• New York Online Gambling Legal

The legal gambling age is 21 for casinos owned by the Seneca Nation of Indians, but 18 for other casinos in New York. At Canadian casinos in the province of Ontario, the minimum legal gambling age is 19. That makes New York the 14th state to legalize some form of sports betting. Thirteen states have done so since a May 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a federal law that had. Any expansion of gambling in New York is required by the constitution to be approved in a ballot referendum - as happened in 2013 when voters approved the legalization of commercial gambling.

Professionals

Hodgson Russ provides legal counsel to owners, operators, and companies involved in the gaming industry. We assist clients in all aspects of gaming, including racing, lottery, casinos, racinos, fantasy sports, charitable gaming, online gaming, and sweepstakes. Our representation includes gaming-related advice and representation on contracts, licensing, administrative law, government relations, distribution agreements, intellectual property protection, commercial litigation, real estate acquisition and leasing, land use, zoning, construction, vendor and employee contracts and agreements, and financing and corporate transactions.

Our practice spans the many aspects of gaming, including the following:

Litigation. Our multidisciplinary team handles every aspect of litigation that may arise in the gaming industry. In addition to handling any type of administrative or court-based proceeding, we are available to consult other counsel and gaming operators on litigation strategy.

Racing. Our attorneys regularly represent owners of racetracks in regulatory matters before the state gaming commissions and in negotiations with off-track betting facilities.

Lottery. We represent state lotteries, vendors providing services, and retailers in contracting and licensing issues. We also represent companies that purchase lottery prizes from players and litigate issues surrounding such purchases.

Casinos and racinos. We advise entities that own or operate casinos and racinos on regulatory and legislative matters, and we assist them in the siting, zoning, construction, and financing issues that arise as the facilities are planned, constructed, and expanded. Hodgson Russ gaming attorneys work with other Hodgson Russ practices, including State & Local Tax, Real Estate & Finance, Environment & Energy, and Construction Law, to assist in the creation of gaming destinations with modern amenities. We advise our clients on acquisition, financing, development and construction, management and service agreements, licensing, and tax.

Fantasy sports. The Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) permits fantasy sports in the Unites States, subject to local laws. We assist fantasy sports providers in the development of their website content, including game rules, privacy rules, and internal controls. We also opine on the use of such games across multiple states.

Charitable gaming. Our attorneys work with vendors and operators of charitable gaming facilities on license applications, contracts, and various initiatives to raise revenue for fraternal organizations and other charitable entities.

Online Gaming. Our attorneys are active in the mobile and Internet gaming market. Working with Hodgson Russ’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice, we focus on helping our clients develop strategies to leverage their technologies in the gaming space. We have assisted clients in providing casinos and lotteries with Internet-based games.

Sweepstakes. We regularly advise national and international clients on the varied aspects of state and federal advertising and trade practices compliance. We can assist in the structuring of contest campaigns, reviewing rules, policies, and registrations to comply with the requirements of state law.

In the News

• Buffalo Business First, June 18, 2019
• Buffalo Business First, August 24, 2018
• Gambling Compliance, June 21, 2018
• Gambling Compliance, June 18, 2018
• Buffalo Business First, May 1, 2018
• GamblingCompliance, December 14, 2015
• GamblingCompliance, November 12, 2015
• GamblingCompliance, November 1, 2015
• GamblingCompliance, October 26, 2015
• GamblingCompliance, September 23, 2015
• Buffalo News, July 13, 2015
• GamblingCompliance, June 29, 2015
• GamblingCompliance, January 15, 2015
• GamblingCompliance, December 16, 2014
• GamblingCompliance, September 16, 2014

Press Releases

• Hodgson Russ Press Release, April 27, 2020

Publications

• Gaming Alert, June 25, 2018
• Gaming Alert, March 15, 2018
• The Bulletin, February 1, 2016

Presentations & Events

New York Online Gambling Legal

• October 3, 2019
• Albany Law School 80 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208, August 6, 2019
• January 30, 2019
• Amherst, New York, December 5, 2018
• New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Law Section Fall Meeting: Recent Developments in NY and U.S. Gaming Law
  Verona, NY, October 29, 2015