A large market for sports wagering is at the horse track. Tracks usually have windows to place your bets, as well as slots. There are also many “Off-Track” wagering facilities which you can place your bets, and watch the races live on television.

At the Track
When you get to the location, find out where you place the bets, and where you can find the odds. There should be programs available so you can find the schedule. Alternatively, you can usually download race schedule and post time online at the tracks website.

Once you have the race information, make your picks! Anything you’d like.
See our Horses section to see how Horse wagering works.

Take your picks up to the window and tell them your bet. You will get a slip with you wager on it, and you will pay them cash. DO NO LOSE THIS SLIP OF PAPER! Whether or not your picks win, you cannot claim your winnings without it.

Take your slip to your seat and go crazy cheering on your horse. If you’ve won your bet, take your slip back to the window and collect your winnings! (You have to wait until the results become “Official” - usually a few minutes after the race has ended)
If you’ve lost, throw your ticket away and try again!

Off-Track Wagering Facility
An Off-track wagering facility is usually a bar which has the ability to take bets. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon watching and betting horses.

The process is generally the same. DO NOT LOSE YOUR BETTING SLIP. Same as with the track, you cannot collect your winnings without this ticket. You may have to buy a schedule or program to find out all the details on all the races. The horse numbers and odds are displayed on the screens before the race, so its not completely necessary to purchase the racebooks with the info. It is your choice.

After you’ve bet and won, you have to wait until the results become “Official”, and until the facility receives the information from the track.