AmWager, one of the top horse racing betting platforms available to US players, offers something you do not see very often from US horse racing betting sites: promotions that effectively remove the takeout from winning bets.
It is called 0% Takeout, and it can significantly increase a qualifying winning payout.
AmWager does not change the official racetrack payout. It pays the normal winnings and then adds extra wagering credit to compensate for the takeout that was removed from the betting pool.
That is different from AmWager’s regular Rewards program, where you earn a much smaller rebate based on how much you wager.
How Does AmWager Zero % Takeout Work?
Horse racing uses pari-mutuel betting. Bets on the same market are combined into a pool, and the racetrack removes a percentage before paying the winners.
That percentage is called the takeout.
For example, if $100,000 is bet into a pool with a 16% takeout, $16,000 is removed and $84,000 remains to be distributed among winning tickets.
An AmWager 0% Takeout promotion effectively gives qualifying winners that deduction back.
Say your winning bet normally returns:
Official payout: $100
During a promotion based on a 16% takeout, AmWager could add approximately:
Extra wagering credit: $19
Your effective return would therefore be around:
$119
Why is the additional amount around 19% if the takeout is 16%? Once 16% has already been removed, it takes approximately 19.05% to turn the remaining 84% back into 100%.
AmWager has used this system on major racing events and tracks, including Saratoga and Woodbine.
Do You Get the Money Back If Your Horse Loses?
No.
It is not a losing-bet refund.
Your qualifying bet has to win. AmWager then calculates the additional amount based on the winning payout.
If you bet $20 on a horse and it loses, you do not receive the $20 back through the 0% Takeout promotion.
The offers are temporary. Eligible tracks, races, bet types and maximum credits vary between promotions, and bettors generally need to opt in before placing their wagers.
AmWager Rewards Are Different
AmWager also has a regular loyalty program.
With AmWager Rewards, you earn points based on how much you wager, regardless of whether every individual bet wins.
The current program starts at four points for every $1 wagered and increases according to monthly betting volume. Higher-volume players can earn more points, particularly on exotic wagers.
Every 1,600 points can be exchanged for $1 in wagering credit.
At the standard published levels, that works out to roughly 0.25% back at the entry tier, rising to around 1.25% on certain exotic wagers at the highest published standard tier.
The difference is simple:
AmWager Rewards: a small ongoing reward based on wagering volume.
0% Takeout: a larger temporary bonus added to qualifying winning payouts.
When available, the 0% Takeout promotions are likely to be the more noticeable benefit for most bettors. High-volume players, however, may place more value on an ongoing rebate.
Do Other Horse Racing Sites Offer Rebates?
Yes. AmWager is not the only US advance-deposit wagering site with a loyalty or rebate program.
What is less common is its repeated use of 0% Takeout promotions.
| Betting site | Regular rewards | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|
| AmWager | Yes | Recurring 0% Takeout promotions |
| NYRA Bets | Yes | Higher rewards on NYRA racing |
| TwinSpires | Yes | Higher-volume VIP multipliers |
| 1/ST BET / Xpressbet | Yes | Tiered rewards and promotional multipliers |
| MyWinners | Yes | Published rewards up to around 2.5% equivalent |
NYRA Bets
NYRA Bets rewards customers with points for eligible wagering.
The standard rate is higher when betting on NYRA tracks such as Saratoga and Aqueduct. Based on its published conversion rate, the standard value works out to around 0.4% on NYRA wagers and 0.2% on other eligible racing.
Higher-volume bettors may also qualify for NYRA’s Premier Rewards program.
TwinSpires
TwinSpires has its TSC Elite rewards program.
Customers normally earn points for every dollar wagered, with higher rates available on certain Churchill Downs Incorporated racing.
Higher-volume players can also receive larger monthly reward multipliers through its VIP structure.
1/ST BET and Xpressbet
1/ST BET and Xpressbet use the 1/ST Rewards program.
Bettors earn points from eligible racing wagers, with higher membership levels receiving additional benefits and monthly bonus points. The operators also run promotions offering extra points or other incentives on selected tracks and races.
This is a traditional loyalty program rather than a takeout reimbursement.
MyWinners
MyWinners has one of the easier rewards programs to convert into a percentage.
Its published rates start at two points per $1 wagered and rise to ten points per dollar at its highest level. With 400 points worth $1, the equivalent reward ranges from roughly 0.5% to 2.5%, depending on the customer’s tier and eligible betting activity.
For a high-volume bettor, that ongoing percentage may matter more than occasional short-term promotions elsewhere.
Is AmWager’s 0% Takeout Better Than a Normal Rebate?
Potentially, but the two work differently.
A normal loyalty program may return anywhere from a fraction of one percent to a few percent of wagering volume. A 0% Takeout promotion can produce a much larger benefit on an individual winning bet.
If a $100 payout receives another $19, that is a much bigger short-term benefit than a typical loyalty rebate.
The downside is that the promotion has to be active, the wager has to qualify and, most importantly, the bet has to win.
A regular rebate is more predictable because it is based mainly on how much you wager rather than the result of one particular bet.
What Makes AmWager Different?
AmWager’s regular Rewards program is not especially unusual. NYRA Bets, TwinSpires, 1/ST BET, MyWinners and other horse racing betting sites all reward regular customers in some form.
The standout feature is 0% Takeout.
AmWager has run these promotions repeatedly rather than treating them as a one-off offer. That makes its promotional calendar worth checking before betting on a major race day.
It does not automatically make AmWager the best horse betting site for every player.
A high-volume bettor may get more value from a stronger ongoing rebate elsewhere. Someone who mainly bets NYRA racing may prefer the rewards structure at NYRA Bets. VIP status can also change the comparison considerably.
But when an AmWager 0% Takeout promotion applies to a race you already want to bet, it can provide substantially more value on a winning ticket than the small rebate normally earned from the same wager.
Horse.bet note: Reward rates, promotions and eligibility can change. Always check the current operator terms before wagering. Horse racing betting is available only where permitted by law and subject to applicable age requirements.
