How To Bet on the Kentucky Derby: Easy Steps to Bet Online Today

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. The Derby is one of the most prestigious betting events of the year that both new bettors and veteran sharps love to wager on.

You don’t need to be a horse racing enthusiast to place a bet on the Run for the Roses either. Betting on the Derby online is easy and legal in plenty of states—including several that don’t yet have legal sports betting yet.

Last year’s Derby saw 20-1 longshot Mystik Dan win the first race of the Triple Crown competition. You can check out the latest Kentucky Derby odds now.

Read on to learn where to bet on the Kentucky Derby, the most straightforward types of bets you can make on the Derby, and what to expect when placing a wager on this year’s event.

Jump to:

• How To Bet on the Kentucky Derby Online
• Types of Kentucky Derby Bets: 3 Easy Wagers

How To Bet on the Kentucky Derby Online

You don’t need to be physically present at the Kentucky Derby to bet on it. Once you register for an account with a trusted racebook like FanDuel, you can bet on the Kentucky Derby online without any issue. It’s a great way to get in on all the action without having to be at the Derby itself if you’re unable to attend.

If you’re keen to bet on the Kentucky Derby online, make sure you keep a close eye on the odds so you know which derby horses are favorites and which ones are underdogs. And don’t worry, if you’re new to betting on the Kentucky Derby online then our reading horse racing odds guide will help you navigate your way around the big event and other horse racing events with ease.

How to Register for a Horse Race Betting Account

Once you’ve decided on which horse race betting app you want to use — and I suggest using more than one — you’ll need to sign up for a new account.

To do so, follow these general steps:

1. Click one of our links above to visit the racebook of your choice and download the app
2. Register a new account using personal information such as your name, email address, phone number, home address, and last four digits of your social security number to verify your account
3. Choose the payment method of your choice and make your first deposit
4. If the horse betting app you’ve downloaded requires a promo code in order to claim your bonus, you may need to enter it here

How to Bet on The Kentucky Derby at Online Betting Apps

Now that you’ve created your account and funded it, you’re ready to make your bets on the Kentucky Derby. I’ll cover the types of bets you can make on the Derby in a bit, but first you need to know how to get there.

The Kentucky Derby is the biggest horse race betting event of the year, so chances are your app will put it in a very prominent place. If not, though, you can search for “Kentucky Derby” or pull up “Churchill Downs” on the available tracks.

Only three states — New Jersey, Colorado and West Virginia — allow online fixed odds horse race betting. In most states, the type of betting you’re doing is pari-mutuel, meaning you’re betting against a pool of bettors, and not the house. This also means your odds can shift as bets are placed up until post time.

You will still be selecting your horse, choosing how much you want to bet and confirming your selection in your betslip, just like you would on a typical online sportsbook. And, if you win, you can withdraw your funds in the same manner.

Types of Kentucky Derby Bets: 3 Easy Wagers

The three easiest wagers for a novice bettor to place on the Kentucky Derby are win bets, place bets, and show bets.

Let’s break down these simple wagers:

Win Bets

A win bet is the most intuitive of wagers—it means exactly what you think. You must select the horse that wins the Kentucky Derby to cash your ticket. For example, if you place a bet on Sierra Leone to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby then he must win the race.

Place Bets

To cash your place bet, your horse must finish either first or second place. These wagers are easier than win bets, so the payout will be slightly lower. During the 2024 Kentucky Derby, for example, you can place a bet that Sierra Leone will finish in either first or second place. The horse does not have to win the competition for you to get a payout.

Show Bets

A show bet is successful when your horse finishes in first, second, or third. Your chances of success are higher with a show bet, therefore they’re less profitable than win bets or place bets. For our 2024 Kentucky Derby example again, Sierra Leone could finish first, second, or third for you to earn money on a payout.

Check out our guide explaining how to pick a Kentucky Derby winner for more insight on what to expect at the Run for the Roses.

Ready to bet now? .

Get Ahead with Horse Racing Betting Guides

Whether you’re new to horse racing or want to take your betting skills to the next level, Sports Betting Dime is here to help you place informed and confident wagers.

There’s still a couple of weeks to go until the 2024 Kentucky Derby, which means you have time to prepare yourself with all the knowledge you need.

Check out our complete list of horse racing betting apps for a more comprehensive look at all available options on where to bet at.  Once you’ve got an account setup, we cover everything from horse racing rules, terminology, and how to read the odds to Derby betting trends that will get you up to speed. If you’re curious about more advanced horse racing betting types, this guide will help you understand them all.

Have fun and enjoy the action out there!