Maine Horse Racing Betting in 2024

Currently, the locally-regulated Maine horse racing betting sites can only take racebook action, and they aren’t permitted to offer anything else, like accepting wagers on sports or online casino gambling, despite the sports betting market going live on November 3rd, 2023.

Most people prefer to place wagers a number of different ways—a horse you like here, an upcoming game there, and maybe a spin of a slot machine wheel or a hand of poker. But if you would prefer to have all your gambling needs under one online roof, you can use an online betting site based offshore. 

Offshore betting sites are not subject to the laws of the country or the state where their customers are located; instead, they follow the laws of their home country. This means they are outside the jurisdiction of Maine state law or U.S. federal law.

These sites offer a racebook with the opportunity to bet on horse racing events around the world, but they’re also a one-stop shop for other forms of betting, such as a sports wagers, online casino gambling, and many also feature a live online poker room, all of which (outside of horse racing wagers) can’t be done at sites based in the state. There are hundreds of offshore sites available, and some operators in the online gambling industry are less trustworthy than others.

But we’ve already taken care of that concern. Our blue-ribbon team of experts has evaluated dozens and dozens of offshore betting sites that feature horse racing. They’ve looked at a number of factors that they’ve found to be important when gambling online, and they’ve come up with their evaluations and recommendations of the top Maine sports betting sites that also take horse racing bets. All of them offer online casino gambling and sportsbooks, as well as the opportunity to place horse racing wagers. They have all built up a reputation for safe, fair play and for treating customers well, plus, each of these sites offers regular promotions for new customers and loyal customers and pays out in full, on time.

We’ll give you our ranking of the top 10 sites, with detailed reviews of each one. We’ll also discuss the process of placing horse racing bets — what you need to know, including the difference between the different betting structures like pari-mutuel betting and fixed odds.

Guide Contents show list

List of the Best Maine Horse Racing Betting Sites

  1. Bookmaker.eu – Best all-around racebook in Maine
  2. Heritage Sports – VIP service for horse racing bettors
  3. Bovada – Top racebook loyalty program in the state 
  4. BetOnline – Cashback rebate program for horse bettors
  5. BetAnySports – Payout boosts and cashback available for racebook players
  6. BetUS – Video previews of major races, including recommendations for picks 
  7. WagerWeb – Same-day payouts for Bitcoin users
  8. JustBet – User-friendly interface lets you bet quickly 
  9. Everygame – Oldest online racebook in the world
  10. SportsBetting – Among the highest betting limits in Maine

Every site in the top 10 list is an offshore sportsbook. Since they are located outside the United States, they are not subject to the laws and gambling regulations of Maine or the U.S. federal government. They are required to follow the laws of the country where they are located, not the one where their customers are.

Each site in the top 10 earned its spot based on its racebook, but they all offer many other betting markets besides that. They have professional and college sports gambling, online casinos where you can play slot and table games and win money, and many also offer live dealer sections for casino games and live poker rooms. Some have novelty betting markets, like politics and entertainment. 

While it’s legal to place horse racing bets online in Maine, there is no way to do any of that other online betting at a Maine-based betting site, so the only options available that offer all of that in one place are offshore sportsbooks.

All of the online racebooks we ranked have been in the industry for years and have reputations of being trustworthy and dependable. 

Reviewing the Best Maine Horse Racing Betting Sites

Most online horse betting sites across the industry use the same software to operate their racebooks, so the actual process of placing a bet on a race is similar, no matter which one you use. There are other areas where the sites distinguished themselves, however. Betting lines and the odds offered on races may differ. There are also large differences in bonuses and promotions offered, speed of payout, and quality of their customer service.

Rather than just take our word for it and pick the top site on our list, we would recommend using the detailed evaluations below to see what each site does well. We have pros and cons for each site in the top 5 to let you decide which one best fits your needs and preferences. However, we’re confident that any of the 10 sites in our best racebook list will offer an outstanding horse betting experience. 

1. BookMaker: Caters to All Levels of Maine Horse Players

Bookmaker.eu Racebook

Bookmaker.eu was the choice of our expert panel as the best of all Maine horse racing betting sites. It caters to any level of gambler, whether you’re a seasoned pro or brand new to placing horse racing bets.

