A Michigan federal district court granted summary judgment and a permanent injunction in favor of TwinSpires, blocking the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) from enforcing the state’s licensing requirement that prevented TwinSpires from accepting bets on out-of-state horse races from Michigan residents. The court ruled that Michigan’s law, which requires a “facilitator of bets” to obtain a state license, conflicts with the federal Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA), which only requires consent from the host racing association and relevant regulatory commissions. This decision aligns with a prior preliminary injunction and a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling affirming that Michigan’s additional licensing requirement is preempted by federal law.

Judge Hala Y. Jarbou found that TwinSpires suffered a constitutional violation and irreparable harm, justifying a permanent injunction against enforcement of the Michigan licensing law. The ruling effectively overturns the MGCB’s suspension of TwinSpires’ license, which was based on the company’s failure to partner with an in-state racetrack as required by Michigan law. While the MGCB may appeal, such an appeal would return the case to the Sixth Circuit, which previously sided with TwinSpires.