Michigan Regulator Summarily Suspends TwinSpires ADW

A Michigan regulator has halted advance-deposit wagering in the state and has requested an administrative law judge review one outlet, Churchill Downs Inc.-owned TwinSpires.com, it says continued to operate even after a formal order was issued requesting such activity cease for Michigan residents. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has issued a summary suspension order against TwinSpires for violations of Michigan's gaming laws and the Horse Racing Law of 1995. The regulator has asked that the administrative law judge consider if the suspension should continue and if other fines or penalties should be imposed. In a Jan. 9 release, the MGCB said that statutory requirements and the state's horse racing law of 1995 require simulcast and ADW wagering to be tied to a live race meet and a licensed track. It contends that because there are currently no tracks in Michigan licensed to conduct live horse racing, ADW is prohibited. The regulator said that for ADW providers to legally offer pari-mutuel wagers, a track license must first be approved by the MGCB. Until all licensing issues are resolved, the MGCB said it instructed Dec. 23 the four licensed ADW providers operating in Michigan—Xpressbet; TwinSpires; NYRA Bets; and ODS Technologies (TVG Network)—to stop conducting business with state residents effective Jan. 1. It said that while three of the providers have halted operations in the state, TwinSpires has failed to comply. BloodHorse has requested a response from CDI but as of 4:15 p.m. Jan. 10 had not received one. The regulator said Dec. 31 that TwinSpires had informed the board that it would continue to offer account wagering for Michigan accounts, which the MGCB contends violates state law.