TwinSpires Review

TwinSpires Racebook Review

TwinSpires, an American-owned racebook, is owned and operated by the prestigious Churchill Downs, Inc.

TwinSpires provides a wide range of horse racing markets, both locally and internationally, covering thoroughbred, quarter-horse, and harness races.

The website and app can be accessed in every state in the U.S. Users have the opportunity to bet on races at more than 150 tracks in countries including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Dubai, Australia, and others.

TwinSpires offers an impressive live streaming feature for almost every race, allowing players to watch their bets in real-time.

This feature is beneficial for both casual and experienced bettors, as horse racing typically does not receive as much attention as other sports, except during the Triple Crown races.

TwinSpires stands out from other sportsbooks by providing thorough analysis and handicapping education from industry experts.

TwinSpires stands out from other wagering platforms in the industry by providing genuinely informative written and video content. This content helps novice bettors grasp the basics of betting instead of being encouraged to make risky low percentage plays commonly found in the sportsbook industry.

It is crucial to understand that TwinSpires and the sport of horse racing operate on the principle of “Parimutuel Betting.”

Parimutuel betting involves pooling all wagers together, with the total amount then divided equally among the winners.

Instead of placing fixed odds bets against the house, this style allows the pre-race odds to change until the race starts, which may not always be ideal but is something to consider.

In general, TwinSpires is considered one of the top racebooks in the United States, and we will share more details about them in the following sections.

Racebook Locations

TwinSpires is accessible in all 50 states in the U.S. for mobile and online users, with retail locations at Churchill Downs and other affiliate locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kentucky.

Online Betting Experience

TwinSpires provides a website for users on laptops and desktops, as well as a mobile app for on-the-go access.

Website Experience

The website of TwinSpires is excellently designed and organized, making it a fantastic option.

Although live betting is not available in horse racing, TwinSpires offers users immediate access to an “Up Next” ribbon upon entering the website. This feature allows potential bettors to view live tracks and real-time races.

This feature is helpful as it allows bettors to easily find and bet on a race that aligns with their log-on time, without having to search through an extensive list of tracks.

Underneath this feature, users will come across a banner advertising a promotion like Pick-4 or the $200 sign-up bonus.

Those who are interested can claim the offer right away by clicking on the banner and choosing to participate in the promotion.

As you continue to scroll down the homepage, you’ll come across a template showcasing featured tracks, expert picks, and additional promotions.

This feature offers a convenient platform for casual users to easily browse and find what interests them, making it user-friendly and efficient.

As users continue to scroll, they will discover timeless betting information or intriguing facts about horses.

On the neatly organized homepage, the top ribbon offers five drop-down options.

• Bet Now
• Offers
• News & Picks
• Handicapping 
• Support

I consider this ribbon to be one of the best I have encountered. It is clear and easy to understand, with a drop-down menu that offers all the information a user might need.

Placing a bet on TwinSpires is also easy.

To place a bet, the bettor needs to click on the desired track, choose a race, select their preferred bet types, and locate the wager in the “My Bets” section on the right side of the screen.

The design is tidy and user-friendly, making it easy to find your desired bets without having to search too much on the screen.

TwinSpires provides an exceptional website product and user experience that surpasses other racebooks in the industry and outperforms most sportsbooks available.

Betting App and Mobile Betting

The TwinSpires mobile app is accessible on both iOS and Android platforms, however, it falls short in comparison to the website.

When you open the app, the first option you see is the “Featured” section.

This function displays live tracks and upcoming races that can be wagered on.

Icons are shown with a number and the abbreviation “MTP,” representing “Minutes to Post,” indicating the time remaining until the race begins.

A ribbon displaying the following features is located at the bottom of the screen:

• Races
• My Bets
• Deposit
• Offers
• Account

The ribbon is not up to par when compared to the appropriate website choices.

While this provides the basics, the absence of the News and Picks, Handicapping, and Support tabs creates a less user-friendly and informative experience.

Placing a bet on the app is easier than usual. The screen is less crowded with betting options and is more simple to navigate.

The My Bets feature acts as a betslip, efficiently organizing live and closed bets for easy tracking.

The offers icon is a useful feature that enables users to quickly find current bonuses and promotions.

Depositing funds is a breeze with the deposit icon, which leads you to a screen on the PayPal platform with various increment amounts to choose from.

After deciding to make a deposit, the transaction is smooth and completes within seconds.

In addition to these features, the TwinSpires app is surprisingly basic when compared to its comprehensive desktop version.

While it does have the essential betting and deposit functions, it falls short in terms of depth and additional educational resources and handicapping elements that would make it stand out from the competition.

We look forward to TwinSpires updating its app to match the impressive features found on its website.

Live Betting

Live betting features for horse racing are currently lacking.

Casino, Poker, & Other Gaming Options

TwinSpires briefly ventured into the sportsbook and iGaming industry, but ultimately decided to shut down these operations in 2022 due to a lack of sustained success in these markets.

