. It’s also frustrating when you have a time-sensitive question about betting on the Kentucky Derby and can’t get a hold of anyone in time. SBR knows that ‘frustrated’ is the last thing you should be while sports betting, meaning we put a premium on criteria focusing on convenience. Transaction security is also an important measure.

Recent Kentucky Derby winners and betting stats

The 2022 Results of the Kentucky Derby were shocking, as horse Rich Strike won the race despite being the biggest underdog of the slate at 80:1 odds. A late scratch of another horse was the only reason Rich Strike competed. It was a race to the finish, with Rich Strike chasing down betting-favorite Epicenter on the home stretch. Look below for a complete summary of how each horse placed in the 2022 Kentucky Derby and all other relevant information.

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby online

There are a few different steps to consider when determining how to bet on horse racing. Here’s how to get started:

1) Pick a trusted Kentucky Derby betting site based on SBR’s best sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos.

2) Find the sign-up bonus that appeals to you the most. Complete the registration process, entering a promo code during if necessary, to create an account. 

3) Find the horse racing book and select ‘Kentucky Derby’.

4) Choose a wager type.

5) Decide on a reasonable amount to stake and build your bet slip.

6) Confirm your wager(s).

7) Enjoy the race.

8) Withdraw your winnings or claim bet credits following a loss (if promo is applicable).

Types of Kentucky Derby bets available online

Kentucky Derby betting greatly differs from betting on other large sporting events such as the Super Bowl. Instead of using bet types like ‘spread’ and ‘over/under’, the various betting options center around the finishing order of the horses. Here are some of the most popular Kentucky Derby bet types:

Outright Win

This bet type is exactly as it sounds. Pick one horse to win the race, and hope for the best. The longer the odds, the bigger the payout.

Each-way Bet

An each-way bet provides more safety than picking the winner. In this instance, you’re selecting a horse to win the race and/or to place within a certain number of place positions. Since this is a dual-bet, you are essentially placing two wagers at once. For example, a $10 bet actually requires $20 since it’s two $10 bets. Winnings occur whether the horse wins outright, or simply places within a certain range set by the sportsbook. For example, a sportsbook may offer an each-way bet where the horse must at least finish in the top-three to cash. 

Exacta Bet

An exacta bet is a more specific way to bet on the order of finish. For example, a straight exacta bet on one horse in particular to finish in first and another specific horse to finish in second. Alternatively, you could place an exacta box bet on those two horses to finish in the top two, regardless of exact order.

Trifecta Bet

A trifecta bet also comes with two different options. A straight trifecta bet, like a straight exacta bet, allows you to bet on the exact order of finish of the top three horses. A trifecta box bet is wagering on the top three horses, regardless of exact finishing order.

Superfecta Bet

A superfecta bet is one that isn’t routinely offered with every horse race, but the Kentucky Derby is big enough for sportsbooks to make it available. True to its name, it’s a straight or box bet that involves the top four horses.

Kentucky Derby betting tips and strategies

Zeroing in on the most prevalent information is the best way to get an edge on betting tips for the Kentucky Derby. Some of the best strategies include:

Racing Conditions

Like field sports, horse racing can be greatly affected by the weather. For example, Churchill Downs (where the Kentucky Derby is held) has a dirt track that is highly susceptible to rain and other water-based inclement weather conditions. Be sure to check the weather report day of, and to monitor the track conditions a couple of days in advance.

History at the Track

How certain jockeys and horses perform on different race tracks can add a lot of betting insight when trying to make a tough decision. How has this horse/jockey combo fared at other races at Churchill Downs in the past? Did they improve one year under a different trainer? History has a habit of repeating itself, and reviewing past data from the track can help you to recognize trends.

Line Shopping

Each sportsbook has a slightly different algorithm when it comes to setting lines, meaning there will be some disparity between them – even if only slight. By making accounts with multiple sportsbooks, you allow yourself the opportunity to activate multiple welcome offers while also ensuring you’re always getting the best odds.

Taking the Underdog

Everyone loves a good comeback story, and last year’s unlikely victory from Rich Strike may encourage more people than usual to wager on an underdog. With such long odds, even a lower-cash bet can pay serious dividends.

Where to watch the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is typically aired on NBC, and will also be available online at NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The race is tentatively set to kick off at around 6:24 p.m. ET on race day, but last year’s Kentucky Derby didn’t officially begin until 6:57 p.m. ET. Tuning in well ahead of time is recommended so that you don’t miss a second. For those that cannot access NBC, finding a sportsbook like TVG that offers live streaming is your best bet.

Legal Kentucky Derby betting states

The rules and regulations surrounding sports betting vary from state-to-state. Information on legal sports betting age can be found in their respective state pages.

For potential legal states, please refer to the following resources:

Other regions:

• Canada sports betting
• Ontario sports betting
• U.K. sports betting