You’ve seen the Jamie Foxx commercials. You’ve probably seen the black-and-gold app on every billboard from Jersey to Vegas. But honestly, most people who download the standard BetMGM app looking for the Kentucky Derby or a random Tuesday at Parx are in for a bit of a surprise. It’s not actually in the main app. Well, usually it isn’t.
Horse racing is a weird beast in the US legal landscape. While sports betting is expanding like crazy, horse racing has its own set of rules that go back decades. BetMGM horse racing isn't just a tab next to the NBA and NFL; it’s a dedicated ecosystem. If you’re trying to get a piece of the Triple Crown or just fancy a flutter on a maiden special weight at Gulfstream, you’ve gotta understand the "how" and the "why" behind their specific platform, which is powered by some serious industry heavyweights.
It’s all about the partnership with NYRA Bets.
If you aren't familiar with NYRA, they're the New York Racing Association. They run the big shows: Saratoga, Belmont, and Aqueduct. By linking up with them, BetMGM basically plugged into a massive, pre-existing global network of tracks. It’s not just some guy in a back room setting odds. It’s the real deal, pari-mutuel wagering.
The Pari-Mutuel Reality Check
Here is where it gets kinda tricky for the average sports bettor. In a standard sportsbook, you bet $10 to win $20, and that price is locked. If the odds change later, it doesn't matter for your ticket.
Horse racing doesn't work that way.
When you use the BetMGM horse racing app, you’re participating in pari-mutuel betting. This means you’re betting against other people, not the "house." The track takes a cut (the takeout), and the rest goes into a pool. The odds you see when you place your bet? They're just an estimate. If a billionaire walks up to the window two minutes before the gates open and drops fifty grand on your horse, your payout is going to plummet. It’s volatile. It’s frantic. It’s exactly why some people love it and others find it absolutely infuriating.
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Most people don't realize that the "Morning Line" odds are literally just a guess by a track official. They have zero impact on what you actually get paid. You’re riding the wave of public opinion right up until the horses are loaded into the stalls.
Why the Separate App Exists
People always ask why they can't just bet on horses in the main MGM Rewards app. It’s a mess of regulations. Because horse racing is governed by the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, it has a different legal lane than the SCOTUS-cleared sports betting we've seen since 2018.
The BetMGM Horse Racing app is currently available in a handful of states—think Ohio, Florida, Louisiana, and a few others—but the map is always shifting. Because of the NYRA tie-in, the interface feels a lot more professional than those "spin-the-wheel" type gambling apps. You get actual HD video feeds. You get replays.
There is something genuinely cool about sitting on your couch and watching a live feed from a track in South Africa or Australia at three in the morning. BetMGM gives you access to over 200 tracks worldwide.
What You're Actually Betting On
It’s not just "Who wins?"
Sure, you have your Win, Place, and Show bets. But the real money—and the real heart attack—lives in the "Exotics."
- Exactas: Picking the first and second horse in order.
- Trifectas: First, second, and third. Hard as hell to hit.
- Pick 5/Pick 6: This is the lottery of horse racing. You have to pick the winner of five or six consecutive races. If you hit one of these, you’re usually looking at a life-changing payout, but the odds of doing it are astronomical.
The app handles "boxing" these bets too. If you "box" an exacta, you’re betting that Horse A and Horse B will finish first and second in any order. It costs double, but it saves you the heartbreak of watching your two horses finish in the wrong spots.
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The Saratoga Factor and Big Events
When the Saratoga meet happens in the summer, the BetMGM horse racing platform sees a massive spike. Saratoga is arguably the most prestigious meet in America. The "Graveyard of Champions."
During the Triple Crown season—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes—the app usually rolls out specific promos. But here’s a tip: don't just look at the big races. The experts, the guys who actually make money at this, usually look for value in the "under card." While everyone is losing their minds over the favorite in the Derby, there’s often a vulnerable favorite in a Grade 3 sprint three races earlier that offers way better value.
One thing BetMGM does well is the integration of Daily Racing Form (DRF) data. For the uninitiated, the DRF is the "bible" of horse racing. It’s a dizzying wall of numbers, speed figures, and notations about whether a horse wore blinkers or had a "troubled trip" last time out. Having that data inside the app is a massive advantage over platforms that just give you names and colors.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Don't bet every race. Just don't.
The "takeout" at horse tracks is usually between 15% and 25%. That’s a massive hurdle to overcome if you’re just guessing. If you bet $2 on every single race, the math says you're going to bleed out. You have to be selective.
Another huge mistake? Ignoring the surface. A horse that is a superstar on dirt might be a total clunker on turf (grass). Or maybe they love "synthetic" tracks like the ones at Gulfstream or Woodbine. The BetMGM app lists the surface for every race—pay attention to it. If it starts raining and the track becomes "sloppy," everything you thought you knew about the race probably just went out the window. Some horses love the mud; others hate getting grit in their face.
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Also, look at the jockey/trainer combos. In horse racing, certain trainers have "go-to" jockeys. When you see a top-tier trainer like Todd Pletcher or Chad Brown put a top-tier jockey on a horse that’s been off for a few months, it’s usually a signal that the horse is ready to fire.
Setting Up Your Account
If you already have a BetMGM sportsbook account, the sign-up process is usually pretty streamlined, but you’ll still need to download the specific Horse Racing app.
- Verification: They take KYC (Know Your Customer) seriously. Have your ID ready.
- Funding: You can usually use the same methods as the sportsbook—PayPal, bank transfer, or debit cards.
- The Interface: It’s built for speed. The "Express" bet options allow you to get a wager in even if the horses are literally walking toward the gate.
One nuanced feature that I personally like is the "Replays" tab. If you’re looking at a horse and the stats say they finished 5th last time, don't just assume they’re bad. Watch the replay. Maybe they got bumped at the start. Maybe they were trapped behind a wall of horses and never got a chance to run. A "hidden" 5th-place finish is often the key to finding a longshot winner in the next race.
The Legal Landscape in 2026
We've seen a lot of shifts in how these apps operate. While the "big three" (BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel) all have racing products now, BetMGM’s reliance on the NYRA infrastructure gives it a bit more of a "purist" feel. It doesn't feel like a casino game; it feels like a racing terminal.
Is it perfect? No. The geo-location can be finicky. If you live near a state border, the app might throw a tantrum and think you're in a non-legal zone. It’s a common gripe among users, but it’s a byproduct of the strict state-by-state laws.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you're ready to dive into BetMGM horse racing, don't just start throwing darts at the board.
- Start with "Show" bets: It’s the safest way to learn. You win if your horse finishes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. The payouts are small, but it keeps you in the game while you learn to read the past performances.
- Watch the "Will Pays": In the app, you can look at the "Will Pay" tables for exactas and doubles. This shows you exactly how much you stand to win based on current pool totals.
- Track the Weather: If the "Main Track" is moved to the "Turf" or vice versa, many of the horses will scratch (withdraw). This changes the dynamics of the race entirely.
- Use the Promotions: BetMGM often offers "insurance" on big races where you get your bet back (in site credit) if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd. These are the only times the math actually swings in the player's favor.
Horse racing is a game of information. The more you use the tools provided—the replays, the speed figures, and the trainer stats—the less you're gambling and the more you're "handicapping." There’s a big difference between the two. One is a hobby; the other is a skill.
Take it slow. The horses will still be running tomorrow. There is always another race, another track, and another chance to catch a price. Focus on understanding the "pace" of a race—who is going to be the leader and who is going to come charging at the end. Once you visualize how a race will actually run, the numbers on the screen start to make a lot more sense.