Marc Ellinger and Stephanie Bell are attending the International Masters of Gaming Law Spring Conference in Napa, California. This is a semi-annual meeting of the members of the International Masters of Gaming Law. Ellinger and Bell are the only two General Members of the IMGL in Missouri. This year's conference includes panels on Sports betting, supplier licensing issues, emerging markets, tribal gaming and other panels shown here: https://www.imgl.org/events/imgl-2023-spring-conference/ The main mission of the IMGL is education on the subject of gaming. These yearly conferences are also a great way for our over 300 members to network with others in the industry. Ellinger Bell represents operators, suppliers, affiliates and licensees in the US and around the world. Marc Ellinger was recently appointed as a trustee of the Missouri Hospital Association. The Missouri Hospital Association encompasses all Missouri hospitals. This appointment is for a one-year term and is eligible to be appointed to two additional one-year terms. Ellinger previously served as the chair of the Board of Directors of the Capital Region Medical Center and continues to serve as a board member. Through his many years of service on the CRMC board, as a former Presiding Commissioner of Cole County, and as a prominent Republican attorney, Marc brings a unique viewpoint as a non-healthcare member with a conservative voice to the MHA board. Stephanie Bell was recently reelected as Alderwoman for Ward 2 in Ashland, Missouri. She was first appointed to the Board of Aldermen by Mayor Richard Sullivan in 2020. She has served as the Mayor Pro Tem since that time. Since beginning her service, a new city hall and police station have been built. The board is also in the process of developing a new zoning code. The city has continued to see rapid population growth as well as a significant increase in new businesses and economic development projects. The Board of Aldermen meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the City of Ashland, visit: https://www.ashlandmo.us/. Ellinger Bell attorneys Marc Ellinger and Stephanie Bell, representing the Missouri House of Representatives, prevail in closely watched Sunshine Law case regarding privacy of constituent communications and the authority of the Missouri House of Representatives protecting that privacy. Read the opinion here: Judgment.pdf. Marc Ellinger recently finished his run as president of the IMGL. Having served three years from 2020-2022, he is the longest running president in IMGL’s history. Throughout his term Ellinger ran several successful conferences. Covid unexpectedly started soon after he began his first term and Marc was able to pivot to virtual conferences. He was able to run two full day virtual conferences. He also ran three successful regional conferences Sarasota, Las Vegas, and Indianapolis during Covid. Other successful conferences were run in Boston, Seattle, and London. All of these were full conferences and Boston was also a joint conference with IAGR. Ellinger was able to hold a First New Regulator Training event in New York. He also acquired new partnerships with SiGMA, SBC Gaming, NASPL, Reed Expo and SAGSE. Under Marc’s leadership, IMGL Masterclass webinars were started, many of which were on global topics. Ellinger attended SiGMA in Malta, ICE in London, Netherlands Gaming Event in Amsterdam, and G2E in Las Vegas all two times over his tenure. He was able to attend IGB in Amsterdam and Gaming in Germany in Berlin each once and was able to attend NCLGS three times. Marc Ellinger’s Missouri firm, Ellinger Bell, has covered most aspects of gaming law with the exception of criminal prosecutions. Both Marc and his law partner Stephanie Bell have been involved in Missouri’s regulated gaming industry since its start in the early 1990s. They both have a working knowledge in the regulation and statutes of the state of Missouri and have knowledge internationally through their associations with IMGL as well as the International Association of Gaming Advisors. Marc Ellinger was elected President of the Republican National Lawyers Association, the RNLA, by the Board of Governors on December 8, 2022. “I look forward to working with Republican lawyers around the nation to ensure that every legal voter can cast their vote and that our elections have the utmost integrity to restore confidence in elections,” Ellinger stated upon his election. Mr. Ellinger was the former chairman of the Missouri Chapter of the RNLA and has served as First Vice President and also as General Counsel of the RNLA and continues to serve on the Board of Governors. He has worked on election matters in Missouri and a number of other states over the years on behalf of the Republican Party and Republican candidates. Ellinger takes over from David Bowsher from Alabama who served as President of the RNLA for the last two years. “David has done an amazing job of leading the RNLA over the last two years and reinforcing the RNLA’s mission of insuring free and fair elections across the United States,” Ellinger stated. Ellinger and Associates has a broad election law practice with experience in handling candidate representation, campaign finance compliance, and election litigation. The Republican National Lawyers Association has a goal to advance the Republican Party’s goals by connecting republican lawyers throughout the nation. It was founded in 1985 with the goals of election integrity, advancing professionalism, advancing the careers of its members, and finally to advance the republican party’s ideals. Ellinger concluded, “Together, I am confident that with free and fair elections, we will elect more Republicans across the Board in the Senate, Congress and in the White House to preserve and protect our great nation.” Marc Ellinger, President of IMGL, Moderates Addisons Gambling Law Year in Review IMGL Masterclass12/7/2022
