Pennsylvania Finally Drops Under 5% Shareholder Licensee Registration Requirement
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) issued a letter to enact a policy change to raise the ownership interest threshold from one percent to five percent for ownership interests held in privately-owned entities. This immediately impacts the licensing requirements of “principal” applications in Pennsylvania and is effective for both existing licensees (or pending applications) and…
Read MoreState Securities Regulators Intervene In Virtual Casino NFT Sales
State regulators in three states took the first steps in regulating non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”) as securities, issuing cease-and-desist orders against the online casino developer Sand Vegas Casino Club (“Sand Vegas”) and its co-founders for allegedly offering unregistered securities and violating various other securities-related regulations. As we have written, NFTs use smart contracts to offer holders…
Read MoreADA Accessibility Guidance for the iGaming Industry
The broader gambling industry is transitioning into an increasingly online and mobile-based industry. Proliferation and popularity of online and mobile sports betting have evinced a burgeoning consumer demand for web-based gaming options. As the internet gaming (“iGaming”) market expands, gaming companies need to follow the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) new Guidance on web accessibility under…
Read MoreFantasy Sports Passes the Test: New York High Court Rules Fantasy Sports Are Legal
In the lull of a midweek break from March Madness, New York’s highest court made noise Tuesday when it finally handed down its fantasy sports ruling, confirming that fantasy sports contests are legal in the state. Fantasy sports players might not have even noticed it was a question: Tens of millions of people play fantasy…
Read MoreAdvertising and Marketing in Ontario’s New Online Gambling Market
On April 4th, 2022, Ontario’s new internet gambling (igaming and sports betting) market will launch. To support operators in their advertising efforts prior to the launch, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) published highlights from the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. These standards also address what affiliates and third parties must do to…
Read MoreKey Canadian iGaming Figures Host Advertising Regulatory Webinar
On Monday, March 7th, IAB Canada, the main trade association responsible for digital advertising advancement in Canada, and thinkTV, the company responsible for clearance of television advertising in Canada, co-hosted a webinar focusing on the applicable standards for advertising of iGaming in Canada. Also present were representatives from the Canadian Gaming Association, the Alcohol and…
Read MoreThe Rise of Legalized Sports Gambling: Michelle Cohen Moderates NYU Sports Law Colloquium Panel
In less than four years since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting, thirty states have legalized sports betting with more expected to come in the near future. The proliferation of betting across the country gave rise to a host of questions addressed at the NYU Sports Law Association’s 11th Annual…
Read MoreIfrah on NFTs: New iGaming Tokens Raise Novel Securities Questions
Non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”) are becoming increasingly prominent in the broader blockchain and cryptocurrency market, as new projects rush to incentivize buyers with offerings of “unmatched benefits.” These utilities, however, do not come without potential legal drawbacks. In the first article of this series, we covered the basics of NFTs—unique virtual items recorded with immutable characteristics…
Read MoreNFL Ratings Rise With Expansion Of Legal Sports Betting
With Super Bowl LVI two days away, the relationship between sports betting and fan engagement has never been clearer. In 2021 alone, 11 states either legalized or launched sports betting in some form, with seven going online at or near the start of the NFL season. And the developments have gone both ways: In April…
Read MoreIfrah Law on NFTs: Blockchain Gaming and Gambling Compliance
In the first article of this series, we covered the basics of non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”)—unique virtual items recorded with immutable characteristics on the blockchain. We also introduced the concept of Utility NFTs, which are NFTs that serve some function beyond their value as collectibles. Part II in our series highlights newly developing applications of Utility…
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