Horse Racing Betting In Alabama
The very first racing commission in Alabama was established in 1971 in Mobile County and since then, four racing commissions have been created in the state that authorize horse racing betting in Alabama. Though residents can visit tracks in AL, there has not been live horse racing available since 1992. Instead, patrons can bet on races simulcast from various horse race tracks from across the nation. Horse racing is still popular within the state, with most residents opting to use online racebooks for horse racing betting in Alabama.
Horse enthusiasts in Alabama can bet on numerous races at online racebooks, including the Alabama Stakes, Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby, and more. Even though horse betting sites may be preferred, it is also beneficial to learn more about in-state options and the overall legality of wagering in the state. You should also be interested to find out the best sites for horse racing betting in AL and the types of horse bets accepted. Horse enthusiasts will find that there are a few parallels between online horse betting and sports betting in Alabama.
Online Horse Racing Betting Sites
Horse racing betting in Alabama is most convenient when using an online racebook. It almost doesn’t make sense to visit an OTB location that focuses more on greyhound racing than horse betting if your primary goal is to bet the ponies. Alabama horse betting sites have all of the traditional options that you would find at a racetrack or OTB location, plus more. You can get rebates back your horse bets and claim deposit bonuses. There will be track odds, but you can also find horse racing futures that are not available elsewhere. Some of the best online racebooks accepting AL residents are Bovada, BetOnline, and SportsBetting.
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Bovada is one of the most trusted names in the online gaming community, with their racebook being one of the main draws. The site accepts Alabama residents and you will find that there are plenty of horse betting odds to choose from. Bovada is one of the only online racebooks that features all major tracks in the U.S., plus those in Ireland, Hong Kong, and all over the world. You can bet on the Breeders’ Cup one day and the Dubai World Cup the next.
At Bovada, you can bet on horses with bitcoin or bitcoin cash. Bitcoin deposits are the most reliable and are extremely fast. Deposit anywhere from $10 to $5,000 almost instantly, without any fees. You can also claim a bonus offer that is only for crypto bettors. With code BVSBITCOIN50, the online cashier will match your deposit by 50% for up to $500 instantly. You can create your account at Bovada today to get started with legal and fun horse racing betting in Alabama.
BetOnline - Up To 7% Track Rebates
BetOnline makes horse racing betting in Alabama more exciting. You are guaranteed to find horse betting odds on races like the Alabama Stakes, Kentucky Derby, Pegasus Cup, and more. BetOnline also has more than just the latest horse odds, the online racebook also gives horse racing tips, picks, and live streams. You can easily look up horse racing results from all of the day’s races. The best part is that you can also access your account from the mobile racebook, which is compatible with most smartphones and tablets.
BetOnline helps players maximize their winnings by offering horse rebates on all bets. The racebook gives horseplayers a 7% daily rebate on just about every bet that is placed on the site. The one exception is NYRA tracks, which have a 4% rebate. Bet at all of your favorite tracks without having to book a single flight!
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Is Horse Racing Legal In Alabama?
Horse racing betting is legal in Alabama on both state and federal levels. Alabama has laws legalizing pari-mutuel wagering in the state, with the government issuing licenses to racetrack operators. The Interstate Horseracing Act (IHRA) is a federal law that authorizes an out of state operator to accept action on races occurring at a host track, as long as both states have legalized pari-mutuel wagering. Alabama residents can legally bet the ponies whether it be at a local track, OTB location, or online.
Why Is Betting On Horses Not Considered Gambling In Alabama?
This is a regulation that has been set forth on the national stage, not just the state level. Betting on horses is considered pari-mutuel wagering and not gambling due to the fact that everyone is playing with each other’s money. When you visit a casino, you are playing against the house; however, when you visit a horse racing track, you are pooling your money with the other gamblers and getting paid out accordingly.
How To Bet On The Horses
Even though there are hundreds of races each year, the horse bet types never change. Horse bets fall into two categories: straight or exotic. Straight horse bets are on one horse, while exotics are more complex and involve more than one horse. You can read more about each horse bet type below:
Straight
- Win – Put money on your horse to win the race outright.
- Place – Bet on your pick to win first or second place.
- Show – Wager on your horse to finish anywhere in the top three.
Across the Board – Combines W/P/S bets into one wager, with a potentially larger payout should your horse win. For example, if your horse wins, you will receive the payout for all wagers. If your horse places, you will receive the place and show payoffs. A third-place win would only yield the show payoff.
Exotic
- Exacta – Bet on the winning horse and runner-up in exact order.
- Trifecta – Wager on the top three horses of a race in specific order.
- Superfecta – The most difficult wager, you must pick the first, second, third, and fourth place horses exactly.
Box – Boxing your bet allows you to wager on all possible combinations. For example, if you bet a trifecta box, your selected horses can finish in any order rather than in exact order.
Where Can I Bet On Horses In Alabama?
There are a couple of places that residents can visit for horse racing betting in Alabama. The state does not currently have live horse racing, but there are four locations that offer simulcast horse racing. Two of these venues are entertainment facilities that also offer gaming in addition to horse racing betting opportunities. Fans can bet on races like the Alabama Stakes (ironically) from off-track betting locations throughout the state.
- Birmingham Race Course (Birmingham has sports betting as well)
- Mobile Greyhound Park (Theodore)
- Victoryland (Shorter)
- Greenetrack (Eatuw)