Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner of the TwinSpires betting platform, won a key legal battle against the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) when the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the regulator’s request to halt TwinSpires’ operations in Michigan. The dispute centers on Michigan’s attempt to enforce the Horse Racing Law of 1995, which requires online horse betting to be tied to a licensed in-state racetrack—a condition complicated by TwinSpires’ former partner, Northville Downs, relocating without regulatory approval. Churchill Downs challenged this as a violation of the Commerce Clause, arguing that Michigan’s restrictions unfairly impede interstate commerce.

The federal court sided with Churchill Downs, issuing a preliminary injunction that allowed TwinSpires to continue operating while the lawsuit proceeds. The Sixth Circuit reinforced this by upholding the supremacy of the federal Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA) over conflicting state rules, emphasizing that Michigan’s interpretation undermines interstate cooperation intended by the IHA. Although the MGCB insists on its partnership requirement for ADW operators, TwinSpires remains active in Michigan, marking a significant victory for Churchill Downs amid ongoing legal proceedings and reflecting broader industry shifts toward digital wagering.