AmWager is one of the most feature-rich racebooks available to US bettors, best suited to players who value fast data, deep handicapping tools and broad track coverage. Its strengths are its two-tier platform (a simple version and an advanced version), its cashback rewards program, free live streaming, and one of the largest track menus in the industry. Its weaknesses are a lack of debit and credit card acceptance for most users, no PayPal, no live chat and limited support hours. Independent reviewers generally rate it in the range of roughly 3.75 to 4.4 out of 5, with the lower scores driven mainly by the learning curve and the banking limitations rather than by trust or reliability concerns.

Current Deposit Match Offer

AmWager welcomes new customers with a first-deposit match bonus. The most widely promoted current version is a 100 percent match up to $50. To earn the full $50, a new customer deposits $50 and places at least $50 in total wagers within 30 days of opening the account. Different affiliates surface different promo codes for essentially the same style of offer, including BUSA, AMWAGER, 100MATCH and, in higher-value periods, 150MATCH for a match up to $150. Because the code and the headline amount change from time to time, bettors should confirm the current code and cap on the site before depositing.

Second Bonus Option: Cashback Welcome Offer

AmWager has at times run a second, separate welcome offer aimed at higher-volume players, claimed with the code 500BONUS. Under that offer, a new customer earns 10 percent cashback on every dollar wagered during the first 30 days, up to a maximum of $500, which would require wagering roughly $5,000 to max out. Bettors generally choose one welcome offer or the other, so it is worth deciding in advance whether the straightforward deposit match or the volume-based cashback fits their expected activity.

How the Bonus Pays Out

The deposit-match bonus is issued as non-withdrawable wagering credit, deposited in a single lump sum, typically within seven business days of meeting the wagering requirement. Any winnings generated from wagering that credit become real, withdrawable cash. Unused promotional credit expires 30 days after it is received. Several conditions apply: the offer is for first-time depositors only; show bets, cancelled bets and refunded bets do not count toward the wagering requirement; a returned or reversed deposit during the promotional period cancels eligibility; the account must remain in good standing; and there is a strict limit of one bonus per person and one per household.

How the Bonus Compares

The AmWager welcome bonus is competitive with other US racebooks such as TVG, which historically has offered a refund on a first losing bet rather than a straight match. The headline dollar amount is smaller than some rivals, such as DRF Bets or DK Horse, which have promoted deposit bonuses up to $200 or $250. However, AmWager’s low $50 wagering requirement is easier to clear than many larger offers that come with steeper rollover conditions, which makes it attractive to casual bettors who do not want to commit large sums up front.

How Cashback Works

Beyond the welcome offer, AmWager runs an ongoing cashback rewards program that automatically returns a percentage of a customer’s wagering activity to their account every morning as wagering credit. Rewards are paid whether the underlying bet wins or loses, and there is no minimum-play requirement to participate, though some high-takeout pools may be excluded. This automatic, no-request structure is one of the program’s most-praised features.

The Points-Based Tier Structure

The current program is points-based. Every customer earns a minimum of four points per dollar wagered, and the earn rate rises as the player advances through eight tiers determined by monthly wagering volume. Points convert to wagering credit each morning at a rate of 1,600 points per $1. The structure works out to an effective cashback rate ranging from about 0.25 percent at the entry level to roughly 2.5 percent for the highest-volume exotic bettors. The table below summarizes the tiers.

As an example, a new customer who places a $10 win bet earns 40 points at the entry tier, while a player who wagered $12,000 the previous month and places a $100 trifecta earns 1,300 points at the fifth tier. A customer who accumulates 3,200 points on a given day receives a $2 wagering credit the next morning. Unused credits expire 30 days after receipt.

