Gaming Law
The gaming industry has grown to become a diverse and multifaceted worldwide industry with complex regulatory and legal requirements. The Vedder Price Gaming Law Group consists of an experienced team of multidisciplinary attorneys who understand the unique issues that arise within the gaming industry and are prepared to address any issues that may arise in the finance, development or operation of a gaming facility.
Vedder Price gaming law attorneys represent clients with business interests in the gaming industry throughout the world, including casino owners and operators, tribal and other governments, gaming equipment suppliers and manufacturers, investors, investment banks and other financial institutions, Internet and software development companies, racetrack operations and Internet gaming operators. We also routinely counsel businesses with interests in Native American gaming operations and provide representation before the National Indian Gaming Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior and various Native American gaming commissions.
The Vedder Price Gaming Law Group provides a broad range of representation on a variety of gaming facilities, including Native American casinos, riverboat casinos, racinos, Internet and interactive gaming, pari-mutuel operations and race tracks, and Internet-based interstate horse racing and wagering operations. Our attorneys are also experienced in the rapidly expanding sweepstakes and contest industry.
The Vedder Price Gaming Law Group is headed by James S. Montana, Jr. and Terence M. Dunleavy.
Range of Services
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Licensing and Regulation
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Legislative and Regulatory Adoption
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Sweepstakes, Promotional and Contest Law
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Project Finance and Development
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Corporate Structuring and Operations
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Litigation
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Corporate Reorganization and Bankruptcy
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Employment and Immigration
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Tax Planning and Compliance
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Intellectual Property
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Internal Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
Licensing and Regulation
The gaming industry is heavily regulated, and all segments of the industry require licensing, permitting and governmental approvals from a local, state and/or federal regulatory authority. Vedder Price gaming law attorneys represent and counsel clients, including those operating within the Internet gaming industry, in obtaining regulatory licensing and approvals. We also assist with obtaining necessary permits from other governmental bodies with jurisdiction over the development and operation of casinos.
Our attorneys have counseled clients on the preparation of casino operator and supplier license applications prior to filing and represent applicants throughout the licensing process. We have also counseled clients regarding licensing-related disciplinary matters and have obtained very favorable results.
Vedder Price gaming law attorneys represent and counsel gaming entities in their continuous effort to maintain compliance with constantly shifting regulations. We have represented clients before local, state, federal and international regulatory bodies and are regularly called upon by clients to write and review gaming compliance plans. We also provide counsel to clients on the proper implementation of these plans.
Legislative and Regulatory Adoption
Vedder Price gaming law attorneys have been actively involved in the legislative process leading to the development and adoption of laws that permit various forms of gaming worldwide. We have advised sovereign governments, regulatory agencies, tribal nations, casino operators and casino suppliers on the establishment of gaming industries and regulatory environments and work to ensure that all laws or regulations, as adopted, are consistent with our clients’ expectations.
Sweepstakes, Promotional and Contest Law
Sweepstakes and other marketing and promotional contests are invaluable marketing tools for many of our clients. However, sweepstakes and contests, if not properly structured and operated, may violate any number of state or federal laws. Our attorneys review client sweepstakes, contests and other promotional and marketing campaigns for compliance with applicable laws. We also routinely review marketing campaigns and draft applicable rules to ensure compliance.
Project Finance and Development
The availability of capital and funding is essential in the development, operation and growth of a gaming enterprise. Vedder Price represents gaming entities in obtaining secured and unsecured loans, funding and private placement of debt securities. We also provide representation to financial service companies with interests in the gaming industry related to the provision of capital and funding to gaming industry participants.
Vedder Price gaming law attorneys represent U.S. and international clients regarding all legal aspects of the construction and development of gaming operations, including transactions, real estate, zoning, construction and federal and state environmental permitting. We have also advised clients with regard to multinational joint-venture projects.
Corporate Structuring and Operations
Vedder Price gaming industry clients rely upon our attorneys for advice regarding their initial structuring and subsequent corporate governance and strategic planning. Complemented by the firm’s corporate practice, Vedder Price gaming law attorneys are capable of providing full service business representation to clients.
Litigation
The development of gaming enterprises frequently leads to disputes that may involve litigation. The attorneys in the Vedder Price Gaming Law Group are experienced trial and appellate litigators. Our in-depth understanding of the gaming industry allows us to represent clients efficiently and effectively, no matter the issue.
Corporate Reorganization and Bankruptcy
The recent worldwide financial crisis has negatively impacted the gaming industry, resulting in a substantial number of bankruptcies. Vedder Price attorneys provide representation to lenders and creditors impacted by these bankruptcy filings. We have also represented a number of clients interested in acquiring the assets of these entities. Our corporate reorganization experience includes significant representation of secured creditors, unsecured creditors, lessors, tenants and purchasers in out-of-court workouts, insolvency proceedings and Chapter 11 cases involving corporate debtors.
Employment and Immigration
Vedder Price is known as one of the premier employment law firms in the nation, representing private and public sector management clients of all sizes in all areas of employment law. Our attorneys have experience dealing with union-management relations, wrongful discharge litigation, discrimination law counseling and litigation, wage and hour counseling and litigation, executive compensation and immigration issues. We routinely assist gaming industry participants with regard to these and other federal, state and local employment and labor matters.
Tax Planning and Compliance
Due to the complexity and evolving nature of the federal, state and local tax laws, especially those affecting the gaming industry, the tax aspects of almost every type of business transaction require scrutiny by a tax attorney. Vedder Price tax attorneys work closely with members of our Gaming Law Group to fully address our clients’ tax-planning concerns and to resolve all aspects of tax controversies. Our experience includes the representation of tax-exempt entities and working with clients to resolve disputes with state and local tax authorities concerning income, sales, use and other taxes.
Intellectual Property
The need for intellectual property protection, as well as the clear, prompt evaluation and resolution of issues and problems surrounding it, has become increasingly important for all organizations. Working with members of our gaming law practice, Vedder Price intellectual property attorneys are capable of handling any project or problem confronting gaming industry clients. Our practice is directed to not only obtain protection of intellectual property rights, but also to successfully enforce such rights and defend clients in court and before federal agencies, such as the Patent and Trademark Office and the International Trade Commission, when necessary.
Internal Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
Among the members of the Vedder Price Gaming Law Group are former Assistant U.S. Attorneys with law enforcement backgrounds that complement their experience within the gaming industry. This unique combination of knowledge and skill provides us with the capability to conduct thorough but expeditious internal investigations for our gaming clients.
The firm has also been called upon to represent its clients, their employees and other individuals in connection with white collar criminal charges. We represent clients called before grand juries in investigations brought by various state and federal law enforcement agencies and at trial and have defended and prosecuted numerous claims of violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). Our experience includes the defense of RICO claims arising from lending and insurance activities, securities sales, land development and various other business transactions.
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