Despite having no active race track of its own, Connecticut off track betting is available throughout the state as part of the Winners network, ensuring Connecticut bettors have access to a full schedule of US and international action.
As ever, we bring you the complete resource for horse racing in the state, covering all nine Winners OTB venues, alongside the leading online racebooks.
This page will cover physical locations, reviews of nearby live-racing options as well as the best online sportsbooks for legal betting in CT.
Best online OTB sites in Connecticut
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Connecticut OTB locations
To find off track betting near me, Connecticut bettors can choose from nine Winners and MyWinners locations operated by Sportech, offering simulcast wagering on races from across the US and leading international tracks.
Major meetings, including the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup, are all available at our recommended Connecticut OTB venues.
We have detailed all the OTB venues currently available below:
Does Connecticut have any horse racing tracks?
Unfortunately Connecticut does not have any active horse racing tracks right now. Instead bettors can access horse racing bets through off track betting sites or through licensed online platforms.
For those who prefer the thrill of a live race, the nearest venues are Monticello Raceway and Yonkers Raceway in New York, both of which are within a reasonable driving distance.
Monticello Raceway
Yonkers Raceway
Monticello Raceway stages daytime Standardbred harness racing, generally from Monday to Thursday throughout the year.
It is around a 90-minute drive from Danbury and the western Connecticut border, subject to traffic and weather conditions.
204 Route 17B, Monticello, NY 12701
Yonkers Raceway is a year-round Standardbred venue, with major events including the Yonkers Trot, Messenger Stakes, Art Rooney Pace and International Trot.
The track is roughly 40 minutes from Stamford, 80 minutes from New Haven and two hours from Hartford.
810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704
Connecticut horse racing history
The history of horse racing in Connecticut dates back to the 19th century, with the opening of Charter Oak Park in 1874.
The track became one of New England's leading mile tracks, attracting celebrated trotters and Grand Circuit competition.
It was famously one of the first tracks to record photographed finishes in 1889 and the first harness race captured on film in 1897.
Unfortunately the track closed down in the 1930’s following tighter betting regulation.
Talks of a new commercial track fell through in the 1970, however racing did return to the state in 1976 with the emergence of pari-mutuel wagering through the Connecticut OTB.
The Winner venue network we see today emerged after the original Connecticut OTB sold the system to Autotote in 1993, and Sportech later acquired the business, who then developed the Connecticut Winners network.
Major races you can bet on in Connecticut
Connecticut bettors can access the full American racing calendar through OTB venues and online racebooks.
All of the biggest races in the US are available, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Breeders' Cup, Pegasus World Cup, Travers Stakes and major meetings from Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Keeneland and Del Mar.
You can also bet on international meets, including Royal Ascot, the Dubai World Cup, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Melbourne Cup.
Bettors wanting an in-person experience will need to travel to nearby Monticello, Yonkers or Saratoga race tracks.
Is online horse betting legal in Connecticut?
Yes, online horse racing betting is legal in Connecticut for bettors aged 18 and older.
Pari-mutuel wagering is overseen by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, and MyWinners holds the state's exclusive Connecticut licence for online and retail pari-mutuel betting.
Several national, out-of-state advance deposit wagering operators also accept Connecticut customers under licences issued elsewhere.
Sportech and state regulators have maintained that the Connecticut licence is exclusive, while outside operators have disputed that interpretation.
The disagreement remains unresolved, so bettors should understand the distinction between Connecticut-licensed MyWinners and platforms operating under out-of-state approvals.
