A lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York accuses major horse racing industry entities—including The Stronach Group, Churchill Downs, and the New York Racing Association—of engaging in racketeering by manipulating betting pools through computer-assisted wagering schemes. Lead plaintiff Ryan Dickey alleges that these defendants operated an illegal gaming enterprise designed to defraud bettors and allow certain wagering teams to profit unfairly, violating RICO statutes through mail and wire fraud.

The case, brought by the law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, seeks class certification to represent affected bettors, though proving the claims may be challenging due to alleged concealment of critical records by the defendants. The defendants have yet to respond, and the lawsuit’s progression depends on court rulings on motions to dismiss, class certification, and notification procedures for potential class members.