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Sunshine, Strategy, and Handshakes: Reflections on SBC Summit Americas 2026
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June 23, 2026
Sunshine, Strategy, and Handshakes: Reflections on SBC Summit Americas 2026
By: Amanda Holi
There is something irreplaceable about the energy of a live industry event, and this year’s SBC Summit Americas in Fort Lauderdale delivered. From June 9–11, the Broward County Convention Center became the epicenter of the gaming, sports wagering, and iGaming worlds. While the South Florida sunshine was a welcome backdrop, the real heat was inside the convention center, where industry professionals gathered to discuss everything from shifting multi-jurisdictional regulations to prediction markets. Here are my biggest takeaways from a busy, incredibly productive two days by the coast. The Power of “In-Person” We live and work in a digital-first world—which is fantastic for efficiency—but nothing beats the feeling of a face-to-face connection. For me, the highlight of the trip was the…
Lessons from the Restructuring of an Online Sports Betting Company
June 12, 2026
Lessons from the Restructuring of an Online Sports Betting Company
By: George Calhoun
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 this in recent years include Betfred, Betway, Unibet, and in…
CFTC Predicting Litigation Success over Multiple States
June 8, 2026
CFTC Predicting Litigation Success over Multiple States
By: John Mikuta
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 assist in operating a prediction market.[1] The next day, the…
Secrets of a Compliance and Licensing Analyst: What Clients Find Most Surprising About Applying for a Gambling License
February 11, 2026
Secrets of a Compliance and Licensing Analyst: What Clients Find Most Surprising About Applying for a Gambling License
By: Amanda Holi
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 a Deep Dive, Not a Surface Check In the gambling…
Beyond the Approval: 3 Critical Tips for Renewing Your Gambling License
February 3, 2026
Beyond the Approval: 3 Critical Tips for Renewing Your Gambling License
By: Amanda Holi
As a former regulator, I’ve sat on the other side of the desk, reviewing hundreds of applications and watching promising applicants stumble over the same hurdles. Now, as a licensing specialist at a law firm, I help my clients avoid those “regulatory red flags” before they happen. Securing your initial license is a monumental achievement, but maintaining it is where the real work begins. In…
Prediction Markets Raising Predictable Questions of Regulation, Public Policy
January 27, 2026
Prediction Markets Raising Predictable Questions of Regulation, Public Policy
By: John Mikuta
On January 3, 2026, the United States carried out a shocking military strike against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.[i] Maduro was taken from his home in Caracas and flown to New York, where he faces narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons possession conspiracy charges.[ii] While the strike surprised most of the world, a few traders on Polymarket seemingly anticipated…
Virginia Poised to Legalize iGaming
January 14, 2026
Virginia Poised to Legalize iGaming
By: Sara Dalsheim
There has been chatter for some time that Virginia will soon become the next state to join in on the fun of legalized iGaming. Today, House Bill 161 and Senate Bill 118 will be officially offered as proposed legislation (the bills were pre-filed on January 6, 2026). House Bill 161 will officially be introduced by Delegate (“Del.”) Marcus Simon proposing to amend and reenact the…
The United Kingdom Institutes a Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Operators of Prize Draws
November 26, 2025
The United Kingdom Institutes a Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Operators of Prize Draws
By: John Mikuta
The United Kingdom has published a Voluntary Code of Good Practice for operators of prize draws and competitions (“PDCs”).[1] The Code contains a wide range of key measures that operators are expected to implement to improve player safety and transparency. Because the Code is voluntary, operators are not legally bound to abide by it. However, dozens of operators and other relevant entities in the United…