Marc Ellinger, President of International Masters of Gaming Law, moderated and spoke about the state of online gaming and esports in the United States. He hosted with a prestigious group of participants including Ranjana Adhikari, Partner INDUSLAW and Samuel Gauci, Solicitor (admitted in Malta), Addisons. They spoke to online gambling regulation in the United States. The sessions also included information on NFTs and crypto in India, Malta, and Australia. “We are seeing rapid growth in online gaming in the United States,” Ellinger stated. “With nearly half of the states having online sports betting and now online casinos starting in other states, I anticipate we will see more states expand into this area.” Ellinger and Associates represents gaming clients in Missouri and around the nation, advising them on regulatory compliance, developing trends, and new opportunities in the United States and abroad. From land-based casinos to the newest developing products, Ellinger and Associates helps gaming clients navigate the ever-changing gaming marketplace. Other sessions today featured Shanna Protic Dib, Senior associate, Addisons, Donald Carducci, Executive Director, Equity Research Analyst (Gaming) J.P. Morgan and Michael Sarquis, former CEO of the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation addressing issues dealing with Australia’s regulation following the casino inquiries. The final session discussed emerging challenges in customer risk from AML as well as responsible gaming perspective. Michael Brodie, Consultant, Addisons and Dino Soulio, commissioner, Consumer & Business Services spoke on these topics. This masterclass was hosted by Addisons Gambling Law Team. The topics covered in this Masterclass were online sports betting and online casino gaming. The panel also discussed the exciting topic of Cryptocurrency as well as the issues arising with the FTX collapse, the SEC as well as taxation issues. Jefferson City, Missouri — On January 1, 2023, Ellinger & Associates will become Ellinger Bell, as the firm celebrates five years of serving clients in Missouri and around the globe. The name change reflects the outstanding work and contribution of Stephanie Bell, who is a founding partner of the firm. Stephanie’s practice focuses on state and local government matters including election, regulatory, utility, gaming, tax, and other governmental disputes and includes representing clients before government agencies, circuit courts, and Missouri Appellate courts. Her practice includes representation of statewide elected officials, proponents and opponents of statewide ballot measures, and Fortune 100 companies. Stephanie is also very active in the Mid-Missouri community. Stephanie serves as an Alderwoman in Ashland. Stephanie co-hosts “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” which airs weekday mornings on 93.9 the Eagle and 104.5 KWOS News Radio. Stephanie serves on the advisory boards of the Southern Boone YMCA, the Missouri Women’s Business Center, and the Show-Me Institute. "Stephanie is one of the top lawyers in the State of Missouri and continues to provide superlative legal service and advice to our clients across the globe,” said Marc Ellinger "She is the cornerstone to the growth and success of the firm — I continue to be honored to call Stephanie my partner and to place her name alongside mine.” “It’s been a pleasure growing our firm together,” said Stephanie. “I look forward to continuing working alongside Marc as we provide customized legal services in unique areas of the law in Missouri and beyond.” This year also proved to be a banner year for Marc. In December, he will be recognized as Lawyer of the Year by the Republican National Lawyers Association. December will also mark the end of his service as President of the International Masters of Gaming Law. In that role, he led multiple conferences — in Boston, Seattle and London — and spoke at countless high-profile gaming events across the globe on matters of importance to gaming lawyers, operators, and regulators. Not only have Marc and Stephanie been individually recognized, but also the firm has received several awards including this year again being named to the U.S. News Best Law Firm list for 2022. Marc and Stephanie have proven to be an excellent team and are excited to move forward under the name Ellinger Bell. Stephanie Bell recently became a general member of the International Masters of Gaming Law. She is only the second member of IMGL from the state of Missouri, the first being Marc Ellinger who serves as the President of IMGL. International Masters of Gaming Law is a non-profit organization that focuses on gaming law. Members of IMGL are experts in material gambling sector developments and issues worldwide. International Masters of Gaming Law association has 300 members across 43 countries. The association’s goal is to keep lawyers informed about the very latest in gaming law. To become a member of IMGL you have to meet several requirements. Serving on committees that help advance the purposes of IMGL, having a list of gaming clients, and being involved with charitable organizations that are related to gaming law are just a few of the requirements the applicant must meet to be considered for membership. Stephanie Bell’s regulatory practice includes gaming law. She has advised clients in the gaming industry and has represented clients before the Missouri Gaming Commission. She currently serves as the Marketing Committee Co-Chair alongside Dr. Simon Planzer. “Having worked with Jim Deutsch, a founding member of IMGL, and Marc Ellinger, IMGL’s current president for many years, I’m truly honored to join this elite group of lawyers,” said Stephanie. "IMGL provides some of the best opportunities for learning and networking in the gaming industry, which has and will continue to allow me to better serve my clients.” Marc Ellinger and Stephanie Bell were honored with the AV Preeminent Attorney rating from Martindale. This rating is one of the highest ratings that an attorney can receive. This AV rating comes with a significant emphasis on ethics and professional excellence. Those lawyers who qualify receive this rating by peer review. The Martindale AV rating was created initially by having an A, B, C grade rating for lawyers. Later they added the V to signify ‘Very High Ethical Standards’. The AV, BV, and CV grading system was then shown to evaluate the best of the best in all fields of law. In order to receive the Martindale AV rating, lawyers must apply to be reviewed by their peers. After the ratings are calculated, the lawyers are then put into three categories. Notable, Distinguished, and AV preeminent. AV Preeminent is the highest rating you can receive. |