Lewis and Roca's gaming practice group is a national practice that supports casino operators, suppliers, state and local governments, communities, businesses, non-profit organizations, tribal governments and others in addressing casino gaming law including Native American and riverboat casinos, racinos, interactive and mobile gaming, poker, and interstate horse racing.
The practice of gaming law is increasingly eclectic as legal gaming continues to proliferate across the United States and the world. Gaming trends have included riverboat casinos, Native American casinos, Internet gaming, and racinos. The gaming lawyers at Lewis and Roca have been at the forefront of all the major gaming trends for the past quarter century. The group represents numerous casino operators and Indian gaming groups, as well as gaming equipment suppliers, investors, investment banks and various companies doing business with the gaming industry. We closely monitor activity in this unique industry in order to provide our clients with appropriate and timely advice.
Each gaming jurisdiction has unique regulatory requirements. Our attorneys successfully navigate clients through the complex maze of gaming regulations by combining a full understanding of client needs, knowledge of the legislative branch, and extensive experience in gaming regulation. Through our networks of gaming contacts, we assist clients in maximizing their opportunities.
Casino Operator and Supplier Gaming Practice
Lewis and Roca’s gaming lawyers represent everyone from individuals to multinational companies in the application process for casino operator and supplier licenses. We focus on the preparation of the application before it is filed and proactively representing the applicant from the first investigative interview to the issuance of the desired license.
Interactive Gaming Practice
The advent of the Internet and mobile technologies have resulted in gaming opportunities that were unimagined only a decade ago. Successfully navigating the myriad of international, federal and state laws that apply to both gaming and cyberspace takes unique skill sets. Our attorneys literally wrote the book on Interactive gaming and have been asked to testify before the United States Senate and the National Gambling Impact Study Commission on the topic. We can assist in the licensing process in jurisdictions across the world, help create compliance plans, and prepare site terms and conditions.
Lead Gaming Counsel
Partner Tony Cabot has played a strategic and integral role in the development of gaming laws and regulations for the past quarter century. In addition to representing several major casino companies and suppliers; he has authored or edited eight books on gaming law including Nevada Gaming Law, Federal Gaming Law, International Casino Law and The Internet Gambling Report. He is a founder and the current president of the International Masters of Gaming Law and an adjunct Professor of Law at the Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Tony Cabot is listed among The Best Lawyers in America® 2005-2006, by Woodward/White, Aiken, SC.
Areas of Representation:
Legislative And Regulatory Adoption
Our attorneys have been actively involved in the legislative process leading to the adoption of laws that permit casino-style gaming. In this area, we have represented governments, regulatory agencies, tribes, casino operators and casino suppliers to help assure that any law or regulation adopted is consistent with their needs and expectations.
Licensing, Permitting and Approvals
As a highly regulated industry, many aspects of the gaming business, including gaming site approval, licensure, company financing and findings of suitability of key employees, are subject to review or approval by gaming regulators. Lewis and Roca’s lawyers represent and counsel gaming entities in obtaining the requisite regulatory licensing and approvals and report such matters to the gaming regulators, and assist with obtaining necessary permits from other governmental bodies with jurisdiction over the development and operation of casinos.
Litigation
The development and day-to-day operation of casinos in Arizona and Nevada give rise to a number of disputes which unfortunately may lead to litigation. The attorneys in our gaming group are well-equipped to assist their clients in this arena.
Financing
The availability of capital is instrumental in the development, operation and growth of gaming companies. Lewis and Roca represents gaming entities and financial institutions in obtaining secured and unsecured loans and in public offerings and private placement of debt securities. Additionally, we represent gaming entities and institutional investors in public and private equity offerings.
Construction and Development
The construction of a casino involves a wide array of efforts, many legal in nature. Lewis and Roca provides legal representation and advice regarding all aspects of casino development, including transactional, real estate, zoning, construction and federal and state environmental permitting affairs.
Corporate Structuring and Operations
Many gaming companies rely upon our attorneys for legal advice regarding their initial structuring, subsequent corporate governance and planning. The experience of Lewis and Roca’s corporate practice provides our gaming clients with the flexibility needed to achieve their goals.
Compliance and Enforcement
The gaming industry in Arizona and Nevada is highly regulated by various governmental agencies. We represent and counsel gaming entities in their continuous efforts to maintain compliance with the gaming regulatory requirements. We have written many gaming compliance plans and assist companies in the proper implementation of those plans.