Gaming Services
Our Practice - What We Do
Snell & Wilmer’s Gaming Law Services encompass representation on substantive legal and regulatory gaming issues on a national basis.
Our Attorneys - Who We Are
The firm’s gaming lawyers have substantial experience on matters relating to the Nevada and other state gaming laws, the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (“IGRA”), and tribal gaming regulations and state gaming laws.
Our Clients - Who We Represent
We regularly represent clients before state and local gaming regulatory authorities, such as the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Clark County Liquor & Gaming Licensing Board, the Arizona State Department of Gaming, the California Gambling Control Commission, the California Division of Gambling Control, the Colorado Division of Gaming, the New Mexico Gambling Control Board, among others, with respect to regulatory, licensing, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, personal background investigations, financing approvals, and disciplinary matters. We also regularly provide representation on matters involving federal Tribal regulatory authorities such as the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Department of the Interior, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Additionally, we regularly provide representation before Tribal gaming regulatory authorities and related Tribal administrative matters, contracts, financings, leases, general corporate, intellectual property rights and similar businesses issues pertinent to Tribal gaming ventures, drafting of Tribal gaming ordinances and regulations, preparation of game classification opinions (Class II vs. Class III), and consultation on gaming legislation and regulatory compliance involving Indian tribes.
Our Experience - What We've Done
We regularly represent clients on matters involving the National Indian Gaming Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, and state and tribal gaming agencies.
Specific examples of our gaming experience includes:
- Representation of and before state and tribal gaming agencies on regulatory, licensing, background investigations, and disciplinary matters.
- Drafting and negotiation of gaming management contracts and collateral documents, including obtaining approval from the National Indian Gaming Commission and/or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Obtaining “declination” letters from the National Indian Gaming Commission on agreements not constituting management contracts.
- Negotiation of Tribal-State Compacts.
- Drafting of gaming ordinances and regulations.
- Representation on land-into-trust acquisitions for gaming and non-gaming purposes.
- Assisting clients in federal recognition process for Indian tribes.
- Preparation of Classification opinions (Class II vs. Class III) for gaming devices and other games to be offered by tribal gaming operations.
- Representation on financing, leasing, general corporate, intellectual property rights and related business issues involving gaming and non-gaming business ventures.
- Representation on leasing of land, easements, rights-of-way, and similar land-use issues in Indian County.
- Representation on the National Environmental Policy Act, water rights, natural resources, Endangered Species Act and related environmental issues pertaining to tribal gaming operations.
- Negotiation of Intergovernmental Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding for providing municipal services (e.g., water, sewer, fire, EMT, police) in support of tribal gaming operations.