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Peering into the Future: Kids, Games, and Regulation
FEATURED
April 10, 2026
Peering into the Future: Kids, Games, and Regulation
By: Steven Hess
This March, a California jury found Google and Meta (which operates Facebook, Instagram, and other websites) liable for negligently causing a child user’s depression and anxiety. Driven by a desire to protect children from perceived vices,[1] this is likely to be the first in a wave of new lawsuits and legislation aimed at regulating online spaces. Although limited to protecting children for now, these efforts show that there is a societal desire for online platforms to affirmatively protect consumers from real or perceived dangers. Online Platforms under Fire Across the world there is increased pressure on internet platforms that are perceived as harmful. The European Union has already fined Google billions for its advertising practices. But a growing trend in…
Maryland’s Ever-Changing Gaming Landscape: Evolution, Adaptation, and Legal Tension
March 23, 2026
Maryland’s Ever-Changing Gaming Landscape: Evolution, Adaptation, and Legal Tension
By: Abbey Block
Maryland’s Ever-Changing Gaming Landscape: Evolution, Adaptation, and Legal Tension Earlier this month I had the opportunity to attend the 3rd annual Town Hall Meeting, hosted by Morgan State University’s Center for Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research and National Council of Legislators from Gaming States and participate in a lively discussion about the ever-changing face of gambling. Our panel covered the latest and greatest developments…
Major League Development: CFTC and MLB Agree to Monitor the Integrity of Prediction Markets
March 19, 2026
Major League Development: CFTC and MLB Agree to Monitor the Integrity of Prediction Markets
By: John Mikuta
In a watershed moment for the prediction market industry, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Major League Baseball (“MLB”) today. According to the CFTC’s press release, the groundbreaking agreement “establishes a framework for the CFTC and MLB to discuss, cooperate, and exchange information concerning issues of common interest including protecting the integrity of professional baseball and the relating…
Massachusetts Cracks Down on Gambling at Internet Cafes
July 15, 2011
Massachusetts Cracks Down on Gambling at Internet Cafes
By: Ifrah Law
Last month, citing evidence that illegal gambling was going on at “Internet cafés” throughout the state, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley issued a new permanent regulation banning gambling at such places. The regulation bans the operation of establishments “where a gambling purpose predominates over the bona fide sale of bona fide goods or services” – in this case, cyber cafés and phone card video game terminals….
DC Attorney General Testifies That DC Online Gaming Law Does Not Violate Federal Law
June 30, 2011
DC Attorney General Testifies That DC Online Gaming Law Does Not Violate Federal Law
By: Ifrah Law
The D.C. Council held a hearing on June 29, 2011, to discuss the implementation of a new law that is scheduled to go into full effect on Sept. 8, allowing legal online gaming within the D.C city limits. This would make the District of Columbia the first jurisdiction in the United States to legalize online gaming for money. The hearing also marked the first time…
New House Bill May Open Door to Legal Online Poker
June 26, 2011
New House Bill May Open Door to Legal Online Poker
By: Ifrah Law
The momentum toward federal legalization of online poker took a significant step forward on Friday, June 24, when Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) held a press conference to discuss the details of his legalization bill. The “Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011” would both legalize online poker and create a new federal agency to oversee its administration. Rep. Barton said…
Online Poker Finds New Supporter on the Hill
June 17, 2011
Online Poker Finds New Supporter on the Hill
By: Ifrah Law
Legalization of online poker has found a new and unlikely supporter on Capitol Hill. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.), an outspoken conservative, has announced that he will support legalization and is planning some parliamentary maneuvers to try to get it to the House floor eventually. It turns out that in addition to being a conservative, Rep. Barton is also an avid poker player, and his interest…
Barney Frank’s Advice to Poker Players After ‘Black Friday’
May 9, 2011
Barney Frank’s Advice to Poker Players After ‘Black Friday’
By: Ifrah Law
In the wake of the catastrophic consequences of last month’s “Black Friday” for online poker players in the United States, many players are wondering about their next step. Pocketfives.com recently interviewed Congressman Barney Frank and although he agreed that is “difficult to figure out what to do,” he still had some concrete advice for the online poker player universe. Frank felt that the events of…
