DK Horse Review
DK Horse is the official online horse racing betting app of DraftKings. The DK Horse app launched in March 2023 and is now available in 20 states. DraftKings partnered with TwinSpires, the official online racebook of the Kentucky Derby, to provide access to pari-mutuel wagering pools and live streams from races held worldwide.
Recently, our expert horse racing handicappers stress tested everything DK Horse offers, including its track selection, pari-mutuel wagering odds, bonuses, and unique features. The following DK Horse review discusses what we found, how the app compares to alternatives, and whether this online racebook is worth trying.
Overview
DK Horse operates in 20 US states, and customers must be 18 or older in most jurisdictions. The exceptions are Iowa, Indiana, and Washington, where users must be 21+.
New DK Horse customers can earn a welcome bonus after signing up and making a first deposit of $25 or more. DK Horse offers a 100% welcome bonus up to $250, and it comes with a 2x playthrough requirement.
DK Horse operates as a standalone platform, distinct from the DraftKings Sportsbook app. As a result, you’ll need to create a new account to use DK Horse, even if you already use other DraftKings products.
From the app, you can watch live horse races from more than 100 tracks around the world, including the US, UK, Hong Kong, the UAE, Japan, and Australia. DK Horse offers all common bet types, including the classic show, place, and trifecta wagers. You can also deposit and withdraw with Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and other secure payment methods.
Several features aim to improve the overall experience, including form guides, race replays, and daily picks.
DK Horse Bonuses & Promotions
DK Horse does not offer many bonuses, and it does not run a loyalty program. However, DK Horse does offer new users a welcome bonus and runs a Monday bet $25 get $5 offer.
Welcome Bonus
DK Horse offers a 100% deposit match up to $250. To claim it, enter promo code HORSE and deposit $25 or more. The offer runs a bit small, and DK Horse pays out the bonus funds as you wager, with credits released for each $50 you bet. DK Horse also does not allow show wagers with the bonus. On the plus side, the bonus comes with a low 2x playthrough requirement.
Monday Bet & Get
Place $25 or more in bets on selected races on Monday and DK Horse will add a $5 cash bonus to your account. You can withdraw the $5, and DK Horse does not attach any playthrough requirement to it. Expect to receive the $5 within one business day.
Features
DK Horse targets recreational horse racing fans, but the app and site still include several strong features that add to the overall betting experience.
Live Streaming
DK Horse offers HD live streams that let you follow races from around the world. You can watch hundreds of races each day from the US, Japan, the UAE, Australia, Hong Kong, the UK, and more. DK Horse offers all live streams for free, and access is simple: open a race, then tap the screen icon in the top right corner. Live video also makes it easier to track your horse in real time, especially during the final stretch.
Race Replays
Race replays help when you miss a race or want to review results for your own analysis. DK Horse offers replays for thousands of races each week, and you can pause or stop the video at any point. DK Horse provides the replays in HD and does not charge for access.
Handicapping and Data Analysis
DK Horse releases detailed past performance reports for horses. You can see everything from pace to speed to class and get insider details on the horse’s trainer and jockey. You can also see earnings and other key stats to inform your online gambling decisions. DK Horse doesn’t go overboard with handicapping and data analysis, it focuses on presenting the crucial information you need to pick a winner.
Race Guides and Tips
DK Horse’s horse racing experts will share their detailed analysis of upcoming races. They will give their opinion on everything from the weather to the track condition and break down the past performances of horses. If you don’t have time to read the detailed analysis, you can just click on the tips tab next to races and see which horse DK Horse thinks is going to win.
Easy to Navigate Betting Markets
DK Horse offers all of your classic horse racing bet types, including trifecta, quinella, exacta, double, win, show, and more. You can literally place a bet in five clicks, just tap on the race, the bet type, select your stake and horse, and then click submit. Most racebooks are dated and unintuitive, so DK Horse keeping the site and app approachable is a tangible benefit for newer bettors.
Banking & Payouts
DK Horse supports a range of payment methods, including credit cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal. Keep an eye on fees, though, since DK Horse charges for some deposit methods.
Deposit Methods at DK Horse
| Deposit Method | Minimum Deposit | Processing Time | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMEX | $1 | Instant | $5 |
| Visa | $1 | Instant | $5 |
| Mastercard | $1 | Instant | $5 |
| PayPal | $1 | Instant | $5 |
| Apple Pay | $1 | Instant | $5 |
| Bank Wire Transfer | $10 | 3 to 5 days | $10 |
| Check | $1 | 5 days | Zero |
| MoneyGram | $1 | Up to 2 days | $3.95 |
| EZmoney | $10 | 3 to 5 days | Zero |
Withdrawal Methods at DK Horse
| Deposit Method | Minimum Deposit | Processing Time | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | $1 | Up to 2 days | $1 |
| Check | $1 | Within 5 business days | Zero |
| EZmoney | $0.01 | Up to 2 days | Zero |
DK Horse is limited when it comes to withdrawal options. Also, it’s a shock to see them charge such hefty fees for deposits when most racebooks don’t charge any fees. Another thing we didn’t like was that you can only cash out via PayPal and EZmoney if you’ve previously deposited via those methods.
