Our attorneys’ experience includes working with some of the largest international and national gaming companies and state lottery commissions. We advise clients on compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, i-gaming, fantasy gaming, sports betting, horse racing handicapping tournaments, account wagering, charitable gaming, promotions, raffles, sweepstakes, and state licensing applications and compliance among other related gaming issues. We also assist gaming clients with their unique labor and employment issues, intellectual property concerns, real estate transactions and corporate structure, corporate governance, and related matters.
Commercial Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions
We have acted as primary and local counsel on a variety of acquisitions and financing of racetrack and gaming assets. Our attorneys provide comprehensive state law advice for commercial real estate, commercial lending, and deal document review in addition to specialty counsel on state agencies and regulations governing these unique transactions.
Litigation
Our litigators understand the best way to advocate for clients means thinking about both the immediate impact and the broader context of an eventual outcome. We have represented clients in high profile gaming litigation involving the interpretation of federal and state gaming laws. We also represent gaming clients in contractual disputes, protection of intellectual property, corporate, and partnership matters in related or threatened litigation.
Lobbying and Legislation
Our attorneys know the hurdles new legislation must clear before becoming law and have past experience sponsoring legislation within the industry, including measures authorizing wagering on video re-runs of previously run horse races (historical horse racing). Clients and legislators seek our advice on state legislation and draft bill language. In Kentucky, we have provided educational materials, committee testimony, and information on other states’ sports betting and fantasy sports legislation to state lawmakers considering language for the commonwealth’s legislation.
Casino Development
Our attorneys represent developers who are building casinos or tribal gaming properties across the country and counsel them on reviewing and preparing development and finance-related agreements, equipment leases, and real property acquisitions.
Electronic Funds and Transfer
We assist fantasy and wagering companies by establishing and negotiating electronic payment relationships. This includes helping clients create programs to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) rules and regulations. We assist clients in establishing and maintaining electronic payment program managers, allowing for the processing of credit and debit cards, electronic funds transfers, ACH, and mobile phone authentication, all within AML and OFAC compliance.
Intellectual Property
As gaming innovators create new methods of play, our attorneys help protect their ideas, inventions, works, trademarks, and trade secrets. We manage and prosecute patent and trademark portfolios for companies of all sizes within the gaming industry. We also provide consultation for IP filings, enforcement, and licensing strategies for traditional and online-based gaming companies.