Xpressbet Review300 Tracks and Four-Tier Rewards Against a Dated Interface

Most racing apps pitch themselves on a famous race or a famous parent company. Xpressbet pitches on volume: up to 300 tracks, a rewards club and a parlay that spans several races. The company has been taking horse bets online since 2002, and its 2017 handle reached $782.6 million, according to Wikipedia. It sits in the same stable as Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park.

So it is a heavyweight with a long history. The question we asked is whether volume and a rewards club beat the bigger, shinier apps. For most casual players, the answer is no. For a certain kind of regular, it might be.

A note on method. Xpressbet blocks our network and sends visitors to an IP block page, so we could not log in or place bets. This review rests on the App Store listing, two independent reviews and Xpressbet's published materials as reported by them.

What the track count actually buys you

Xpressbet lists thoroughbred, harness and quarter horse racing at up to 300 tracks. BettingUSA gives the same figure. The Lines says live video is available from "almost every track". Wikipedia's list of participating tracks includes Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park and Woodbine, with Stronach-linked tracks such as Pimlico and Golden Gate Fields on the list.

Breadth matters if you bet on small tracks late at night or play international cards. It matters less if you only bet the Derby and the Breeders' Cup, where every app has the card.

The bet menu is full: win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double and Pick 3 through Pick 6. The standout is a parlay option that links 2 to 6 races, which The Lines says few competitors offer. One omission: there is no greyhound racing.

XB Rewards: what a point is worth

XB Rewards pays 1 point per $1 wagered, across four tiers. Points can be spent on wagering credit, handicapping tools, track discounts, gift certificates and merchandise. The top tier has a VIP club with perks such as free FedEx withdrawals and VIP service, per BettingUSA.

Neither review publishes what a point is worth in cash terms or where the tier thresholds sit. We could not find them either. Without those, any claim about rebates is a guess, and you should work out the redemption rate before you chase the next tier. Rewards are most useful to a player who already bets a lot of money, and they are a poor reason to bet more.

Welcome bonuses, read carefully

The Lines lists three routes:

1. XB20: $20 bonus after wagering $20 within 30 days.

2. XB100: $100 bonus after wagering $500 within 90 days. BettingUSA calls this code FAST100.

3. XB500: $10 bonus for each $100 wagered, up to $500, which needs $5,000 in wagering.

None is cash. Bonuses are credited as wagering credit in $10 increments and cannot be withdrawn directly. The XB500 route means betting $5,000 to collect the full $500, which is a 10% return on turnover, before the takeout you pay on every bet. Treat all of them as a rebate, and only take one if you were going to bet that amount anyway.

Deposits, withdrawals and fees

Deposit options include ACH bank transfer, credit and debit cards, PayPal, PayNearMe, Play+ and Green Dot at the register or Money Park. BettingUSA says PayPal and card deposits carry a $5 fee and other methods are free. The Lines confirms fees apply to cards and PayPal but does not give amounts. A $5 charge on a $50 deposit is 10%, so use ACH.

Withdrawals go by bank transfer, PayPal or mailed check. Neither source gives timings, and we have no figures to offer. Phone support is described as fast and staffed by a person, while email support is slower.

The interface problem

Both reviews say the same thing about the interface: confusing at first and not user friendly, especially for newcomers. The mobile app has nearly all desktop features but lacks the three wagering pads, using a single betting screen instead. Android users cannot get the app on Google Play, because betting apps are barred there, and must download it from the Xpressbet website.

Where you can play

BettingUSA lists 20 states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. The Lines names states where Xpressbet is unavailable, among them New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, Nevada and Utah. Legal access changes, so check before you register.

Verdict

Xpressbet is worth a look if you bet racing several times a week, want the widest card, and will take the time to learn the screen. It is not the easiest way into the sport. We rate it 6.6 out of 10.

Horse racing carries risk, takeout is high on exotic bets, and none of this is a way to make money. Set a limit before you deposit, and call 1-800-GAMBLER if betting is causing you harm.