It’s race week in Indianapolis! The Indy 500 takes place this Sunday, May 24th from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event is well known as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and is widely considered the most popular motor racing event in the USA.
The race will be shown nationwide on FOX, with race coverage beginning at 10am ET and running through to 4pm. The drivers will start their engines at 12:38pm with the green flag expected to drop at 12:45pm EST.
There is always a lot of coverage and betting interest in the Indy 500 here in the USA, so I wanted to create this page to help new bettors. Below we explain the options Americans have for betting on the race, look at the current odds and finish with a step by step guide.
Where Can Americans Bet On The Indy 500?
Your options depend on where you live. Here are the main ways to bet on the Indy 500 in the United States.
Licensed Sportsbooks
Sports betting is legal in more than 35 states plus Washington, D.C., where licensed sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM offer odds on the Indy 500. You must be 21 or older in most states and physically located in a state where the sportsbook is licensed.
Offshore Sportsbooks
Offshore sportsbooks are licensed outside the United States and accept bets from across the country. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means Americans who use them have no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
Indianapolis 500 Winner Odds
Here are the odds for the 2026 Indy 500 at the time of this article (odds accurate as of May 20th, the Wednesday before the race). These odds will change leading up to the race.
As you can see Alex Palou is the favorite with odds of +275, while Pato O’Ward, David Malukas, Alexand Rossi, and Josef Newgarden are the other contenders with odds of 10-1 or shorter. There are 15 drivers with 35-1 or better odds, and like every year this is really anyone’s race.
Sportsbooks also offer several other Indy 500 betting options including driver head-to-head, group betting, top 3 finish, winning team, winning nationality, winning manufacturer, and more.
Here’s an example looking at the head-to-head odds for Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward (odds taken May 20th):
How To Bet On The Indy 500 – Step By Step
Whichever option you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose Your Option
Decide which option fits how you want to bet. Licensed sportsbooks are the regulated option in states where sports betting is legal. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
Licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 in most states and physically located in a state where they are licensed. They will confirm your age and location when you sign up.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Regulated platforms are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number or a photo of your ID.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the platform’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the IndyCar or motor sports section, select the market you’re interested in, and choose your position. Before confirming, check the price or odds and how much you stand to win, using the bet types explained above as a guide.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before race day and stick to it. Most regulated platforms let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
If you’re new to betting on sports check out our guide section for some articles that should answer any basic questions.
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