Older Cash Tier System

Longtime customers and some affiliate reviews still reference an older, simpler version of the program that returned straight cash at higher rates through named tiers: Bronze at 2 percent with no minimum, Silver at 3 percent for $500 in monthly wagering, Gold at 4 percent for $2,000, Platinum at 5 percent for $5,000, and a top Titanium level for very high rollers (reported around $80,000 in annual wagering) with custom rates negotiated directly with AmWager. AmWager has since dialed back to the points-based model above, so the current effective rates are generally lower than the old flat-cash percentages. High-volume players still benefit most.

Rewards Restrictions

AmWager does not offer loyalty rewards to customers in Idaho and Illinois because of the high source-market fees imposed in those states. This is one of several examples where a bettor’s home state directly affects the value they can extract from the platform.

Refer-a-Friend

AmWager has run a refer-a-friend program in the past in which the existing customer received $25 for each friend who signed up and wagered $100, while the new friend received a $25 instant wagering credit. The program has been switched on and off over time. Company representatives have indicated it may be reactivated, so bettors should check whether it is currently live.

Registration Steps

Opening an account is quick. A new bettor provides a valid email address, creates a password and enters any applicable promo code. AmWager then sends an automated confirmation email; after clicking the link, the bettor completes a form with full name, phone number, date of birth, home address, city, state, ZIP code and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Why AmWager Asks for Your SSN

The request for the last four digits of a Social Security number is strictly for identity verification. AmWager runs registration details through reputable third-party identity services to confirm the bettor’s identity and age, protect against fraud and identity theft, and comply with anti-money-laundering requirements. Verification must be completed before a customer can deposit or place bets.

Choosing Your Platform

After logging in, users choose between two interfaces. AmWager Plus is the simpler, more visual option built for recreational bettors who want to place quick bets and watch races. AmWager Pro is the advanced default interface built for serious handicappers, offering the full toolkit of modifiers, trendlines, imputed odds and data. Bettors can switch between the two at any time.

The wagering area is designed to work in a single window without hopping between pages, and it displays active bets on the same screen. The basic sequence is: select a track from the dropdown list; pick one of the available races; review the pools, runners and modifiers shown for that race; choose your bet pool and modifier; enter your stake; select your runners; confirm the details; and submit the wager. Because AmWager is pari-mutuel, the final odds are set by the betting pool at post time rather than fixed when the bet is placed.

Track Coverage

Track coverage is one of AmWager’s biggest strengths. The site offers close to 500 tracks worldwide (commonly cited between 470 and 498) and covers more than 1,000 races per day. Major US tracks include Santa Anita, Del Mar, Saratoga and Churchill Downs, alongside a deep bench of regional venues such as Fair Meadows, Fairmount Park, Ocean Downs, Hollywood Park, Kentucky Downs, Louisiana Downs, Northfield Park, Oak Tree, Atlantic City and Parx Racing. International coverage includes tracks in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Dubai.

Race Types and Major Events

AmWager carries thoroughbred, standardbred (harness) and quarter-horse racing, plus greyhound racing and virtual racing. It provides betting into major global events, which have included the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup, the Grand National, the Epsom Derby, the Melbourne Cup and the Japan Cup, subject to the track agreements in place at the time.

The Kentucky Derby Limitation

One important limitation worth knowing before signing up: AmWager has not been able to offer wagering on the Kentucky Derby or other Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) races. Federal law requires online racebooks to hold agreements with track operators to accept wagers on their races, and AmWager has lacked a contract with CDI. AmWager has said it is working to secure a deal, but in the meantime it covers the Preakness and Belmont and carries essentially all non-CDI domestic tracks plus most international tracks. Bettors whose main interest is the Derby should confirm current availability first.

Bet Types Offered

AmWager supports the full menu of straight and exotic wagers found at a live track. Straight bets include Win, Place and Show, plus Across the Board and combined Win-Place and Win-Place-Show wagers. Exotic and multi-race bets include Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Hi-5, Daily Double, and Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6. Exotics can be structured with Box, Keybox, Powerbox, Keywheel and Wheel options. AmWager also supports specialty formats such as Triello, Hexafecta, Tri-Super and Twin Super, along with standard tote modifiers and extended tote modifiers.

