Texas Orders TwinSpires to Cease Online Horse Racing Operations
Texas regulators have ordered TwinSpires to halt online horse wagering, escalating a long-running dispute over pari-mutuel betting legality.
Texas regulators have ordered TwinSpires to immediately stop offering online horse racing wagering in the state, delivering a major blow to one of the country’s largest advance-deposit wagering (ADW) platforms.
The directive was issued by the Texas Racing Commission, which voted to revoke TwinSpires’ ability to operate in Texas after concluding the platform’s activities violate state law governing pari-mutuel wagering.
The decision marks a significant escalation in Texas’ long-running resistance to online betting expansion and could have broader implications for digital wagering providers operating in restrictive jurisdictions.
What the Commission Ordered
During a public meeting, the Texas Racing Commission voted to:
- Order TwinSpires to cease accepting wagers from Texas residents
- Prohibit the platform from conducting pari-mutuel betting activity within the state
- Enforce compliance through regulatory action if operations continue
The order effectively shuts down TwinSpires’ Texas-facing business, barring the company from offering online horse race wagering to customers located in the state.
Why Texas Took Action
Texas law permits pari-mutuel wagering only under strict, on-site conditions at licensed racetracks. The Commission concluded that remote wagering through ADW platforms falls outside those limits.
Regulators argue that:
- Texas law does not authorize online pari-mutuel betting
- ADW wagering circumvents legislative intent
- Only the state legislature has authority to expand wagering formats
Commission members emphasized that their role is enforcement, not policymaking, and that any expansion of online wagering must come from lawmakers.
TwinSpires’ Position
TwinSpires, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated, has long maintained that its operations are lawful under federal and interstate wagering frameworks.
The company argues that:
- Federal law permits interstate horse race wagering
- ADW platforms operate legally in many other states
- Texas is misinterpreting its authority
TwinSpires has not yet publicly confirmed whether it will challenge the decision through litigation or seek legislative remedies.
Impact on Texas Bettors and Racing
The shutdown immediately affects Texas horse racing fans who relied on TwinSpires for:
- Access to national and international races
- Mobile and online wagering convenience
- Participation in major racing events
The move may also impact the broader horse racing ecosystem by:
- Reducing betting liquidity
- Limiting revenue streams tied to wagering
- Increasing pressure on racetracks already struggling financially
Industry advocates argue that ADW platforms help sustain racing by expanding access and engagement.
A Pattern of Restrictive Enforcement
Texas has consistently taken one of the most restrictive approaches to gambling in the U.S.
The state:
- Does not allow commercial casinos
- Prohibits online sports betting
- Strictly limits pari-mutuel wagering
The TwinSpires decision aligns with that broader posture and signals that regulators are unlikely to tolerate digital wagering without explicit legislative approval.
What Happens Next
Several paths remain possible:
- TwinSpires could challenge the order in court
- The company could seek legislative change
- Other ADW platforms may voluntarily exit Texas
The ruling may also prompt closer scrutiny of other wagering services operating near the boundaries of Texas law.
Why This Matters
The TwinSpires order highlights the tension between:
- Traditional gambling statutes
- Modern online wagering platforms
- Federal vs. state regulatory authority
For the horse racing industry, the decision underscores how state-level resistance can significantly limit digital growth, even as online wagering becomes standard elsewhere.
Bottom Line
Texas regulators have ordered TwinSpires to shut down its online horse racing operations in the state, reinforcing Texas’ hardline stance against digital wagering.
Unless lawmakers act or courts intervene, the decision effectively ends TwinSpires’ Texas presence and sends a clear message to other online betting platforms operating in the state.
Tags/Keywords
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
