Upcoming Match-ups

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

Updated May 6th, 2022
Published April 16, 2021

The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 7, 2022. 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 a bit of controversy as Medina Spirit and jockey John Velazquez appeared to win the race at first. Unfortunately for Velazquez and trainer Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone following the race and was subsequently disqualified. This gave runner-up horse Mandaloun and jockey Florent Geroux their first Derby victory. You can check out the latest odds to win the Kentucky Derby now.

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

Jump to:

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 TVG, 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.

TVG
RACEBOOK


Get a $200 Risk-Free Bet
For the Breeders' Cup!

LOCK IN PROMO
BREEDERS CUP OFFER
$200
RISK-FREE

CLAIM PROMO

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 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.

Place Your 2022 Kentucky Derby Bet Today

Now that you know where and how to place a bet on the Kentucky Derby, it’s time to jump into the action. You can bet on any of this year’s top contending horses including Epicenter and Zandon.

If you were to take advantage of the on an underdog horse, for example, you could score a nice payout.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Open your account and make an initial deposit of at least $50.
  2. Bet any horse to win the Derby
  3. If your bet loses, you’ll be refunded the full amount in site credit, up to $200

With the insurance the comes with TVG’s Kentucky Derby welcome offer, this deal is a no-brainer for new bettors on Derby Day.

Where to Bet on the Kentucky Derby

Sports Betting Dime is partnered with TVG to bring you the best Kentucky Derby online betting experience and exclusive promos. TVG is the best-known online racebook for Derby betting and beyond, and they’re offering an awesome promo for this year’s Run of the Roses.

Using the links on this page is the easiest way to ensure you get the best promos for this year’s Derby.

Get ready to place your Kentucky Derby bets by following these easy step-by-step instructions.

  1. to visit TVG and redeem the bonus offer.
  2. Make your first deposit of at least $50. We recommend depositing $200 to take full advantage of the promotion.
  3. Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200
  4. If your bet loses, you’ll be refunded the full amount in site credit

For example, if your initial wager is $100, TVG will reward you with $100 in site credit if it comes up short.

To learn more about TVG and what its platform has to offer, check out our full review of the TVG racebook.

See the table below to confirm that TVG is available in your state:

State Is TVG Horse Betting Legal?
Arizona Yes
Arkansas Yes
California Yes
Colorado Yes
Connecticut Yes
Delaware Yes
Florida Yes
Idaho Yes
Illinois Yes
Indiana Yes
Iowa Yes
Kentucky Yes
Louisiana Yes
Maryland Yes
Massachusetts Yes
Michigan Yes
Minnesota Yes
Montana Yes
New Hampshire Yes
New Mexico Yes
New York Yes
North Dakota Yes
Ohio Yes
Oregon Yes
Pennsylvania Yes
Rhode Island Yes
South Dakota Yes
Vermont Yes
Virginia Yes
Washington Yes
West Virginia Yes
Wyoming Yes

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.

Place Bets

To cash your place bet, your horse must finish either first or second. These wagers are easier than win bets, so the payout will be slightly lower.

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.

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 2022 Kentucky Derby, which means you have time to prepare yourself with all the knowledge you need.

Check out our complete list of Kentucky Derby betting sites  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!

Discussion

Let's have fun and keep it civil.