Hailing from New Orleans, Lisa Spencer brings together math expertise and gambling know-how as Betting.us' editor. With a Master's degree in Applied Mathematics, she excels in game theory. Using statistical models and game theory, she develops and publishes betting strategies for Betting.us. Outside work, Lisa surfs the web for betting insights and does sports.
California Exposition & State Fair Sportsbook Review
By Lisa Spencer
Senior Editor
Updated: October 1, 2024
Horse racing at the California Exposition & State Fair is a highlight event, featuring live races on the fairgrounds' racetrack. It offers visitors the excitement of thoroughbred and harness racing, with opportunities for pari-mutuel betting.
California Exposition & State Fair
| Official Name | California Exposition & State Fair |
|---|---|
| Type | Off-Track, Racetrack |
| Full address | 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento,CA 95815, USA |
| Rating: |
California Exposition & State Fair Sportsbook
California Exposition & State Fair hosts live harness and thoroughbred horse races, and provides the opportunity to bet on races from other tracks. Harness starts in January and runs throughout the year. Meanwhile, thoroughbred races are held every summer.
If you want to catch an NBA or NFL game, you will have this option at the local bar, but bear in mind that the focus of this facility is horse racing. So, if you're looking to place bets on these sports you'll have to look for alternative sportsbooks in California. Luckily, there are many options.
Popular Sports to Bet at California Exposition & State Fair
| Triple Crown | Kentucky Derby, Belmond Stakes, Preakness Stakes |
|---|---|
| Breeders’ Cup | Dirt Mile, Juvenile Turf, Turf Spring |
| Pegasus World Cup Championship | Gulfstream Park Races |
| Santa Anita Handicap | Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Handicap |
| Horse Racing | Governor’s Handicap, Earlene McCabe Derby and More |
| ...and many more | |
What Types of Bets Can I Make at California Exposition & State Fair?
Whatever your level of experience is with horse racing betting, you'll have the tools at the California Exposition & State Fair. Some bets carry more risk than others but promise more significant rewards. It will be up to you to decide whether the risk is worth it. This can be determined with thorough research. Here are the supported bet types:
California Exposition & State Fair Sportsbook Details
The California Exposition & State Fair Sacramento sportsbook room has every convenience you’ll need. There are over 140 private carrels with multiple screens in the line of sight, in addition to private tables. You can place bets at several self-serve kiosks or at the tellers. Coverage is immense and includes all major races from California and the rest of the country.
| Open Hours | Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Betting Operator | California Exposition & State Fair |
| Live Betting | Available |
| Mobile Betting App | Available |
| Simulcast/Off-Track Betting Offered | Available |
| Betting Limits | $2 – Undefined |
| Gambling Legal Age | 21+ |
| Seating Places | N/A |
| Entrance Fee | General Admissions - $5 |
| Number of Screens/Info Tables | 20+ |
Explore California Exposition & State Fair
California Exposition & State Fair is packed with amenities, which remain open outside of the fair season. The venue frequently hosts events like music concerts, business meetings, conventions and various award ceremonies. Several restaurants, RV Park, and a mini-golf course add to the package, which extends to many other services as well.
California Exposition & State Fair Racetrack
The current version of the track opened in 1971. While the previous track was 2.1 miles long, today’s version is a standard one mile long with a homestretch of 990 feet and a width of 60 feet. At the time of writing this, the surface was rice hulls, which is one of the rare surfaces for tracks in the US.
| Length of The Track | One Mile Long |
|---|---|
| Types of Races | Thoroughbred, Quarter House, Arabian, Appaloosa and Mule |
| Types of Bets | Win, Place, Show, Quintella, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Daily Double, Box, Wheel, Pick Four, Five, Six |
| Capacity/Seating Places | Grandstand – 18,000, Turf Club - 634 |
| Race Schedule | www.calfairs.com |
| Entries and Results | www.equibase.com |
| Entrance Fee | General Admissions - $5, Turf Club - $24 |
Casino at California Exposition & State Fair
While there is no casino in California Exposition & State Fair, you can find an abundance of alternatives in Sacramento. If you are a fan of poker, you should try Limelight Cardroom, which provides several versions of poker. For classic table games and slots, try Capital Casino, Parkwest Casino Lotus, and the Tavern and Stones Gambling Hall.
