Churchill Downs Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Daily Racing Form, alleging the company’s DRF Bets wagering service violated the Interstate Horseracing Act when it took bets on this year’s Gr1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Gr1 Longines Kentucky Oaks programmes.
In the suit, filed May 18 in Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville, CDI claimed wagers were taken through DRF Bets on the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and other races on the May 1-2 programmes.
CDI said by accepting the wagers DRF Bets violated terms of the IHA that state “no person may accept an interstate off-track wager on the outcome of a horse race without the consent of the host racing association which conducts the business.
CDI is the host racing association, as that term is defined (by federal law), of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. DRF operates a website at which Internet users can register for accounts that will enable them to place off-track wagers via the Internet.”
The suit said DRF Bets does not have consent to accept off-track wagering on races at Churchill Downs, including the Derby and Oaks.
CDI seeks unspecified financial damages and an order enjoining DRF from accepting off-track wagers on races at Churchill and other CDI-owned tracks.
Account wagers through DRF Bets are processed through Xpressbet.com, an online wagering company that competes with CDI’s TwinSpires.com betting service.
A DRF spokesperson couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
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