Online horse racing betting is legal in North Dakota, and it is the only way to bet on a sporting event from your phone anywhere in the state. Pari-mutuel wagering is regulated by the North Dakota Racing Commission, and residents 21 and older can bet tracks nationwide through advance deposit wagering (ADW) apps that list North Dakota as eligible.
North Dakota is more than a customer for ADWs. It licenses them. More than a dozen wagering companies hold North Dakota service provider licenses for 2026, from Xpressbet and WatchandWager to StableDuel and US Off-Track, and the taxes they pay keep live racing going in Fargo and Belcourt.
In this article 14 sections
- North Dakota horse racing in numbers
- Is online horse betting legal in North Dakota?
- How North Dakota funds racing through ADW
- Horse betting sites in North Dakota
- How to start betting horses online in North Dakota
- Live racing in North Dakota
- What North Dakotans can bet on
- Types of horse racing bets in North Dakota
- Best horse betting apps in North Dakota
- Taxes on horse racing winnings in North Dakota
- Other betting in North Dakota
- Responsible gambling in North Dakota
- North Dakota horse racing betting in 2027
- More
North Dakota horse racing in numbers
| Quick facts | North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Online horse betting | Yes, through ADW apps that accept North Dakota customers |
| Racing regulator | North Dakota Racing Commission |
| Licensed ADW and service providers (2026) | 16 |
| Live tracks | Chippewa Downs (Belcourt); North Dakota Horse Park (Fargo) |
| Minimum age | 21 at the major ADWs |
| Sports betting | In person at tribal casinos only |
| State tax on winnings | 0%, 1.95% or 2.5% |
| Problem gambling help | 1-877-702-7848; 1-800-GAMBLER |
Is online horse betting legal in North Dakota?
Yes. Pari-mutuel betting is authorized under state law and overseen by the Racing Commission, which licenses totalizator companies, ADW operators, simulcast sites and the two racetracks. When you bet through an ADW, your money goes into the same pool as bets placed at the host track, and payouts are set by the pool after the track’s takeout. You are betting against other players, not the operator.
That is a different product from sports betting. A racing app will not take a bet on the NDSU Bison, and the sportsbook at a tribal casino is not the place for a Pick 4 at Gulfstream.
How North Dakota funds racing through ADW
North Dakota’s model is unusual. Each ADW licensed by the Racing Commission pays tax on its proceeds to the state and must choose an in-state charity or nonprofit to support. The tax is split between the general fund and the commission, and the commission’s share is the main funding source for live racing at Chippewa Downs and the North Dakota Horse Park.
That arrangement was tested in 2025. Senate Bill 2384 was split in two before its House vote, and the part that would have barred North Dakota-licensed ADWs from taking bets on greyhound racing, which has never been run in the state, failed 69-19 on March 31, 2025. Horsemen had warned that losing ADW licenses would kill live racing.
Horse betting sites in North Dakota
AmWager is our racing partner and accepts customers in North Dakota. It is a racing-only platform with pari-mutuel pools from tracks across North America and abroad, free past performances and live video on many races. You must be 21 or older to open an account.
Read our AmWager review Visit AmWager →
Other national racebooks also list North Dakota as eligible. FanDuel Racing, the former TVG, includes North Dakota among its 31 states. DRF Bets lists North Dakota as fully available, and NYRA Bets accepts North Dakota residents from age 21. Eligible-state lists change, so check each operator’s terms before you sign up.
How to start betting horses online in North Dakota
- Confirm you are 21 or older and physically in an eligible state.
- Register with your legal name, address and date of birth so identity checks clear.
- Deposit by bank transfer, debit card or another listed method.
- Pick a track, a race and a bet type, then confirm the ticket.
- Winnings settle to your balance once the race is official.
Live racing in North Dakota
North Dakota’s live season is short and sweet. Chippewa Downs on the Turtle Mountain reservation near Belcourt and the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo each run roughly half a dozen race days, mostly in July, with quarter horses and thoroughbreds on the card. The North Dakota Thoroughbred Association and North Dakota Quarter Horse Racing Association hold site operator licenses alongside the tracks.
