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The Preakness Stakes betting sites take massive action, and it’s a lot of fun to tune in to the Triple Crown series. If you make intelligent, informed wagers, you can enjoy the spectacle while padding your bankroll, and that’s as good as it gets. Of course, you have to make sure you’re betting at a completely reliable horse race betting website. How do you know who you can really trust with your hard-earned money? This is a great question, and it’s one that everyone should ask before they make deposits. You are in the right place to find the answers because we have evaluated all of the best Preakness betting sites.
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less than 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
The Top Preakness Stakes Betting Sites
Bovada Best Preakness Stakes Betting Site
Bovada earns our designation for best Preakness Stakes betting site because not only can you bet on every horse in the race, you can also submit custom bets to the racebook through X/Twitter. The site has favorable odds too. For example, the favorite to win was listed at +175 when we reviewed the site, so even a small $10 bet stood to win $17.50, with larger potential returns for non-favored horses.
Our favorite aspect of the Bovada racebook was the ability to place specialized bets through the site’s Twitter/X account. Just use the hashtag #whatyawager to request bets, and the site makes the odds for the requested wager. This level of wagering support gives Preakness Stakes bettors a unique way to use their knowledge and expertise to craft custom wagers.
You can sign up today and receive a 75% match on your first deposit for up to $750 in free bets using the promo code BTCSWB750 when you use crypto, or up to $250 with a credit card. Both welcome bonuses can be used in the site’s racebook, including on the Preakness Stakes.
Licensed by: Union of the Comoros, Central Reserve Authority of Western Sahara
Excluded states: Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Michigan
- 81%71%
- Bonus: 125% up to $3,750
- Visit SiteRead Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less than 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
BetOnline Best Preakness Stakes Bonuses
BetOnline has the best Preakness Stakes bonuses out there, starting with a free $25 risk-free bet when you sign up. All you need to do is place a bet on any horse race, including the Preakness Stakes, and the site reimburses losses up to $25 on your first bet. We confirmed that if you win the bet, you don’t qualify for the promotion, but if you lose, the racebook gives you back up to $25. We feel this offer is best for players that are interested in betting on horses but have never tried it, though experienced bettors can certainly take advantage of it as well.
There’s also a 9% daily cashback rebate on horse race betting available on qualifying bets. The site simply gives you back 9% of your daily losses in the form of free bets. Not only that, but there’s no minimum loss amount required, and BetOnline doesn’t cap the amount returned either.
Every dollar you wager in the racebook earns points towards the BetOnline VIP Rewards program too, allowing you to work towards perks like reload bonuses, cash boosts, and prioritized withdrawals by betting on the Preakness Stakes.
Licensed by: Panama Gaming Commission
Excluded states: None
- 71%67%
- Bonus: 50% up to $250
- Visit SiteRead Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less than 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
How We Rank the Top Preakness Betting Sites
When you look at our list above, you may wonder how we evaluated the Preakness Stakes betting sites we recommend. Our researchers are highly experienced race and sports bettors in their own right, and they know exactly what to look for when they examine online betting sites. We have developed a checklist that we use when we put betting websites under the microscope. When a site meets all the necessary criteria, they make our list of approved providers, and this is not easily accomplished.
Deposits and Withdrawals
At the end of the day, it’s all about the money when you are betting on the Preakness Stakes online. Most other factors are secondary to a website’s deposit and withdrawal policies. This is especially relevant for US players because there are laws that restrict money transfers related to internet gaming. In spite of this little obstacle, it can definitely be done, and American players have been successfully depositing and withdrawing money from internet-based racebooks and sportsbooks for years. The key is to identify the Preakness Stakes betting sites that have it down to a science. When you see our list of trustworthy websites, you can be absolutely sure that you will have no problem making deposits, and you will be able to get your hands on your winnings in a timely and efficient manner. Now that cryptocurrency is an option, if you go this route, the transactions are consummated almost immediately. This is not to say that more conventional methods like credit, debit, and gift cards and ACH transfers are not readily available. They are offered as well, so all players can find a way to participate.
Licensing and Reputation Among Players
Preakness betting sites are licensed in various different jurisdictions. We have conducted extensive research into the online gambling laws and licensing processes of every licensing entity around the world. There is a lot of money to be made through taxation and licensing fees, so there is an incentive for countries to put safeguards in place to make the players feel comfortable. We are well aware of the licenses that are held by every operator that we are willing to stamp with our seal of approval. In addition to the permit factor, we place an emphasis on the reputation that sites have with industry insiders and longtime players. We are plugged into a laser-focused sports gaming network, and our team members frequent highly respected forums. As they say, word gets around, so the websites that are on our radar are monitored on an ongoing basis because things can change. Any Preakness betting site that you see here is getting high marks across the board right now. This being stated, you can rest assured that we are quick to update our rankings whenever it becomes necessary.
Customer Service
When you deposit money into an online betting account for the first time, you may feel a bit uncomfortable because there is no tangible “face” to associate with the operator. Customer service is key for any business. However, because of this potential feeling of disconnection, it is paramount in the internet wagering business. This dynamic is magnified when there can potentially be relatively large sums of money at stake. We carefully evaluated the customer service policies of every race and sports betting website that we have reviewed. In order to make our list, a book must place an emphasis on the client experience. All of our approved sites are readily available whenever you have questions or concerns, and some of them have live chat functions.
