How to Bet on 2025 Kentucky Derby in North Carolina
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is coming up fast, and horse racing fans in North Carolina are getting ready to bet on the biggest race of the year. Even with online sports betting now legal in the state, licensed NC sportsbooks don’t offer horse racing markets like the Derby. That’s where offshore sportsbooks come in.
You can still place legal bets on the Kentucky Derby using trusted offshore sites like BetOnline and Bovada. These sportsbooks accept North Carolina residents, don’t have restrictions tied to racing, and offer large welcome bonuses to help you get started. Here’s how to claim yours.
How To Get Free Bets For the 2025 Kentucky Derby in North Carolina
Click here to grab your 2025 Kentucky Derby free bets
Create an account and deposit at least $50
Get up to $1,000 in free bets instantly
Remember, there are NO STATE RESTRICTIONS on all of these offers.
Best Kentucky Derby Offers in North Carolina
BetOnline — $1,000 in Kentucky Derby bets
Bovada — $750 Bitcoin betting bonus
BetWhale — $1,250 Kentucky Derby betting offer
BetUS — 125% bonus, up to $2,625 on your first 3 deposits
MyBookie — $1,000 horse racing betting offer
How To Bet On Kentucky Derby 2025 In North Carolina
Placing a bet on the 2025 Kentucky Derby in North Carolina only takes a few minutes. Here’s the process:
Choose a sportsbook like BetOnline or Bovada
Fill out your signup form (name, email, password)
Make your first deposit of $50 or more (credit card, Bitcoin, or wire)
Claim your bonus
Head to the racebook section and lock in your 2025 Kentucky Derby picks
Best Kentucky Derby Betting Sites In North Carolina
1. BetOnline – Best Overall Kentucky Derby Betting Site in NC
BetOnline covers the Kentucky Derby with early fixed odds and detailed race-day markets. But where it really shines is in its broader sports menu. You’ll get full MLB, NBA, NFL, and even esports coverage—plus lightning-fast crypto payouts for easy withdrawals.
✔ 50% deposit match up to $1,000 ✔ Fast Bitcoin and altcoin payouts ✔ Massive coverage across sports and racing
Sign up with BetOnline Now!
2. Bovada – Best Kentucky Derby Crypto Betting Site in North Carolina
Bovada is easy to use and designed with the everyday bettor in mind. It supports quick bets on the Derby alongside simple interfaces for NBA playoffs, UFC, and more. Their 75% crypto bonus is a nice boost if you’re depositing with Bitcoin.
✔ Best crypto sign-up bonus — 75% up to $750 ✔ Smooth mobile app for quick betting ✔ Fixed Derby odds posted early
Sign up with Bovada Now!
3. BetWhale – Best Odds on Kentucky Derby in North Carolina
BetWhale offers sharp early pricing on Kentucky Derby futures. It’s a clean platform with fast load times and supports large bets. The 125% deposit bonus is a solid way to test it across horse racing tipster and regular sports bets like MLB or soccer.
✔ 125% deposit bonus up to $1,250 ✔ Strong odds on undercard races and Derby props ✔ Covers all U.S. and international sports
Sign up with BetWhale Now!
4. BetUS – Best Bonus for Kentucky Derby in NC
BetUS stands out for giving you the biggest bonus. New users can claim 125% on their first three deposits up to $2,000 total. It’s a good option if you want to bet on the Derby but also build up funds for other events across the calendar.
✔ Largest welcome bonus on this list ✔ Loyalty rewards program ✔ Full sportsbook and racebook built-in
Sign up with BetUS Now!
5. MyBookie – Best Kentucky Derby Site for First-Time Bettors in NC
If you’ve never bet online before, MyBookie is built for you. Its platform is simple, clean, and doesn’t overwhelm with options. There’s full coverage of the Derby, but also easy access to NBA, NFL, and UFC with fast support if you get stuck.
✔ Beginner-friendly layout ✔ 50% deposit bonus up to $1,000 ✔ Strong customer service response times
Sign up with MyBookie Now!
