Chuchill Downs Sues Michigan Gambling Regulators Over Suspension

Written by :

C Costigan

Published on :

15 January, 2025

Churchill Downs is suing the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) after it issued a summary suspension order for its TwinSpires brand.

Churchill Downs filed their suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief following the MGCB’s recent decision to issue TwinSpires a summary suspension after the horse racing brand failed to comply with a cease and desist letter sent in December 2024.

The MGCB sent the letter to Churchill Downs detailing how TwinSpires is violating Michigan gaming laws by offering advance deposit wagering.

Michigan pulled the plug on Advance Deposit Wagering effective January 1, 2025.

The decision to eliminate Advance Deposit Wagering was made as a result of there being no live racing in the state.

ADW reached out to all account holders on January 1.

Northville Downs closed the only remaining horse racing track in the state last February.

In the suit, Churchill Downs claims that it lawfully offers horse racing in Michigan through the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 allowing horse racing without state oversight.

“By providing a single federal regulatory framework, Congress enabled the proliferation of interstate pari-mutuel betting nationwide without state interference,” read the complaint.

By Chris Costigan

Chris founded Gambling911.com in 1999 and serves as the website's publisher. He brings more than 3 decades of expertise related to the gambling and sports betting sector. Creative talent is in Chris' genes, which he brings to the G911 website. He comes from a showbiz family that includes Yankee Doodle Dandy George M. Cohan. Chris is the grandson of artist John E. Costigan, whose work appears in the Smithsonian. Chris' father was also in the news business and co-founded what is today the Union County Performing Arts Center. Chris is a graduate of Kean University.