Best Lawyers in America for Gaming Law
Practice Area Overview
Gaming Law involves federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations governing legal gambling activities. Each state has its own laws regarding the regulation or prohibition of gambling within its borders. Gaming laws and regulations are designed to ensure that the gaming industry is conducted honestly, competitively and free from criminal or corruptive influences.
Gaming Law regulates persons, locations, practices, associations and activities related to the operation of licensed gaming establishments and the manufacture or distribution of gambling devices and equipment. In simplest terms, Gaming Law is the statutory and regulatory framework with which companies and individuals must comply to legally operate a casino, racetrack, sports betting and online gaming and to manufacture and sell gaming equipment such as slot machines, electronic gaming devices, software, online platforms, roulette wheels, dice, cards and associated equipment used in gaming activities.
Federal statutes and regulations, along with tribal ordinances and state compacts, apply to the operation of certain types of gaming activity by federally recognized Native American tribes on tribal lands.
A Gaming Law attorney assists clients in securing the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally, ensure ongoing compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, implement procedures to prevent fraud, misconduct, money laundering, underage gambling and to promote responsible gaming.
Gaming lawyers counsel and represent clients advocating for legislative and regulatory policies at the state and federal levels.
The gaming industry generates substantial tax revenue, creates jobs, drives tourism and supports economic development. Gaming lawyers must have extensive experience addressing the many nuanced business and legal issues faced by the gaming industry.
The practice of Gaming Law requires an understanding of multiple legal areas that include regulatory and administrative law issues involving licensing and oversight by state and federal agencies, boards and commissions, anti-money laundering laws, state and federal tax law, business law in forming and organizing entities, contract law to negotiate and draft various agreements, employment and labor law, criminal law, cybersecurity and data privacy laws, intellectual property protection, real estate and in some states maritime and admiralty law.
It is important to engage experienced gaming counsel because the gaming industry is highly regulated, legally complex and fast evolving. Mistakes can lead to major financial, legal and reputational consequences.
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Eric N. Dahlstrom is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law and Native American Law. Eric N., who practices law in Tempe, Arizona, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Orlansky concentrates his practice in the areas of business litigation, gaming law, and professional liability and ethics. He chairs the firm's Gaming Practice, is a member of the firm's Management Committee, and serves as the firm's loss prevention and ethics counsel. Mr. Orlansky joined Stone Pigman in 1984.
William E. Strickland, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law and Native American Law. William E., who practices law in Tucson, Arizona, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Oettle handles complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on public contracting, business valuation, and close corporation and LLC internal disputes, and he handles a range of administrative matters, including pay-to-play issues, access to public records, and licensing and compliance with an emphasis on gaming and cannabis. Mr. Oettle has given a Lorman seminar on New Jersey public contracting, and he has authored articles on the financial stability of New Jersey casinos and the quali...
Edward R. Winkofsky, Chair of the Gaming Practice, focuses his practice on gaming regulatory compliance, licensure, and private equity investments in the gaming industry. He also advises clients on internal investigations and charitable gaming. Since joining the firm in 2010, Ed has served as regulatory counsel to gaming industry suppliers and operators, sports wagering and iGaming platform providers and content creators, horse tracks, video gaming route operators, lottery providers, tribal l...
More than 30 years of gaming law experience. Former member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and a leader in handling complex gaming and compliance matters. Operates at the juncture of legal, regulatory and business. Scott Scherer uses a unique mix of regulatory, business, policy and legal perspectives to help clients implementing new technologies and systems for sports betting and online gaming. Clients rely on him to steer them through the hurdles they face getting regulatory approval, obt...
Tommy Shepherd is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He advises businesses, Native American tribes, and financial institutions on a wide range of commercial and transactional matters. Tommy represents a broad spectrum of clients in all types of commercial and regulated matters. He has extensive experience in acquisitions, public-private leases, financings, land-use approvals, statutory and regulatory interpretation and compliance, operations, and administrative hearings. An accomplish...
James M. Weaver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Gaming Law and Government Relations Practice. James M., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Peter Ellsworth has a depth of experience in state administrative law and litigation; commercial litigation; public utility regulation; hospital and health care regulation; gaming; insurance; elections and campaign finance; administrative litigation and judicial appeals; and commercial regulatory matters. He has counseled property and casualty insurance companies in litigation over credit scoring and has counseled gubernatorial campaigns. He has drafted and defended the validity of constituti...
Jennifer P. Hughes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law and Native American Law. Jennifer P., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kimberly M. Copp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Gaming Law and Public Finance Law. Kimberly M., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.