At BookMaker, you can bet on races from more than 50 tracks across North America, as well as some international tracks. They are usually the first racebook to publish their odds. BookMaker’s site is user-friendly and well-organized, making it easy to find the race and type of bet you want to place, and the mobile platform works just as well as the desktop site.

BookMaker offers betting limits that rank among the highest available in Maine, and minimum bets are as low as $1. That means that whatever your appetite for risk might be, you’ll feel comfortable playing the horses at BookMaker. They also have the reputation for never cutting off a gambler who gets on a hot streak.

BookMaker also features a cashback rebate that returns 3% of all of your losses on win, place, and show bets. It returns 8% of your losses on exotics. BookMaker also has generous welcome bonuses and one of the best loyalty programs you’ll find.

Pros:

  • Cashback rebate program returns up to 8% on horse racing bets
  • Lines published very early
  • High wagering limits and low minimum bets
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Professional gamblers excluded from loyalty program
  • Doesn’t offer much performance history to help handicap events

2. Heritage Sports: Best Mobile Racebook in Maine

Heritage Sports Racebook

Heritage Sports finished in second place in our top 10, having impressed our experts by having the best VIP treatment for all customers. Since Heritage Sports began as an invite-only gambling site, it’s not that surprising that it would know how to give a red-carpet experience to its gamblers. It has outstanding customer service, and its ongoing promotions for loyal customers are also a strong selling point.

You’ll find races from over 60 different tracks around the world at Heritage Sports’ racebook. It features action from as far away as Ireland, England, mainland Europe, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and South Africa. 

Betting limits depend on the track where the racing event is being held. They’ve identified 16 major tracks, with limits that go up to $1,000. Another 14 tracks have limits of $500. Heritage Sports also has the best mobile-optimized website in Maine, making it as easy to use your device to bet as a computer. Pages load quickly, and it’s easy to manipulate. They also offer an online casino and reduced juice offerings in the sportsbook.  

Pros:

  • Best VIP service for all customers
  • Betting limits of up to $1,000 at large tracks
  • Mobile racebook site is the best in the state
  • Also has outstanding casino offering and sportsbook

Cons:

  • Welcome bonuses aren’t as high as other betting sites
  • Doesn’t offer live streaming on race day

3. Bovada: Top Notch Bonuses and Loyalty Program

Bovada Racebook

Bovada has plenty to offer other than being third on our list of the best Maine horse racing betting sites. It is one of the most popular gambling sites around and is known for its full casino experience. They have a sportsbook that features a larger menu of prop betting options than anyone else. There’s also a huge online casino and the busiest online poker room in America.

None of the non-racebook features went into our experts’ evaluations, but they’re certainly an additional reason to like Bovada.

The racebook is also top of the line, with races from America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and Australia. It has a wide variety of different betting options for races, including one of the largest menus of futures betting. 

Bovada goes all out for the top races on the calendar. It pays up to $100,000 on each of the Triple Crown race events and up to $30,000 on other major races throughout the year. Bovada also features a virtual horse racing section, with computer-simulated racing action.

Bovada’s racebook has a welcome bonus that matches 75% of your first deposit, up to $750. The rollover requirement is much lower than many competitors that might offer larger bonuses which are harder to withdraw. There’s also a loyalty points program that is good for both sports and race betting and the Bovada promo codes can enhance the overall value of the platform.

Pros:

  • One of the best loyalty programs
  • Pays up to $100,000 for Triple Crown races, $30,000 for others
  • Full casino experience with table games, sportsbook and poker room
  • Deep menu of racing futures and virtual horse racing betting offerings

Cons:

  • No cashback rebate program on losses
  • No performance data on horses

4. BetOnline: Top Racing Rebate Program in ME

BetOnline racebook

BetOnline finished in the top four in our rankings. Our experts were impressed with BetOnline’s rebate program, which they declared to be the best one available among Maine horse racing betting sites. They return 4% of what you wager on straight bets (win, place or show) and 9% on exotic bets. It’s not really a rebate, because that would imply you only get back the percentage on your losses, but BetOnline refunds the percentage of the entire amount you bet, regardless of whether it won or lost.

