After Ciminelli: Are the Feds Betting Too Big on Wire Fraud?
Can a technical violation of a website’s terms and conditions constitute a violation of the federal wire fraud statute? A federal court will soon decide just how broadly the statute may sweep, and whether all such forms of potentially dishonest conduct are subject to such stringent criminalization. On Monday, all eyes will be on the…
Read MoreThe Cost of Moving Too Fast: Is Your Company Really Ready to Apply for a US Gaming License?
The allure of the US gaming and gambling market is undeniable. As more states legalize sports betting and online gaming, it seems full of possibilities. But as someone who navigates these regulatory waters daily, I often have to ask new clients a tough question: Is your company actually prepared to apply for a US gaming…
Read MorePeering into the Future: Kids, Games, and Regulation
This March, a California jury found Google and Meta (which operates Facebook, Instagram, and other websites) liable for negligently causing a child user’s depression and anxiety. Driven by a desire to protect children from perceived vices,[1] this is likely to be the first in a wave of new lawsuits and legislation aimed at regulating online…
Read MoreMaryland’s Ever-Changing Gaming Landscape: Evolution, Adaptation, and Legal Tension
Maryland’s Ever-Changing Gaming Landscape: Evolution, Adaptation, and Legal Tension Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend the 3rd annual Town Hall Meeting, hosted by Morgan State University’s Center for Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research and National Council of Legislators from Gaming States and participate in a lively discussion about the ever-changing face…
Read MoreMajor League Development: CFTC and MLB Agree to Monitor the Integrity of Prediction Markets
In a watershed moment for the prediction market industry, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Major League Baseball (“MLB”) today. According to the CFTC’s press release, the groundbreaking agreement “establishes a framework for the CFTC and MLB to discuss, cooperate, and exchange information concerning issues of common interest…
Read MoreJim Trusty on Smart Legal Moves for Clients Under Pressure
A veteran federal prosecutor and formidable white-collar litigator, Jim Trusty clears a lane for clients facing a gauntlet of criminal charges, civil actions, investigations, and regulatory proceedings. From professional athletes facing sports wagering accusations or indictments, to gaming companies and executives involved in regulatory or white-collar matters, clients rely on Jim’s legal strategy, political savvy,…
Read MoreGambling on Skill: Enforcement of Gambling Laws Against Skill Games in Outlier States
In many states, people can legally pay entry fees to participate in a skill game and win cash prizes. For most states that allow participants to wager on their own skilled gameplay, the analysis for whether a certain game qualifies as a legal skill game turns on whether the game is one of chance or…
Read MoreCFTC Plants the Flag on Regulating Prediction Markets
On February 25, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), the governmental body primarily responsible for overseeing prediction markets, took a significant step toward consolidating its authority to oversee trading activities on prediction-market platforms.[1] The CFTC’s Division of Enforcement issued a “Prediction Markets Advisory” describing two enforcement actions brought by Kalshi, the world’s largest prediction…
Read MoreJeff Ifrah Talks iGaming M&A: Opportunities, Strategies, and Smart Plays
One of the best-known power players in iGaming, Jeff Ifrah is both the team captain and the founding MVP of Ifrah Law’s nationally ranked Online Gaming and Sports Betting practice. His strength as a litigator is matched by his depth as a business strategist and counselor. A respected dealmaker, Jeff has helped to incubate, structure…
Read MoreSecrets of a Compliance and Licensing Analyst: What Clients Find Most Surprising About Applying for a Gambling License
Drawing from my experience on the front lines at Ifrah Law—a firm dedicated to the complexities of gaming and gambling-related applications—I’ve observed that even the most prepared clients can be blindsided by the sheer depth of the licensing process. To help you prepare, here are the four most common ‘surprises’ our clients encounter: Suitability is…
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