Kentucky Derby betting online: Best promos and bonuses for online horse bets

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is today, and a few top online horse betting apps are where to bet on the Derby for the best offer and promo codes for new users interested in wagering. Here's everything you need to know about Kentucky Derby betting online. 

The first leg of the Triple Crown is always a major hit for sports bettors; however, knowing where to bet on the Kentucky Derby is important. You can't bet on horse racing at sportsbooks — instead, you have to do so at racebooks. Let's explore horse betting online and betting on the Kentucky Derby. Below, we'll look at what FanDuel Racing, the 1/ST BET app and TwinSpires have lined up for the Run for the Roses. 

Kentucky Derby betting online: promo comparison

FanDuel Racing app welcome offer

With FanDuel Racing, new users receive a first No Sweat Bet up to $500 on any horse on any track. If your bet loses, your receive your stake back in Racing credit up to $500. 

The Kentucky Derby betting online offer is only valid for your first wager, and it may take up to five days after the first wager settles for credit to appear in your account. FanDuel Racing credit expires after seven days. 

1/ST BET app welcome offer code

With 1/ST BET, new users can earn up to $250 in bonus bets, as 1/ST BET will credit a $25 bonus bet to your account for every $100 wagered. When signing up for the offer, make sure to enter in the 1/ST BET promo code in order to access the offer. 

A $25 bonus bet will be credited to your account within three days, and unused bonus bets expire in 14 days. 1/ST BET also has a strong rewards program where you earn points for every wager and has great handicapping tools for horse racing aficionados to use. 

TwinSpires promo code and welcome offer

The TwinSpires offer code has a similar structure to 1/ST BET's offer, except you can earn more bonus bets with TwinSpires by wagering more to start. At TwinSpires, you can receive up to $400 in bonus bets, with new users getting $100 in bonus bets for every $400 wagered. 

All new users are eligible for this TwinSpires promo code once they sign up with the horse racing app that allows you to bet on the Derby with the host of the race. Churchill Downs, the host track for the Derby, owns TwinSpires. New users must reach the wager amount within 30 days of creating an account to get the bonus bets.

Overall summary of racebook promos

While these promo offers for online horse betting have similar structures, it depends on how much you're willing to stake. If you don't think you will bet as much, you'd probably want to roll with 1/ST BET since users get a $25 bonus bet for every $100 wagered. If you do think you'll wager more, you can earn more bonus bets with TwinSpires, as that TwinSpires offer code maxes out at $400 in bonus bets compared to 1/ST BET's $250. If you are willing to invest more at the start and prefer bet insurance to receive your stake back in bonus credit, then FanDuel Racing has an offer that is more in line with that kind of thinking. 

How Kentucky Derby betting online odds and payouts work

Let's understand how betting on the Kentucky Derby differs from sports betting, even though the odds and payout structure work in the same way. Sportsbooks cannot offer horse betting in the United States. The only way you can wager on it is through racebooks like FanDuel Racing, 1/ST BET and TwinSpires. 

The biggest difference is that the odds of your wager aren't locked in until the race begins, rather than when you place the bet, like in sports betting. This is called parimutuel betting or pool betting. For instance, if you bet on a horse with 10/1 odds on Wednesday but those odds end up being 4/1 when the race starts, your wager will be locked in at 4/1. So the timing of your wager doesn't matter as much compared to sports betting, just as long as you place a wager before the race starts.

However, since odds fluctuate until a horse race begins, horse racing apps and betting sites allow you to cancel any bet you have made before the race begins. 

If you have any other questions about how to bet on horse racing, make sure to check out this complete betting guide.

Rules and responsible gaming

Responsible gambling is taken very seriously across all racebooks. All provide the necessary resources and contact information if you or someone you know may have a gambling problem. The minimum age is 18 for horse racing betting in most states, but it is 21 in some states. 

Responsible gambling resources include the National Council for Problem Gambling (NCPG) and Gamblers Anonymous.

Be smart. Bet smart. Wager responsibly. Those in need of help can also call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).  Help is available 24 hours per day and seven days per week.