See how online horse betting works in Ohio through licensed racebooks, and get to know the tracks, big races and bet types for wagering on horses in the Buckeye State.
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Ohio horse betting offers
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GET! code applied automaticallyRead our AmWager reviewVisit AmWager →New AmWager customers 21+ in eligible states. Deposit $50 and bet $50 within 30 days of opening the account (show betting excluded) to earn a $50 wagering credit, paid within 7 business days. The credit must be wagered, unused credit expires after 30 days and winnings are cash. One account per person, one offer per household.
Horse betting in Ohio is legal both online and at the track. Pari-mutuel wagering is regulated by the state, so you can bet on licensed websites and mobile apps as well as in person at eight racing venues. AmWager is our horse racing partner for Ohio bettors.
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Ohio horse racing betting: the basics
| Online horse betting | Yes, through licensed ADW platforms |
| Regulator | Ohio State Racing Commission |
| On-track minimum age | 18 (Ohio Admin. Code 3769-14-06) |
| AmWager minimum age | 21+ |
| Bet type | Pari-mutuel |
| Tracks | Eight: four thoroughbred, four harness |
| Signature races | Little Brown Jug, Ohio Derby |
Is online horse betting legal in Ohio?
Yes. The Ohio State Racing Commission regulates pari-mutuel racing in the state, including account wagering through advance deposit wagering (ADW) platforms. You fund an account, then bet into the same pools as on-track customers, with the track’s takeout coming off the top before winners are paid.
Ohio’s racing rules set 18 as the minimum age to wager at a horse racing meeting. ADW operators set their own minimums within that, and AmWager requires account holders to be 21 or older.
Horse racing is a separate product from Ohio’s fixed-odds sports betting, which launched in January 2023 and is covered in our Ohio sportsbooks guide.
Horse betting sites in Ohio
For wagering on horses in Ohio, these are the main online racebooks:
- AmWager: our Ohio partner. Wagering on US and international tracks, live video and account tools on desktop and mobile. 21+.
- DRF Bets: the total package for horse betting, with entries, results, replays and Daily Racing Form past performances.
- NYRA Bets: from the New York Racing Association, which runs Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct.
- TwinSpires: Churchill Downs Inc.’s racebook, with free handicapping data.
- TVG and FanDuel Racing: FanDuel’s racing products, with customizable filters by breed and region.
Welcome promotions at non-partner racebooks change often, so check each operator’s terms directly.
Best horse betting apps in Ohio
These mobile apps are free to download if you want Ohio online horse betting on your phone:
- NYRA Bets has a picture-in-picture feature, giving fast access to live streams once you’ve placed your wager.
- TVG lets you customize what you see, with filters based on breed and region.
- TwinSpires handles deposits and withdrawals through your account on mobile.
- AmWager keeps the bet slip, video and account in one place on iOS, Android and mobile web.
Racebook promotions explained
Ohio racebooks typically run three kinds of promotion:
- Bet-back deals that return part of a losing stake, usually as wagering credit.
- Loyalty and rebate programs that pay points or cash-back on your handle if you bet regularly.
- Sign-up offers where part of your first deposit is matched with credit.
Always check the wagering requirement and expiry before opting in.
Ohio horse racing tracks
Ohio is one of the busiest racing states in the Midwest, with eight venues hosting thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness racing:
- Thistledown in North Randall, on the outskirts of Cleveland: thoroughbreds, home of the Ohio Derby.
- Belterra Park in Anderson Township, just outside Cincinnati: thoroughbreds.
- Mahoning Valley Race Course in Austintown, near Youngstown: thoroughbreds.
- Eldorado Scioto Downs in Columbus: harness racing.
- MGM Northfield Park in Northfield, between Cleveland and Akron: harness racing.
- Dayton Raceway in Dayton: harness racing.
- Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon: harness racing.
- Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware: harness racing, home of the Little Brown Jug.
Most of the tracks are racinos, pairing live racing with video lottery terminals. As there are so many Ohio racing venues, something is happening all year round.