Virtual Racing

AmWager offers virtual horse racing built from a database of roughly 100,000 past races originally run at venues such as Tampa Bay Downs, Palm Beach and Derby Lane. Customers select the virtual track from the dropdown after logging in and bet much as they would on live races. Results are based on real past outcomes, but AmWager generates fresh video with different finishing positions for each running so the experience is unique each time. Virtual racing is not available in Kentucky or New York.

AmWager’s advanced feature set is its signature selling point, and reviewers routinely describe it as the most feature-rich racebook on the internet, the result of a major platform overhaul completed in 2019. Most of these tools are designed to help handicappers increase their return on investment rather than to add mere convenience. The site provides a detailed how-to guide for each under its help menu.

ABC Wagering

Introduced in 2017, the ABC wagering tool lets bettors rank horses as A (most likely to win), B (could win) or C (a long shot worth including for payout potential) to build efficient, weighted multi-leg tickets. Some rivals offer a version of this, but AmWager integrates it directly into the bet pad.

Conditional Wagering

Conditional wagering is not unique to AmWager, but its implementation is unusually powerful. AmWager checks conditional wagers every 10 seconds and books the bet as soon as the conditions are met, rather than checking only once at a specified minutes-to-post time as many competitors do. This results in far fewer missed opportunities, and users can set multiple conditions, including a range of odds at which they want a bet booked.

Dutch Wagering

The Dutching calculator lets a bettor pick two or more horses and weight the stakes so the payout is roughly equal no matter which of the selected horses wins, rather than risking the same amount on each. Users input either a target payout or a total spend, and the calculator builds the ticket automatically.

Rank and Rank Pro

Rank betting lets a bettor choose several runners, rank them from best to worst and set a budget, after which AmWager calculates the optimal combinations without exceeding that budget. Rank Pro extends this by letting the bettor input their own percentage odds line for each runner for more precise ticket construction.

TRU Odds

TRU Odds displays an aggregated, live odds line that draws on every available pool rather than the win pool alone, making it easier to spot underlays and overlays than looking at win odds by themselves.

Fair Value Exacta Grids

The fair-value grid shows which exacta combinations have been over-bet or under-bet based on the win pool. Combinations shaded green are under-bet and paying more than they arguably should, while red combinations are over-bet and paying less, letting bettors identify value at a glance.

Exchange Pools

Exchange pools give players a shot at some of the largest payouts in racing by linking wagers across two consecutive races. Winners of the first leg receive a share of the first pool plus exchange credits to use on the second, often much larger, carryover pool. AmWager supports Twin Trifectas, Tri Supers, Super Supers and Big Quinellas where the host track offers them, and now provides these online after they were once limited to in-person or phone-in wagers.

Colossus Jackpots

Colossus Jackpots are large pooled betting products covering UK and Irish racing, where bettors compete for some of the biggest jackpot payouts in the sport.

File Upload

Advanced bettors can format CSV files and upload them for bulk wagering, submitting large numbers of bets with conditions attached in one action. The feature requires precise formatting, and AmWager provides a detailed guide, but it is a significant time-saver for high-volume players.

Favorite Tracks

Customers can flag an unlimited number of favorite tracks, sort them in real time and access them throughout the wager pad for faster navigation.

Stable System

AmWager’s stable feature lets bettors follow specific horses, jockeys, trainers and owners. Users receive daily emails when anyone in their stable is scheduled to race, can set mobile push notifications for about an hour’s warning before a run, and can add notes, review statistics and watch replays from within their stable.

Past Results and Performance Data

AmWager maintains a comprehensive, searchable results database covering every past race it has carried, kept indefinitely without archiving or deletion. Bettors can research how a horse has performed, view head-to-head matchups and see historical payouts and pools. Additional past-performance data and expert picks are available for purchase through the AmWager store.

