DraftKings Racing Hits 9 States Before Kentucky Derby

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-04-28

DraftKings is making a big push into horse racing just in time for the Kentucky Derby. The company just expanded its DraftKings Racing product into six more states, bringing the total to nine jurisdictions. This move is part of a larger strategy to build a unified gambling platform that covers sports betting, casino games, and now horse racing. ### What States Were Added? The newly added states are Florida, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Oregon. These join the earlier launch states of Delaware, New Mexico, and Rhode Island. So if you're in any of these nine states, you can now place horse racing bets right inside the DraftKings Sportsbook app. It's a smart move. The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest betting events of the year, and DraftKings wants to grab as much of that action as possible. By expanding now, they're positioning themselves to compete with established horse racing platforms like TVG and TwinSpires.  ### How Does It Work? DraftKings Racing is integrated directly into the existing DraftKings Sportsbook app. That means you don't need to download a separate app or create a new account. Just log in, navigate to the racing section, and you're ready to place wagers on thoroughbred, harness, and quarter horse races from tracks across the country. The interface is designed to be simple and intuitive. You can bet on win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and other common wager types. It's all there in one place, which makes it convenient for bettors who already use DraftKings for sports. ### Why This Matters for Bettors For horse racing fans, this expansion means more options and better odds. DraftKings is known for competitive pricing and promotions, so you can expect some attractive sign-up offers and boosted odds around the Kentucky Derby. But there's a bigger picture here. DraftKings is building what they call a 'unified gambling platform.' That means you can bet on sports, play casino games, and now wager on horse races all from one account. It's a one-stop shop for legal gambling in the US. ### The Kentucky Derby Connection The timing is no coincidence. The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for the first Saturday in May, and it's the most-watched horse race in America. Millions of dollars will be wagered on the race, and DraftKings wants a piece of that pie. By expanding now, they're giving themselves a few weeks to onboard users and work out any kinks before the big day. It's a calculated move that shows they're serious about horse racing as a long-term product, not just a seasonal add-on. ### What's Next for DraftKings Racing? It's likely that DraftKings will continue expanding into more states as regulations allow. Horse racing is legal in many states where sports betting is still restricted, so this could be a way to enter new markets. For now, if you're in one of the nine states, you can start betting on horse races today. Just open the DraftKings app, find the racing tab, and place your bets. It's that simple. - Florida, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Oregon are the newest states - Earlier launches included Delaware, New Mexico, and Rhode Island - All betting is done inside the DraftKings Sportsbook app - The Kentucky Derby is the main event driving this expansion This is a big step for DraftKings and for horse racing fans. It makes betting easier and more accessible, and it could bring new fans to the sport. We'll see how it plays out during Derby season.