Gambling
There are not many industry sectors as highly regulated, multinational and yet involving such innovative and niche business models as the online gambling sector.
The gambling sector is continually changing legally, economically and socially. It is a world with which we are very familiar, whether we are advising in relation to the ongoing conflict between the European Member State monopolies and the EU Treaty, or the difficulties with the US market, or the unique position of Asian gambling, or the white-listed licensing jurisdictions in Western Europe. Equally, the land based sector in Britain has had its ups and downs over the last few years coping with the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005.
And that is the key to success in providing legal services in the gambling market - our industry knowledge. Such knowledge has been invaluable in advising suppliers and users of gambling products and services across the board. Our experience includes:
Betting law, bookmaking and pool betting
- Assisting clients obtain licences for their online or land based businesses;
- Providing comparative advice on the different offshore jurisdictions;
- Dealing with disputes, e.g. with customers or in relation to domain names, data bases or software.
Bingo law
- Helping set up and get new businesses licensed in offshore jurisdictions;
- Obtaining non remote bingo licences;
- Training bingo staff on their obligations and social responsibility policies.
Casino law
- Preparing casino software licensing agreements;
- Acting for managed service providers;
- Dealing with software disputes;
- Acquiring data bases;
- Pursuing high rollers who default on debts.
Gaming machines
- Advising operators on their obligations and dealing with compliance issues including social responsibility training;
- Licensing multi site operators;
- Advising on new games and new types of machine or terminal.
Lottery law, skill gaming and quiz competitions
- Assisting with promotional games and competitions;
- Helping to set up online lotteries;
- Giving marketing and advertising advice.
Poker law and poker tournaments
- Advising on the regulatory requirements for poker tournaments both online and offline;
- Representing offline poker clubs;
- Advising on TV and online poker.
Ancillary services
- Setting up and advising payment service providers;
- Acting for gambling software suppliers;
- Advising banks on gambling industry transactions;
- Advising marketing and affiliate businesses.
The above is just a sample of our advisory, regulatory and licensing work within the sector. In addition to specialist gambling law advice, we have provided a wide variety of corporate, commercial, property, IP, dispute resolution and employment law services to our clients' businesses.
We also regularly publish articles and speak at international conferences and help our clients keep up to date with developments in this constantly moving and growing sector.
For further information please contact Peter Wilson, Head of the Gambling Sector Group.