Elite Turf Club and AmTote International have publicly denied allegations of betting manipulation brought forward in a class-action lawsuit filed by Hagens Berman in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The lawsuit, initiated by a recreational bettor from Colorado, accuses several major racetrack operators and data firms of using Computer-Assisted Wagering (CAW) systems to give high-volume bettors unfair advantages.
According to the complaint, CAW users allegedly gained privileged access to real-time betting data and reduced costs, impacting odds and payouts for regular players. The suit cites the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and calls for increased transparency in betting operations.
Elite Turf Club and AmTote, however, strongly refuted the claims, calling them “meritless” and based on a misunderstanding of how CAW functions within regulated pari-mutuel wagering systems. The companies emphasized that all betting activity is governed by strict regulatory oversight, including audits and compliance checks.
They further argued that rebates for high-volume bettors are comparable to loyalty incentives common in other industries, such as airline miles or credit card rewards, and do not affect wagering outcomes. Both companies reaffirmed their commitment to fairness, transparency, and cooperation with state regulators.
The lawsuit, which also names the New York Racing Association, Churchill Downs Inc., and The Stronach Group among the defendants, could have broader implications for betting regulation in the US. Elite Turf Club and AmTote warned that the claims risk undermining confidence in the entire horse racing ecosystem, which sustains thousands of jobs nationwide.
