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CFTC Withdraws Specialized Guidance On Cryptocurrency Derivatives
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March 31, 2025
CFTC Withdraws Specialized Guidance On Cryptocurrency Derivatives
By: Jake Gray
In line with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) transformation from cryptocurrency enemy to ally, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) is now following its sister agency’s lead. By withdrawing its specialized guidance on digital currency derivatives, the CFTC signals a more hospitable regulatory approach to the industry, one that recognizes the growing maturity and mainstream acceptance of digital asset markets. As of March 28, 2025, both CFTC Staff Advisory No. 18-14 and the subsequent 2023 guidance, CFTC Staff Advisory No. 23-07, have been officially withdrawn, marking a clear departure from the agency’s previous cautionary stance.[1][2] What’s In the Advisories The CFTC’s first digital asset advisory, Letter No. 18-14, came in 2018 when digital asset derivatives products and their spot…
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Sweepstakes Issues Draw Focus at Next.io Summit
March 27, 2025
Sweepstakes Issues Draw Focus at Next.io Summit
By: Jordan Briggs
Social casinos were one of the many hot topics at the Next.io summit in New York March 12-13, so much so that they got their own well-attended summit on March 11. Generally, there are three types of online social casinos: social casinos with no option to purchase any plays; social casinos with the option to purchase plays and the only thing a user can win…
YouTube Fills Federal Policing Void on Gambling
March 17, 2025
YouTube Fills Federal Policing Void on Gambling
By: Sara Dalsheim
The ultimate inhibitor of the regulated gambling industry is the illegal ever-present offshore market. The regulated industry has been consistently asking for assistance from law enforcement to assist them in stamping out the illegal market – that, unlike the regulated industry, is not required to abide by any of the mechanisms that protect consumers. The federal government has failed to answer the call, so the…
Captain Obvious Makes Landmark Ruling: Texas Hold ‘Em Is Poker
July 24, 2015
Captain Obvious Makes Landmark Ruling: Texas Hold ‘Em Is Poker
By: Nicole Kardell
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 in fact poker, and poker is specifically prohibited by Idaho’s…
Another Bill to Expand the Wire Act: Bad Law Clothed in a Lie
June 25, 2015
Another Bill to Expand the Wire Act: Bad Law Clothed in a Lie
By: Ifrah Law
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 elsewhere) brought back to the fore the specter of “states’…
Minnesota Phases Out State Lottery-Operated Online Games
May 21, 2015
Minnesota Phases Out State Lottery-Operated Online Games
By: Michelle Cohen
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 to blackjack, craps, keno, dice games, roulette, or poker.” The…
The “Fight of the Century” in its 13th Round
May 8, 2015
The “Fight of the Century” in its 13th Round
By: Nicole Kardell
It’s not uncommon to see sports fans get emotional at a game, match, race, or fight. They feel invested in their team, invested in their athlete. For the sports bettors out there, that investment may be literal, but for most it’s largely emotional. So at the hour of defeat do disappointed fans have a legal right to a return on their investment if the contest…
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
By: Ifrah Law
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 ability of tribes to offer online poker – an issue…
