Horse racing remains one of the all-time bedrocks of American sport.
Over 35 states currently host active racetracks. The Kentucky Derby alone draws over 14 million TV viewers annually.
At local tracks like Yonkers Raceway, the crowds may be smaller – but often the passion is just as strong.
Online betting is transforming this US racing scene.
In 2023, Americans wagered over $7.5 billion on horse racing online. Apps dominate the market so punters no longer have to be trackside.
Since 2018, more than 38 states have approved some form of legal betting. Horse racing has ridden the crest of this wave with states like New York, California, and Florida leading.
Today’s fans can bet faster, more often and from smartphones anywhere, anytime.
State by state
Of course, betting at US racecourses now depends on individual state laws.
In New York, for example, fans at Yonkers Raceway can place bets on live and simulcast races. Odds shift as more people bet and these pool-based bets are legal in over 40 states.
Other states offer fixed-odds betting. Odds don’t change once the bet is placed.
New Jersey legalized this in 2021, aiming to attract younger, online-savvy followers.
Some states limit betting to on-track only, others, like California and Florida, allow both on-track and online betting through providers who are licenced by the state.
Some permit betting kiosks, others don’t. In Texas, horse betting is allowed, but online options remain restricted.
Exotic bets like Exactas, Trifectas, and Pick 6s are standard at most major tracks. They are for those who like bigger payouts and don’t mind the higher risk.
The Yonkers scene
Yonkers Raceway, in Westchester County, New York, is one of America’s oldest harness racing tracks.
It operates a full range of ‘pari-mutuel’ betting under New York State Gaming Commission rules. This means winning bets share the pool of total money staked.
Fans at the track can wager on win, place, show and more extreme bets like Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta.
The venue also features simulcast betting, allowing fans to bet on races from across the country. Yonkers is linked to major national betting networks like TVG and FanDuel Racing, which are both accessible online to New York residents.
In the latest figures Yonkers handled over $200 million in wagers in a year. A growing share are placed online.
On-site kiosks and mobile apps let fans bet without ever queuing.
And betting isn’t limited to race days. Yonkers also hosts year-round simulcast action, drawing in person and online fans.
New betting landscape
In January 2022, New York legalized mobile sports betting. Incredibly in the first month state residents wagered more than $1.6 billion through mobile platforms.
This record-breaking changed was helped by the New York State Gaming Commission rapidly approving nine different sports book operators.
Bettors can now place wagers on live races directly from their smartphones on wide range of platforms utilizing the top betting offers available online.
The state’s positive approach to mobile betting has not only increased accessibility but also generated substantial tax revenue. In the first six months, New York collected over $302 million in tax revenue for education and youth sports programmes.
Make it mobile
Mobile betting will reshape the horse racing scene at tracks like Yonkers Raceway.
Fans are no longer queuing at betting kiosks. They can bet instantly using smartphones to get odds, compare different sportsbooks, place wagers, and follow results.
This shift has made the sport faster, more interactive, and more accessible. Live streaming and instant payouts mean fans are engaged during race days – and between events.
Technology is bringing gigital betting terminals, cashless systems and in-app promotions that draw in younger fans. Even long-time punters love the convenience.
Some apps allow voice commands, push notifications for favourite horses and historical stats.
Horse racing was struggling to attract new audiences but mobile betting offers more choices, more data and easier access. It means new revenue streams and relevance in the digital era.
Yonkers points the way
Yonkers Raceway shows tradition and technology can thrive together. Mobile betting, live-streaming and a licensed sportsbooks have made it more accessible than ever.
A growing, younger fanbase are bringing increased enthusiasm. Bettors can now engage with the races in real time, from anywhere in the state.
Yonkers has become a model for how local tracks can survive thrive in the mobile era.
With the right openness to change, horse racing can remain exciting, relevant, and profitable. For fans and audiences it can be more fun than ever.
Other American tracks will watch and learn as Yonkers continues to set the pace. The horses are still thundering down the stretch – but in the race for the digital future, Yonkers is among the winners.
