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CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook
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August 11, 2026
CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook
By: John Mikuta
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 to refrain from engaging in misleading or deceptive practices when advertising, listing, or transacting event contracts. The notice highlights the CFTC’s growing concerns about the promotion of event contracts using the “American odds” format associated with sports betting and casino operators rather than nominal or percentage terms that reflect market pricing. The notice stresses that this practice could create confusion about the nature of the…
Nicole Kardell on Keeping iGaming Clients Nimble Amidst Ever-Evolving Privacy Regulations
August 3, 2026
Nicole Kardell on Keeping iGaming Clients Nimble Amidst Ever-Evolving Privacy Regulations
By: Ifrah Law
For iGaming companies, protecting customer privacy is paramount: Nicole Kardell acts as their guardian against federal, state and civil actions that could damage their reputations and profitability. Nicole performs on the leading edge of privacy law, helping to keep Ifrah’s clients in compliance with U.S. and international regulations governing the handling of customers’ confidential information. A certified privacy professional with expertise in European privacy law…
Betting on Technology: Bipartisan Proposal for Requiring Facial Recognition to Keep Minors from Wagering Online
July 29, 2026
Betting on Technology: Bipartisan Proposal for Requiring Facial Recognition to Keep Minors from Wagering Online
By: Lauren Scribner
“As every parent knows, when you tell a kid not to do something, they almost always end up trying to do it,” said Congresswoman Kristen MacDonald Rivet (MI-8) about the recently introduced bipartisan “Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act” (“proposed Act”).[1] She continued, “[k]ids under the age of 18 shouldn’t be making bets, but now it’s just a few taps away on their phones. Our…
Why Can’t I Buy A Powerball Ticket Online?
January 14, 2016
Why Can’t I Buy A Powerball Ticket Online?
By: Jeff Ifrah
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 tickets to out-of-state residents. Is that legal? The answer unfortunately…
The Ongoing Legal Saga Between New York and Daily Fantasy Sports
December 14, 2015
The Ongoing Legal Saga Between New York and Daily Fantasy Sports
By: Jeff Ifrah
Christmas didn’t come early for daily fantasy sports players in New York. A state judge issued an injunction this Friday ordering the two largest DFS sites, DraftKings and FanDuel, to shut down. The injunction was based upon the judge’s finding that DFS constituted illegal gambling under state law. Fortunately for the sites, their players, and their investors, the two operators immediately appealed the court’s decision…
Sorry, NY Fantasy Sports Fans. No Play for You!
November 16, 2015
Sorry, NY Fantasy Sports Fans. No Play for You!
By: Jeff Ifrah
Daily Fantasy Sports (or DFS) offers daily excitement to millions of US sports fans, and it enjoys tremendous support from its fan base. That support was on display today in NYC, as more than 250 upset fans rallied in front of the Attorney General’s office. The rally in support of DFS was in response to last week’s controversial announcement by New York Attorney General Eric…
Why Virtual Gold Can’t Buy Plaintiffs Happiness
November 10, 2015
Why Virtual Gold Can’t Buy Plaintiffs Happiness
By: Ifrah Law
A federal court has soundly rejected a plaintiff’s contention that she suffered any real-world harm based on in-game losses of virtual currency. In Mason v. Machine Zone, Inc., plaintiff Mia Mason alleged that she was a regular player of a free-to-play mobile game called Game of War (GoW): Fire Age. GoW is a multiplayer online strategy game in which players construct a simulated empire and…
The Return of The King
October 1, 2015
The Return of The King
By: Ifrah Law
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 Tilt brands. As the world’s largest and most popular online…
