New Hampshire Horse Racing Betting
Online horse race betting has been legal in New Hampshire for decades thanks to the federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978. While DraftKings holds the exclusive sportsbook contract, horse racing falls under separate federal rules — meaning NH bettors can use a wide menu of nationally licensed advance-deposit wagering (ADW) platforms.
Top ADW Sites for NH Bettors
All five operators below accept New Hampshire customers and have been active in the US ADW market for years. None of them are operated by DraftKings — horse racing is a separate ecosystem.
TwinSpires
Best for Kentucky DerbyOperator: Churchill Downs Inc.
Operating since 2006. Owned by the parent of the Kentucky Derby. Covers 300+ tracks worldwide with deep Triple Crown coverage.
TVG / FanDuel Racing
Best for live streamingOperator: FanDuel / Flutter
Pari-mutuel wagering with free 24/7 race streaming and expert picks. Rebranded under FanDuel ownership but retains the TVG brand.
Xpressbet
Best for rewardsOperator: The Stronach Group
Operator behind Pimlico, Santa Anita, and Gulfstream. 300+ tracks plus a strong loyalty program.
AmWager
Best for rebatesOperator: Amtote
Independent ADW platform with track-specific rebates and competitive promos for high-volume players.
NYRA Bets
Best for NYRA tracksOperator: New York Racing Association
Official ADW for Belmont, Saratoga, and Aqueduct. Best Belmont Stakes coverage anywhere.
Triple Crown & Breeders' Cup
The four biggest dates on the US racing calendar — and the days NH handle for ADW operators spikes the most.
Kentucky Derby
📍 Churchill Downs (Louisville, KY) 🗓️ First Saturday in May"The most exciting two minutes in sports." 1¼ miles, 3-year-olds.
Preakness Stakes
📍 Pimlico Race Course (Baltimore, MD) 🗓️ Third Saturday in MayThe middle leg. 1 3/16 miles, two weeks after the Derby.
Belmont Stakes
📍 Belmont Park (Elmont, NY) 🗓️ Early June"The Test of the Champion." 1½ miles — the longest leg.
Breeders' Cup
📍 Rotates (Del Mar, Santa Anita, Keeneland) 🗓️ Early NovemberThe year-end championship across 14 races and two days.
How to Bet on Horse Races
Straight Bets
- Win — Horse must finish first.
- Place — Horse finishes 1st or 2nd.
- Show — Horse finishes 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
- Across the Board — Win + place + show on the same horse.
Exotic Bets
- Exacta — Top two in exact order.
- Quinella — Top two in any order.
- Trifecta — Top three in exact order.
- Superfecta — Top four in exact order.
Multi-Race Bets
- Daily Double — Winners of two consecutive races.
- Pick 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 — Winners across consecutive races.
Common Questions
Is online horse race betting legal in New Hampshire?
Yes. The Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 — amended in 2000 to explicitly cover online wagering — permits licensed advance-deposit wagering (ADW) operators to accept bets from New Hampshire residents. Horse racing is regulated separately from the DraftKings sportsbook monopoly.
How old do I have to be to bet on horses in NH?
You must be at least 18 years old, the same minimum age as sports betting in New Hampshire.
Are there any active horse racing tracks in New Hampshire?
No live thoroughbred or harness racing is currently held in New Hampshire. Seabrook Park (now The Brook) ceased live racing decades ago but offered simulcast off-track betting until simulcasting laws and operations evolved. All wagering today happens through online ADW operators.
Can I bet horses inside the DraftKings Sportsbook app?
No. DraftKings Sportsbook does not currently offer pari-mutuel horse race wagering in NH. You need a separate account with a licensed ADW like TwinSpires, TVG, or Xpressbet.
Are horse betting winnings taxable?
Yes. Federal tax law requires reporting and withholding on payouts of $600+ at odds of 300-1 or higher. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages, but interest, dividends, and certain gaming winnings may have specific treatment — consult a tax professional.
What is pari-mutuel betting?
Pari-mutuel pools all bets together and divides the pool (minus track takeout) among winning tickets. Unlike fixed-odds sportsbook betting, your final payout depends on how much money is wagered on each horse.