The Michigan Gaming Control Board has ordered TwinSpires to shut down in the state after the operator previously refused.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken action against horse racing betting operator TwinSpires, ordering the company to shut down its wagering activity in the state immediately.
The order, announced via an MGCB press release, was prompted by the company’s continued operation of advance deposit wagering (ADW) services for Michigan residents, despite a formal directive to cease such activities.
This action marks a significant enforcement of Michigan’s gaming laws and the Horse Racing Law of 1995.
Under Michigan state law, specifically the Horse Racing Law of 1995, ADW and simulcast wagering are only permitted when linked to a licensed racetrack that hosts live horse racing events.
As of now, there are no racetracks in Michigan that hold the necessary licenses to conduct live horse racing. Consequently, any ADW operations in the state are considered unlawful.
For ADW providers to operate legally, a racetrack must secure full licensing approval from the MGCB.
The most recent Thoroughbred horse race held in Michigan took place at Hazel Park in 2018. Northville Downs, a track dedicated to Standardbred racing, hosted a short 10-day racing meet in February 2024 before shutting down operations.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has conditionally approved Northville Downs to conduct two harness racing meets in 2025. These meets are scheduled to run from 29 April to 30 June and from 12 August to 27 September.
Despite this conditional approval, the track has not yet obtained the full licensure required by the MGCB. This full licence is a mandatory condition for authorising simulcast and advance deposit wagering (ADW) activities at the facility.
Until Northville Downs secures the necessary licensing and meets all regulatory requirements, ADW services tied to live horse racing will remain prohibited under Michigan law.
Wilful disregard of the rules
On 23 December last year, the MGCB issued notifications to all licensed ADW providers operating in Michigan — NYRAbets, LLC, ODS Technologies, L.P. (operating as TVG Network) TwinSpires, and Xpressbet, LLC — instructing them to cease offering wagering services to Michigan residents by 1 January 2025.
The directive was clear: until a racetrack secures the proper licence and hosts live racing, no ADW activity may occur.
While the other three voluntarily complied with the MGCB’s directive, TwinSpires, operated by Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Company, did not.
On 31 December, the company notified the MGCB of its intent to continue providing wagering services to Michigan residents, directly contravening the regulatory order.
As a result, on 1 January, TwinSpires’ operations in Michigan were in violation of state gaming laws.
The MGCB responded to this non-compliance by issuing a summary suspension order to TwinSpires. This enforcement measure is intended to ensure that all operators adhere to Michigan’s gaming laws and regulatory framework.
The order halts TwinSpires’ ability to conduct business in Michigan until compliance is achieved or further legal decisions are made.
A virtual hearing before an Administrative Law Judge has been requested to review the TwinSpires matter. During this hearing, it will be determined whether the suspension order should remain in effect and whether additional penalties, including fines, should be imposed on TwinSpires.
The proceedings will focus on the company’s actions and its failure to comply with Michigan law. As of now, no date has been set for conducting the hearings.