The uncertainty of emerging gaming markets presents both opportunities and challenges. Pick’em style fantasy sports, while appealing to a younger audience, face regulatory crackdowns in several states. Skill-based real-money gaming and peer-to-peer social wagering are more accepted. As legalized gambling expands, thorough legal counsel is crucial for navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Category: gambling law
Are Skill-Based Real-Money Games Legal in the United States?
The real-money skill gaming sector is expanding in 2024, with popular games like skill-based solitaire, bingo, and 21 Blitz. However, legal and regulatory challenges exist in the U.S., including platform guidelines, state laws, and social media advertising. Each state has its own gambling regulations, affecting the distribution and operation of real-money skill games. Payment platforms like PayPal and Venmo also raise compliance issues.
Are Cryptocurrency Games of Skill Legal in the United States?
Real-money games of skill are unregulated and thus legal in the majority of the United States. While there are specific best practices for launching your project, games where skill is the predominant or material factor in deciding the winner are generally not considered prohibited gambling. With the rebound of cryptocurrency markets in 2024 and a…
How to Advertise Real-Money Gaming on Meta in 2023: A Legal Opinion is Still Required.
Meta (formerly known as Facebook) remains an attractive forum for real-money gaming companies looking to advertise their skill-based gaming apps, esports, and fantasy sports offerings. However, Meta has a strict policy that requires an application and approval before any “online gaming” ads can run. The application form is convoluted and complex, and unless you have…
How to Advertise Real-Money Skill Games on Facebook in 2022: A Legal Opinion is Necessary.
In August 2022, Facebook updated its real-money gaming and gambling advertising application process. The updated form streamlined some of the required information and still requires a legal opinion from a law firm. Additionally, Facebook requires details about protective measures like geo-location and KYC and detailed geographic targeting information, including states or territories being targeted. Skill-based…
Are Real-Money Video Game Tournaments Legal?
Video games are quintessential contests of skill and online multiplayer modes are a must in most modern video games. And yes, playing skill video games for real money prizes is legal in the majority of U.S. states. Some of the most popular video games (Call of Duty, Fortnite, Magic: Arena, and others) frequently feature official…
The Three Types of Skill-Based Real-Money Games: Room for Innovation, Not Stagnation.
The skill-based real-money gaming market remains a popular and innovative business environment. The draw for players is that they can play games and win real money, but also improve their chances of winning through skill. Unlike gambling or casino-style games, skill-based gaming is not mathematically skewed in favor of “the house.” There are many types…
IRS Rulings on Daily Fantasy Sports Wagering: What Does This Mean for Skill-Based Gaming?
Real-money skill-based games are very popular across the world and the United States is no exception. Generally, real-money skill games allow players to compete against others in various games where the outcome is determined by the relative skill of the players (as opposed to chance). In simple terms, it is the same betting your friend…
A Guide to Getting Your Skill-Based Real-Money Game Approved in the United States.
Skill-based real-money gaming has been a popular form of entertainment across the world for hundreds of years. From Roman legionnaires wagering on an early version of backgammon to $5 eight-ball games at your local pool hall, skill games have always attracted players looking for a chance to win real money. With smart phones in every…
International Skill-Based Real-Money Gaming: Is It Legal?
Previously, I wrote about the legality of skill-based real-money gaming in the United States. But the U.S. is not the only country where skill-based games are popular – real money competition is huge all over the world. For example, in India, skill-based gaming is not only a popular source of entertainment, but is also becoming…
Mobile App Real-Money Skill Games: Google Play Says No Thanks.
The skill-based real-money gaming market is red hot in the United States, fueled in large part by the ubiquity of smart phones. We all play games on our phones and real-money gaming provides a quick, fun way to win some money for casual players. The games are not difficult to learn, offer free practice play,…
Real-Money Skill Gaming in the U.S: Is Your Game More Fantasy Sports or Pure Contest?
In 2021, there are many opportunities to play games for real money online, even if your particular state does not offer full-scale online casino operations. Daily Fantasy Sports (or “DFS”) is one hugely popular entertainment option. Real-money pure-skill contests are another. Video game tournaments, leaderboards, and prize pools are also available, as well as countless…