DK Horse also is a bit slow when it comes to processing withdrawals. This racebook doesn’t offer instant cashouts, and you could be waiting for over a week if you cash out via mail.
DK Horse Odds
DK Horse offers pari-mutuel horse racing betting rather than fixed odds. This means the odds are determined by your fellow bettors and not set by DK Horse. For example, if $100,000 is bet on a horse race and $20,000 is bet on Horse A, then that horse would pay out 5.00 (20,000/100,000) or 4-1. Horse race betting odds are presented as fractional, so if you bet $100 on a horse paying 4-1, you receive $500, the $400 profit, and your $100 stake.
DK Horse makes its money by taking a percentage of the money bet on each horse race. The upside: DK Horse tends to take a smaller commission than other horse betting sites.
Security
DK Horse is a fully licensed racebook, and all your confidential information is safeguarded by SSL (Secure Socket Layer). DK Horse explicitly states it doesn’t sell customer’s information. DraftKings customer service is available 24/7, and you can contact them within seconds if you have an emergency issue, thanks to the live chat feature.
DraftKings’ partner for DK Horse is none other than TwinSpires, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated. Churchill Downs owns race tracks throughout the US, including the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, where the Kentucky Derby is held. TwinSpires is considered the most trustworthy brand when it comes to horse racing betting in the US.
Customer Support
DK Horse has 24/7 customer support. You can connect with a support agent via live chat within seconds. We’ve never had to wait for more than two minutes to receive a reply, no matter the time. No matter what question you have, they are happy to answer and are always polite. You can also contact DK Horse via mail at 222 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116.
DK Horse App
A lot of racebooks are stuck in the early 2000s and either don’t have apps or have clunky, slow interfaces, which are a pain to use. Fortunately, DK Horse avoids most of those issues with a modern mobile app available through Google Play and the App Store.
DraftKings designed the DK Horse app with a clean, minimalist theme in black and white. Even though navigating so many horse races and bet types can be intimidating, DK Horse has simplified the process with intuitive menus. You can instantly see today’s races, scroll through the different bet types, access tips, and watch live with minimal clicks/taps.
Even if you’re brand new to horse betting, with the DraftKings mobile app, you can place bets with ease. DK Horse has done a great job of balancing ease of use without sacrificing too many advanced features.
Bets You Can Make at DK Horse
| Bet Type | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Show | Your horse must finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd |
| Place | Your horse must finish 1st or 2nd |
| Win | Your horse must finish 1st |
| Quinella | Your horses must finish 1st and 2nd in either order |
| Exacta | Your horses must finish 1st and 2nd in exact order |
| Trifecta | Your horses must finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in exact order |
| Superfecta | Your horses must finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in exact order |
| Daily Double | Your horses must win two consecutive races |
| Pick-3 | Your horses must win three consecutive races |
| Pick-4 | Your horses must win four consecutive races |
| Pick-5 | Your horses must win five consecutive races |
| Pick-6 | Your horses must win six consecutive races |
User Interface and Design
If you’ve played at DraftKings Casino or online sportsbook before, you’ll recognize all the familiar design elements at DK Horse. The DK Horse app uses a black, white, and green color scheme that’s easy on the eyes but still ensures it’s simple to scan for key details like odds, bet types, and bonuses.
DK Horse also makes it easy to narrow down the racing menu. You can filter by race type, time, and track, so if you want thoroughbreds in Kentucky at 9:30 pm, a couple taps should get you there. Live streams are easy to access as well. Just open a race and tap the screen icon. DK Horse also tries to help with selection by offering race picks and commentary for hundreds of races.
Where Is DraftKings Horse Racing Betting Legal?
DK Horse is legal in:
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Account Sign Up and Registration Process
Signing up for a DK Horse account is a painless, five-step process. We timed it to the second: it took us 92 seconds to register from start to finish. To create an account, follow these steps:
- Go to dkhorse.com or download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Enter your first and last name, email, and enter the promo code HORSE.
- Provide your address, zip code, city, and state.
- Create a username and password, then enter your date of birth, the last four digits of your SSN, and your mobile number.
- Once your account is ready, select deposit, enter your payment details, and deposit $25 or more to receive the 100% welcome bonus.
Final Verdict: Is DK Horse Legit?
DK Horse aims to make online horse betting easier to access, and it has largely succeeded on that front. The straightforward interface, easy signup process, extensive track coverage, and handicapping extras combine to create a platform that’s simultaneously intuitive and well-rounded.
However, its weak points are also worth noting: DK Horse does not offer as many advanced handicapping and data analysis tools as some competing racebooks. Furthermore, the fees on certain deposit methods seem unnecessary: DraftKings is a massive company with broad reach, so why charge fees on its comparatively minor horse racing platform?
As far as security and fairness go, we have zero concerns there. DraftKings is a US-based company that has operated in highly regulated gambling markets for years without issue.