Finance Posts

A Ticket to Win: Are Travel Points a Thing of Value?

Aug 21, 2026

A Ticket to Win: Are Travel Points a Thing of Value?

With the end of summer drawing near, many American families may be hoping to book a last-minute getaway. Some of those travelers may be hoping to take advantage of credit card points to book their trips on the cheap. Credit card points have become a ubiquitous part of American capitalism – particularly those offered by…

Advertising Prediction Markets? The CFTC Just Sent a Clear Message to Affiliates.

Aug 17, 2026

Advertising Prediction Markets? The CFTC Just Sent a Clear Message to Affiliates.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) recently issued guidance directed to designated contract markets (DCMs) concerning the marketing and offering of event contracts. The guidance was addressed to DCMs because no swap execution facilities (SEFs) currently list event contracts. However, the CFTC’s analysis is equally applicable to futures commission merchants (FCMs) and introducing brokers (IBs),…

CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook

Aug 11, 2026

CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook

In recent guidance, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) has made clear that event contracts offered by regulated prediction-market entities must not be marketed in a format commonly used by casino gambling bookmakers. The CFTC’s Division of Market Oversight and Market Participants Division issued a notice to all CFTC-regulated entities and affiliates regarding their obligations…

Lessons from the Restructuring of an Online Sports Betting Company

Jun 12, 2026

Lessons from the Restructuring of an Online Sports Betting Company

The U.S. has seen numerous casino bankruptcies, including, most recently, Maverick Gaming in July 2025. What it has not seen, until now, is the bankruptcy of an online sportsbook. Previously, when companies exited a state, they cut deals with as many creditors as possible and just left the state (or the United States). Examples of…

CFTC Predicting Litigation Success over Multiple States

Jun 8, 2026

CFTC Predicting Litigation Success over Multiple States

Through recent litigation actions, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) continues to stake out an aggressive position in the fight over who has the authority to regulate prediction markets. On May 18, 2026, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed into law SF 4760, an omnibus public safety bill that made it a felony to operate or…

Cold Water on Insider Trading Fears: Prediction Markets Miss the 2026 NFL Draft

Apr 29, 2026

Cold Water on Insider Trading Fears: Prediction Markets Miss the 2026 NFL Draft

From April 23 to April 25, the National Football League (“NFL”) held its annual player selection draft.  Over 800,000 fans gathered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to watch Commissioner Roger Goodell announce the picks live, with millions more watching on TV and other digital platforms.[1]  But the NFL Draft is not just a spectator event—both traditional sportsbooks…

Maryland’s Ever-Changing Gaming Landscape: Evolution, Adaptation, and Legal Tension

Mar 23, 2026

Maryland’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…

Major League Development: CFTC and MLB Agree to Monitor the Integrity of Prediction Markets

Mar 19, 2026

Major 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…

CFTC Plants the Flag on Regulating Prediction Markets

Mar 4, 2026

CFTC 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…

Jeff Ifrah Talks iGaming M&A: Opportunities, Strategies, and Smart Plays

Feb 18, 2026

Jeff 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…