Disclaimer: BetMGM Racebook has yet to go live. This review is speculative and will be updated once BetMGM Racebook goes live.
BetMGM, one of the most recognizable brands in the gambling industry, will soon launch a new app intended for betting on horse racing. BetMGM announced its partnership with the New York Racing Association’s platform NYRA Bets at the end of May 2020.
This is BetMGM’s first partner in the horse-racing space and will include wagering on thoroughbred, harness and quarter horse races. The online racebook will also offer races from more than 200 tracks worldwide.
While this is BetMGM’s first horse racing app, the company already has its online sportsbook and casino in several states throughout the US. NYRA Bets initially launched in 2016, but grew significantly last year. It is now available in 30 states throughout the country.
This partnership should help BetMGM’s racebook expand quickly, too. Once it launches, it will be available for Android and Apple devices, as well as via web browser. BetMGM’s new app will showcase NYRA Bets’ software, which has already proven to be successful.
Although it is not available yet, BetMGM’s horse racing app should go live sometime in the near future. This review will cover everything you should expect to find with the racebook once it launches.
BetMGM Racebook welcome offer
We won’t know what BetMGM’s welcome offer will look like exactly, but it’s more than probable that it will have at least one, just as it does for its sportsbook and casino. Bettors should likely expect to find one of the following horse betting bonus options:
Deposit bonus
Many online betting apps give new customers a reward based on the amount of their first deposit into their account. So if BetMGM decided to match your first deposit up to $200, then a deposit of that size would result in a total of $400 in your account. Of course, the amount of the bonus varies across platforms.
Insured bet
A similar deal that’s often available throughout betting apps and racebooks is an insured wager. Instead of BetMGM matching your deposit, it will provide insurance on your first bet with the horse racing app.
This is a popular bonus that essentially gives you a second chance if your first bet loses. As with all other bonuses, the amount can have a wide range. However, other online racebooks in the US feature this offer up to $300.
Bonus bet
Some sportsbooks in the US also give new bettors who sign up a bonus bet or bonus to use even before depositing. Bonus bets are a good option for bettors because you can actually utilize and place bets with the racebook before using any of your own money. If you happen to dislike your experience on the app, then you don’t have to continue betting with it.
Since BetMGM is launching a new horse racing product, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the racebook provide a bonus bet. These are usually much smaller bonuses and come along with one of the other offers.
Other racebooks give a bonus that depends on how much you wager over the course of the first month on the app. BetMGM users likely will find out what the horse racing platform’s bonus is once it’s officially live.
Terms and conditions apply to all offers. Please see BetMGM Racebook for details. 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER+
Signing up at BetMGM Racebook
Creating an account to join BetMGM’s newest app will likely be an easy and quick process. To get started, you’ll need to input some personal information such as the following:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Home address
- Phone number
- Social Security number
Bettors will also need to come up with a username and a password for their account. BetMGM may ask you to provide a few security questions to protect your information, too.
The only other step is to agree with BetMGM’s terms and to confirm your age. Unlike sports betting, many states don’t need you to be 21 in order to place bets. In many parts of the US, the legal age to bet on horse races is only 18.
Registration eligibility at BetMGM Racebook
BetMGM’s racebook will have eligibility requirements just like its other apps. The main regulation that you’ll need to follow is the minimum age to bet within your state. As noted, lots of states in the country allow those who are 18 and older to wager on horses. However, some states require you to be 21 or older, so be sure to check where you live.
In addition to being the legal age, you must be located in one of the states where the app is legal. As with other betting apps, BetMGM uses geolocation to determine where you are when trying to access the betting app. If you’re not in a state where BetMGM is available and legal, then you won’t be able to place bets on it. This goes for both the BetMGM horse race betting app and website version.
Betting on horse races online is legal in a good portion of the US. Even though you’ll need to wait for BetMGM to launch in your state, it could happen sooner than later once it initially debuts. You do not need to be a resident of a legal state to sign up, just physically within the state lines to wager.
Downloading the BetMGM horse betting app
One thing we do know for certain is that BetMGM’s app for horse racing will come out for both Apple and Android devices. The company provided this news in its press release regarding its new partnership and racebook. While we likely would have anticipated that news, it’s good having it confirmed before the racebook launches.
