Gaming Law
Gaming law refers to a collection of laws and regulations that control wagers and betting in the US. Gaming laws govern who can offer games of chance or wagers and under what conditions. These laws regulate gaming directly.
Also, there are laws that affect the gaming industry indirectly such as employment law, tort law, and contract law. Laws that control gaming can change rapidly. Attorneys in this field will work with gaming laws and other legal aspects that affect the gaming industry.
Attorneys at SBEMP (Slovak, Baron, Empey, Murphy & Pinkney) law firm provides professional legal advice and services to clients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Inland Empire, Orange County, Coachella Valley, Costa Mesa, San Diego, New Jersey, New York, and surrounding locations.
Gaming laws include federal, state, and tribal laws
The US federal government, state laws, and tribal governments all control gaming. The U.S. federal government governs the gaming activities of private entities as well as tribal governments.
States can decide to allow or prohibit different types of gaming activities. Additionally, tribal governments have the right to decide if they want to offer gaming activities on their land.
Types of gaming in the US
The City of Las Vegas may be synonymous with gaming. However, it is only one type of gaming in the US.
State lotteries and state-sponsored scratch-off tickets are legally controlled gaming activities in the country. State lotteries may operate for the purpose of raising funds for general operations, or they may direct funds towards a particular government venture such as education.
States may decide whether to offer a lottery. Not all states have lotteries. States that run lotteries may work with each other to operate interstate lotteries such as Powerball. States that permit gaming activities usually have a commission to monitor gaming and enforce state laws.
Another type of gaming is sports betting. Bingo is also a type of betting if players pay to engage in it. Gaming law includes various laws that control all games of chance or betting activity.
Internet Gaming
The gaming law in the US has changed with the advent of modern technology. Federal law mandated that internet gaming was illegal at the time of the inception of the internet. The Federal Wire Act of 1961 makes it illegal to transfer or wire money in order to place a wager.
People in offence of this law may face up to two years in prison for violating the Federal Wire Act. In addition, the US strengthened the federal prohibition on Internet gaming with the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act of 2006. This act places a direct prohibition on most forms of internet gambling.
Gaming law may involve multiple areas of law
In their practice, gaming lawyers may encounter any of the below mentioned types of law:
- Tax law
- Real estate law
- Criminal law
- Jurisdictional questions and issues
- Zoning law
- Business law
- Employment law
- Contract law
- Administrative law
- Litigation
Being a professional gaming attorney
Gaming attorneys work to offer advice to gaming operators or enforce gaming laws. They may work for public or private entities work throughout the US. There exist federal, state and tribal laws that may affect gaming activities. Other areas of law may affect gaming operations as well.
Lawyers at the SBEMP law firm serve clients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Inland Empire, Orange County, Coachella Valley, Costa Mesa, San Diego, New Jersey, New York, and nearby locations for a range of legal practice areas.
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For more information or to request a consultation please contact the law offices of SBEMP (Slovak, Baron, Empey, Murphy & Pinkney) by clicking here.
SBEMP LLP is a full service law firm with attorney offices in Palm Springs (Palm Desert, Inland Empire, Rancho Mirage), CA; Indian Wells, CA; Costa Mesa (Orange County), CA; San Diego, CA; New Jersey, NJ; and New York, NY.
DISCLAIMER: This blog post does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading it. This blog post may be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING in some states. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Additional facts or future developments may affect subjects contained within this blog post. Before acting or relying upon any information within this newsletter, seek the advice of an attorney.
