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…
Tag: esports
Are Play-to-Earn Video Games Legal in the United States?
Are play-to-earn games legal? The answer depends on the specifics of the game. For many gaming developers, play-to-earn is a lucrative business model in 2023 and beyond. These games let players compete against other players (PvP) or against the the game itself (PvE) to earn rewards that have real-world value. For example, players may pay…
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…
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…
The Facts About Real-Money Skill Gaming: Dispelling 5 Common Internet Myths.
Artaev at Law advises companies looking to launch new technologies and tap into the skill-based real-money game market in the United States. In keeping up with the latest legal and regulatory trends, we do a lot of research, and we have seen a lot of misleading and downright false information on the internet. Do not…
Esports. So Hot Right now: Advice from an Esports Attorney for Players and Teams.
Metro Detroit is uniquely poised to become the next epicenter of a growing industry: Professional competitive video gaming, or simply esports. An emerging and growing form of entertainment, the Michigan esports scene is rooted in its strong high school and collegiate programs. Professional esports actually had its first major metro Detroit debut August 2019, when…
FAQ: Can Playing Music on Twitch Get Me Sued?
Yes it can. As the popularity of internet streaming soars, content creators are encountering unique legal issues related to the media that they use. In June 2020, Twitch received thousands of so-called “takedown notices” under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) related to multiple archived clips that contain copyrighted music. The Recording Industry Association of…
A Lesson in Licenses and Why You Own Nothing.
In 2019, Fortnite went offline. No one could play, stream, compete, or access their account. This was part of an in-game “event” known as the Fortnite Blackout or The End. Can Epic Games do that? What rights do you even have as a player, team owner, or competitor? It all comes down to the End…