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Secrets of a Compliance and Licensing Analyst: What Clients Find Most Surprising About Applying for a Gambling License
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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 industry, regulators operate on the principle of suitability. This means that holding a license isn’t just about following rules—it’s about proving you have the character, honesty, and integrity to be a trusted part of the ecosystem. Regulators view a license as a privilege rather than a right, meaning the burden of proof rests entirely on…
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Stories of successfully resolved iGaming client issues and challenges.
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…
Missouri Votes for Legalized Online and Retail Sports Betting
November 6, 2024
Missouri Votes for Legalized Online and Retail Sports Betting
By: Sara Dalsheim
Yesterday, the citizens of Missouri voted in favor of Amendment 2 to legalize online and retail sports betting by a small margin of under 7,500 votes. Missouri is now set to be the 39th state to legalize sports betting. Under the amendment, the retail and online sports wagering rights were granted to Missouri casinos and professional sports teams, each with the right to have one…
A Modest Proposal to Reduce AI Liability: Add Warnings
November 4, 2024
A Modest Proposal to Reduce AI Liability: Add Warnings
By: Abbey Block
CONTENT WARNING: This blog includes discussion of suicide.[1] Imaginary friends are a common staple of childhood. Indeed, many children invoke the companionship of imaginary friends – relying on their creativity and imagination for entertainment and friendship. However, nowadays, young people no longer need to rely solely on their own creativity to conjure up a fictional companion. Rather, generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) programs such as Character.AI…
CFTC “Special Rule” Interpretation Led to an October Surprise
October 23, 2024
CFTC “Special Rule” Interpretation Led to an October Surprise
By: Robert Ward
On October 2, 2024, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision that permitted KalshiEx LLC (“Kalshi”) to legally offer election contracts, which allow buyers to put down money based on their predictions as to party control of Congress and presidential election results.[1] This decision, and the district court decision that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) sought to stay,…
SAFEly symbolic?
October 14, 2024
SAFEly symbolic?
By: Sara Dalsheim
Last month two U.S. lawmakers, Rep. Paul Tonko D-N.Y. and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., introduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act (i.e., the SAFE Bet Act).[1] The Act sought to implement federal minimum standards for all sports betting operators throughout the United States. The lawmakers seemingly put forth the bill because of concerns that citizens are being subject to too many sports…
When Sports Bettors Win, So Does the IRS
October 7, 2024
When Sports Bettors Win, So Does the IRS
By: George Calhoun
Sports betting and adjacent industries have exploded in the United States. One area that continues to cause confusion is the taxation of these businesses – both for the companies and the individual players. For individual bettors, the IRS has clear rules on gambling income that predate the recent explosion of the sports betting industry. In short, the proceeds from a successful sports wager are taxable…
