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California off-track betting

Today at CABetting.com, you will learn everything you need to know about California Off-Track Betting, including where to find off-track betting locations, how it works, and much more.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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Sports betting legislation has taken center stage when it comes to gambling in California, as two bills (Prop 26 and Prop 27) that would have legalized the industry failed to pass in 2022. While the pressure mounts amongst state legislatures to try again to boost tax revenue, there is one form of gambling that has long been a favorite of Californians.

With four California horse race tracks operating in the state including Golden Gate Fields, San Anita Park, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and Los Alamitos Race Course, the state’s more than 39 million residents love to bet horses. Boosting that along are California off-track betting locations, which facilitate CA horse race betting year-round.

Let’s take a deeper dive into all things California off-track betting (OTB). 

Off-track betting locations in California


There are currently six off-track betting locations in California, and we provide the information needed to find each of them below.

OTB

Address

Original Roadhouse Grill

1423 South Bradley Road Santa Maria, CA 93454

Sacramento Off Track Betting Bureau

1142 South P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA

Del Mar Off Track Betting Bureau

2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014

Fresno Off Track Betting Bureau

1035 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA

Santa Barbara Off Track Betting

937 South Thornburg Rd., Santa Maria, CA 93458

The Derby Club at Ventura

Seaside Park 10, West Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001

How does off-track betting work?

With more than 80 casinos spread throughout the state of California, residents of the Golden Gate State are familiar with how to gamble. Off-track betting offers just six locations throughout the state, with locations such as Sacramento Off Track Betting Bureau in the north, to Striders San Diego in the south.

For those new to the industry, off-track betting works by allowing bettors to wager on horse races both within and outside of state lines. Known as pari-mutuel Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW), California off-track betting lets residents (and visitors) place bets on races actively happening throughout the country. While you can also bet on horses online in California, California off-track betting facilities let you do it in person and transact in cash.

All off-track betting locations make their money by taking a small piece of each bet placed, essentially a commission, whether it’s a winner or not. California off-track betting locations are all located away from the state’s four horse racing tracks. This differs from other states, such as Iowa, which only offer off-track betting at state-sponsored casinos.

How do I bet at OTB locations in California?

Betting at an OTB location in California can be intimidating to first-time visitors, but rest assured we here at CABetting.com have you covered on what to expect. Using the self-serving kiosks you will find at all OTB locations in California, let’s walk step-by-step through the process.

  1. Plan Your Wager Out: There are a few different ways to plan for your wager at the OTB self-service kiosk. You can always do your research online, but the OTB will also offer a tip sheet (typically $10 or less) that has information on all the day’s races.
  2. Deposit Cash: OTBs operate in cash only, so place your funds into the kiosk to start the process. While you can usually bet as little as $2, the minimum deposit amount is most often $5.
  3. Place Your Wager: From here, follow the instructions on the screen that will be intuitive for most. It will ask for bet information such as the race track, horse posting number, and the type of horse racing bet you wish to make. Complete all the required information and you will have one final option to confirm, then place your bet.
  4. Collect Your Ticket: Once your bet is confirmed, including the amount of money you want to risk, the kiosk will print out a ticket with all of your wager information on it. Make sure to not lose your ticket, as you will need to redeem it for your winnings should your bet win. Head to the OTB closed-circuit televisions to watch your race play out in real-time.
  5. Redeem For Cash: If you do have a winner in your pocket, head back to the kiosk and insert it in the ticket slot. You will then be given the chance to place another wager or print out a voucher which is redeemable for cash. If you decide to cash in, take the voucher to the OTB cashier to receive cash in the amount shown.

Expert help when off-track betting in California

With nearly 20 years of experience when it comes to wagering at off-track betting locations, I know a thing or two about cashing some tickets. Continue reading for some expert help when it comes to off-track betting in California.

  • Utilize Tip Sheets: Organized and written fresh every day by professional horse racing bettors, tip sheets are a great way to learn about each of the races on a given day. Including information such as jockey records, horse records, and trainer history, tip sheets are usually $10 or less and provide a wealth of actionable information and data.
  • Monitor Weather: In most cases, you will be betting on horse races that are not near the off-track betting location in California. Make sure you are aware of the weather where the race is happening, and even dig for information on how certain horses perform in muddy vs. dry conditions.
  • Avoid Heavy Underdogs: While it can be tempting to bet on horses with odds higher than 10/1, the odds are set that high for a reason. Stick to horses with odds lower than 5/1, as they are the horses that oddsmakers have set as most likely to perform the best. Utilizing betting strategies such as boxing to help increase payouts while still playing the strong horses.

FAQ

What are the advantages of betting off-track in California?

There are many advantages of betting off-track in California, with the biggest being the variety of races you can bet on. When you visit one of the four individual horse race tracks in California, you can only bet on the races at the track at the betting windows. Another advantage is the access to the tip sheets, which provide information on the day’s races happening throughout the country.

Can I bet on horse races from other states at California OTB locations?

Yes, you can bet on horse races from other states at California OTB locations.

What is the minimum bet amount for off-track betting in California?

The minimum bet amount for off-track betting in California is $2, with the maximum typically going up to $1,000 depending on the horse rules at the OTB.

Are there any promotions or bonuses available for OTB bettors in California?

There are promotions and bonuses available for online OTB bettors in California. As for in-person California off-track betting locations, we have yet to see any promotions offered.

What are the operating hours of California OTB locations?

Operating hours of California OTB locations vary by location but are typically 10 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday, and 10 AM to 11 PM Friday through Sunday.

Is it possible to place OTB bets online in California?

Yes, it is possible to place OTB bets online in California, with such sites as Twinspires Racing, Caesars Racebook, FanDuel Racing, and DraftKings Horse Racing currently available in the state.

Author Details

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers is a sports betting expert and author at CASportsBettingSites.com. He has shared his betting predictions for almost a decade, and his work has been featured on various websites, including FantasyPros, Sportsbook Review, OddsChecker, Betting Pros, and many more.