TwinSpires History

The history of TwinSpires is intertwined with the rich legacy of Churchill Downs, which can be traced back to Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark’s journey to England and France in 1872.

Clark’s love for horse racing flourished here, inspiring him to introduce this tradition to America.

After coming back to the United States, Clark started raising funds and rented land from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill.

Construction was soon started, and Churchill Downs was completed in 1875.

The inaugural race at Churchill Downs took place on May 17, 1875, marking the beginning of the iconic Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks races.

As they say, the rest is history, and Churchill Downs can proudly claim the title of hosting the longest-running continuous sporting event in the United States.

In 2007, the TwinSpires online brand was established with the support of Churchill Downs Inc. It quickly became the official online betting partner of the renowned Kentucky Derby, bringing along 148 years of racebook expertise.

Customer Ratings & Reputation

The Apple App Store rates TwinSpires a stellar 4.8 stars.

A lot of customers are thrilled with the wide variety of tracks and races available for betting, as well as how user-friendly the betting process is.

Reviewers find the wide range of betting options to be a significant advantage.

Furthermore, the quick deposit and especially withdrawal times were praised, showing that TwinSpires has succeeded in addressing bettors’ main concern of withdrawal ease.

The TwinSpires Android app has received a moderate 3.6-star rating on Google Play.

Although the general sentiment is positive, the majority of negative feedback is due to the app’s limited features compared to the website, which is consistent with our app review.

Customer Service

For the best customer service experience at TwinSpires, we suggest using the Live Chat feature or calling us directly.

They offer an email option, but I did not receive a response after reaching out at 9 AM until 5 PM.

The representatives on the live chat were consistently responsive and knowledgeable, addressing all of my questions at various points throughout the day.

Not only do they explain answers to me in the chat, but they also provide links to the FAQ section, showing that they truly go the extra mile.

Please be patient when calling by telephone, as you will be directed to an automated recording that offers you a variety of options.

Users have the ability to deposit funds, place bets, and view race results, all through their phone.

There are numerous choices available, including the option to communicate verbally with a customer service representative.

I intentionally selected a representative who was exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable in addressing all of my banking inquiries.

In addition to email communication, the TwinSpires customer service team is prompt, welcoming, and highly knowledgeable.

TwinSpires Contact

TwinSpires provides multiple options for customer support including live chat, email, phone, and Twitter direct message.

• Phone: 1-877-774-7371
• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @TwinSpires
• Live Chat

TwinSpires Legal Betting

TwinSpires is monitored by the state administrative agency responsible for overseeing gaming operators and ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations, usually the in-state gaming commissions.

Responsible Gambling

Most states require individuals to be at least 21 years old to participate in sports betting, but this can vary depending on local laws. It is important to gamble responsibly. TwinSpires adheres to the guidelines established by state gaming commissions.

Here are some resources to assist you in practicing responsible gambling habits.

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): The NCPG has over 50 years of experience assisting people and families affected by problem gambling. You can call or text them (1-800-522-4700) or join their 24/7 Live Chat.
• Center for Problem Gambling: The Center has been funded by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) since 1996. They are committed to serving anyone affected by a gambling addiction. Treatment is confidential and provided regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Their gambling counselors have significant experience working with problem gambling and include therapists who are Nationally Certified Gambling Counselors.
• BeGambleAware.org: Offers free, confidential help and support to anyone worried about gambling for themselves or others.
• Gambling Therapy: A global service provided by Gordon Moody offering free emotional support and advice to anyone affected by gambling.

Why Choose TwinSpires?

TwinSpires is the proud owner of one of the top racebooks in the horse wagering industry.

Their platform offers an unmatched variety of track and live racing options that are guaranteed to exceed the expectations of any horse racing enthusiast.

The newly established education center provides novice bettors with the chance to grasp the fundamentals and progress in their knowledge.

This is different because most betting platforms focus on superficial content related to popular racing or sporting events, leading inexperienced bettors to less profitable markets that ultimately benefit the house.

The sign-up bonus offered by TwinSpires is subpar. While the playthrough requirements are a factor, the time limit of 30 days for new bettors to wager $800 or more seems unjust, especially since many horse racing enthusiasts bet in smaller amounts and at a more leisurely pace.

The other promotions they provide are satisfactory, but none stand out as particularly ambitious.

I had a positive experience with the TwinSpires website, but as mentioned earlier, the app could use some improvements.

The customer service team is personable and well-informed, and while email communication may have its limitations, the Live Chat and telephone representatives are delightful to interact with.

In the future, we are optimistic that they will address the issue of limited withdrawal options, as their limited range of choices currently hinders the overall betting experience.

Bettors prioritize the speed and efficiency of the payout process, making it a key area for improvement.

Looking at the big picture, TwinSpires provides an excellent product and betting experience for all types of bettors. We wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try.