At BetOnline, you’ll find races from the United States, and major races at international tracks in Australia, the U.K. and Ireland, France, South Africa and Japan. Its impressive betting coverage includes Swedish harness racing and other hard-to-find competitions. For fixed-odds races, BetOnline’s odds are the most favorable of any of the major racebooks. That includes most major events of the year, such as the legs of the Triple Crown, the Breeders Cup and more. It publishes the fixed odds weeks in advance.

Outside of the racebook, BetOnline has the third-busiest poker room in America, a sportsbook with opinionated lines and an online casino. New users get a sign-up bonus that matches the first deposit up to $1,000 in bonus funds. That can be used elsewhere on the site, but not in the racebook. However, they do offer a $25 risk-free horse race bet when you sign up and there is always a variety of promo codes at BetOnline.

Pros:

  • Most generous rebate program, returns 4% of total amount bet (win or lose) on straight bets, 9% on exotics
  • Futures odds for major events are the most favorable in Maine
  • Horse racing odds for major events are posted weeks ahead of time
  • $25 risk-free online wager for new customers
  • Also has a sportsbook, poker room and online casino offering

Cons:

  • Welcome bonus can’t be used in the racebook
  • Charges fees on some transactions

5. BetAnySports: Payout Boosts and Cashback for Racebook Players

BetAnySports Homepage

BetAnySports has plenty of gambling options available in addition to their racebook. There’s a reduced juice sportsbook that has the best horse racing betting odds in the state, as well as an online casino with a huge selection of games.

The racebook is what put BetAnySports in our top five, however. It features action from most major tracks in the United States and around the world. They have some of the highest betting limits you’ll find, and they return 3% of your straight bet activity and 6% of exotic bets in their cashback program. The percentage returned to you is based on your total amount bet, win or lose, not just a refund of a portion of the losses. It also goes up from there as you increase your betting volume, topping out at a maximum of 9%. 

BetAnySports also returns money to you with its “Plus 10%” promotion. It gives you an additional 10% on top of your payout for races at certain tracks. 

They are also very flexible with their welcome bonuses. When many sites match your first deposit, they limit the places where it can be used, such as sportsbook only or casino only. BetAnySports’ bonus, which matches 25% of your initial deposit, up to $500, can be used anywhere on the site, including the racebook. The rollover requirement is also relatively low, although they also attach a rollover to your deposit. 

Pros:

  • Cash rebate of 3% for straight bets and 6% for exotics, can go as high as 9%
  • Bonus program adds 10% to payouts for selected races
  • No limits on where welcome bonus can be used
  • Reduced juice sportsbook and online casino supplement the racebook

Cons:

  • Website not as slick or user-friendly as others
  • Deposits have rollover requirements

The Best Sites for Horse Racing That Maine Has to Offer Compared

Our experts looked at several important factors to come up with the top 10 online racebooks in Maine. Here are some of the things they considered. 

Horse Racing Fixed Odds

Fixed-odds betting is popular for the most major events in the sport. We looked for sites that posted fixed odds early for major events like the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup Classic. We also looked for sites whose horse racing betting odds were most favorable to gamblers on fixed odds races.

Horse Racing Betting Markets

There are two different types of race bets: Straight bets and exotics.  

When you bet on one horse in one race, that’s a straight bet. The three most common types of straight bets are:

  • Win: You pick the horse you think will finish first
  • Place: You win your bet if the horse finishes in first or second
  • Show: You win if the horse you chose finishes in the top three. This bet gives you higher odds of winning your bet, but the payout is higher if you do win.

Exotics are combination bets that involve multiple horses. Some common exotics are:

  • Exacta: Pick the top two finishers, in order, for a race
  • Trifecta: Pick the top three horses to finish, in order
  • Superfecta: Pick the top four finishers, in order. Super High Five is the top five
  • Boxed Exacta: Also known as an Exacta Box, pick multiple horses to finish in the top two spots in a single race. It usually refers to picking two horses to finish in the top two in either order (in a straight exacta, you have to pick the horses and the exact order). However, you can include three or more horses in a boxed bet, and if any two of them finish in the top two, you win. There are also Trifecta Boxes.
  • Daily Double: Pick the winners of two separate races in a row. It’s not two independent bets—The bets are linked, like on a sports parlay, and you only win if you pick the winners of both races. Three races would be a Pick 3, and so on. Just like with parlays, payouts are higher because the bets are linked.

