JAMS to Resolve Cases in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping Program

JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, will “strengthen the integrity of United States horseracing by hearing cases under the newly created Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program.”

The industry-first program, administered by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), seeks to establish nationwide, uniform and efficient results management and adjudication processes for Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Rule Violations. The Program will create a centralized testing and results management process and apply uniform penalties for violations across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs, beginning March 27, 2023

As the arbitral body appointed by HISA and HIWU, JAMS will maintain a panel of arbitrators to administer and hear Anti-Doping Rule Violation cases. The panel will consist of neutrals, many of whom have experience in anti-doping and/or sports adjudication. As part of its role, JAMS will provide procedural fairness to the parties involved.

Jeffrey Benz, an advocate, arbitrator, mediator, special master (electronic discovery specialist) in London and Los Angeles, who is focused on sports, and other areas, told Hackney Publications the announcement will be transformative for both “American horseracing” and JAMS.

“American horseracing is now going to become more transparent and with JAMS the system will have experienced independent and impartial arbitrators to consider the cases,” said Benz, who is affiliated with JAMS. “This is just the latest expansion of JAMS’ dispute resolution services further into the sports industry.”

HIWU was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of HISA’s ADMC Program. HISA was established by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020. Under the act, HISA submitted the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Protocol (under Rule Series 3000) and the Arbitration Procedures (under Rule Series 7000) to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which will become effective March 27, 2023 (pending approval by the FTC). As established by the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Protocol (under Rule Series 3000) and the Arbitration Procedures (under Rule Series 7000), JAMS will fulfill certain requirements described therein of the arbitral body to resolve alleged Anti-Doping Violations. More information about the rules update can be found here.