While the state allows for legal betting on horse races and pari mutuel betting, you might find it surprising that there are no physical horse race tracks within its borders. Despite this, there are plenty of alternatives for enthusiasts like you.
If you’re a horse racing enthusiast in the state, you might be disappointed to learn that there are no Connecticut racetracks. But just a stone’s throw away in neighboring New York, you’ll find some of the country’s most popular horse race tracks.
Here are some of New York’s best racetracks:
Address: 2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003, USA
Phone: 718-614-4700
Belmont Park opened in 1902 and operated by the New York Racing Association, offers a horse racing experience like no other. With 32,900 seats and a 1.5-mile-long track, this historical venue caters to all betting preferences.
Whether you’re into thoroughbred betting, harness, or quarter horse racing, you have the option to place your wager live or at off-track betting terminals. Plus, with the convenience of their mobile betting app, you can place bets like Win, Place, Show, Across the Board, Trifecta, and more, right at your fingertips.
The entrance fee is a mere $5, making Belmont Park a must-visit for a comprehensive horse racing and betting experience.
Address: 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11420, USA
As you step into the Aqueduct Racetrack, you’ll be greeted by a grandstand that can seat 17,000 spectators and 400 screens broadcasting the action. With a main racetrack that’s a one and one-eighth miles oval, you’re in for some top-notch Grade I, II, and III Connecticut racing.
You can place bets on live racing or take advantage of the off-track betting options. Their mobile betting app adds to the convenience, allowing you to place bets like Exacta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Trifecta, Quinella, and Pick 3.
Address: 267 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
Phone: 518-584-6200
Step into the world of Saratoga Race Course, a horse racing haven offering Grade I, II, and III races. With a one and one-eighth-mile oval main track and a seating capacity of 50,000, you’re in for a thrilling experience. The best part is that there’s no entrance fee.
You can place your bets live or use the mobile betting app, with popular options including Exacta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Trifecta, Quinella, and Pick 3. After the races, unwind in one of the 117 hotel rooms or suites, or indulge in a meal at Fortunes Restaurant, Lucky Joe’s, or the Garden Buffet. With a nightclub, swimming pool, and fitness center on-site, your stay promises to be a mix of excitement and luxury.
Simulcast wagering is completely legal and one of the few options for horse racing betting in the state, along with advance deposit wagering online. Even though the state doesn’t have any physical Connecticut race tracks, you won’t be left out of the action. There are plenty of simulcast betting facilities operating under the ‘Winners’ brand.
Check out the list of ‘Winners’ locations across the state:
| Betting Location | Address |
| Winners Milford | 89 Roses Mill Road, Milford, CT 06460 |
| Winners New Britain | 160 East Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051 |
| Winners Stamford | 268 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901 |
| Winners Manchester | 103 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06042 |
| Winners Torrington | 141 Water Street, Torrington, CT 06790 |
| Winners Sports Haven | 600 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven, CT 06511 |
| Winners Waterbury | 155 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06710 |
| Winners Bradley | 11 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 |
| Winners Norwalk | 24 Burnell Blvd., Norwalk, CT 06800 |
| Winners Hartford | 121 Brainard Road, Hartford, CT 06114 |
| Winners Shoreline Star | 255 Kossuth St., Bridgeport, CT 06608 |
There are numerous popular horse races that you can bet on throughout the year. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or a novice, you’ll find a race that suits your betting style. Coming up, we’ll explore a list of the best horse races, complete with their dates.
| Horse Races | Racing Dates | Where to Bet |
| Kentucky Derby | May | Kentucky |
| Belmont Stakes | June | Belmont Park |
| Acorn Stakes | June | Belmont Park |
| Champagne Stakes | April | Online |
| Grand National | April | Online |
| Melbourne Cup | November | Online |
| Breeders Cup | November | Online |
When it comes to Connecticut horse racing, you’ve got a variety of options. Start with the basics: ‘Win’ (betting your horse will finish first), ‘Place’ (your horse will finish first or second), and ‘Show’ (your horse will finish in the top three).
If you want more excitement try ‘Exacta’ (predicting the first two horses in exact order), ‘Trifecta’ (first three), or ‘Superfecta’ (first four). For sequential races, there’s ‘Daily Double’ and ‘Pick 3’.
You can place these bets on a range of races including Thoroughbred, Harness, and Quarter Horse racing.
Discover all you need to know about Connecticut gambling laws and other forms of gambling in the state:
It all started in 1971 when lawmakers legalized pari mutuel wagering, creating the Commission on Special Revenue to oversee it. Fast forward to 1976, Connecticut horse racing betting, including off-track betting, was introduced in the state.
Over the years, Connecticut meticulously developed rules and regulations for horse racing and off-track betting, ensuring a fair and regulated betting environment.
In 1993, the Division of Special Revenue was authorized to sell the off-track betting system to Autotote Enterprises. Then, in 2010, Autotote Enterprises was purchased by Sportech Venues, which continues to be the sole owner and operator of off-track betting facilities today.
In 1999, a significant change occurred when off-track betting operators began accepting advance deposit wagers. It’s also important to note that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which was overturned in 2018, played a significant role in shaping the Connecticut horse racing history.
US state gambling laws vary, so you need to be aware of the rules in your home state. Horse racing betting is perfectly legal in Connecticut, but there are only off-track betting facilities available. So, you can enjoy and participate in horse racing betting, but it must be done through these regulated venues.
Yes, you can bet on horse races in other states. Since simulcast wagering is the only betting facility available in Connecticut, it allows you to place bets on horse races taking place anywhere in the country. Just ensure that you are wagering responsibly.
Actually, there aren’t any physical Connecticut race tracks. So, unfortunately, you won’t be able to find the largest race track in the state. However, you can still enjoy Connecticut horse racing through off-track betting facilities, which offer simulcast wagering on races happening in other states.
Yes, you can bet on horse races online in Connecticut. The state allows for Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW), which means you can place your bets on horse races through various online sites and apps. These platforms enable you to wager from the comfort of your own home or anywhere you have internet access.
You have a couple of options for betting on Connecticut horse racing. One is to visit off-track betting (OTB) facilities where you can place wagers on races happening elsewhere. Alternatively, you can also use Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) sites and apps. These allow you to place bets on horse races online, offering you the convenience of betting from wherever you are.
In Connecticut, the minimum age to bet on horse races is 18 years old. This means you must be at least 18 years of age to place a wager on horse racing events, whether at off-track betting facilities or through Advance Deposit Wagering sites and apps.
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