Live Horse Racing Betting

The most famous races are on network TV or sports channels, but hundreds of races go on all the time with no national or worldwide television coverage. Some racebooks offer live simulcasts of races, so you can watch the action. This may be limited to major events like those held at Santa Anita Park and some international tracks.

Horse Racing Betting Promotions

Most horse racing sites offer promotions to attract and keep customers. One of the most popular is a cashback rebate, which returns to you a percentage of what you lose, or, at some sites, a percentage of everything you bet, whether the bet won or lost. 

Exotic bets are more likely to have a higher rebate percentage than straight bets. 

Special Features for Horse Racing

Handicapping refers to doing research to analyze which horses you should bet on in a race. It’s similar to the old racing form at a track, which would show you information like the bloodlines of the horses and past performance history for both the horses and their jockeys. 

Many racebooks in our top 10 offer similar data, including performance and bloodline information. Offshore sportsbooks, may not have as much data as other sources, but it helps at least get you started on your handicapping work. 

Horse Racing Welcome Bonus

Almost every racebook offers welcome bonuses to new customers. Usually, the bonus amount is a percentage of your initial deposit. Some sites limit where the welcome bonuses can be spent, so make sure the site you choose allows you to use it in the racebook area. 

User-Friendly Design

The user interface should be easy to navigate. There are a lot of races going on at any given time, and you should be able to browse the list and pick the race, horse and bet you want quickly and easily.

The process to place bets should also be fast and easy, and the mobile betting platform you use when betting on a phone or tablet should allow you to do everything the main site does.

Best Maine Horse Racing Betting Sites

The factors above set the online betting sites in our top 10 apart from the pack. Below are some other factors that sites need to even join that pack. These are more basic requirements than any site that we’d consider recommending needs to have. If a site didn’t measure up in any of these categories, it would immediately be dropped from consideration during our review process — and many were. Each of the Maine horse racing betting sites in the top 10 was vetted thoroughly and performed well in these areas.

Brand Reputation

The top racebooks have all been in operation for years. The oldest Maine horse racing betting sites have been around since the early 1990s. Their reputation for treating bettors fairly developed over that time. They have a track record of paying out on time and in full. Every site in the top 10 is reliable, safe and trustworthy.

Payment Options

The top racebooks have a variety of banking methods for deposits and withdrawals. They include credit and debit card transactions, bank transfers, e-wallets, like Skrill, and cryptocurrency options. Delays and fees should be kept to a minimum. Payouts should be fast and easy.  

Safety & Security

Each of the Maine horse racing betting sites in the top 10 is safe and secure. If any sites had breaches or other security issues, they were dropped from further consideration.

Speed & Ease of Use

Odds are constantly changing, and new information is always being revealed. When you get a tip or see odds that present an opportunity, you want to be able to strike fast before the market responds. In order to do that, you must have a site that will be able to process your request in time. The sites in our top 10 all allow you to place bets quickly and easily. Pages load quickly, and there are no glitches, delays or crashes. 

Customer Service

The top sites need to be responsive to problems and concerns. Customer service should be fast and efficient. Most of the sites in our top 10 offer 24/7 customer service in multiple languages. There should also be different ways to contact them, including phone, live chat, and email. Hold times shouldn’t be too long, and the agents you talk to should be professional and competent.

Is horse racing betting legal in Maine?

One of the most frequent questions we get is, “Is betting on horse racing legal in Maine?” The answer is an unqualified “Yes.”

You can bet in person at Bangor Raceway and other tracks on race day, at off-track betting parlors or online at several sites that operate in Maine and follow state and U.S. federal regulations on the gambling industry.

Offshore sportsbooks with an online racebook also allow you to bet on horse races, but they also offer several other options not available at Maine-based companies that offer racebooks, including online casinos, sportsbooks and poker rooms.

Maine Horse Racing Betting Guide – Learn to Bet on Horse Races in Maine

The best way to bet online on horse races in Maine is with one of our top-rated online betting sites with a grade of A+ from our expert panel like BookMaker or Bovada.

