[t_cab]

So I am extremely new to Horse Racing and I wanted to know how OTB works. For instance, I live in Phoenix and there are quite a few OTB locations. Does this mean that I could bet on all races across the country? For instance, would I have been able to bet on the Kentucky Derby at one of these locations? If so, would the payouts be the same? The reason I ask is because I don't completely understand who makes the payouts. Some of these places don't look like they could payout $48,000 for a Derby Superfecta. Could anyone shed some light on OTB? Thanks in advance.

[Dr. J Trotter]

Whatever they couldnt pay you in cash you could get in a wire or check. You wouldnt want to walk around a OTB with 50 racks in your pocket anyway. Trust me on that one.

Any wins over $5,000 you have to pay the taxes right there.

20% I believe

Uncle Sam always gets his cut of your winnings.

[t_cab]

So that means all payouts are the same no matter where you place the bet, correct? So if you hit the superfecta for the Derby, your payout was the same whether you bet in Vegas, Churchill Downs, or some place here in Phoenix?

[Easy-Rider 66]

I believe OTB's pay track prices. At NY OTB's they take a 6% cut of your winnings. Not sure if any other states do.

[milwaukee mike]

WARNING check with the otb, not all of them pay track prices
in waukegan, illinois they screw you out of that 6% like ny

[t_cab]

I believe OTB's pay track prices. At NY OTB's they take a 6% cut of your winnings. Not sure if any other states do.

So it is determined by state as opposed to each specific location? So it comes down to the percentage they take. What percentage does Vegas take out?

[Easy-Rider 66]

Someone else that plays there can answer for certain, but would think that Vegas pays track prices.

[milwaukee mike]

So it is determined by state as opposed to each specific location? So it comes down to the percentage they take. What percentage does Vegas take out?

vegas takes nothing and pays full track odds at every casino. "sometimes" it depends on the state, in illinois like i said the waukegan and other otb's take a % off, but if you bet at arlington park or their trackside otb then it's full track odds and they don't take a %.

[t_cab]

Ok. Thanks for your input. It sounds like I need to contact one or a few of these OTB locations and find out what percentage, if any they take out. Thanks again.