Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Several Entities Related To CAW Play

A class action lawsuit has been filed against The Stronach Group, Churchill Downs, the New York Racing Association (NYRA), AmTote International, United Tote, and Elite Turf Club, alleging a racketeering scheme to rig horse racing betting pools in favor of Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) players. The lawsuit, filed under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), claims that these entities conspired with an “Insider Betting Group” to divert money from average bettors to CAW teams through manipulation of odds and betting pools.

The plaintiff, former gambler Ryan Dickey, alleges that the use of sophisticated algorithmic and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies by CAW players gives them an unfair advantage, and that the defendants facilitated this advantage to the detriment of the general public. The lawsuit asserts that the betting pools are no longer operating lawfully as pari-mutuel wagering, but as illegal gambling operations due to this manipulation.

The lawsuit seeks monetary relief and a jury trial, claiming that the defendants profited from takeout, rebates, breakage, fees, spreads, and profits that should rightfully belong to the class members. The CAW platforms in question – Elite Turf Club, Velocity Wagering, and Racing & Gaming Services – are central to the allegations, as is the role of AmTote and United Tote as totalizator service providers.

(Source：Thoroughbred Daily News)