BetMGM Horse Racing Review
BetMGM entered the online horse racing betting business in October 2021 after partnering with NYRA Bets, the official online betting platform of the New York Racing Association.
The BetMGM Horse Racing betting app is open to fans in Florida, Louisiana, and Ohio. Read on for BettingUSA’s complete BetMGM Horse Racing review.
- Legal and licensed in FL, LA, & OH
- Open to customers 21+
Racing fans can use the BetMGM Racebook app to watch and wager on live events at tracks as they happen.
With BetMGM Horse Racing, fans can bet on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Breeders’ Cup, and other high-profile events at tracks such as Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park.
Pros
200+ Tracks covered Intuitive betting interface Watch live racing videoCons
No welcome bonus No rewards programThe BetMGM horse racing betting app covers 200+ tracks worldwide and combines all wagers with each track’s betting pool to provide true track odds to customers.
Additionally, the app offers live streaming video, race replays, and covers some of the country’s biggest races (including Triple Crown events and the Breeders’ Cup).
In short, the BetMGM horse betting app provides a full-fledged betting experience on par with other established advance deposit wagering operators (ADWs).
BetMGM Horse Racing Bonus Code
BetMGM Racebook asks new users for a bonus code, but it does not yet offer any promotions to new customers.
The BetMGM horse racing platform is still a product in development, and the team is clearly focused more on expanding its geographic footprint and introducing the concept to bettors.
However, the presence of a bonus code field on the registration form is an obvious indicator BetMGM horse racing promotions are on the way.
What form the BetMGM Racebook bonus will take remains to be seen, but its technology partner, NYRA Bets, may offer a clue. New NYRA Bets customers receive a 100% first deposit bonus worth up to $200. BetMGM may offer something similar – and possibly even larger as it tries to establish its brand in the horse racing space.
BetMGM Horse Racing App
The BetMGM Horse Racing app is available for Android and iOS devices, and bettors can search for it by name in the app store to get started.
In typical BetMGM fashion, the horse racing betting app features a clean, almost minimalist interface with simple navigation options and useful help tips for newbies.
The racebook homepage lists tracks with upcoming races ordered by minutes to post, so users can log in and quickly bet on races that are starting soon. In addition, bettors can browse a complete list of all tracks running today to find specific venues and races.
It all looks barebones at first, but the full extent of the BetMGM horse racing app becomes clear when viewing specific races. There, the app provides a rundown of each runner, their trainers and jockeys, recent results, quick links to view their last races, and handicapping notes from the trackmaster.
For example, the bet pad offers intuitive and fast wagering, with BetMGM providing near-instant results and payouts. The BetMGM racebook app also provides numerous data points and past performances to aid bettors in making intelligent betting decisions.
Additionally, a unique TrackMaster Selections tool offers members the inside scoop on expert picks for races. Daily selections provide the trackmaster’s top three picks for each United States thoroughbred race on the schedule. With this information, race fans can choose to bet along with the top picks or go rouge and bet on the horse they feel has a shot at winning the race.
As BetMGM continues to update and improve its horse racing app, it remains focused on responsible gaming education. Bettors can find problem gambling resources and information within the BetMGM racing app for assistance in scaling back or stopping altogether.
How to Bet on Horses at BetMGM Racebook
Placing wagers with the BetMGM horse betting app is a simple matter of logging in, selecting a track, choosing an individual race, and adding horses to the bet slip.
To begin, users can visit horseracing.betmgm.com or open the official BetMGM Racebook app for iOS or Android.
Next, bettors can select a track from the homepage and pick an upcoming race from that venue. The BetMGM app will display a list of runners in that race, their current odds, morning line odds, recent finishes, past racing videos, and other information.
On that page, bettors can select horses and use the bet type dropdown to choose a wager. For example, a user can pick the #1 horse and use the dropdown to pick a SHOW bet for that runner. If the #1 horse finishes in first, second, or third place, the bet is a winner.
The BetMGM wager pad also allows users to build exotics involving multiple horses and key or box them for more advanced types of wagers. As users add or remove horses and change bet types, the BetMGM interface displays how much each wager will cost.
And last, bettors can submit their wagers and watch the race live on the BetMGM Racebook app or website.
BetMGM Racebook Bet Types
The BetMGM horse racing app provides access to the same types of wagers bettors can find at the track. BetMGM Racebook pools all wagers with local horse racing pools, so bettors receive full track odds on their winning bets.
Pari-mutuel betting options include standard straight bets and exotics for thoroughbred, harness, and quarter horse races.
Bet types include straight bets to win, place, and show plus exotics such as exactas, quinellas, trifectas, daily doubles, and various Pick 3-Pick 6 multi-race wagers.
The BetMGM app also provides a handy feature to see the day’s carryover pools. For example, if no one has won a Pick 5 for a while, the BetMGM app will display the track and its current prize pool.
BetMGM Live Horse Racing Video
BetMGM Racebook customers can watch the races they bet on live at the BetMGM website or through the mobile app. Users can navigate to any track just before post time and click or tap the video icon to open a livestream from that track.
BetMGM’s live streaming features allow fans to spectate many races from various points of view, including the track overhead shot, winner’s circle, and the paddock. In addition, BetMGM Racebook provides a library of past races customers can watch. Bettors can access past races by navigating to any track and race, selecting a runner, and tapping the video icon next to the previous race.
Bettors can also watch races from previous days by logging in, opening the “Results/Replays” menu item, selecting the date, choosing the track, and picking the race number.
BetMGM Racebook Deposit Methods
BetMGM Horse Racing accepts numerous deposit methods as outlined below. Maximum deposits vary by customer and method.
BetMGM Horse Racing Customer Support
BetMGM Racebook offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and e-mail. Additionally, bettors can visit a comprehensive knowledgebase for assistance on most questions.
Reaching a human or viewing the knowledgebase is slightly annoying because the BetMGM website forces users through a multiple-question tree before providing either option. The question tree attempts to answer the user’s question to save time, but it would be much easier to simply send users to the knowledgebase and share contact options immediately.
Fortunately, getting past the multiple-question tree is straightforward. It typically involves answering two questions before providing direct access to the help database and contact options.
BetMGM and NYRA Bets
BetMGM entered the horse racing betting business with a running start by partnering with NYRA Bets to leverage the latter’s technology and industry experience. NYRA Bets launched in 2016 as the advance deposit wagering division of the New York Racing Association and now offers racing betting in 30 states.
The partnership gave BetMGM the ability to provide a polished, well-run horse racing betting platform instead of starting from scratch. As a result, BetMGM Racebook launched with live video and wagering on events at more than 200 tracks nationwide, all available from day one.
In a statement issued at the time, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt commented on the deal:
We’ve found a great partner in NYRA Bets and look forward to working with them to create a thrilling, interactive experience for horse racing fans on BetMGM.”
BetMGM Racebook FAQ
Expert Opinion: Is BetMGM Horse Racing Legit?
BetMGM Horse Racing is legit, but it’s an incomplete product at present. The lack of a welcome bonus, rewards program, and advanced handicapping features put BetMGM Horse Racing behind the competition.
On the other hand, BetMGM Racebook offers the advantages of a sterling reputation, intuitive wagering interface, and comprehensive track coverage. It’s an excellent racebook for straightforward horse racing betting, but it needs to spruce up its offerings to truly compete with the best in the business.
All indications point to MGM Resorts International continuing to invest in BetMGM Horse Racing. It is still a young product, and it will likely improve and expand its offerings significantly over time.