Gaming Law

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Thorough Representation in the Evolving Gaming Landscape

Phillips Lytle recognizes the various challenges facing organizations involved in gaming. From structuring a contest or sweepstakes, to assisting local not-for-profit entities in charitable gaming, and everything in between, Phillips Lytle has the knowledge, experience and practical approach to guide our clients in running successful promotions and operations.

Our Gaming Law Practice uses a multi-disciplinary approach, leveraging the capabilities of Phillips Lytle’s other practice teams, including Commercial Contracts, Corporate and Business Law, Intellectual Property, and Not-For-Profit.

Gaming Law Experience

Our Gaming Law attorneys represent clients in key categories of the gaming industry, which are subject to various laws and regulations.

Sweepstakes and Contests

We regularly advise clients in all aspects of gaming operations related to sweepstakes and contests. Our Gaming Law Team has clients covered—from advising on how to best structure a promotion as a game of chance or a game of skill, to drafting the official rules and registering with state authorities and ultimately selecting a winner and awarding a prize.

Charitable Gaming

Our Gaming Law attorneys work routinely with charitable organizations to obtain state identification numbers and licenses, develop rules and plans for charitable games, and comply with gaming regulations and requirements after an event has concluded. We work pragmatically to help clients successfully and legally run raffles and raise revenues.

Fantasy Sports and Online Gaming

The laws and regulations governing fantasy sports and internet-based games continue to rapidly evolve, with operators needing to comply with developing local, federal and state laws. Online outlets have seen rapid growth in the gaming industry, leading to increased attention for operators of gaming apps or other online games. As the regulatory obstacles of sports betting and online gambling continue to evolve and expand, we counsel and guide clients to make sure their gaming activities remain compliant. Operators can turn to a Phillips Lytle Gaming attorney to make sure their apps and online games run smoothly in compliance with this intersection of laws.

How Can We Help?

Gaming and Sweepstakes Representative Matters

Represented a client in structuring and operating a nationwide game-of-chance sweepstakes, which awarded travel, lodging and tickets to attend a professional football game and which was operated across social media and various in-person “watch parties” across the county. Representation included complex structuring analysis to comply with various federal, state and local laws; advising on prize packages; running the sweepstakes; drafting official sweepstakes rules; reviewing and editing advertisements for legal compliance; filing for trademark registration; and drafting winner publicity releases.
Represented a client in structuring and operating recurring game-of-skill contests offered across mobile apps related to sports and sports betting. Representation included state-by-state analysis of sports betting laws and gaming laws; structuring contests offered to comply with various federal, state and local laws; and drafting official contest rules to be used on a recurring basis.
Represented a client in structuring and operating a game-of-skill contest which awarded a grand prize of a wedding and honeymoon giveaway. Representation included coordinating among prize providers, drafting official contest rules, reviewing commercials, and drafting and obtaining winner publicity releases.
Represented a client in structuring and operating a game-of-chance sweepstakes which awarded dozens of wedding-related prizes as part of a wedding showcase event. Representation included structuring the promotion to comply with games-of-chance legal requirements, drafting official rules, and complying with state filing requirements for registration and bonding.
Represented a client in structuring and operating a nationwide sweepstakes for its partners and contractors that was designed to drive usage of a newly launched mobile app. Representation included drafting official contest rules, drafting abbreviated rules for advertisements, and complying with applicable social media policies.
Represented a client in structuring and operating a photo submission contest for a cash and social media recognition prize. Representation included structuring the judging criteria and qualifications for submission, drafting official contest rules, and drafting winner intellectual property and publicity releases.
Represented a client in structuring and operating an internal sales contest for client sales representatives, which awarded a travel prize with an approximate retail value of $5,000.
Counseled a client in operating charitable raffles in New York State, including advising on the current legal landscape for selling raffle tickets online.

We continue to assist various clients in operating charitable raffles in compliance with New York State’s charitable gaming laws.