Live streaming matters because most races outside the Triple Crown are not televised. AmWager offers free live video for nearly every track it carries, covering thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing every day of the week, viewable on both desktop and mobile. It also maintains a large replay database that bettors can search by date, breed or horse name, paired with a runner search that makes past-race analysis straightforward. Reviewers consistently describe the streaming as smooth with minimal buffering.

Mobile App

AmWager does not offer a native app in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Instead, it is a progressive web app installed directly from the mobile browser. On an iPhone or iPad, the bettor opens the site in Safari, logs in, chooses Plus or Pro, and selects the install option from the menu (tapping the share button, then Add to Home Screen). The Android process is similar using Chrome or another browser. The installed app delivers the same tracks, wager types, live video and promotions as the desktop site, and several reviewers note it runs as smoothly as, or slightly smoother than, the desktop version.

Deposit Methods and Fees

AmWager was the first licensed horse racing betting site to receive regulatory approval to accept Bitcoin deposits, and it supports an unusually broad set of funding options. A notable limitation is that, for most users, AmWager does not accept standard debit or credit cards (some sources note limited card acceptance in select states only), and it does not accept PayPal or Skrill. Reported deposit methods and typical fees include the following.

The exact Bitcoin fee is reported differently across sources (roughly 1 percent in some, a flat $5 in others), so bettors should confirm the current figure on the funding page. AmWager also reserves the right to cap how much a customer can deposit in a single day, with limits that vary by method, something high rollers should check in advance.

Withdrawal Methods and Times

Withdrawal options are more limited than deposits. The main methods and typical processing times are ACH online check (the preferred method, fee-free, generally one to three business days), check by mail (fee-free but slow, reported anywhere from a few business days up to two to three weeks including shipping), and wire transfer (fast, sometimes same day, but with the $25 charge on smaller requests). Bettors are not eligible for ACH withdrawals until they have successfully deposited at least $25. Some reviewers also note that withdrawals may need to be taken via the same method used for the most recent deposit, so it is worth planning deposits accordingly.

Payout Reliability

Because AmWager is pari-mutuel, winning wagers are commingled into the track’s betting pools and paid at the official payout once the race is declared official, with no house-imposed cap on winnings per wager. Many user reviews praise AmWager for fast payouts relative to some larger competitors. A minority of complaints mention holds or delays on withdrawals, which is worth keeping in mind, though such reports are the exception rather than the norm.

Contact Options

AmWager offers support by phone and email (support@amwager.com), backed by a comprehensive FAQ section on the site. The main gap is the absence of live chat, which means no instant on-site messaging; competitors increasingly offer chat and social-media support, so AmWager is somewhat behind on channel variety. The reported support phone number is 1-877-767-4447 (some listings show a closely related number, so confirm on the site).

Support Hours and Quality

Support is not available 24 hours a day. Reported hours run roughly from noon to 8 p.m. Eastern Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern on Friday and Saturday, with some listings showing extended or Sunday-limited coverage; hours vary slightly by source, so check the current schedule. Despite the limited channels and hours, the quality of support is a standout: multiple independent reviewers describe the team as exceptionally friendly, professional and patient, with one reporting an email response in under five minutes. AmWager also stands apart for how its representatives engage directly with the racing community, regularly posting in horse racing forums and on social media to share product updates and gather feedback, which gives the operator a reputation for transparency.

Is AmWager Legit?

Yes. AmWager is a legitimate, licensed and regulated US racebook that has operated since 2009 and holds advance deposit wagering licenses in multiple states. It is one of the largest account wagering companies in the country and has qualified for licensing in essentially every state that regulates online horse racing.

