Gaming & Gambling

A wide range of industry participants, from mobile and land-based gaming operators to media, financial and technology companies, turn to Orrick to navigate the fast-developing U.S. gaming market. Our lawyers have led the evolution of the U.S. gaming sector for nearly 30 years, paving the way for iGaming and sports betting and advising on emerging gaming models. We have been involved in some of the most significant regulatory developments, transactions and litigations in the space.

Our team – spearheaded by a Global Market Leader for Gaming & Gambling (Chambers) and a three-time Sports & Betting MVP (Law360) – is consistently recognized for the quality and creativity of our legal solutions. We have also been featured in international publications such as the New York Times and Washington Post for our impact on the sector.

Shaping expanded gaming regulation. Leveraging our regulatory expertise, we have advocated and offered expert testimony before state legislatures and helped pass sports betting and iGaming laws throughout the country. We understand the issues and help clients anticipate them as state regulators start to enforce these laws and create new rules. Whether rulemaking on licensing requirements, mandating official data or establishing allowable wagers, our team speaks the language when advocating for clients.

Fostering direct engagement with regulators. Drawing on our decades of experience as former regulators, we have helped clients build strong relationships with regulators time and again. When licensing is required, we work to tailor the scope to limit the need for costly and unnecessary filings at the corporate and individual level. We have prepared and advised on applications before almost every domestic gaming authority, conducted independent investigations at gaming regulators' behest as part of licensing proceedings and ruled on suitability matters when still with gaming authorities. This unique perspective helps our clients stay on the right side of regulatory findings and determinations.

Leading on commercial regulatory considerations. We negotiate and provide guidance on the regulatory and licensing implications of commercial agreements, outside investment and joint venture/partnerships. Our lawyers have been involved in some of the most significant deals in the sports betting and iGaming arenas. We also offer expertise in related areas, including protection of IP assets and compliance with evolving privacy and cybersecurity laws.

Defending industry-shaping litigation and investigations. Our lawyers have represented gaming companies and payment providers in criminal, civil and regulatory investigations at the federal and state levels. No firm has more experience in navigating the intersection of legality and regulatory suitability. We also litigate on behalf of gaming and gambling companies, successfully defending class actions, negotiating favorable settlements and bringing a business mindset to seemingly intractable disputes. Our work includes:

• Defending iGaming companies facing liabilities related to pre-regulated activity.
• Defending social casino gaming companies in cutting-edge litigation testing the legality of those games under state gambling laws.
• Defending video game developers confronting claims of “dark patterns,” video game addiction and related issues.

Executing major transactions. Our team has been involved in some of the largest acquisitions, investments, partnerships and other commercial relationships in the sports betting and iGaming sectors. We advise on regulatory implications, lead commercial discussions and help clients navigate difficult business and legal questions.