Gaming Law
Gaming law refers to the laws and regulations that govern gaming, including casinos, racetracks, gaming equipment manufacturers and distributors. More recently, gaming law has expanded to include wireless and Internet-based gaming law.Categories of Gaming
Gaming law covers the following broad categories:
- State-sponsored gaming -- Lotteries are an example of state-sponsored gaming. State sponsored gaming is often used to generate revenues for a state government.
- Charitable gaming -- This refers to gaming that is used to generate profits for a charity or a non-profit organization. Bingo and pull-tabs are two examples of charitable gaming.
- Pari-mutuel gaming -- Generally regulated by the state, pari-mutuel gaming is used in horse and greyhound racing, and jai alai. An example of pari-mutuel betting is off track betting.
- Casino gaming -- This refers to games played at casinos such as those found in Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Casino games include gaming tables, slot machines, card games, and video games.
- Ship gaming -- Includes all gaming that is carried out on a ship such as a riverboat or a cruise ship.
- Indian gaming -- This refers to gaming that takes place in a tribal casino.
- Internet gaming -- Gaming that occurs online over the Internet is referred to as Internet gaming. Forms of Internet gaming include poker, online casinos, and online sports betting.
Federal and State Gaming Laws
Gaming law is regulated at the federal and state level. At the federal level, gaming law statutes cover Gambling (including gambling ships), Indian Gaming Regulation, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 1997, Transportation of Gambling Devices, and Unlawful Sports Gambling.
Not every state has gaming law statutes on the books. Only states with casinos or gambling establishments have gaming law statutes. Among these states are New Jersey, New York, California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Missouri, and South Dakota. Some states, including those with gambling law statutes, have state gaming organizations that oversee gaming.
Gaming Law Practice
Attorneys who practice gaming law typically deal with matters such as the domestic and foreign lease as well as sale of gaming equipment; litigation involving bankruptcy and collections; assisting in drafting new gaming regulations; gaming-related contracts and licensing issues; and corporate transactions. They also provide counsel on gaming laws and regulations. Gaming law is a relatively new field in the practice of law due to the proliferation of tribal casinos, riverboat gambling, and in recent years, the popularity of Internet gaming.
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