In addition to racebooks, all five of our top sites have sportsbooks and casinos. Many of them also feature live dealer casinos and poker rooms as well. 

Maine Horse Racing – What Bettors Must Know

There are two ways to bet on horse races: Fixed odds and pari-mutuel betting.  

Fixed odds are usually reserved for major events like the three legs of the Triple Crown, as well as the Breeder’s Cup, and the Santa Anita Derby.

Fixed odds work exactly like futures odds in other sports betting markets. The horses in the field are assigned odds of winning, placing and showing. Bettors know ahead of time exactly how much they stand to win on a given bet. 

Smaller tracks and less popular races—meaning most races that take place every day—use pari-mutuel odds to calculate payouts. This is a bit different for people who are familiar with betting on other sports because there isn’t a similar market in most of the major U.S. sports. 

In pari-mutuel betting, all the money bet on each market goes into a betting pool. In other words, there’s a Horse 1 to win pool, a Horse 1 to place pool, and so on. A small percentage is taken off the top by the racing industry, and the rest of the money is split among the winning tickets. In pool betting, you won’t know the exact amount of your winnings until after the race is over and you cash in your ticket. 

Horse Racing Betting Odds

For fixed odds, the odds on each horse might be listed in two different ways: the American format and the fractional format.

Fixed Odds for Horse Racing Betting in Maine

The American format is basically a money line for the horse. The odds for each horse are listed as a dollar amount that has a plus or minus sign. A number with a plus sign tells you how much you would win (in profit) on a $100 bet. 

For example, +500 means that if you bet $100, you’ll win $500. (You also get back the $100 you bet, so you’re collecting a total of $600). Bigger numbers mean higher payouts. The horses judged as the least likely to win, in the oddsmakers’ opinions, have the largest positive numbers. 

If you don’t bet $100, the payout is scaled up or down based on that ratio. So a $10 bet on a +500, earns $50 in profit. 

When the dollar amount starts with a minus sign, it tells you how much you’d have to bet to win $100. So, odds of -110 mean that you need to risk $110 to earn $100 profit on a win. Minus signs are reserved for heavy favorites, and it’s rare to find them in races with large fields. 

Horse racing fixed odds are most commonly listed as fractional odds. To calculate your potential profit, you multiply your bet amount by the fraction.

For example, a horse with 7/2 odds would earn $350 profit on a $100 bet. (100 x 7/2 = 350)

Pari-Mutuel Betting in Maine

Pari-mutuel betting is the most common type of race betting. Your bet goes into a pool of money from everyone that placed the same bet. A percentage goes to the track, and the remaining money goes to the winners, divided up evenly based on their wager amount. Tracks and racebooks will estimate what the potential payout will be before the race, but the exact final amount won’t be known until after the race is over and the payout is calculated.

Maine Horse Racing Betting Terms

Horse racing enthusiasts have their own language. Here’s a brief glossary of terms:

  • Across the Board: Putting three bets on the same horse– to win, to place, and to show. If the horse finishes first, all three bets will pay off.
  • At the Post: The horses are lining up to start the race, and, just as importantly, betting windows are about to close.
  • Blinders: Restrict a horse’s field of vision. The horse will typically wear them if it is easily distracted.
  • Claiming Race: A race where every horse in the field is up for sale.
  • Dead Heat: Two or more horses finish tied.
  • DQ: When a horse is disqualified due to some type of foul or infraction.
  • Exotic Bet: Bets that involve multiple horses and combine multiple outcomes, such as an exacta or trifecta.
  • Favorite: The horse bookmakers believe has the best chance of winning, and who will also have the lowest potential payout.
  • Fixed Odds: Published odds that state exactly how much a winning bet will pay out.
  • Furlong: One-eighth of a mile. Often the way race distances are reported
  • Length: The full length of a horse. This measurement can be used to describe a horse’s lead or margin of victory (i.e. he won by three lengths). If less than a length separates two competitors, other measurements that can be used are a head, a neck, or a nose.
  • Morning Line: The track handicapper’s estimate of what the pari-mutuel payout will be.
  • Pari-Mutuel Wagering: The main payout method used in horse racing wagering. All money wagered goes into a pool, which is split between winners. This is also known as pool betting.
  • Purse: The total prize money for to the owners of the horses in a race. The winning horse earns its owner the largest slice.
  • Tote Board: A digital board at the track that highlights the payouts for each market on the most recent race.
  • Triple Crown: The three leading races for three-year-old horses in America: the Maine Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

Maine Horse Racing Betting Calculator

A fixed-odds bet is similar to bets in other sports. You will know exactly what you’ll win if your bet pays off. With pari-mutuel betting, however, the amount of winnings won’t be known until after the race.

