Michael D. Lipton, a senior partner based in Dickinson Wright’s Toronto office, focuses his practice on gaming law. He regularly represents governments, casino operators, gaming equipment suppliers/manufacturers, payment processors, and licensees throughout North America on gaming compliance and governance issues. Michael has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada® since 2008. He has authored numerous articles in gaming law publications and spoken at many conferences worldwide. He has earned a global reputation as an outstanding gaming regulatory counsel.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Toronto
Osgoode Hall Law School
LL.B, 1965Acknowledgements
- Chambers Global Guide, "Senior Statesman," Gaming & Licensing - Nationwide, 2024-2025
- Who’s Who Legal Canada, Sports & Entertainment Law, 2021, 2023
- Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of Ontario, 1967-68
- Appointed Queen's Counsel by Government of Ontario, 1979
- Member of the New York State Bar, 1985
- Certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation by Law Society of Upper Canada, 1989-2021
- Best Lawyers in Canada®
- Gaming Law, 2008-2025
- "Lawyer of the Year," Gaming Law 2014, 2017, 2020
- Chambers Canada Guide
- Gaming & Licensing - Nationwide, 2024
- "Senior Statesman," Gaming & Licensing
- Chambers Global Guide
- "Senior Statesman," Gaming & Gambling
Representative Clients
- 888 Holdings plc
- Caesars Entertainment Corporation
- GVC Services Ltd.
- Ellipse Entertainment Ltd
- IGT Global Solutions Corporation
- Kaizen Gaming
- LGT Venture LLC
- MIR Limited
- Oaktree Capital Management
Prominent Assignments
- Appearances before all levels of Court, including the Supreme Court of Canada
- Extensive practice before gaming regulatory authorities throughout Canada
- Advise clients in regard to compliance, AML, governance, procurement policies and due diligence requirements integral to the gaming and hospitality industries
- Counseled clients in regard to amendments to gaming legislation enacted by government of Ontario including drafting legislative amendments
- Advise charitable organizations, public and private corporations in regard to gaming provisions of the Canadian Criminal Code
- Represent self-regulatory bodies in prosecutions of non-licensees
Professional Involvement
- International Masters of Gaming Law, Founding Member & Past President
- Member of the American Bar Association and editor of the Canadian Gaming Lawyer
Community Involvement
- Awarded Medal of Service by the City of Toronto
- Awarded Commemorative Medal for the 125 Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada by the Government of Canada
- Awarded Industry Leadership and Outstanding Contribution by Canadian Gaming Association for 2011
Publications/Presentations
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Panelist, “IMGL Masterclass 1,” Canadian Gaming Summit, June 2024
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Speaker, “Jackpots, Lotteries, and Beyond,” IMGL 2024 Spring Conference, International Masters of Gaming Law, April 2024
- Moderator, "Problems, pitfalls and issues encountered by iGaming jurisdictions in establishing and maintaining a successful Sports betting & i-Gaming legal," International Masters of Gaming Law, Spring Conference 2023, April 2023
- Co-Author, LexisNexis Gaming Law & Practice Guide, 2018–2022
- Speaker, Global Gaming Business News Podcast, July 2022
- Co-Author, "Operators, Start Your Engines; But Beware of Sanctions," Dickinson Wright Gaming & Hospitality Industry Alert, May 2022
- Co-Author, "Goodbye Parlays, Hello Single Event Betting: Ontario Rolls out New Standards for Sport and Event Betting," Dickinson Wright Industry Alert, October 2021
- Joint Author, "New Developments: Regulation of Payment Service Providers in Canada," Dickinson Wright Client Alert, June 2020
- Joint Author, "Attorney General of Quebec v. Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (Procureur général du Québec v. Association canadienne des télécommunications sans fil)," Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, May 2021
- Joint Author, "Canada Continues Push for Single-Game Sports Betting," Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, April 2021
- Joint Author, "Atlantic Lottery Corporation Inc. v. Babstock: A Resounding Success at the Supreme Court of Canada for Dickinson Wright LLP," Dickinson Wright Client Alert, August 2020
- Joint Author, "Canadian Gaming Association’s Standards for Cashless Wagering," Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, August 2020
- Joint Author, "The Effect of Canada’s Revised Anti-Money Laundering Rules on Casino Operators, Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, August 2019
- Joint Author, "Uncertainty of Prize and 'Chance'," Canadian Gaming Lawyer, Fall/Winter 2019
- Author and co-author of numerous Gaming law papers and articles published in several global publications including World Online Gambling Law Report, Casino Lawyer, iGaming Business and Canadian Gaming Lawyer
- Joint Author, "Modernizing the Canadian Criminal Code to Allow for Single Game Sports Betting," Canadian Gaming Lawyer, Fall 2018
- Joint Author, "Québec Appeals Superior Court Ruling that Bill 74 is Unconstitutional," LexisNexis Canada Internet and E-Commerce Law in Canada, Volume 19, Number 6, October 2018
- Joint Author, "Québec Appeals Superior Court Ruling that Bill 74 is Unconstitutional," Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, September 2018
- Joint Author, "Québec’s Superior Court Rules that Bill 74 is Unconstitutional", Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, August 2018
- Joint Author, "Gaming Law and Practice", Lexis Nexis, 2018
- Joint Author, "Indigenous Gaming Issues In Canada", Canadian Gaming Lawyer, Summer 2018
- Joint Author, "Indigenous Gaming Issues In Canada", Dickinson Wright Gaming and Hospitality Blog, January 2018
- Joint Author, "New Anti-Money Laundering Recommendations For British Columbia Casinos", Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, December 2017
- Co-Author, "Canadian Reporting Issuers With U.S.-Related Cannabis Activities", Dickinson Wright Gaming Newsletter, December 2017
- Joint Author, “Gaming, Gambling and Licensing 2018,” Canada Chapter, Chambers and Partners Practice Guide, October 2017
- Co-author, “Liability Potentially Extended to Gamblers,” Canadian Gaming Lawyer, Summer 2017
- Co-author, "Enforceability of iGaming Debts in Ontario," (Gaming Legal News, June 17, 2013)
- Co-author, "Retreat of Legalized Gaming in Canada," (Canadian Gaming Lawyer, June 2013)
- Co-author, Internet Gambling Report, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th editions (Mark Balestra and Tony Cabot, editors) (St. Charles, MO: River City Group LLC) – chapters relating to Canadian gaming law (updated 2013)
- Co-author, "Canada: a Year in Review", iGaming Business, Issue 71, November/December 2011
- Co-author of Poker, Advertising and Canada chapters in Internet Gambling Report, 8th to 12th editions, 2008-2013
- Co-author of British Columbia and Alberta chapters in International Casino Law and Regulation, 2009
- Co-author, “Proposed Amendments to the Criminal Code to Expand Sports Betting Options” (Canadian Gaming Lawyer, Vol. 1, Issue 2, November 2008)
- Co-author, “Update on iGaming in Canada” (iGaming Business, issues 50 & 51, May/June 2008 and July/August 2008)
- Co-author, “Kahnawà:ke: Canada ponders I-Gaming crackdown” (World Online Gambling Report, Vol. 7, Issue 4, Apr. 2008)
- Co-author, “Canada: Jurisdictional Issues in Online Gambling Regulation,” (World Online Gambling Report, Vol. 6, Iss. 12, Dec. 2007)
- Co-author, “British Columbia” and “Alberta” chapters in International Casino Law and Regulation – 2007
- Co-author, “Bill 152: Legislation Barring Advertising of Online Gaming” (World Online Gambling Report, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Jan. 2007)
- Co-author of Games of Skill and Chance in Canada-Gaming Law Review, 2005