Regulatory Licenses

AmWager’s parent company, AmWest Entertainment LLC, is primarily licensed by the Oregon Racing Commission and holds ADW licenses in a total of eight states: the Oregon Racing Commission, the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, the Idaho Racing Commission, the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission, the Montana Board of Horse Racing and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

Fund Safety and Security

AmWager holds customer deposits and winnings in segregated, independent custodial accounts that are FDIC-insured and monitored by the Oregon Racing Commission, so funds can only be moved with explicit authorization. The site protects personal and financial information with current encryption technology and layered IT security, including multiple firewalls, gateways and intrusion-prevention systems. The company’s mailing address is AmWager, 6135 NE 80th, Suite A2, Portland, OR 97218.

Age Requirements

In most states, the legal pari-mutuel wagering age is 18, but AmWager applies a blanket internal policy requiring all customers to be at least 21 to bet on horse races online. Identity and age must be verified before wagering.

For a broader view of legal wagering by state, see our guide to online horse betting.

Fully Available States

AmWager operates in roughly 30 states. States where it is generally available without notable extra restrictions include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin.

States With Limited Restrictions

Several states allow AmWager but impose source-market fees or specific track bans that can reduce rewards or block certain wagers. Reported examples include Florida (a source-market fee of about 3.5 percent in some ZIP codes), Idaho (no greyhound wagering and many tracks restricted due to a 10 percent source-market fee, plus no loyalty rewards), Indiana (about a 5 percent source-market fee that reduces some rewards), Kentucky (no greyhound wagering and a source-market fee in some ZIP codes), Massachusetts (cannot play Suffolk Downs), New York (no greyhound wagering and about a 5 percent source-market fee), Washington (about a 7 percent source-market fee), and West Virginia (cannot play Charles Town, Wheeling, Mountaineer or Tri-State Greyhound Park). Illinois customers also do not receive loyalty rewards. Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia and Wyoming also carry state-specific conditions, including New Mexico’s ban on wagering at in-state tracks.

Restricted or Unavailable States

AmWager is generally not available to residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, the US Virgin Islands and Utah. State availability shifts over time and sources disagree at the margins, so bettors must confirm current eligibility on the site; customers also have to be physically present in an eligible state to wager. AmWager maintains a policies and restrictions page listing prohibited tracks in detail.

AmWager reminds players to gamble responsibly and provides resources for those who may need help, including referrals to Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling. Customers can request self-exclusion from the platform, which must be submitted by letter or email. Anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s gambling can call the national problem-gambling helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.

Against larger, better-known racebooks such as TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, DK Horse and DRF Bets, AmWager positions itself as the performance-and-features choice rather than the flashiest or the biggest-bonus option. Where TVG and FanDuel Racing lean into TV-style coverage and beginner-friendly tools, AmWager caters to serious handicappers with faster data, conditional wagering, Dutching, exchange pools and a customizable interface. Its welcome bonus is smaller than DK Horse’s or DRF Bets’ headline offers, but its low wagering requirement is friendlier. The clearest trade-offs against the big brands are payment flexibility (rivals typically accept cards and sometimes PayPal) and support availability (rivals more often offer 24/7 live chat). For a bettor whose priority is depth of tools, track selection and speed, AmWager competes at or above the level of any racebook on the market; for a bettor who wants card deposits, the biggest sign-up bonus or round-the-clock chat, a larger rival may fit better.

Who Should Use AmWager

AmWager is an excellent fit for dedicated horse racing bettors who want broad track coverage, fast data and a deep toolkit for structuring exotic and multi-race wagers, and who will make use of features like ABC wagering, Dutching and the fair-value grids. Casual bettors can still use it comfortably through the simpler Plus interface and benefit from the low-requirement welcome bonus and automatic cashback. Bettors who depend on card deposits or PayPal, who want 24/7 live chat, or whose primary interest is the Kentucky Derby may find the limitations frustrating.

Overall Rating

Gambling involves risk. You must be 21 or older and physically located in an eligible state to bet with AmWager. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Bonus terms, promo codes, banking options and state availability change over time; confirm current details on AmWager.com before signing up.