The 157th Belmont Stakes lands at Saratoga Race Course on June 7, 2025, and it’s the last jewel in this year’s Triple Crown trilogy. From the mile-and-a-quarter “Test of the Champion” to a $2 million purse, this race demands respect. 

If you’re in Mississippi, you don’t have to fly to New York to feel the thunder of the Belmont. Mississippi’s legal landscape may keep mobile betting at bay, but it opens doors on the casino floor and beyond. 

Let’s map out the best route to bet on the Test of the Champion this June.

Mapping Mississippi’s Wagering Rules

Mississippi allows pari-mutuel wagering but keeps a tight leash on where you can place your bets. All sports and racing wagers must occur on licensed casino property, no mobile betting from home just yet. That means if you want to back your pick for the Belmont, you’ll head to one of the state’s racinos or casino sportsbooks.

Inside those venues, simulcast betting boards bring every Triple Crown prep and each Belmont contender to your fingertips. Alongside the traditional tote displays, you’ll now find dedicated betting kiosks. They mirror real-time odds and pools nationwide, giving you the data edge to spot value without fumbling through multiple screens.

Mississippi’s wagering rules keep true online betting out of reach. Elsewhere, like Colorado, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, fans can place bets from the comfort of their couches. Reliable platforms such as FanDuel betting offer a full range of options, from live in-play markets to futures and prop bets.

Offshore and Sweepstakes Options

If you’ve grown tired of the in-person scramble, Mississippi’s sweepstakes gaming loophole offers a workaround. Sites that run “sweepstakes” promotions let you buy virtual tokens and redeem prizes based on race outcomes. It’s a gray area but one that’s flourished since state legislation failed to ban sweepstakes casinos in early 2025.

Offshore racebooks also welcome Mississippi residents. They mirror U.S. pari-mutuel pools, with pools sourced from international markets to boost liquidity. 

You’ll create an account online, load funds via cryptocurrency or e-wallet, and pick from the same Belmont field you see at Saratoga. Just vet each site’s licensing and read the payout terms. A little due diligence here goes a long way when chasing that Belmont payday from your couch.

Sharpening Your Betting Edge

The Belmont Stakes often defy chalk, especially when Derby or Preakness winners tire in the final furlong. Instead of sticking to straight-up win wagers, mull over exotic plays. 

Exactas and trifectas pay better when you mix in long shots with proven stayers. Look at each horse’s closing fraction in prep races. Those late splits can predict who finishes strong over 1¼ miles.

Also, pay attention to the size of the betting pools. Large pools often indicate heavy public backing, which can inflate the odds on favorites. 

If you see a massive handle on the Derby winner, that’s a cue to seek value elsewhere, maybe on a lightly backed closer flying under the radar. And never overlook late scratches. A late alteration to the field can skew payouts dramatically, so check for changes until the gate drops.

Making Race Day an Event

Visiting a Mississippi casino on Belmont Day has its perks. You’ll find themed parties in the sports book lounges, complete with live streams of the undercard and the main event. Some venues even offer food-and-drink specials tied to the Triple Crown, like mint juleps and Kentucky hot browns. 

If heading north to Saratoga is on your bucket list, plan early. Hotels fill up fast during racing festivals, and flights can spike in price. But if you make the trip, you’ll experience the old-school charm of a race track steeped in history. And nothing beats hearing the crowd swell as the Belmont field rounds the final turn. Either way, bring a notebook or a betting app to track your wagers.

All Eyes on Saratoga

Mississippi may keep mobile apps at bay, but you’ve discovered every workaround that keeps you in the action. From the simulcast tote boards to virtual token platforms, you’re set to back a contender or shake up the exotics without leaving the state. Keep your notebook handy for late scratches and closing fractions. Come post time, you’ll be primed to turn that data edge into a winning ticket.

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