Residents have seen many changes in recent years when it comes to Massachusetts horse racing betting. While the state does not have deep horse racing roots, the last few decades have seen major growth in the development of the industry. Harness racing did not begin until 1947, but several racetracks appeared in later years. Plainridge Park opened in 1999 and is still considered one of the main tracks in the state. This was also when simulcasting started to become popular amongst patrons, with the broadcast races bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars. While there are not many remaining Thoroughbred and harness tracks remaining in Massachusetts, horse enthusiasts in the state still bet on the Triple Crown and other high stakes races.
Bay State residents love horses and races as much the next horseplayer, but we know how difficult it can be to find horse racing betting locations in the state. Luckily we know exactly where M.A. residents go for horse racing betting in Massachusetts, with the majority of bettors using online horse betting sites. Continue reading to learn more about how to bet on horses and the best online racebooks for MA residents.
Legal horse racing betting is one type of gambling that bettors do not need to worry about. In 1934, the state of Massachusetts officially legalized pari-mutuel wagering and established the first State Racing Commission. The entity was responsible for overseeing all regulatory aspects of horse race betting in the state. In 2012, this power was transferred to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and all facets of the horse racing industry are governed by the Division of Racing. Everything from Thoroughbred racetracks to simulcasting is overseen by the Division. While there are a few live racetracks in the state, there are major expansions set to be made in the realm of racetrack-casino betting. Residents can look forward to even more legal horse betting options in the future.
You can bet the horses in several different ways depending on your strategy. The simplest wagers are called straight bets, and as the name suggests they are the most straightforward. Being that the wagers only involve one horse and one race, straight bets are a good place to start. The three types of wagers are win, place, and show bets. Betting on your horse to come in first is a "win" bet, while wagering on the horse to come in first or second is a "place" bet. A "show" bet means you think your horse will finish in any of the top three spots.
Exotic wagers encompass different horses and even multiple races. The payoffs are higher due to the complexity of the bets. When betting exactas, trifectas, and superfectas you have to select your horses in exact order.
An "exacta" is betting on the horse that will finish first and the horse that will finish second in exact order.
A "trifecta" bet involves selecting the first three finishers in specific order.
A "superfecta" is a bet on which horses will finish first, second, third, and fourth.
Predicting the exact order is difficult, which is why bettors have the option to box these bets. "Boxing" means that you do not have to select the exact order, just which horses will finish. For example, if you boxed an exacta bet with Horse A and Horse B, they could finish A-B or B-A and you would have a winning bet.
The chance to win the Triple Crown only comes around once a year, and so does the opportunity to bet on it. With a 37 year gap between champions, we know that winning all three Triple Crown races is a huge feat. Betting on each individual race makes the prospect of a winner even more exciting. You can start by betting on the Kentucky Derby, which takes place the first Saturday in May. All the horses will be making their debut and Derby Day betting will officially be in effect. Two weeks later you can bet on the Preakness Stakes, a slightly longer race that takes place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. Preakness betting odds may show a strong favorite at this point, but history has shown that the Triple Crown is not always clinched by the horses favored in this stage. The third jewel of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes which is hosted at Belmont Park. At this point, you may be ready to bet an exacta box on your favorite horses. We know that anything can happen in Triple Crown races, so setting yourself up for the greatest number of possible outcomes is key. Shortly before the races begin, you can start betting on the Triple Crown at online horse betting sites.
There are only a couple of race tracks in Massachusetts where residents can go to bet on horses. The first is Plainridge Park Race Course, a harness racing track located in Plainville. The live racing season starts in April and goes until November. The large simulcasting theater shows races seven days a week and you can watch replays of your favorite events. The race course venue is actually a racino, offering casino games as well as horse betting action. Your second option is Suffolk Downs, a Thoroughbred racetrack located in Boston. In its prime, the 1-mile race course was run by legendary horses such as Seabiscuit and Cigar. Now the venues hosts live racing dates only six or seven days of the year. The track is now primarily a simulcasting facility with festivals and other occasional events.
While there are currently limited racetracks and off-track betting locations in MA, the Wynn Boston Harbor is a racino slated to open in the next 3 years. Mobile and online horse betting are two other ways that residents can bet. All you need is an internet connection and you can start betting the ponies from anywhere. Races from all over the world can be live streamed to your iPhone, Windows Surface, Blackberry, or laptop. Betting on horses online is the most convenient option for M.A. horse bettors.
Online horse racing betting sites bring you the best horse races from all over the U.S. While there are hundreds of legendary racetracks in the nation, you can also bet on horse races in the UK and Ireland! When it comes to tracks and the types of bets you can make, your options are never limited at horse betting websites. Bet on your horse to win, place, or show in one race, and then box an exacta or trifecta in the next. There are also more resources available at horse betting sites than at the track. You can get horse racing tips, picks, and results all from your online racebook. The sites provide all of the latest horse racing news and updates, putting you in the best position to make smart wagers. All of the online horse betting websites that we recommend are trustworthy and reliable when it comes to banking, customer service, and overall horse racing betting experience. Of all the online racebooks that you could join, we recommend Bovada and BetOnline for legal gambling sites for Massachusetts residents.
BetOnline is where horse bettors of all levels come to bet the ponies online. The racebook is one of the more popular horse betting sites, having been in the industry for more than a decade. BetOnline has an impressive track list, with races from over 80 racetracks across North America. You can also enjoy live horse racing streams, a feature that makes the betting experience more interactive and exciting. You may not physically be at Belmont Park betting on the Belmont Stakes, but you will get the live coverage that puts the race front and center. As if live feeds were not enough, you also have the option of betting on horses from your mobile phone. You do not need to download an app, just go to BetOnline.ag from your iPhone, iPad, Android, or other handheld device and start placing wagers.
BetOnline rewards its horseplayers in many different ways, one of which being with special rebates. The racebook offers up to 7% cash back on your bet volume, every single day. You can place as many bets as you want and there is still no cap on the amount you get back in rebates. The only time you will receive less than 7% back is when you bet on NYRA racetracks. In those instances, you would get a 4% rebate. BetOnline is one of the best online racebooks for MA residents, and right now you can even join the site for free!
Year after year Bovada is ranked as one of the best online horse racing betting sites on the internet. The online racebook is perfect for Massachusetts residents because they offer the banking options and reliability that horse bettors need. The best racebook deposit method is Bitcoin, the e-currency that is known for security and acceptability. It is also the fastest deposit option, with your funds being credited to your account immediately. You can deposit a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $5,000 when using Bitcoins. There is also an exclusive $500 Bitcoin Welcome Bonus to further increase your deposit. When you use code BVSBITCOIN50, the cashier will match your initial deposit by 50%, up to $500. That is a ton of extra cash that can be used to bet on the Triple Crown and other races in the racebook.
After you fund your account, you can enjoy all that Bovada racebook has to offer. There are horse betting odds on more than 50 popular tracks in the nation, but the racebook does not stop there. You can also bet on racing happening in the UK, Hong Kong, and Ireland. The racebook gives you detailed information on all of the different racetracks such as racing dates, the length of the course, max payout, and more. When you use the new track list, you can select your race and choose your wager type all from one screen. The design of the entire racebook is easy to navigate, allowing you to bet on horse racing odds, view horse racing results, and access your account with ease. When you join Bovada, you are getting a high-quality horse betting experience.
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