Maryland Report Supports iGaming Expansion – Should More States Start to Consider Legalization?
In its effort to legalize online slot machines, table games, and poker (“iGaming”), the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (“MLGCA”) hired the Innovation Group to create a wide-ranging report that would analyze the projected Maryland market, provide legislative and rule recommendations, and summarize both best practices and pitfalls to avoid in launching iGaming in…
Read MoreDraftKings Should Prevail in NFT-Securities Litigation
In February 2022, we wrote about the extent to which NFTs could raise novel securities laws questions, invoking the case of Friel v. Dapper Labs and utility-based NFT offerings conjoined to ownership-based privileges associated with securities. A year later, in February 2023, a judge from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New…
Read MoreSurging Sportsbook Signups Illustrate Need for Ubiquitous Legal Gaming Markets
The kickoff of the NFL 2023-2024 season has held many surprises: drastically favored teams lost to their underdog opponents; surprise rookies broke out like Bijan Robinson and Puka Nacua; sports media outlets aggressively reported on the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce courtship; and much more. What has not been surprising, however, is the surge of signups on…
Read MoreA Cautionary Tale Courtesy of Fortnite
A fast-growing segment of online gaming is the in-game purchase on (sometimes free) games/apps in exchange for virtual items. The virtual items can be mere cosmetic game enhancements, features that increase a player’s likelihood of success, and many other options. Because these virtual items are purchased with real world funds, companies must be vigilant in…
Read MoreNavigating the High-Stakes World of Online Gaming Advertising: Policies, Permissions, and Enforcement
A top concern of online gaming regulators is the control and dissemination of advertising. In connection with these concerns sites like Meta, X (formerly known and commonly referred to as Twitter), and Google have released online gambling advertising policies and requirements. To run online gambling and gaming advertising on Meta / Facebook users are required…
Read MoreG2E 2023: Outlook and Trends
This year’s G2E (the premier gaming conference in North America), held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada (October 9-11, 2023 this year) is shaping up to once again be the premier conference for the gaming industry. The expected number of worldwide attendees from the global gaming industry is over 25,000 and it promises to once again…
Read MoreNCLGS Provides Clarity on their Responsible Gaming and Problem Gambling Resolution
This past July the National Council of Legislators From Gaming States (NCLGS) Summer Meeting took place in Denver, Colorado. The Meeting occurs twice a year and brings together state legislators, regulators, attorneys, and industry representatives to discuss and confer on developments within the gaming industry. Throughout the Meeting there was an emphasis on responsible gaming…
Read MoreCome on Barbie, Let’s go Gamble: Is gambling advertising allowed in a Barbie world?
By now, you’ve probably heard that the film Barbie has been a smash hit. Since opening on July 21, 2023, the film has drawn in huge audiences and earned hundreds of millions of dollars. Much of the film’s success has been attributed to a diligent and far-reaching marketing campaign. The film has partnered with several…
Read MoreTerraform Labs Ruling Reels Back Ripple Enthusiasm
The recent ruling in SEC v. Ripple Labs had the cryptocurrency industry standing tall. As we discussed recently, however, the Ripple ruling was less favorable – or at least less comprehensive – than it was being portrayed. Another ruling from the Southern District of New York – SEC v. Terraform Labs Pte.Ltd. and Do Hyeong…
Read MoreThe Upside to the College Betting Scandals
In May 2023, several high-profile sports betting scandals involving collegiate athletic personnel, including both coaches and players, came to light, spawning discussions about the relationship between sports integrity and sports betting. Two months after those reports, NCAA President Charlie Baker indicated that the NCAA has found 175 infractions of its sports-betting and gambling policy since…
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