Who Can Bet On The Kentucky Derby In North Carolina?
If you’re 18 or older in North Carolina, you’re able to bet on horse races using offshore sportsbooks. While regulated sports betting launched in the state in 2024, those sites don’t offer access to the Kentucky Derby. The best Kentucky derby betting sites according to businessinsider.com fill that gap.
🟢 18+ age requirement — not 21+ like state-regulated books 🟢 No GPS geolocation tools required 🟢 Bet from anywhere in the US 🟢 Create an account in under 2 minutes
Offshore sportsbooks are licensed overseas and legally accept bets from NC users.
Is It Legal To Bet On The Kentucky Derby in NC?
North Carolina’s new sportsbooks don’t offer Kentucky Derby betting. However, offshore sportsbooks—licensed in jurisdictions like Antigua and Curaçao—do. These sites operate legally for NC residents and are widely used for Derby wagering.
There are several reasons these books are so popular, including:
🔹 Early odds on all Derby runners and props 🔹 Access larger welcome bonuses than local books offer 🔹 Bet on exotic markets like exactas and trifectas 🔹 Withdraw winnings via crypto or bank transfer, usually in 24 hours
Until a licensed U.S. sportsbook offers full racing coverage in NC, offshore sportsbooks to bet on the Kentucky Derby are your best option.
2025 Kentucky Derby Odds
Journalism (U. Rispoli / M. McCarthy) — +275
Sovereignty (J. Alvarado / W. Mott) — +600
Sandman (J. Ortiz / M. Casse) — +1000
Luxor Cafe (J. Moreira / N. Hori) — +1100
Baeza (F. Prat / B. Baffert) — +1400
Rodriguez (M. Smith / B. Baffert) — +1400
Burnham Square (B. Hernandez Jr. / I. Wilkes) — +1400
Final Gambit (L. Machado / B. Cox) — +1600
Citizen Bull (M. Garcia / B. Baffert) — +1800
East Avenue (M. Franco / B. Walsh) — +1800
American Promise (N. Juarez / D.W. Lukas) — +2000
Grande (J. Velazquez / T. Pletcher) — +2000
Titanicas (J. Rosario / S. Asmussen) — +2500
Coal Battle (J. Vargas / W. Beckman) — +2500
Publisher (I. Ortiz Jr. / S. Asmussen) — +3300
Admire Daytona (C. Lemaire / Y. Kato) — +4000
Owen Almighty (J. Castellano / B. Lynch) — +5000
Flying Mohawk (J. Ramos / E. Foster) — +5000
Chunk of Gold (J. Loveberry / L. Rivelli) — +5000
Neeoquos (F. Prat / S. Joseph Jr.) — +8000
Render Judgment (J. Leparoux / K. McPeek) — +8000
Note: all odds via BetOnline. Accurate as of Apr 30, 2025
Who Are The Favorites And Live Outsiders in the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
Journalism leads the Derby board at +275. He’s a fast starter with stamina and is expected to control the early pace. A $100 winning bet onJournalism would profit $275, with total returns of $375 (original $100 stake and $275 profit).
Sovereignty (+600) has a lethal turn-of-foot and should be storming home late. Sandman (+1000) is a mid-pack runner with strong finishing numbers and solid prep form.
Luxor Cafe (+1100) adds a wildcard angle, coming out of Japan. Burnham Square (+1400) is versatile and can adjust to any pace scenario. Final Gambit (+1600) is on the rise and looks dangerous with clean racing room.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Best Bet
Rodriguez at +1400 is worth a look. He’s trained by Bob Baffert and comes in under the radar despite a powerful last-out win. He has tactical speed, which is key in a big field like the Derby. If Journalism goes too fast up front, Rodriguez has the right trip to sit just behind and pounce. He’s also handled Churchill Downs well in workouts, and the price is fair for a Baffert horse with this kind of upside.
Kentucky Derby Pick: Rodriguez +1400 at BetOnline