In a development that many in the professional law community have been closely following, the United States Supreme Court denied a request to extend the stay ordered in West Flagler Associates, Ltd. v. Haaland on October 25, 2023. The ruling has vital implications for the Seminole Tribe’s sports betting plans in Florida. The decision has…
As we delve into the key events of October 2023 in the legal field, it’s impossible to overlook the monthly meeting of the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). Conducted on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, this crucial gathering represented a fusion of in-person engagement and remote participation options. The meeting was orchestrated both physically at the hub…
In a surprising turn of events, a California Court of Appeal has applied English common law to settle a dispute over a gambling debt. This landmark decision is notable as it resurfaces the debate around the historical adoption of English common law in California, a state that was never under English colonial rule. Tak Chun…
On October 25, 2023, the Supreme Court declined a request by two Florida-based casinos to halt a prior decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that permitted a Native American tribe to accept online sports bets. This request was part of a larger effort by the casinos to secure…
In a recent decision, the US Supreme Court declined to suspend a controversial agreement that, according to a Florida gaming company, grants tribal entities an exclusive hold on online sports betting in Florida. The refusal of the Supreme Court to block this deal highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding gambling rights between gaming operators and…
Boies Schiller Flexner has announced the addition of three new partners to its roster – Mark Brnovich, Joshua Stein, and Benjamin Waisbren. This move aligns with the strategic growth of the law firm. According to a recent announcement, Mark Brnovich, a former Attorney General for Arizona, will be based in Los Angeles, and he will…
The Supreme Court of the United States recently issued a temporary stay on an order that backed the state gaming compact that gives exclusive sports betting rights in Florida to the Seminole Tribe. Such a decision comes amidst a tangle of legal disputes and holds potential impacts for the booming sports betting industry, regulators, gaming…
In an increasingly competitive and bustling online gaming industry, the successful operation of platforms such as Rival Games can hinge on not just their trade secret technology’s value, but also the public’s recognition of and loyalty to their brand. Hence, it is no surprise that trade secrets and trademarks play a pivotal role in the…
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently intervened in the ongoing dispute about sports betting in Florida. This has inevitably generated many questions for corporate legal practitioners with interest in tribal law, gaming law, and federal-state relations. On Oct. 12, 2023, the Supreme Court ordered a stay on the District of Columbia Circuit’s ruling in West…
In a significant recent development, Microsoft Corp.’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc., valued at $69 billion, has received approval from the UK competition watchdog. This clearance has removed one of the last major global regulatory obstacles preventing the completion of what is set to be the gaming industry’s largest ever deal. The transaction had…
Blockchain-based sports betting, rapidly maturing into a multi-billion-dollar global industry, may find a formidable barricade in U.S law. Expected to hit $180 billion by 2030, the largely online global sports gambling industry has begun to attract blockchain-based startups interested in disrupting the space. Notably, even the founder and former CEO of FanDuel, a major player…
In what ranks as the biggest deal ever in the world of gaming, Microsoft Corp.‘s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. looks like it may just happen. Despite numerous obstacles, including a challenging year and a half in the face of global regulators skeptical over the dominating market power of the unified company, the…
In a unique episode, Wilson Sonsini corporate partner Jonathan Chan sits down to converse with multifaceted entrepreneur Justin Woodward. Woodward is not only the co-founder and creative director of Interabang Entertainment and co-founder of the Media Indie Exchange, but he is also the driving force behind the innovative platforms for Black game developers – Black…
Caesars Entertainment, Inc., one of the world’s largest gaming companies, recently revealed a data breach affecting its IT network. On October 6, 2023, Caesars filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine, disclosing that unauthorized access had been gained to its IT network as a result of a cyberattack targeting one of its vendor…
In an era of rapidly evolving technology, we see an intriguing development in the Consumer & Retail Industry: the convergence of digital and physical assets, or as it is increasingly being termed, the ‘phygital’ approach. The Consumer & Retail Industry has been instrumental in discerning the potential of Web 3 concepts like Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)…
In a noteworthy development last month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reopened its internal challenge of Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Blizzard, Inc., commonly known as Activision. This action followed a thorough assessment of numerous domestic and international issues linked to the planned deal. According to a recent report, this closely observed merger faced…
Recently, the EU General Court (GC) made the final call on a highly significant antitrust case involving game publishers and geo-blocking strategies. On September 27, 2023, the GC rejected an appeal by Valve Corporation, affirming a January 2021 decision made by the European Commission (Commission). The Commission’s original ruling found that Valve Corporation, along with…
In this rapidly evolving world of entertainment and sports, there’s always a host of legal aspects to contend with. For legal professionals working in these industries, it is pertinent to stay informed of the latest updates and trends. Accordingly, the latest issue of “The Pitch” from September 2023, comes packed with essential updates that would…
Following the announcement of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision – hailed as one of the world’s most valuable gaming companies – the tech giant finds itself one step closer to actualizing this deal. The announcement made on January 18, 2022, was initially met with regulatory hurdles, highlighting the close scrutiny such significant mergers often face. In…
Companies operating across borders may often deem themselves separate entities, but the complex world of international law often thinks otherwise, notably when exploring the concept of the “alter ego” theory. Legal professionals should be aware of recent developments to ensure their corporations and law firms stay protected. A striking example of this occurred in the…
In a decisive turn of events in the gaming world, Riot Games, the creators of the highly regarded multiplayer game, League of Legends, filed a lawsuit on January 20th, 2022 against two Asian video game companies, Suga and Imba. The filing took place in the Central District of California for allegations on infringement of Riot’s…
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is raising eyebrows within the fantasy sports industry. In a significant move, the FGCC has issued cease-and-desist letters to three online fantasy sports operators. This represents the FGCC’s maiden action against the online fantasy sports industry in Florida, but it is part and parcel of a rising trend observed…
In a recent noteworthy event, a long-standing legal dispute involving Valve, a prominent player in the gaming arena, has seen a significant move by the Supreme Court of New York, New York County (NYCAL). Crosby Valve LLC, the defendant in the case, had put forth a motion to dismiss the asbestos action, yet the court…
Emerging as one of the most rapidly growing industries, e-sports gaming presents a host of new legal challenges and opportunities. The exhilarating domain of e-sports brings with it not only an incredible expansion of viewership numbers and sky-high profits, but also introduces specific legal issues that both the gaming industry and legal professionals must navigate….
Since the announcement of a proposed merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, Inc. in February 2022, enforcement agencies around the globe have adopted a spectrum of positions in response. This proposed merger has aptly demonstrated how complexities in global business can set the stage for varying responses from regulators across different legal jurisdictions. The European…