-
0 Slots
-
0 Table Games
-
0 Poker Tables
How to Get to the California Exposition & State Fair?
Driving is the cheapest and most convenient way to get to the fair. The venue is extremely close to Downtown Sacramento. To get there, simply jump onto I80 and exit onto Exposition Blvd. immediately after the bridge. From South Sacramento, take Hw99 north and then I80 to the establishment. From the east, take Hw50 to I80.
-
City Bus Lines
If you are Sacramento-based, Bus Route 80 has a stop within walking distance of the fair. If you are planning to visit a horse-racing event, and you are in San Francisco, you can jump on a Greyhound, Megabus, or FlixBus bus. The journey is quite cheap, with ticket prices ranging from $10 to $15. Trip time is around 2h and 30 minutes.
-
Airport Shuttle
California Exposition & State Fair does not provide a free shuttle from the Sacramento International Airport. So, if you are intending to fly there, you would have to arrange the trip from the airport to the facility yourself. You can cover the roughly 8-mile distance with a cab.
-
Parking
With a 5,000-capacity, parking space is abundant at the facility. General parking, which includes off-track betting visitations, costs $10. The ticket is valid for the whole day and comes with in-and-out privileges until 5:00 PM. For concerts and the fair, the fee is $15. For Hear Health Park - $15, and Sac Republic Soccer Games - $10.
About California Exposition & State Fair Hotel
The racetrack at the California Exposition & State Fair predates the fair by about 60 years. It was in 1968 when the fair saw the first light of day, initiated by non-other than US-president Ronald Reagan. The infield course of the original track, which was fully operational from 1955 to 1969 was used for both horse racing and sports car racing.
The infield course continues to be used for moto sports, with the Sacramento Mile taking place during the fair every year. Other races that had been hosted at the venue include the Silver Crown Race and the SCCA National Sports Car Championship. Today, the fair is a jewel in the crown of sports betting locations in Sacramento and hosts many cultural and business events throughout the year.
California Exposition & State Fair Amenities
The California Exposition & State Fair sportsbook makes available specialized buildings to the public. At the 3,400-capacity outdoor Cove, for example, you will find regular live music concerts and other large public events happening throughout the year. The Expo Center and The Pavilion, in contrast, often hosts large exhibitions and shows.
When it comes to the betting layout, the Miller Lite Grandstand overlooking a small lake can accommodate up to 18,000 people and is also sometimes used for concerts. It contains a teletheater with many screens, the Clubhouse and the Turf Club. The latter of which adds luxury to the betting endeavor and is often preferred for private parties and banquets.
| Accommodation | 0 Hotel Rooms and Suites |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | Over 30 Food Booths, Rocks & Brews Restaurant, Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar, |
| Bars | Clubhouse, |
| Address | 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento,CA 95815, USA |
|---|---|
| info@calexpo.com | |
| Phone | 916-263-3000 |
| Website | calexpostatefair.com |
| Social Networks | Facebook, Twitter Instagram |
Our Opinion About California Exposition & State Fair
The California Exposition & State Fair stands out for its comprehensive betting options. The venue’s focus on horse racing, combined with its year-round off-track betting, makes it a top destination for racing enthusiasts. The facilities are user-friendly and well-maintained. If you want more details about the time we spent at the fair, reach out through our contact page.
FAQ
To help answer any lingering questions about the California Exposition & State Fair, we've once again addressed a few key topics like legal gambling age and bet types. We hope our answers provide some clarity.
What types of bets can you make at the California Exposition & State Fair?
At the California Exposition & State Fair, visitors can place pari-mutuel bets on live horse racing events. This includes wagers like win, place, show, exacta, and trifecta, offering a variety of betting options for horse racing enthusiasts.
What gaming options are available at the California Exposition & State Fair?
The California Exposition & State Fair primarily offers horse racing as the main gaming option, featuring live and simulcast races. Additionally, there are carnival games and entertainment, but traditional casino games like slots or table games are not available.
What is the minimum age for visiting the California Exposition & State Fair?
The California Exposition & State Fair welcomes visitors of all ages. However, individuals must be at least 18 years old to participate in horse race betting, and 21 years old to purchase or consume alcohol at the fair.
Disclaimer: In regards to any changes related to the information of sportsbooks, we won't be held responsible if such differences occur. We advise our readers to double-check the official site of the betting location for most accurate information.