California Horse Racing Betting

The horse racing industry continues to thrive in California. That’s in small part due to a crystal-clear set of rules and regulations on the books. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) serves as the state regulator over horse racing. It maintains a handy website that explains exactly what the rules are, what’s legal, and where to bet.

California is home to numerous active race tracks and more than two dozen off-track betting facilities. Advance-deposit wagering is also fully legal in the state, serviced by several of the country’s largest online providers.

Legal California Horse Racing Betting Sites

TwinSpires $200 Deposit BonusBonus Code: BET200 Claim Now
AmWager $150 Deposit Bonus MatchPromo Code: BUSA150 Claim Now
Iron Bets Racing 50% up to $300Iron Bets Racing Promo Code: BUSA Claim Now

California Online Horse Racing Betting

It is legal to bet on horse racing online in the state of California. The California Horse Racing Board has established clear rules and regulations that can easily be accessed online.

The Board even explains what is required for in-state online betting applicants:

(a) Prior to an Account being established or wagering being conducted the Applicant located in California must be licensed by the Board. All licenses granted shall be subject to the provisions of Business and Professions (B&P) Code Section 19460 et. seq. 

As well as for out-of-state applicants:

d) Out-of-state Applicants that accept wagers from California residents shall provide a full accounting and verification of the source of the wagers, and a detailed wagering information file that includes, but is not limited to, dollar amount wagered, pool on which the wager was placed, race number and racing venue, zone, breed, zip code of the Account Holder, time wagering stopped, and time of the wager in the form of a daily download of pari-mutuel data to the Board designated database, California Horse Racing Information Management System, that is compatible with a Comma Delimited Text File.

Licensed California Racetracks

California is home to numerous race tracks and a healthy horse racing industry. There is also an active fair circuit that provides even more race days.

  • California Association of Racing Fairs: The association oversees fair racing events at various cities in the Northern California area. A list of dates and locations can be found via its website.
  • Cal Expo: Cal Expo operates a harness racing track that has events throughout the calendar year. There’s also a simulcast facility on-site, which is open year-round.
  • Del Mar Racetrack: One of the most iconic horse racing venues in the US. Del Mar first opened its doors in 1937 and hosts numerous non-racing events throughout the year in addition to a packed racing schedule.
  • Los Alamitos: Featuring both quarter horse and thoroughbred racing. It’s also home to the popular Vessels Club, the centerpiece of a massive facility renovation project.
  • Santa Anita Park: Recognized as one of the top race tracks in the US, Santa Anita plays host to several major races throughout the year.

Off-Track Betting in California

California is a friendly state for horse racing betting with a thriving off-track betting business. There are currently 28 OTB facilities for horseplayers to watch and wager.

  • 58 Flat
  • Antelope Valley Fair
  • Commerce Casino
  • Fantasy Springs Casino
  • Firehouse Restaurant
  • Club One Casino
  • Hollywood Park Casino
  • Lake Elsinore Hotel & Casino
  • Los Angeles County Fair
  • Monterey County Fair
  • National Orange Show
  • OC Tavern
  • Ocean’s 11 (No Longer Offers Horse Racing?)
  • Pechanga Resort Casino
  • Roadhouse Grill
  • Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar
  • San Bernardino County Fair
  • San Joaquin County Fair
  • San Mateo Events Center
  • Santa Clara County Fair
  • Santa Clarita Lanes
  • Solano County Fair
  • Striders
  • Tilted Kilt Thousand Oaks
  • Viejas Casino & Turf Club
  • The Derby Room

California Horse Racing Betting Laws

California horse racing betting is legal in California under state law. In addition to the numerous race tracks and OTBs that offer in-person racing and simulcasting, online betting sites are permitted to offer their services to customers across the state.

The California Horse Racing Board is the body in charge of overring horse racing and wagering. Its mission statement reads as follows:

The mission of the California Horse Racing Board is to ensure the integrity, viability, and safety of the California horse racing industry by regulating pari-mutuel wagering for the protection of the public, promoting horse racing, breeding, and wagering opportunities, and fostering safe racing through the development and enforcement of track safety standards and regulations for the health and welfare of all participants.

Major Horse Racing Events in California

  • Pacific Classic: Stakes race for three-year-olds and up held at Del Mar annually and hosted by TVG.
  • Eddie Read Stakes: A 9-furlong turf stakes race for three-year-olds and up hosted at Del Mar.
  • Del Mar Oaks: A Grade 1 turf stakes race held at Del Mar with a $300,000 purse.
  • Bing Crosby Stakes: A 6-furlong dirt stakes race at Del Mar which was first run in 1946.
  • Clement L. Hirsch Stakes: Grade I stakes race for three-year-olds and up held at Del Mar.
  • Del Mar Debutante: A 7-furlong dirt stakes race at Del Mar for two-year-old fillies.
  • Del Mar Futurity: Del Mar hosts another Grade 1 stakes race for two-year-olds on a dirt track.
  • Santa Anita Handicap: First run back in 1935, this Grade I stakes race is held annually at Santa Anita.
  • Santa Anita Derby: Boasting a $1 million purse, this race is run each April at Santa Anita.