Online Casino + Poker Posts

Stars Group Powers Up with New Video Game-Inspired Poker Game

Oct 19, 2017

Stars Group Powers Up with New Video Game-Inspired Poker Game

The gaming industry – like many others – is constantly asking: what’s next? What is the next game or platform or innovation that will attract new players? To bring in new players and fans, many traditional casino operators have shifted their focus to video game-style games, which emphasize the player’s skill and utilize more engaging…

How the Gray Bill Tries to Keep Out Bad Actors

May 24, 2016

How the Gray Bill Tries to Keep Out Bad Actors

The iGaming world is excited about Assembly Bill 2863—better known as the Gray bill because of lead sponsor Adam Gray—which would legalize and regulate intrastate online poker in California. A few weeks ago, the bill unanimously cleared the Assembly’s Governmental Organization Committee; now it looks set to clear the Appropriations Committee as well. Those are…

Social Casino Survives Latest “Gambling” Lawsuit

May 13, 2016

Social Casino Survives Latest “Gambling” Lawsuit

It’s a familiar sight: rows of men and women, on a bus or a subway, hands and eyes glued to their phones. But they’re not talking or texting or e-mailing. They are playing slots, though not for real money. This is the world of social casino – the subgenre of social gaming featuring casino-style games…

New Jersey Issues Bulletin Clarifying Licensure Standards for Internet Gaming

Apr 19, 2016

New Jersey Issues Bulletin Clarifying Licensure Standards for Internet Gaming

Today, the New Jersey DGE issued a “Director’s Advisory Bulletin” clarifying how it would apply its suitability rules to gaming license applicants who conduct internet gaming in other jurisdictions.  If you offer a game that is illegal in any jurisdiction, the DGE will consider you unsuitable and bar you from the New Jersey market.  The…

Why Can’t I Buy A Powerball Ticket Online?

Jan 14, 2016

Why Can’t I Buy A Powerball Ticket Online?

As a gaming lawyer, I get asked a lot of questions about what is legal and what is not legal. A lot of folks end conversations with me by scratching their heads and saying “that doesn’t make sense at all.”  The most recent head scratcher?  A lot of online sites recently offered to sell Powerball…

The Return of The King

Oct 1, 2015

The Return of The King

PokerStars, the innovative online poker industry leader with a deeply loyal U.S. fan base, is making its highly anticipated return to the United States online gaming market.  New Jersey regulators have approved PokerStars’ parent company, Amaya, to partner with Resorts Atlantic City to offer online gaming platforms in the state through the PokerStars and Full…

Captain Obvious Makes Landmark Ruling: Texas Hold ‘Em Is Poker

Jul 24, 2015

Captain Obvious Makes Landmark Ruling: Texas Hold ‘Em Is Poker

Texas Hold ‘Em is poker. This probably doesn’t come as a surprise to most, but the pronouncement was a serious disappointment to an Idaho casino. The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled this week that the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Idaho-based casino could not lawfully offer Texas Hold ‘Em on its site as the game was…

Another Bill to Expand the Wire Act: Bad Law Clothed in a Lie

Jun 25, 2015

Another Bill to Expand the Wire Act: Bad Law Clothed in a Lie

It is ironic that recent proposed legislation that would expand the scope of the federal Wire Act comes from a U.S. senator in the South, where “states’ rights” has always been a rallying cry. This past week’s focus on the presence of the Confederate battle flag on the grounds of the South Carolina capitol (and…

Minnesota Phases Out State Lottery-Operated Online Games

May 21, 2015

Minnesota Phases Out State Lottery-Operated Online Games

Minnesota’s legislature recently passed a bill that bars the Minnesota Lottery from offering online games, following a four month transition period. Specifically, the new law bans the lottery director from offering “the play of, on an electronic terminal, through a Web site, or by any other means or device, casino-style games, including but not limited…

Wisconsin Indian Tribe Prevails – State Cannot Ban Electronic Poker on Reservation

May 6, 2015

Wisconsin Indian Tribe Prevails – State Cannot Ban Electronic Poker on Reservation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has overturned a federal district court ruling that had permitted the State of Wisconsin to prohibit the Ho Chunk tribe from offering electronic poker on its reservation although such games are not explicitly and uniformly prohibited in that state.  This ruling may have implications for the…