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John Holden
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Maverick Gaming Files For Summary Judgment In Washington State Compact Litigation
On August 12, 2022, Maverick Gaming filed a motion for summary judgment in its litigation against the federal government. The dispute regards new gaming compacts in Washington State. In its corner, Maverick has former Solicitor General Ted Olson, an important figure in gambling law. Olson defeated the sports leagues in their unconstitutional quest to keep […]
Canada’s Long and Winding Path to Privatized Online Gambling
As part of a recent academic article, I dug into the path that sports betting took to legalization across Canada. Online casino gaming has emerged on a track that’s largely parallel to online sports betting. For much of Canada’s history, gambling policy emerged rather uniformly, and gambling remotely with computers was the stuff of science […]
Supreme Court’s Castro-Huerta Ruling Limits Earlier McGirt Decision
On the second-to-last day of its term, the Supreme Court released a decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta. This case has likely flown under the radar for many, especially compared to other recent high-profile and controversial decisions. However, the Castro-Huerta decision is incredibly significant for Native Americans. It also has ramifications for the future possibility of online […]
Federal Lawmakers Ask DOJ to Target Unregulated Offshore Sportsbooks
On June 29, 2022, a group of congressional representatives, seemingly led by Nevada congresswoman Dina Titus wrote to US Attorney General Merrick Garland. They jointly requested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) “make a concerted effort to fight illegal offshore sportsbooks.” This is hardly the first request made to the DoJ requesting federal assistance in […]
Could New York Get Online Gaming Soon? iDEA Growth Hopes So
If one non-profit has a say, New York could end up with iGaming at some point in the future. iDEA Growth, the non-profit group in question, comprises a variety of gambling stakeholders. It recently sent a letter of support via the law firm Ifrah Law to New York Senator Joseph Addabbo about New York Senate […]
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe Prevail Over Texas in Supreme Court Showdown
The Supreme Court ruled on June 15, 2022, in the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas case. This was the only case on the Court’s docket this term directly touching on tribal gaming. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the majority opinion, joined by Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, Kagan, and Barrett. That lineup has become something of a trend […]
Understanding Ontario’s Online Gambling Plan, Part VI: Legal Challenges
The anticipated Apr. 4 launch of online gambling and sports betting in Ontario has produced a lot of excitement. However, the impending launch also has a few prominent legal questions swirling. Among the most prominent voices opposing the launch have been several First Nations groups; most notably, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN). […]
Making Their Case: Justice Department Files Wire Act Reply Brief In First Circuit
Gambling news hasn’t stopped during the coronavirus outbreak, nor has the Wire Act case proceeding before the First Circuit Court of Appeals. On May 22, the US Department of Justice filed its reply brief with the court. The brief focuses on three principal arguments, two of which involve constitutional and procedural issues. The third is […]
Catching Up On The Wire Act Case — Part 2: New Hampshire Lottery Has Friends In Court
Earlier this month, half a dozen amicus briefs were filed in the Wire Act case pitting the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and gaming company Neopollard against the US Department of Justice. The litigation arose in response to a November 2018 memo issued by Assistant Attorney General Steven Engel. The DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel via […]
Catching Up On The Wire Act Case — Part 1: A Response From New Hampshire, Neopollard
The legal battle over the scope of the federal Wire Act is still moving ahead in New Hampshire. On Feb. 26, the NH Lottery Commission and Neopollard Interactive submitted their respective responses to a brief the Department of Justice filed with the First Circuit Court of Appeals. You may recall that the DOJ appealed a ruling […]