Wagering 101 | Rosie's Gaming Emporium® Wagering 101 | Rosie's Gaming Emporium®
Horse Racing at Colonial Downs in New Kent

Wagering 101 Guide


The thrill of horse racing often involves placing a bet on your favorite horse. Whether it’s the name, the color or the number, here are some pointers to help you place a bet to maximize your winnings.

  • HOW DO I PLACE A WAGER?

    Go to the betting windows located in the OTB area. There are staffed teller stations and self-betting terminals available. You will need cash to wager – credit and debit cards are not accepted. ATMs located throughout the facility. Must be 21 years of age or older to wager.

  • HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO BET?

    The minimum amounts vary by track and wager type, but they are listed at the top of the program page.

  • HOW ARE THE ODDS DETERMINED?

    The track handicapper sets the morning line, which reflects the odds of horses when betting opens. As money is wagered, the odds change continuously until post time and are determined by the amount of money wagered on each horse. All bettors get final post time odds.

  • WHEN DOES WAGERING CLOSE FOR EACH RACE?

    Wagering closes when the starting gate opens for each race. No wagering will be allowed after that point.

  • HOLD ALL TICKETS UNTIL THE RACE IS OFFICIAL

    Make sure you hold all tickets until results are made official, as there could be changes in the order of finish due to a disqualification. For your convenience and ease in speedily cashing winning tickets, it is requested that your tickets not be torn, folded or otherwise damaged. No payment will be made on a lost or destroyed ticket.

  • BET CANCELLATION POLICY

    Please examine your tickets carefully before leaving the terminal. Do not the leave the window or terminal until you are certain you have the correct tickets and change. Exchanges or cancellations can only be made prior to the start of the race and if the betting amount is less than $250. Wagers of $250 or more may only be exchanged or canceled with approval of the track Mutuel Manager.

  • CASHING PARI-MUTUEL TICKETS

    Staffed betting stations at OTBs will close 15 minutes after the last simulcast race each evening. Winning tickets can be cashed up to 180 days afterwards at any Colonial Downs-Rosie’s Gaming Emporium sites (New Kent, Richmond, Vinton, Hampton, Dumfries, Collinsville & Emporia) and at any VA-Horseplay Off Track Betting Center (Breakers in Henrico and Buckets in Chesapeake). If winning ticket holder cannot visit any site within 180 days, mail winning tickets via registered or certified mail to Colonial Downs – 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent, VA 23124 – Attn: Mutuels Department.

  • IRS REQUIREMENTS

    The IRS requires that any gambling winnings of $600 or more, if the resulting payoff was 300 times the base wager, must be reported by filing IRS Form W2G. If winnings are more than $5,000, they are subject to federal income tax withholding of 25%. A ticket subject to IRS requirements will be cashed only after presentation of two forms of identification – one with a valid social security number in the same name.

  • VIRGINIA RACING COMMISSION (VRC)

    If any patron has a concern or complaint, contact Rhonda Davis at the VRC at 804-966-7415 or by email at [email protected].

1

Select Your Bet

EASY (recommended)
Win: Pick the winner of the race…it’s that easy!
Place: Your horse must finish first or second.
Show: Your horse must finish third or better.

MODERATE
Exacta: Pick the first two finishers in order.
Trifecta: Pick the first three finishers in order.
Daily Double: Pick the winner of two designated races in row.

HARD
Superfecta: Pick the first four finishers in order.
Pick 3: Pick the winner of three designated races in row.

DIFFICULT
Pick 4: Pick the winner of four designated races in row.
Pick 5: Pick the winner of five designated races in row.
Pick 6: Pick the winner of six designated races in row.

2

Pick Your Horse

Use the horse’s number – not its name – when placing a wager.

The horse with the lowest odds is the “favorite”. They win about 35% of the time.

WHAT ARE ODDS?
Odds are the ratio of approximately how much you can expect to win versus how much you’re going to bet.

EXAMPLES
5-1 (You’ll win $5 for every $1 you wager)
2-5 (You’ll win $0.40 for every $1 you wager)

3

Place Your Bet

You can wager with a teller or self-betting station. If you need extra assistance, visit a teller.

Here’s what you need:
1. Racetrack name and race number
2. The dollar amount of your wager
3. The type of bet (win, place, show, etc.)
4. The official number(s) of the horse(s)

Here’s What You Say:
Colonial Downs, Race 5, $2 to Win on the Number 5

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