And they’re off!
DraftKings has thrown its hat into the Virginia horse betting ring with the launch of DK Horse. The company’s standalone app lets Virginians place bets on various horse races from around the world.
“Together with Churchill Downs Incorporated, an industry leader with a deep-rooted history in horse racing, we will deliver an innovative, mobile customer experience,” Jason Robins, CEO and Chairman of the Board of DraftKings, said in a press release.
“Our goal is to provide our customers with best-in-class sports and gaming products, and we expect DK Horse to provide a fun and new way to engage with renowned races like the upcoming Run for the Roses.”
Ready to get started? Below, we’ll cover the main things you need to know about DK Horse in Virginia.
Getting started Virginia horse betting app DK Horse
You need to be 18 years old or above to bet with DK Horse in Virginia, one of 12 states to see the horse betting app launch. Your age will be confirmed using the personal information you provide upon signing up.
That’s step one: Make sure you can legally use the app. All set? Good.
Step two is to get the app. You can download the DK Horse app from the iOS App Store or Google Play. Note that having a DraftKings Sportsbook or daily fantasy sports account won’t help you here; DK Horse is a separate app, and it requires a separate account. A bit of an inconvenience, but the app is worth it once you get in and start betting.
To sign up, you’ll need to provide the following bits of information:
- Email address
- First and last name
- Phone number
- Address
- Date of birth
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
Once you provide the requested info when prompted, you may need to wait a few minutes for DK Horse to confirm your identity. After that’s done, you can get started.
Deposit options at DK Horse
Funding your account is simple at DK Horse. Select “deposit” in the app’s main navigation bar at the bottom, then select your preferred method. These include:
- Credit/debit card
- PayPal
- Online banking
- Venmo
There are other methods available, though those above are the most popular. PayPal, for example, has a high success rate and great security practices. Plus, you can also withdraw using PayPal, making it easy to use one method.
Most deposits hit your DK Horse account instantly.
Can you stream live races on DK Horse?
On top of betting, you can watch races right in the app.
Once you create your account and make a deposit, head to the “Races” page. DK Horse lists featured and upcoming races first. You can select a race to be taken to a dedicated page where you can view the odds, review info about each horse/jockey and place bets.
In the top right corner of the app, there’s a rectangle with a play button. Click that to load the live stream for the race. You can watch the action from your mobile device after you’ve placed your bets.
DK Horse expands existing horse betting in Virginia
DraftKings has long been focused on sports betting expansion, making the operator somewhat late to the horse betting party. TVG has held onto its grip of the online Virginia horse betting market for some time now. TVG was recently purchased by FanDuel Group. Already boasting FanDuel Racing, which is also available in Virginia, it remains to be seen whether FanDuel Group will sunset TVG in favor of FanDuel Racing.
Colonial Downs in New Kent is the most popular horse race track in the Commonwealth. You can bet on races there from July 13 through September 9. Post time on race days is 1:30 p.m. ET. General admission and parking are free, with Grandstand Reserved seating starting at $5.
Major horse races you can bet on
The Triple Crown races are by far the most popular horse races for American bettors. These include the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes
The 2023 Kentucky Derby is slated for May 6 at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. DK Horse will have bets on the race. Plus, keep an eye out for special promotions leading up to the Derby, considering DK Horse is a partnership between DraftKings and Churchill Downs.