Betting Options
Some websites that take bets on horse races do not really emphasize this portion of their business; they are more concerned with other sports. When we looked at the sites, we took this factor into consideration. The sites that we have ranked understand the importance of the Triple Crown of horse racing. These are authentic Preakness Stakes betting sites that will prioritize the big race. All of the most popular betting options will be offered, including exotic wagers that can produce some huge payouts.
Ease of Use
When you’re new to an online racebook, you definitely do not need to get stressed out trying to find your way around. Confusion is not an option, especially when you are getting ready to put your hard-earned money on the line. The best Preakness betting sites are very intuitive and easy to navigate, and you will find that the sites on our list fit this description. Plus, they all translate well to any mobile device that you may choose to utilize.
Why Bet the Preakness Online?
Clearly, there are standalone off-track betting facilities in some states, and race tracks offer simulcasting on the Preakness and other races for that matter. Of course, if you live in the United Kingdom or Australia, there are betting shops on every street corner. Given the fact that it is possible to wager on the Preakness Stakes at physical locations, why should you consider betting the Preakness online? Well, there are actually a few reasons. The Preakness Stakes betting websites that we have approved offer sign-up bonuses for new players. They also offer promotions for big events. We are not making any guarantees here, but the Preakness could qualify as a big event. You can actually get “free” money if you bet the Preakness online, and you are certainly not going to get something for nothing at the brick-and-mortar betting facilities.
Since this race generates so much interest, you are going to have to deal with stifling crowds if you go to a track or another facility that is offering simulcasting. There will be big lines at the betting windows, and this certainly applies to betting shops outside of the United States. You avoid these hassles when you wager through the internet. And speaking of hassles, the overloaded queues extend to the refreshment stands and the bars as well, where they typically gouge you for everything. On the other hand, you can pay fair prices and hang out with your friends at your favorite watering hole if you wager at one of our top-rated Preakness gambling sites. At OTB parlors and tracks that offer simulcasting, you can bet the horses and maybe dog races, and that’s it. Granted, there are “racinos” that have some types of casino gaming, but there is no betting on sports (with a handful of exceptions). If you deposit money into an online race and sports betting account, you can bet on a wide range of sports all year round if you choose to do so. This is another reason why you may want to consider opening an account to bet the Preakness Stakes online.
How to Bet Online for the Preakness
Once you’ve decided where to bet, you now need to figure out HOW to bet on the Preakness online. The good news is that most betting sites are really easy to use. After opening your account, you should have no problems finding the bets you want to place and getting your money down. Of course, you still have to decide which bets you should actually place. We can help with that, too.
Types of Bets for the Preakness
If you don’t have much horse race betting experience, don’t be intimidated. The basic wagers are very easy to understand. The most common bet on the Preakness or any equine event is a wager to win. The odds for each horse are calculated based on how much money is bet on the respective competitors. This is called a pari-mutuel pool, and the minimum wager for win bets is two dollars. You can also bet on horses to come in second or third, and these are called place and show wagers. These are two-dollar minimum bets as well.
Some people bet “across the board,” and this is a wager on the horse to come in first, second, and/or third. If a horse wins, it also provides a show and place payout because they are all separate betting pools. An exacta is a wager on the horses that will come in first and second in the correct order, and a trifecta is a bet on the top three finishers in the right sequence. The Preakness betting sites also offer the superfecta, which requires you to select the first four horses to cross the finish line. For a more in-depth explanation of your Preakness Stakes betting options, you might like to check out the following blog post. All the betting options for the Kentucky Derby are essentially the same for the Preakness.
An American Tradition
Many people that are typically not big horse racing fans are interested in the Preakness Stakes and the other Triple Crown races because they are longstanding American traditions. In fact, “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” was first introduced at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1873. It’s now known as the second leg of the Triple Crown, but the inaugural running was actually two years before the initial Kentucky Derby. The race is run at 1 3/16 miles, which is 9.5 furlongs. Horse racing is alive and well in the state of Maryland at Laurel Park, but at this point, the Preakness Stakes is single-handedly keeping live racing at Pimlico alive. Racing takes place over three weeks in May, and that’s the extent of it, though there is simulcasting from other tracks throughout the year.
Triple Crown Aspirations
A horse racing purist would tell you that any Preakness Stakes victory is the stuff of legends, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. There is definitely truth in this because horses that emerge from this race victoriously are certainly in rarefied company. At the same time, to be perfectly honest, there is an added level of attention on the race when the Kentucky Derby winner is competing in it. Unless there is some underlying health issue, the winner of the Run for the Roses will enter the starting gate at Pimlico in an effort to take down a coveted jewel in the Triple Crown. This is the wild card that makes the Preakness unique as a springboard to greatness or the scene of a broken dream.
Summary
The Preakness Stakes is run on the third Saturday of every May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. This year, the event lands on May 16, 2026. It offers a huge purse, and it attracts some of the best three-year-old Thoroughbreds in training. Somewhere in the vicinity of eight million viewers watch this American tradition unfold on international television every year.
Fortunately, you do not have to go to Pimlico or a brick-and-mortar off-track betting facility to place your wagers on the race. We have identified the top Preakness betting sites, and they make it easy for you to enjoy the betting action from your mobile device wherever you find yourself on race day.