So Do You Like, Sue the Casinos?
When I tell people I am a gaming (gambling) lawyer, the response is either “what is that?” or “so, do you like, sue the casinos”? I don’t sue the casinos. In fact, I don’t do any litigation. Being a gaming lawyer means that my legal expertise is focused on matters that are relevant to gambling companies, suppliers, affilates, payment processors, skill games providers, fantasy sports providers, and players. This involves a lot of legal opinions, compliance work, and contracts.
Ontario Based
I am an Ontario lawyer so it makes sense that my practice is centered on Canadian gaming laws, which includes the recently launched Ontario internet gaming market. However, most of the contracts that I draft and review are not jurisdiction specific, and I frequently work with local counsel to asisst clients with the international aspects of their businesses.
The Gaming Law Bar is Tiny
According to the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, there are over 136,000 lawyers in Canada. One intersting aspect of being a gaming lawyer is that I can name ALL of the other gaming lawyers in Canada. Another interesting aspect of being a gaming lawyer is that even within this highly specialized area of practice, gaming lawyers have different areas of expertise.
What I Do Well (& What I Don’t)
For example, if you are looking for someone with expert knowledge on Canadian gaming laws and cases and Ontario regulations, who has the flexibility to provide a candid perspective and help you plan strategically, I do this well. If you are looking for assistance with a large M&A transaction involving gaming companies or help taking your gaming-related company public, we would not be a good fit.
Understanding Where I Bring Value
In the Ontario market, the other gaming lawyers in private practice are all at “Bay Street” law firms. I’m not able to match their marketing spend, and I don’t have an army of juniors at my disposal, so I focus on understanding my strengths in order to attract clients and provide value. In my next post, I’ll discuss five ways that I can provide value to clients in ways that I was not able to when I worked at a large “Bay Street” law firm.
