Demographics of the American Horse Racing Bettor: Latest Surveys & Trends

Who bets on horse racing in America? We also wanted to know and that is why we decided to explore the latest demographic trends among U.S. horse racing bettors—by age, gender, income, race, and behavior—using recent surveys and studies from trusted sources like Statista, Ipsos (via Birches Health), and SportsBettingDime. Horse.bet examines how horse race betting fits within broader U.S. gambling trends—and what this means for the industry’s future.

Gender Breakdown: Still Male-Dominated, But Changing

The horse racing betting audience remains predominantly male, but women are steadily joining the fold. A global survey from BetZillion suggests roughly 70% of bettors are male, with females making up 30%.

In the U.S., Ipsos data published via Birches Health found that 69% of sports bettors are men and 31% are women. These stats broadly apply to horse race betting as part of the larger wagering ecosystem.

Age Groups: Not Just for Boomers

Horse racing is often thought of as a “legacy sport,” but data shows betting interest concentrates in millennials and Gen Xers, not just older generations. According to SportsBettingDime, here’s how U.S. sports bettors break down by age:

• Ages 18–24: 10.2%
• Ages 25–34: 26.2%
• Ages 35–44: 31.3%
• Ages 45–54: 16.2%
• Ages 55+: 16.2%

That means nearly 60% of bettors fall between ages 25–44, with under-25s representing a small share. While live race attendance may skew older, digital platforms are attracting younger bettors.

Race & Income: A Wealthier, Whiter Demographic

According to a comprehensive demographic breakdown, the typical American bettor is more likely to be white and relatively affluent:

• 70.4% are White
• 15.3% are Black
• 5.8% are Hispanic
• 5.5% are Asian

When it comes to income, 24.7% of bettors earn over $100,000/year, and another 21.1% fall into the $50,000–$75,000 range. That’s notably higher than the national income distribution.

Education & Financial Habits

Horseplayers aren’t just lucky guessers—they tend to be educated and financially literate. The same SportsBettingDime study revealed that:

• 60% of bettors hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
• 29% have graduate degrees
• 71% view betting as a form of financial investment
• 66% also invest in the stock market

These numbers suggest racing bettors are increasingly analytical, engaging with the sport in ways similar to fantasy leagues or day trading.

Gender Differences in Betting Habits

Men and women bet differently. Based on the same data:

• 29.8% of male bettors wager over $500/month
• Only 11.9% of female bettors do the same
• Meanwhile, 65% of female bettors bet less than $100/month

This points to a growing number of women entering the betting space, but often with more conservative stakes and a focus on lower-risk wagers.

Broader Context: Sports Betting in the U.S.

Horse racing bettors are part of a wider betting population that’s growing fast. According to Statista, 30% of U.S. adults bet on a sporting event in the past 12 months.

A 2024 report from Birches Health echoes this, showing that:

• 39% of bettors are under 35
• 69% are male
• 51% are White
• 44% have household income over $100K

This confirms a pattern: younger, affluent men continue to dominate the betting landscape, but there’s growing gender and generational diversity.

Category	Key Stat
Gender	~70% male, ~30% female (Birches Health)
Age	Most common ages: 25–44 (SportsBettingDime)
Race	70.4% White, 15.3% Black, 5.8% Hispanic, 5.5% Asian
Income	~25% earn over $100K/year
Education	60% hold bachelor’s or higher; 29% grad degrees
Betting Styles	Men place higher wagers; women more conservative

The American horse racing bettor today is more educated, more digital, and more diverse than in decades past—but still skews toward white, middle-aged men with higher incomes. Online betting platforms are helping to modernize the sport and attract younger users, while casual, lower-stakes participation is helping diversify the gender split.

For racing to grow, it will need to continue targeting mobile-first engagement, financially literate consumers, and inclusive outreach to new communities of fans.