Off-track simulcast sites have included Pete’s Brewhaha in Williston, Rumors in Grand Forks, SideStreet Grille and Pub in Fargo and Sky Dancer Casino in Belcourt. Check with the venue before you go.
What North Dakotans can bet on
Through an ADW app you get the whole national calendar:
- The Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, which returns to the rebuilt Belmont Park in 2027.
- Canterbury Park’s summer meet in Shakopee, Minnesota, the nearest major track for many North Dakotans.
- The Saratoga and Del Mar summer meets.
- The Breeders’ Cup World Championships each fall, scheduled for Belmont Park in 2027.
Types of horse racing bets in North Dakota
- Straight bets: Win (first), Place (first or second) and Show (top three).
- Exotics: Exacta (first two in order), Trifecta (first three) and Superfecta (first four). Boxing covers every order at a higher cost.
- Multi-race bets: Daily Double and Pick 3 through Pick 6, where you pick the winners of consecutive races.
A worked example: a $1 trifecta box on three horses covers six combinations and costs $6. If those three fill the top three spots in any order, you collect the $1 trifecta payout. Exotic payouts are only known once the race is official, because they depend on the size of the pool.
Best horse betting apps in North Dakota
AmWager’s app runs on iOS and Android with wagering, video and handicapping data in one place. It checks your location, so keep location services on. When comparing racebooks, weigh track coverage, video quality, rebates and how quickly withdrawals land. Many North Dakota bettors hold two accounts to compare track lists race by race.
Taxes on horse racing winnings in North Dakota
Winnings are taxable income in North Dakota at 0%, 1.95% or 2.5%, depending on your bracket. Federally, large pari-mutuel payouts can trigger a W-2G, with withholding generally applying when a payout exceeds $5,000 and is at least 300 times the stake. From the 2026 tax year, only 90% of gambling losses can be deducted, and never more than your winnings.
Other betting in North Dakota
Sports betting is legal only in person at tribal casinos such as Dakota Magic in Hankinson and 4 Bears in New Town, and a 2025 resolution to allow statewide betting failed 24-70 in the House. Charitable blackjack and electronic pull tabs are available in bars across the state. Our North Dakota gambling guide covers it all.
Responsible gambling in North Dakota
Set a budget before the first post and stick to it. ADW accounts offer deposit limits and self-exclusion. North Dakota Health and Human Services offers free, confidential help at 1-877-702-7848 and through GamblerND, and 1-800-GAMBLER works nationally. See our responsible gambling guide.
North Dakota horse racing betting in 2027
ADW rules back at the Capitol
The Legislature returns in January 2027. After the greyhound amendment to SB 2384 failed in 2025, watch for any new attempt to change what North Dakota-licensed ADWs can offer.
Belmont Stakes returns to Belmont Park
The Belmont Stakes moves back to the rebuilt Belmont Park in 2027 after three years at Saratoga.
Breeders’ Cup on Long Island
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are scheduled for Belmont Park in fall 2027, one of the busiest betting weekends for North Dakota ADW accounts.
Is online horse betting legal in North Dakota?
Yes. Pari-mutuel wagering is legal and regulated by the North Dakota Racing Commission, and ADW apps such as AmWager accept North Dakota residents.
What is the age to bet on horses online in North Dakota?
21 at the major ADWs, including AmWager and NYRA Bets.
Which horse betting apps accept North Dakota residents?
AmWager, FanDuel Racing (formerly TVG), DRF Bets and NYRA Bets all list North Dakota as eligible.
Where can I watch live horse racing in North Dakota?
At Chippewa Downs in Belcourt and the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo, which race mostly in July.
Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby from North Dakota?
Yes. ADW apps that accept North Dakota customers carry the Derby, with your bet pooled at Churchill Downs.
Do I pay North Dakota tax on horse racing winnings?
Yes, at 0%, 1.95% or 2.5% depending on income, plus federal tax.
