Horse Race Betting in GTA: San Andreas

The Inside Track betting shop first appeared in GTA: Vice City, but only as a sign — it had no actual functionality. The same goes for GTA: Vice City Stories and GTA 4 — you can find the locations, but nothing more. However, in GTA: San Andreas, it becomes a full-fledged activity that can earn you a fortune, though it doesn’t affect 100% game completion.

There are only two places in the state of San Andreas where you can bet on horse races. Both are available from the very beginning of the game, but you’ll have to find them on your own — they are not marked on the map or radar. One is located in Downtown Los Santos, under a large highway interchange. The second is in the village of Montgomery in the countryside. You’ll visit this one during the storyline when CJ starts hanging out with Catalina for robbery missions. That said, the interiors of both locations are identical. The only difference is the crowd: city folks in the city, rural types in the countryside. But their behavior is the same — some watch the screens and grumble about the races, while others fill out betting slips at the tables. Behind the bulletproof glass are the cashiers.

You can place a bet using one of the two machines responsible for simulating the races (they’re not real, just digital). With a single press, you can wager $5, $25, $100, $250, $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000. The total amount can be any number divisible by 5, up to a maximum of $9,999,995 — reaching that exact number using the available buttons is a challenge in itself. The true maximum bet is $10,000,000 minus $5. The 0 button is used to clear your current bet. The odds range from 1 to 12 to 1. The calculation is simple: multiply your bet by the first number and divide by 1 (which you can essentially ignore) — that’s your profit. On top of that, you get your original bet back. For example, if you bet $1,000 on 5/1 odds and win, you receive your $1,000 back plus $5,000 in winnings (1,000 × 5) — totaling $6,000. If your horse loses, you simply lose the $1,000 you bet.

Each race lasts about half a minute and features 5 jockeys. They each have a 20±3% chance of winning, meaning one of them usually wins every fifth try (more or less). That’s why it’s best to consistently bet on the same horse color. The turquoise one is the top choice, as it usually has the highest odds. First, find a bookmaker location and figure out the nearest save point. In Los Santos, it’s the house in Jefferson (costs $10,000). In the countryside, it’s Catalina’s safehouse, but that becomes available only later in the story. The first option is the most convenient for players who want to make quick and easy money right at the start of the game — without cheats, trainers, or downloaded saves. Before you begin, create a new save in case you lose. Head to the bookmaker, and bet all your money on the turquoise horse. Don’t rush to celebrate or get upset if your horse is leading or falling behind — the one that sprints ahead early often burns out and loses pace before the finish line. If you win, go save the game and repeat the process. If you lose, reload your save and try again. With this method, you can earn several million dollars in just one hour. It’s also the most reliable way to reach the maximum possible amount of money — $999,999,999 (one dollar short of a billion).

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