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…

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…

Do I need a Metaverse Trademark?

Luxury goods company Gucci recently bought a plot of LAND in the Sandbox Game, an Ethereum-based play-to-earn game. This LAND is a virtual real estate plot (in the form of an NFT or non-fungible token) where Gucci plans to sell in-game clothing and collectibles. As futuristic as this seems, Gucci is not the only major…

Ask the Crypto Tax Lawyer: Are Play-to-Earn Games Taxable?

Disclaimer: This article is not investment advice, tax advice, or legal advice. It is for informational and promotional purposes only. Do not take any action (including investments) until you have consulted with a professional about your specific situation. At the end of 2021, Ubisoft announced its plans to add NFTs (Non-fungible Tokens) into Ghost Recon:…

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…

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…