You can also estimate your winnings by looking at how much money was bet on your horse and converting that into a probability.

Maine Horse Racing Odds Chart

The following chart shows the odds (American and fractional) and payout for a $2 bet at different levels.  

Horse Racing OddsPayout from a $2 WagerImplied Probability of Winning
1/5 (-500)$2.4083.33%
1/4 (-400)$2.5080%
1/3 (-300)$2.6075%
1/2 (-200)$3.0066.67%
4/6 (-150)$3.3360%
1/1 (-100)$4.0050%
2/1 (+200)$6.0033.33%
3/1 (+300)$8.0025%
5/1 (+500)$1216.67%
10/1 (+1000)$229.00%
50/1 (+5000)$1021.96%

Maine Horse Race Tracks

Maine has a number of tracks where you can bet on horse racing in person. Some have closed over the years, but there are still a few tracks in operation.

  • Bangor Raceway: The oldest track in the state, it’s been operating continuously since 1893.
  • First Tracks Cumberland: A harness racing track, there is also live racing each year at the Cumberland Fair.
  • Scarborough Downs: A former harness racing track that now offers simulcasting of other races. 
  • State Fair Circuit: In addition to the Cumberland Fair, there are at least eight other fairs around Maine that offer live racing. The circuit runs through the summer and travels to fairs in Windsor, Farmington, Fryeburg, Oxford, Presque Isle, Skowhegan, Topsham and Union 

The History of Horse Racing and Gambling in Maine

Maine has been home to horse racing for close to 200 years. The first known race was held in the state in 1829, where the first known bet on a horse race was also placed. Tracks have been regularly offering horse races since the late 1800s, and pari-mutuel wagering has been legal since 1935. 

There are also off-track betting parlors, and, starting early in the 21st century, Maine legalized “racinos,” horse tracks that also allow other casino gaming, such as slots. Online gambling on horse races at sites like BetAmerica and 123Bet is also legal. 

For a long time, horse race betting was the exception in Maine, with other forms of gambling outlawed. The state has become more liberal in its gambling laws in recent years, opening two casinos in the state and passing a law in 2022 legalizing betting on sports. While that law has been passed, however, Maine is still in the process of licensing companies, and the first best on sports, in person or online, isn’t expected to be made until early 2024.

Here’s a more detailed view of the history of this sport in the Pine Tree State.

  • January 2023: The first set of rules and regulations for legal sports betting in Main is made public. A public hearing was held on January 31st and sports betting operators can submit comments up until March 3rd.
  • 2022: Legalized sports betting launches.
  • March 2021: A bill is introduced in the Maine State Legislature to allow horse race betting in the state. The bill proposes to allow both in-person and online horse race betting.
  • May 2019: Maine Governor Janet Mills signs a bill into law that legalizes pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing in the state. The law allows for both in-person and simulcast betting on horse races.
  • June 2018: Maine Governor Paul LePage signs a bill into law that allows for historical horse racing machines at licensed facilities in the state. The machines allow players to bet on the outcomes of previously-run horse races.
  • 2017: A bill to allow historical horse racing machines in Maine is vetoed by Governor Paul LePage. However, the Maine State Legislature overrides the veto and the machines are eventually legalized.
  • 2004: The first slot machines are installed at race track “racinos” in the state with the Hollywood Casino Hotel’s opening at Hollywood Raceway.
  • 1950: Scarborough Downs is opened and is the first track to offer night racing on the east coast.
  • 1935: Pari-mutuel betting on horse races is made legal.
  • 1893: The first organized horse race in the state is held at Bass Park in Bangor.
  • 1820: Maine becomes a state and all forms of gambling are illegal.