You likely will be able to download the BetMGM horse racing mobile app via direct links on the racebook website. The horse racing platform will also be available via a web browser for wagering on your computer, as well. You’ll also be able to utilize it through your phone’s browser.
You can expect for both versions of the racebook to look similar and include the same betting options.
Promotions at BetMGM Racebook
Beyond the initial bonuses and offers BetMGM might supply when you create an account, the racebook will likely feature other promotions, as well. You can use the BetMGM sportsbook bonus code to claim daily and weekly deals, and its racebook will probably do the same.
These promos generally consist of different benefits for customers who place regular bets. You’ll also likely find various types of insurance where you get a refund if your bet does not cash. Others involve receiving bonus funds for a certain wager or earning a piece of a prize pool within betting contests.
BetMGM Racebook deposit, withdrawal options
The BetMGM Racebook will likely implement multiple ways to move money into and out of your account. Although we won’t know all of the exact methods until BetMGM launches, you should probably find at least a few of the following banking methods:
- PayPal
- ACH/e-check
- Credit card or debit card
- Online banking
- Play+ prepaid card
- Wire transfer
- PayNearMe
- Neteller
- Green Dot
- Check or money order
- Cash
The majority of online racebooks all provide at least a couple of ways to deposit money. You’re typically able to withdraw funds via many of the same methods you can use to deposit.
Once the BetMGM horse racing app is available in specific states, it will probably have retail partners and establishments. It’s possible that you will be able to conduct your banking through cash transactions on site at some of these locations.
Types of bets on BetMGM Racebook
Racebooks in the US utilize pari-mutuel betting, so your experience through the app or website should be nearly identical to going to the track. This means that all of the odds and wagers at the actual race are connected to the odds and bets on BetMGM’s app.
Along with the same updated odds for each horse, you should have the same betting options available as at a race track. This will include the following:
- Win
- Place
- Show
- Exacta
- Trifecta
- Superfecta
The best horse betting platforms give customers lots of avenues when looking to place wagers. Additional options that are common for online racebooks include the ability to box a bunch of the bets.
By choosing to box your exacta or trifecta, you surrender some of your favorable odds for the advantage of not needing to get the finish order exactly right. As long as you pick the top two or three horses involved, your ticket will cash.
Other forms of bets BetMGM will likely feature consist of quinellas, daily doubles and pick wagers.
Through a Pick 3/4/5/6 etc., you can bet on the winning horse for a set number of races in a row. If successful, you could be in line for a massive payout, similar to a parlay at the sportsbook. Look for BetMGM to have all of the basics in place when it eventually hits the market.
Betting markets at BetMGM Racebook
Another aspect bettors should be interested in for BetMGM’s app is the wide range of races to put action on. In its news release, the operator mentioned access to more than 200 tracks around the globe.
Of course, this will probably include most of the major races and tracks both in the US and in other parts of the world. BetMGM listed the following events to bet on:
- Kentucky Derby Odds
- Preakness Odds
- Belmont Stakes Odds
- Breeders’ Cup Odds
- Royal Ascot
- Melbourne Cup
- Saudi Cup
- Dubai World Cup
With the noteworthy events covered and more than 200 tracks available, BetMGM appears as if it has all of the important markets ready to go.
Live streaming and results at BetMGM Racebook
Besides just betting on the top horse races, the online racebook allows you to do much more. BetMGM stated it will present daily content to look at, in addition to live streaming video and replays.
This is great because now you can put money down on a horse and view the race as if you were at a local race track. Since you’ll likely be able to stream most races, the racebook will give horse racing fans many other betting options.
The ability to replay a race after it’s completed is useful, as well. Sometimes finding video feeds from races at different tracks isn’t the easiest, so this will be a helpful tool at BetMGM.
Is the BetMGM Racebook legal?
The BetMGM app for betting on horse racing isn’t legal just yet, but it will be in the near future. Betting on horse races online is legal and regulated in most parts of the US. Currently, BetMGM’s partner, NYRA Bets, is available in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Once BetMGM’s racebook makes its initial debut, it should continue to expand and launch in many of the same locations. Other places that don’t offer online racebooks could soon, as the laws for online betting keep changing throughout the US.