Wisconsin was once a thriving area for live horse racing. There were at one time five active tracks in the state. Today, all five are gone and none have been in operation since the end of 2009.
However, since there still is a law on the books allowing for pari-mutuel wagering, the online horse betting market is prominent in the land of the Cheeseheads. There is a rich selection of advance deposit wagering, which enables online and telephone betting on horse racing from around the world in the state. ADW sites accessible to Wisconsin horse players include AmWager, 1/ST BET, Betptc, TwinSpires, Paribet, and DRF Bets.
There is still some Wisconsin harness racing at fair locations around the state, although wagering is not offered on the races. One-day meets are conducted at the Iowa County Fair in Mineral Point in June, July, and September, and at the Vernon County Fair in Viroqua in September. The Barron County Fair in Rice Lake operates a two-day meet in July.
TOP Wisconsin Horse Betting Offers
- AmWager horse betting is fully legal in Wisconsin
- BET200Check TwinSpires.com for updates as state availability and promotions may change.
- SPA250
- 250DMTC
Wisconsin Horse Betting Sites and Mobile Apps
- AmWager
- TwinSpires
- DRF Bets
- NYRA Bets
- 1/ST BET
- Betptc
- Paribet
Best Sign up Bonuses by Wisconsin Online Horse Betting Sites
| Horse Racing Sites | Betting Promos |
| AmWager | $300 first-deposit match, pool wagering, current and historical horse race results |
| TwinSpires Wisconsin | $200 signup bonus, best odds, live races and highlights, 24/7 support |
| 1/ST BET online | Get up to $100, free personalized handicapping tools, race replays, and access to past results |
Major US Horse Betting Events
| Date | Event | Location | Recommended Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-05 | 2024 Kentucky Derby Betting Offers & Best Bets | 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY, 40208 | TVG |
| 18-05 | 2024 Preakness Stakes Betting Promos & Offers | 5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215 | AmWager |
| 7-06 | The Best 2024 Belmont Stakes Betting Offers & Promotions | 2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003 | AmWager |
Horse Racing History
The Milwaukee Mile, a well-known automobile racetrack on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair, has played host to IndyCar, NASCAR, and ARCA events. However, its roots were as a horse racing track that opened in 1876.
Marathon Park in Wausau held its first harness race in 1868. By the 1950s, lights were added to allow for night racing but in 1958, harness racing was dropped in favor of auto racing. In the late 1960s, harness racing returned but by the early 1990s, it disappeared completely when the track was removed from the site.
Wisconsin Online Horse Betting FAQs
The minimum gambling age in Wisconsin is 18 years for off-track betting and pari-mutuel horse wagering.
1/ST BET, TwinSpires, and DRF Bets are the top horse-wagering platforms in the state.
Yes, OTB is legal here.