Rules for Wagering

Minimum Bet - The minimum bet in Illinois is $2 unless otherwise indicated. Some exotic wagers such as the Superfecta and Pick 3 have minimum bets of $1. The official program at each track will indicate the minimum bets for each type of wager.
Minimum Payout- The minimum payout at each race track is $2.10 on each winning $2.00 wager in Illinois. This minimum applies only when there are insufficient moneys available in the wagering pool to return $2.20 on each $2.00 wager.

Minors- Persons under the age of 18 years are prohibited from wagering (purchasing or cashing parimutuel tickets) on horse racing in Illinois.

Winning Tickets- Winning parimutuel tickets are valid until December 31 of the year following purchase.

Lost Tickets- Claims for lost parimutuel tickets will not be considered. Also, mutilated or altered tickets will not be accepted for payment.

Simulcast Wagers- Illinois accepts wagers on many out-of-state races. The rules in effect in the state from which the race originates apply to those races only. Also, take-out (tax) rates on simulcast races may differ with Illinois rates.

Information Windows- Information windows are located at each race track and intertrack facility in Illinois. A complete Illinois Racing Board rulebook and parimutuel complaint forms are available at each information window.

Win- You collect a payout if your pick finishes first.

Place- You collect a payout if your pick finishes first or second.

Show- You collect a payout if your pick finishes first, second or third.

Daily Double- You collect a payout if you correctly pick the first place finishers in each of two consecutive races. Please consult the official program for the Daily Double races.

Exacta- You collect a payout if you correctly pick the first and second place finishers, in exact order, in a designated race. Please consult the official program for the Exacta races.

Quinella- You collect a payout if you correctly pick the first and second place finishers, regardless of official order, in a designated race. Please consult the official program for the Quinella races.

Trifecta- You collect a payout if you correctly pick the first, second and third place finishers, in exact order, in a designated race. Please consult the official program for the Trifecta races.

Superfecta- The Trifecta plus one. You collect a payout if you correctly pick the first, second, third and fourth place finishers, in exact order, in a designated race. Please consult the official program for the Superfecta races.

Twin Trifecta- The trifecta with a twist. You pick the first, second and third place finishers, in exact order, in the first designated race. If your wager is correct, you collect a consolation payout and are eligible to choose the first, second and third place finishers, in exact order, in the second designated race. If you wager is correct, you collect a payout. This wager is usually conducted with a carryover pool which means if there are no winners, all monies are held over until the next day the wager is offered. Please consult the official program for the Twin Trifecta races and more detailed rules for this wager.

Pick Pools- The Pick wagers require the bettor to choose the first place finisher in each of the designated number of races. This wager can be conducted with a carryover pool which means if there are no winners, all monies are held over until the next day the wager is offered. Please consult the official program for the Pick races and more detailed rules for this wager. A.K.A. - Pick 3, Pick 6, Pick 9.

Supertrifecta- The Twin Trifecta with a twist. You choose the first, second and third place finishers, in exact order, in the first designated race. If your wager is correct, you collect a payout and choose the first, second, third and fourth place finishers, in exact order, in the second designated race. If you wager is correct, you collect a payout. This wager is usually conducted with a carryover pool which means if there are no winners, all monies are held over until the next day the wager is offered. The track may elect to conduct a no-exchange wager which means you choose all finishers in exact order for both races on the same ticket. Please consult the official program for the Twin Trifecta races and more detailed rules for this wager.

Place Pick Pools- The Pick wager combined with leverage. The Place Pick wagers require the bettor to choose the first or second place finisher in each of the designated number of races. This wager can be conducted with a carryover pool which means if there are no winners, all monies are held over until the next day the wager is offered. Please consult the official program for the Pick races and more detailed rules for this wager.

Hi/Low- The Hi/Low [a.k.a. over/under; odd/even] wager is based on post position numbers. The track sets a target number or range. The bettor chooses three horses that will finish first, second and third. The sum of the post position numbers of the first second and third place finishers determines whether or not you have a winner.

PPT- This is also know as the Super Bet. This wager combines 2 perfectas [exactas] and a trifecta on one ticket.

Match Rival- The track will "match" jockeys, horses and/or trainers based on skill and/or sportsmanship, and the bettor must chose which will finish first. This bet does not require that the "matched" contestants finish "in the money", but is a separate competition between the matched interests.

Show Quinella- The Quinella with leverage. The bettor must pick two horses that will finish in first, second and/or third. This wager may be run with a carryover pool which means if there are no winners, all monies are held over until the next day the wager is offered. Please consult the official program for the Pick races and more detailed rules for this wager.

Countdown- The Superfecta meets the Pick with a twist. The Countdown requires the bettor to choose four horses in four separate races. The twist - you must choose the first place finisher in Race 1, the second place finisher in Race 2, the third place finisher in Race 3 and finally the fourth place finisher in Race 4. This wager may be run with a carryover pool which means if there are no winners, all monies are held over until the next day the wager is offered. Please consult the official program for the Pick races and more detailed rules for this wager.

If you have questions regarding any of these bets or parimutuel wagering in general, please email us at IRB.Info@illinois.gov.