CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook

CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook

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…

Read More about CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook
Title

Meet the all-star team delivering iGaming wins.

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…

Read More about Nicole Kardell on Keeping iGaming Clients Nimble Amidst Ever-Evolving Privacy Regulations 

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…

Read More about Betting on Technology: Bipartisan Proposal for Requiring Facial Recognition to Keep Minors from Wagering Online

The Gambling Industry’s Regulatory Lessons for Cryptocurrency

February 24, 2025

The Gambling Industry’s Regulatory Lessons for Cryptocurrency

By: Sara Dalsheim

While most of American population has mixed feelings on the results of the 2024 election; the cryptocurrency (“crypto”) industry does not. Crypto companies made up one-third of all direct corporate contributions to political action committees, and it resulted in 85% of all winning congressional candidates being supporters of the crypto industry. So, what does the win mean? Likely, a clear regulatory authority and rules over…

Read More about The Gambling Industry’s Regulatory Lessons for Cryptocurrency

Crypto’s Gamble Pays Off: SEC Enforcement Stalls Under Trump Administration

February 21, 2025

Crypto’s Gamble Pays Off: SEC Enforcement Stalls Under Trump Administration

By: Jake Gray

The cryptocurrency industry’s political bet on Trump appears to be paying early dividends in his administration’s first month. The Securities Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rapid pivot–reorganizing its enforcement units and pausing major crypto litigation–signals a dramatic shift in the agency’s approach to digital asset regulation. In the past, we have analyzed several enforcement actions by the SEC against cryptocurrency companies that issued their own tokens. Our…

Read More about Crypto’s Gamble Pays Off: SEC Enforcement Stalls Under Trump Administration

The Election Betting Experiment: Will Congress Rebottle This Genie?

January 8, 2025

The Election Betting Experiment: Will Congress Rebottle This Genie?

By: Jake Gray

Just this fall, Americans in all 50 states were able to put their money where they mouth was on the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election—what many news outlets call, and even one platform itself has called, election betting. Betting, notably, is not legal in all 50 states. Before the Supreme Court’s ruling, sports betting was largely prohibited nationwide under PASPA, with only Nevada and…

Read More about The Election Betting Experiment: Will Congress Rebottle This Genie?

Our Big Three Predictions for the Online Gaming Industry in 2025

January 6, 2025

Our Big Three Predictions for the Online Gaming Industry in 2025

By: Sara Dalsheim

In 2025, we will celebrate the seventh anniversary of the repeal of PASPA and the resulting increase in legalization and popularity of various offerings in the gaming industry – namely sports wagering and online casino gaming. We predict 2025 will bring the following to the industry: (1) further actions from state authorities to fight back against the illegal offshore market; (2) further clarifications from state…

Read More about Our Big Three Predictions for the Online Gaming Industry in 2025

“The Devil Made Me Bet It” – the Third Circuit Considers Arguments in Bettor’s Case Against Casino

December 16, 2024

“The Devil Made Me Bet It” – the Third Circuit Considers Arguments in Bettor’s Case Against Casino

By: Abbey Block

Can a casino be held liable for encouraging its patrons to gamble, particularly when those patrons exhibit signs of problem gambling? That is the question the Third Circuit Court of Appeals was left to contemplate following oral arguments in the case of Antar v. The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, LLC et al., which took place last week.[1] The plaintiff in the case, Sam Antar,…

Read More about “The Devil Made Me Bet It” – the Third Circuit Considers Arguments in Bettor’s Case Against Casino

Articles and Presentations by Our Firm Attorneys

CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook

CFTC Sends Message to Prediction Markets: You Are Not a Sportsbook
By: John Mikuta

Nicole Kardell on Keeping iGaming Clients Nimble Amidst Ever-Evolving Privacy Regulations 

Nicole Kardell on Keeping iGaming Clients Nimble Amidst Ever-Evolving Privacy Regulations 
By: Ifrah Law

Betting on Technology: Bipartisan Proposal for Requiring Facial Recognition to Keep Minors from Wagering Online

Betting on Technology: Bipartisan Proposal for Requiring Facial Recognition to Keep Minors from Wagering Online
By: Lauren Scribner

Subscribe to Ifrah Law’s Insights