Gaming

Hodgson Russ provides legal counsel to owners, operators, and companies involved in the gaming industry. We assist clients in all aspects of gaming, including racing, lottery, casinos, racinos, fantasy sports, charitable gaming, online gaming, and sweepstakes. Our representation includes gaming-related advice and representation on contracts, licensing, administrative law, government relations, distribution agreements, intellectual property protection, commercial litigation, real estate acquisition and leasing, land use, zoning, construction, vendor and employee contracts and agreements, and financing and corporate transactions.

Our practice spans the many aspects of gaming, including the following:

Licensing. Our attorneys regularly provide licensing support in all aspects of the gaming industry. We are available to handle applications for casino and racetrack licenses, sports wagering licenses, and lottery licenses. We are also available to provide licensing services to facility operators, working with state gaming commissions to ensure licensing compliance at all levels of the facilities, or assisting individuals and vendors seeking licenses to operate within the industry.

Litigation. Our multidisciplinary team handles every aspect of litigation that may arise in the gaming industry. In addition to handling any type of administrative or court-based proceeding, we are available to consult other counsel and gaming operators on litigation strategy.

Racing. Our attorneys regularly represent owners of racetracks in regulatory matters before the state gaming commissions and in negotiations with off-track betting facilities. We are also available to assist horsemen with obtaining the necessary licenses to participate in the industry.

Lottery. We represent state lotteries, vendors providing services, and retailers in contracting and licensing issues. We also represent companies that purchase lottery prizes from players and litigate issues surrounding such purchases.

Casinos and racinos. We advise entities that own or operate casinos and racinos on regulatory and legislative matters, and we assist them in the siting, zoning, construction, and financing issues that arise as the facilities are planned, constructed, and expanded. Hodgson Russ gaming attorneys work with other Hodgson Russ practices, including State & Local Tax, Real Estate & Finance, Environment & Energy, and Construction Law, to assist in the creation of gaming destinations with modern amenities. We advise our clients on acquisition, financing, development and construction, management and service agreements, licensing, and tax.

Fantasy sports. The Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) permits fantasy sports in the Unites States, subject to local laws. We assist fantasy sports providers in the development of their website content, including game rules, privacy rules, and internal controls. We also opine on the use of such games across multiple states.

Charitable gaming. Our attorneys work with vendors and operators of charitable gaming facilities on license applications, contracts, and various initiatives to raise revenue for fraternal organizations and other charitable entities.

Online Gaming. Our attorneys are active in the mobile and Internet gaming market. Working with Hodgson Russ’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice, we focus on helping our clients develop strategies to leverage their technologies in the gaming space. We have assisted clients in providing casinos and lotteries with Internet-based games.

Sweepstakes. We regularly advise national and international clients on the varied aspects of state and federal advertising and trade practices compliance. We can assist in the structuring of contest campaigns, reviewing rules, policies, and registrations to comply with the requirements of state law.

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