Divorce is a very stressful time. The issues that need to be addressed involve some of the most important things in people’s lives: their children, their finances, their retirement plans and sometimes even their identity as a person. It is natural during a divorce for someone to do one of two things: fight or flight. …
“Non-Performing Artists” Wait on IRS Final Regulations Under Section 199A
In early August, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued proposed regulations under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that provide guidance to owners of pass-through businesses as to eligibility for a federal tax deduction of 20% of the income generated by the businesses under new Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Although …
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Making Your Divorce Quick and Painless
Perhaps you and your spouse have been waiting for the new year to file for divorce. Now the issue is how fast can this happen. Even if you agree on everything, there are a number of time requirements for obtaining a divorce in most states, including Arizona. In Arizona either you or your spouse must …
Québec’s Superior Court Rules that Bill 74 is Unconstitutional
In July 2018, the Superior Court of Québec held that the Québec government’s controversial attempt to force Internet service providers (“ISP”s) to block certain iGaming sites is unconstitutional. By way of background, on May 17, 2016, the Québec government passed Bill 74, which contained Internet-censoring provisions that were unprecedented in Canada. Bill 74 included a …
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Once a “Patron,” Always a Patron?
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (the “Board”) has been delegated the responsibility of resolving disputes between casino customers and the casinos pursuant to the process for patron disputes outlined in NGC Regulation 7A. This includes, for example, making determinations as to whether a jackpot was wrongfully withheld or in fact caused by a machine malfunction …
How to Banish the Black Market and Ensure Integrity: What States Legalizing Sports Betting for the First Time Can Learn from Nevada and Legalized Cannabis States
Integrity, integrity, integrity. The integrity of the game is a top concern of regulators and the college and professional sports leagues as legalized sports wagering expands across the United States. But what steps can regulators take to ensure that the “fix” is not in on games being wagered upon? In theory and in practice, legalization …
Great Lakes Water Diversions – Continued Controversy
Two recent petitions challenging water diversions, one in Wisconsin and another in Michigan, reflect the continued controversy over water rights and usage that have implications, environmental and otherwise, for energy producers and transporters. On May 25, 2018, Midwest Environmental Advocates (“MEA”) filed a petition challenging the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (“Wisconsin DNR”) April 25, …
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Me Too: Nevada Regulators Shine a Spotlight on the Sexual Harassment Policies of Gaming Licensees
As the “Me Too” movement sweeps the nation, the topic of sexual harassment in the workplace has been put in the spotlight. And with the highly publicized situation involving casino mogul Steve Wynn, that spotlight is being focused on the gaming industry in a big way. Nevada’s regulators were quickly inundated by reports of sexual …
Ohio Revises Administrative Regulations Associated With Commercial-Scale Wind Farms
On March 15, 2018, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) finalized proposed additions and revisions to administrative regulations associated with commercial scale wind farms. The finalized rule package is the result of a two-year review process, complete with three separate stakeholder comment periods, an opportunity for rehearing, and numerous different iterations of proposed rules. A …
Now That PASPA Has Fallen, What Does This Mean for the States
Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (“PASPA”) is unconstitutional commandeering, a number of states are rushing to pass laws to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders. Some, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are well down the path, with potential to have operational sports …
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