TwinSpires ReviewThe Kentucky Derby Name Is the Default Horse Racing App
TwinSpires is owned by Churchill Downs, streams most races free and covers all the major US tracks. Card fees, a thin rebate and state limits are where it loses ground.
- Our score
- Price
- Free to join; deposit and withdrawal fees vary by method
- Made by
- Churchill Downs Incorporated
- Official site
- twinspires.com
Verdict: TwinSpires is the safest default for most US horse players: the major tracks are covered, most races stream free, and the app is stable and widely used. Card and PayPal deposit fees, a rewards scheme worth well under half a percent, and gaps in some states stop it scoring higher. Serious volume players should compare rebates elsewhere.
Best for: Everyday US horse players who want one trusted app
Visit siteHorse racing betting is a fees-and-rebates game, and the glamour of the Kentucky Derby hides that. TwinSpires is the app most people meet first, because its parent company owns the track that runs the Derby. The question is whether the default is also the best everyday choice.
Who is behind it
TwinSpires is an advance deposit wagering (ADW) service, which means you fund an account and bet on races from your phone. The App Store lists the developer as Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Company, and the operator is part of Churchill Downs Incorporated, a listed company based in Louisville.
That ownership has a practical meaning. Churchill Downs owns tracks, so TwinSpires pays extra for wagers on them: the rewards table gives 4 points per $1 at Churchill Downs Inc. tracks against 1 point elsewhere. It also means the company has a stake in the sport that is not just a betting margin.
The app, by the numbers
On Android, AppGoblin lists about 367K installs, 1.7K ratings and a 4.62 average, with the last update on October 27, 2026 and a July 2021 release. The iOS app is older: it dates to March 2015 and shows only 53 new ratings in a recent week.
Install counts matter less on iOS, where the App Store page reflects a mature product. A search-based comparison put its iOS rating near 4.8 from tens of thousands of ratings in 2025, but we could not confirm that on a live listing, so we do not weigh it.
What it costs to move money
BettingUSA's fee table is the clearest we found, and it is worth knowing before you fund the account. ACH and EZMoney deposits carry no TwinSpires fee, with a $10 minimum. Visa and Mastercard cost $5, PayPal $5, Apple Pay $5, and Green Dot $4.95. Wires are free over $1,000 and $10 below that. Withdrawals by EZMoney are free, PayPal costs $1, and a mailed check can take up to 15 business days.
The rule is simple: fund by ACH, withdraw by ACH. Pay a $5 card fee on a $20 deposit and you are down 25% before the gate opens. These fees may have changed since the page we read, so check the cashier before you deposit.
The rewards scheme is modest
TSC Elite pays 1 point per dollar at most tracks, and 1,000 points are worth $1 in bonus dollars. That works out to about 0.1% back, rising to 0.4% on Churchill Downs tracks. VIP tiers start at $25,000 of annual wagering for Bronze, then $50,000, $100,000, and an invite-only Platinum.
Racing takeout is high, commonly quoted at 15% to 25% depending on bet type and state. A rebate of a fraction of a percent barely dents it. Several review pages we found point to AmWager as the main rebate option among large ADWs. We did not compare rebate terms ourselves, so treat that as a lead to check, not a finding. Heavy players should price it before committing a bankroll to one platform.
Streaming, coverage and support
Most races stream live in the app, and TwinSpires TV is free for registered users. The track list covers all major US venues and international ones in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, the UAE, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Support runs 24/7 on live chat, with phone daily from 9am to midnight Eastern.
The state list is the main limit. BettingUSA says online horse betting is legal in 38 states. We also saw reports of a Michigan regulator suspension order over prohibited wagering; we could not confirm the date or whether it is resolved.
Who should use it
The short version: it is the easy choice, not the cheapest one, and the gap between those two grows with every bet you place.
Choose TwinSpires if you want one reliable app, bet occasionally around big race days, and keep the money flowing through ACH. Look elsewhere if you bet at volume and want the best possible rebate, or if you live in a state it does not serve.
Wagering on horses loses money for most people over time, so treat any spend as the price of entertainment. Nothing in this review is personal financial advice. Decide your stake before the race, not during it, and use the deposit limits in the account settings.
What we liked
- Covers all major US tracks plus venues in the UK, Ireland, Japan and Australia
- Most races stream free to registered users on the site and in the app
- Run by Churchill Downs, the company behind the Kentucky Derby
- Free deposit routes exist: ACH and bill pay carry no TwinSpires fee
What fell short
- Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and Apple Pay deposits carry a $5 fee
- TSC Elite pays about 0.1% to 0.4% cashback, thin for heavy bettors
- Available in about 38 states, so some players are shut out
- Paper check withdrawals can take up to 15 business days