Bonuses Offered at Maine Horse Racing Betting Sites

Here’s a look at the different types of bonuses you’ll find at racebooks.

Welcome Bonuses

Even though each betting operator offers a range of promotions, the most commonly offered is a sign-up bonus for new sports betting customers. Sites usually match a percentage of your first deposit, anywhere from 50% to 200%. Most come with rollover requirements, which say how many times the bonus amount must be wagered before you can withdraw the money. For instance, a 5X rollover on a $1,000 bonus means you can’t withdraw the bonus money until you’ve bet at least $5,000 (five times the bonus).

Free Bets

Sometimes called risk-free bets or bet insurance, if your bet loses, the site returns the amount you lost.

Loyalty/VIP

Certain online betting sites award customers with points for their betting activity. These points can then be redeemed for money or other perks. 

Rebates

The site returns a portion of what you’ve lost as a cashback rebate. Some sites offer rebates on your total betting volume, win or lose. It’s common for a site to offer rebates on horse racing wagers.

Bonus Terms and Conditions at Maine Horse Racing Betting Sites  

Bonuses are not just money that sites give you free and clear. Most have strings attached. There may be minimum deposit requirements or minimum bet amounts in order to even be eligible for them. Some bonuses can only be spent in certain areas—for example, a sportsbook-only bonus or a casino online bonus. They also sometimes have an expiration date on the bonus money.

Rollover Requirements

This refers to how many times you need to play your bonus money before you can withdraw it.

For example, Bovada has a relatively low 6x rollover requirement. That means you have to wager six times as much money as you’ve received as a bonus before withdrawing it (If you claim a $100 bonus, you need to play at least $600).

Some rollovers are as high as 30x, meaning you’d have to bet $3000 to withdraw the $100 bonus.

Virtual Horse Racing Betting in Maine

Some online betting sites allow you to bet on simulated horse races. The pretend horses (and sometimes other animals) perform based on random number generators. It’s similar to video slot machines, where you are betting on computerized versions of something you can also bet on in real life. 

Maine Horse Racing Betting Apps

Most online bets are done using mobile devices, such as phones or tablets, instead of computers. Sites may offer mobile apps you can download to make it easier to use your device to bet.

Tips to Start Betting at Horse Racing Sites for Maine Residents

Registering a new account at an offshore racebook is easier than you probably think. It takes a few minutes, from start to finish. 

  1. Go to one of our top-rated sites
  2. Hit the “Join Now” button and fill out the registration form with your personal information. You might need to verify by having a code sent to your phone. 
  3. Choose a deposit method and enter your information and the deposit amount. This is when you need to put in the promo code to collect your welcome bonus.  
  4. Look for the “Racebook” section, usually located on a menu at the top of the page, and browse the upcoming races.
  5. In order to place a straight wager, just check the win, place or show box next to a horse’s name
  6. If you want to do an exotic bet, there are separate tabs for them
  7. Type the amount you want to bet and click “Place Bet.”

FAQs – Betting on Online Horse Racing in Maine

What is the best sportsbook for horse racing betting in Maine?

Our panel of experts gave you 10 choices and ranked them for you. At the top is Bookmaker.eu.

We’re confident that you’ll find a great horse-playing experience at any of our top-ranked Maine horse racing betting sites.

Is horse racing betting legal in Maine?

Betting on horse racing is legal in Maine. You can use a site based in the state, which can only legally offer a racebook, or an offshore sportsbook like the ones in our top 10, all of which also feature sportsbooks, online casinos and poker.

What is the big horse race in Maine?

While there is not one major race that the whole state stops and takes notice of, Maine has a busy horse racing schedule, including several harness racing tracks that operate nearly every day.

Are there horse races in Maine?

There are horse races in Maine, at thoroughbred and harness tracks as well as at fairs throughout the state.

Why is horse racing legal in Maine?

The state has a long history of racing going back nearly 200 years, and the history of betting on races is nearly as long.

How many racetracks are there in Maine?

Several tracks have closed in recent years, but there are still two main tracks in the state. You can also find smaller harness race tracks and the state fair circuit that runs through the state of Maine.

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