Big Ohio races to bet
In thoroughbred racing, the Ohio Derby for three-year-olds over nine furlongs is the premier event at Thistledown during its season, which runs through the warmer months.
In standardbred racing, the Little Brown Jug for three-year-old pacers is run at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on the Thursday of fair week, the third Thursday after Labor Day. It is a leg of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers and draws one of the biggest crowds in the sport. The 81st edition was raced on September 24, 2026.
Beyond the home tracks, ADW apps give Ohio bettors every major race in the country: the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup, plus the full Saratoga and Keeneland meets.
Types of horse racing bets in Ohio
For wagering on horses in Ohio, the markets are pari-mutuel. These bet types are available:
- Win: your horse must finish first.
- Place and Show: your horse must finish first or second (place), or in the top three (show).
- Exotic wagers: bets on more than one horse in the same race, such as exactas, trifectas, superfectas and quinellas.
- Multi-race wagers: bets such as the Daily Double, Pick 4 and Pick 6, where you pick winners across consecutive races.
A worked example: a $1 trifecta box on three horses at Northfield costs $6, because it covers all six finishing orders. If your three finish one-two-three in any order, you collect the trifecta payout for a $1 ticket, which is set by the pool once the race is official.
Tax on Ohio horse racing winnings
Winnings are taxable. Pari-mutuel wins over $600 that pay at least 300 times the stake trigger a W-2G, and 24% federal withholding applies to wins over $5,000 at 300-to-1 or more. Winnings also count toward your Ohio income tax, and many Ohio cities levy their own municipal income tax. From the 2026 tax year, the federal deduction for gambling losses is capped at 90% of losses.
Responsible horse betting in Ohio
Set a budget before the card starts and use the deposit limits and time-outs every licensed ADW provides. The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-800-589-9966, free and confidential, and 1-800-GAMBLER is also available 24/7.
Ohio horse racing in 2027
The 82nd Little Brown Jug
The Jug returns to Delaware in September 2027 on the third Thursday after Labor Day, the biggest single day of harness racing wagering in the state.
Fixed-odds racing next door
Kentucky legalized fixed-odds horse racing bets in 2026. If its rollout goes well, expect the idea to reach other racing states, Ohio among them.
Prediction markets and racing
The Sixth Circuit ruled in September 2026 that Ohio can enforce its gambling laws against Kalshi‘s sports contracts. Watch whether that reasoning reaches event contracts on horse races.
What is the best horse racing betting site in Ohio?
It depends what you bet. Our partner AmWager carries a wide track list at home and abroad, streamed races and an uncluttered bet slip. TwinSpires, owned by Churchill Downs, has deep handicapping content, TVG and FanDuel Racing add television and streaming coverage, NYRA Bets is the home of Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct wagering and DRF Bets builds Daily Racing Form past performances into the bet slip. Many Ohio players keep two accounts to compare rebates and track coverage.
Can you bet on horse racing online in Ohio?
Yes. Licensed ADW apps such as AmWager, TwinSpires and TVG accept Ohio customers, and you can also bet on-track at eight Ohio venues.
How old do you have to be to bet on horses in Ohio?
Ohio’s racing rules set 18 as the minimum age to wager at a race meeting. Online racebooks set their own minimums; AmWager requires 21+.
What tracks host Ohio horse racing?
Thistledown, Belterra Park and Mahoning Valley (thoroughbreds), plus Scioto Downs, Northfield Park, Dayton Raceway, Miami Valley Gaming and the Delaware County Fairgrounds (harness).
When is the Little Brown Jug?
On the third Thursday after Labor Day at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. The 2026 edition, the 81st, was raced on September 24.
Do I have to pay tax on horse racing winnings in Ohio?
Yes. Winnings count toward federal and Ohio income tax, and city tax where applicable. Large pari-mutuel payouts trigger a W-2G and, above $5,000 at 300-to-1 or more, 24% federal withholding.