Jeremy Kolman – BetMGM

As BetMGM’s deputy general counsel, Jeremy Kolman has a unique and dynamic role in two of the most rapidly evolving industries: sports wagering and iGaming.

Jeremy Kolman | BetMGM | Deputy General Counsel

Starting as a litigator in 2015 at Blank Rome in Philadelphia, Kolman knew very little about the niche practice area of gaming law.  However, when the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (“PASPA”) in May 2018, opening the door for states to legalize sports wagering, Kolman’s interest was piqued.

“I was fortunate that Blank Rome was one of the few firms on the East Coast with a mature gaming practice before PASPA’s repeal, which allowed me to seamlessly transition into the gaming world, supporting U.S. clients and international companies looking to break into the promising U.S. market,” Kolman tells Vanguard during an interview in July.

The timing was perfect. Kolman was a young attorney passionate about sports and gaming, and there was a need for more experts in this developing field. This early exposure to gaming law paved the way for Kolman’s transition to BetMGM in March 2021, which he joined as one of BetMGM’s first in-house attorneys.

BetMGM is a market-leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company pioneering the online gaming industry. Based on a partnership between MGM Resorts International (“MGM”) and Entain Plc, BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM’s U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming in 29 jurisdictions across North America via market-leading brands, including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino and Party Poker.

Rules and regulations

Kolman joined BetMGM as one of its first in-house attorneys, requiring him to wear many hats as he helped the young gaming company push forward after the Supreme Court decision a few years earlier. He provided whatever support the business needed, whether regulatory, litigation, employment, commercial, or otherwise.

As BetMGM grew, so did the company’s legal department— subject matter experts were brought in-house to support the growing business. Kolman’s role grew to oversee the commercial and regulatory legal teams. The commercial legal team, consisting of eight attorneys and a paralegal, is tasked with negotiating and drafting BetMGM’s commercial agreements and advising the business on related matters.

“That includes reviewing BetMGM promotional terms, protecting its intellectual property and helping secure deals with BetMGM’s wide array of partners, ambassadors, affiliates, and other suppliers that support the business,” Kolman says.

The other half of Kolman’s responsibilities involve acting as a regulatory attorney, overseeing senior legal counsel on the regulatory team and working in tandem with BetMGM’s Compliance department to ensure the company’s operations and expansion into new markets are compliant. Kolman says that navigating different laws and regulations in the 29 jurisdictions where BetMGM operates is a welcomed challenge and the company’s commitment to compliance and in-house expertise on the Compliance team make it achievable.  “Compliance is essential for maintaining public trust and industry integrity, and BetMGM has fostered a great culture where the entire business is committed to providing a best-in-class product that goes beyond the minimum standards of what the rules and regulations require,” Kolman says.

Betting on the law

Kolman grew up outside of Philadelphia, and despite his success as a lawyer, his career path could have been clearer. He earned a dual degree in Operations Management and Marketing from the University of Maryland and initially planned on entering the business world. However, after graduating, Kolman pursued a different career path, leading him to law school, where he excelled at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Initially aspiring to be a litigator, Kolman’s interest in business was reignited at BetMGM, where the industry’s fast-paced environment and innovative nature offered new and exciting challenges.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, so does Kolman’s role. While the first half of Kolman’s tenure at BetMGM focused on rapid expansion into new markets, as geographical expansion has slowed, the focus has shifted to supporting the business in product and process improvements.

Kolman believes that a deep knowledge of the sports and iGaming industry is necessary to succeed, but there is still great opportunity for those with no sports or gaming experience to enter the field and become experts in it. His journey from litigator to Deputy General Counsel for BetMGM highlights the importance of adaptability, continuous learning and finding a niche that aligns with one’s interests and strengths.

In Kolman, BetMGM has a legal leader who navigates the complexities of gaming law with expertise and brings a passion for innovation and a commitment to compliance, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of this fast-growing industry.