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In light of the suspension of live horse racing in Michigan, the sole remaining track and two horsemen’s associations are seeking opportunities to participate in online horse racing.
On Tuesday, the Michigan Gaming Control Board declared the terms and conditions for licensing companies to provide advance deposit wagering through mobile devices or computers, a service that is already being offered by certain companies.
After Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed extended gambling laws for Michigan in December, the order was implemented as a crucial step in regulating ADW.
“In a statement, Richard S. Kalm, the executive director of the gaming board, stated that the order is designed to facilitate the growth of Michigan’s horse racing industry by attracting new followers through ADW while also ensuring the safety of citizens who want to place bets on live and simulcast pari-mutuel racing using their mobile phones.”
Operators need to partner with track for license
In order to acquire a license, third-party operators must initially reach an agreement with Northville Downs, the sole remaining track in the state that hosts live racing, as well as the two horsemen’s associations of the state.
There was no specific timeframe provided by Mary Kay Bean, the gaming board’s spokesperson, regarding the processing speed of licenses.
In an email to Playinmichigan, Bean stated that once the track has a signed contract with a third-party facilitator approved by the certified horsemen’s associations, the MGCB will expedite the application process. Bean also mentioned that the TPF is expected to possess licenses in other states, which will aid in facilitating a faster process.
Formalizing the process, according to Tom Barrett, the president of the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association, will greatly benefit the industry.
Barrett expressed that our collective efforts were focused on finding a solution that could benefit everyone, and now that solution has been achieved. The goal is to establish contracts with any entity having clients in Michigan, ensuring their compliance with the regulations.
Requirements for license developed by board
As per the order, it is necessary for third-party facilitators to:
- Submit an application to acquire a license.
- Please present a suggested operational plan.
- Any suggested changes to the system operation plan should be submitted to the MGCB executive director for pre-approval.
- To cover the expenses of background investigations, kindly remit a $1,000 application fee and a $500 license renewal fee to the MGCB.
- Utilize and effectively convey pari-mutuel bets to a system that complies with all regulations set forth by the state of Michigan.
TwinSpires among available options
One of the industry’s leading players, TwinSpires, currently facilitates horse racing betting in Michigan through their website.
Churchill Downs Inc., the renowned operator of the prestigious Louisville track and host of the Kentucky Derby, is the proud owner of TwinSpires. However, TwinSpires failed to respond to Playinmichigan’s email on Wednesday.
Mike Carlo, the operations manager for Northville Downs, has been in contact with operators regarding licensing, according to Barrett.
Barrett stated that, to be frank, these specific hubs have been benefiting from free milk for quite some time, but now they are being requested to invest in the cow.
Churchill Downs announced a net revenue of $67.6 million for TwinSpires in the first quarter, representing an increase of 8.3% compared to the previous year.
AmWager, BetAmerica, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets, TVG, and Xpressbet are among the other operators that could be considered.
Horse racing gaining popularity during pandemic
As sports worldwide come to a halt, the limited number of horse racing tracks that remain operational are experiencing a surge in interest.
States such as Florida, Oklahoma, and Nebraska are running tracks without any spectators present, yet attracting betting enthusiasts from across the globe.
During the shutdown of most American sports, Fox Sports stations and NBC Sports Network experienced a significant surge in horse racing viewership, with a reported increase of 206%, as recently stated by the Associated Press.
According to Equibase.com, the industry experienced a decline of 24.4% in wagering between April 2019 and April 2020. However, the number of races decreased by 72.7%. Surprisingly, per race wagering witnessed a significant increase of 176.5%, as per the provided figures.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Northville Downs has remained closed since March 16 and will continue to be closed in compliance with Whitmer’s executive order, which is currently set to expire on May 28.
In 2019, Northville Downs recorded a total of $62.7 million in wagers, out of which $60.5 million came from simulcasting. Consequently, the state earned $2.1 million as profit from these wagers.
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