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Pace-O-Matic Granted Access to Eckert Seamans Privileged Logs
Pace-O-Matic (POM), a Georgia-based gaming company that does significant business throughout Pennsylvania, today released the following statement following an order from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania granting POM access to Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott LLC’s privileged logs regarding the representation of casinos against skill games.
“This is a tremendous step in repairing the damage that has been done to not only POM but the thousands of businesses and fraternal clubs benefiting from games of skill,” POM said. “Eckert’s attempts to shield its nefarious behavior have failed once again in a court of law and we are eager to shine the light of transparency on its actions. This is a tremendous victory for transparency and we look forward to exposing Eckert’s efforts to destroy thousands of Pennsylvania small businesses.”
POM’s lawsuit alleges that Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, a Pennsylvania-based law firm, deceived its client, POM, while at the same time representing a Pennsylvania casino that opposed POM’s operations in the Commonwealth and launched lawsuits against POM. When confronted with the conflict of interest, Eckert first denied the conflict, then swore to a Federal District Court they would not engage in a conflict, then continued to work surreptitiously against POM and POM’s interests.
Eckert is a major law firm that has more than 300 lawyers across a network of 15 offices including Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington, DC and Richmond, Virginia.
The lawsuit contends that Eckert ‘took up arms’ against POM on behalf of the Philadelphia-based Parx Casino; that Eckert ‘actively participated in and covertly manipulated litigation’ in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court adverse to POM’s interests and that Eckert participated in a campaign intended to ‘destroy POM’s business by attempting to convince elected and appointed public officials that POM’s games are gambling devices that should be seized and outlawed’. Eckert used its influence to improperly target the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
When confronted by POM’s allegation that Eckert was double-dealing and had breached its professional duties of loyalty and confidentiality, Eckert denied the claim while seeking to shield the law firm’s e-mails with the Parx Casino, which would, if made public, reveal that numerous lawyers at Eckert, led by Mark Stewart, co-chair of Eckert’s gaming practice group, were indeed simultaneously taking money from and representing the Parx Casino.
Parx Casino calls itself ‘the #1 casino in Pennsylvania’ and is owned and operated by Greenwood Racing Incorporated. Eckert, working at the behest of Parx Casino and its consultants, sought to block POM from doing business in Pennsylvania.
The suit also alleges that Eckert ‘violated its most basic fiduciary duties and concealed and misrepresented material facts to POM’s great detriment’. As a result, POM is entitled to appropriate damages.
In November of 2021, United States Magistrate Judge Joseph Saporito, Jr, found that Eckert acted in ‘bad faith’ by seeking to withhold e-mails that demonstrated Eckert was representing both sides.
Eckert, Saporito ruled, ‘actively and clandestinely managed and participated in the representation of Parx in the Commonwealth Court litigation against its other client, POM. Moreover, based on our in-camera review of the purportedly privileged documents, it did so with full knowledge that the conflict asserted by POM precluded its active and continuing representation of Parx in the Commonwealth Court litigation’.
Saporito continued, ‘in light of the clear and obviously intentional subterfuge demonstrated in the purportedly privileged documents, we have no difficulty concluding that these documents evidence an intent by Stewart and Eckert to play fast and loose with the courts’.
Eckert appealed Jude Saporito’s ruling, which required Eckert to turn over to POM many internal e-mails. On July 5, 2022, Federal Judge Jennifer P Wilson ruled for POM, declaring ‘in making inconsistent representations to the court, Eckert has attempted to obstruct the discovery process as to the central issue in this case: whether Eckert breached its fiduciary duty to POM by representing Parx, a party with adverse interests, at the same time that it represented POM’.
POM is a leading developer of legally compliant games of skill in the United States. Its games are played in thousands of small restaurants and bars along with many social halls such as American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War posts. Our games generated millions of dollars in revenue for businesses and clubs in Pennsylvania last year and its games can be found in thousands of businesses, mostly small mom-and-pop shops, along with many social halls.
Award-winning fast-betting content provider strengthens its position in the region with the latest hire
BETER, the in-demand provider of fast-betting content, data, and live streaming for esports and sports, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Juliana Querino as LatAm Business Development Manager.
Juliana, a seasoned business development specialist based in Brazil, has extensive experience in the Latin American iGaming industry. She has previously held various business development positions at Better Collective, Endorphina, Salsa Technology, and other companies. Her expertise was recognized by the G&M News platform, which included her in its Top 5 Women in the Industry 2024 list—highlighting women making significant contributions to the growth of iGaming in the region.
In her new role at BETER, she will drive the company’s expansion across Latin America, forging new partnerships with regional operators and aggregators, particularly in Brazil, where demand for BETER’s content continues to grow.
She will also drive BETER into new LatAm markets where the provider does not currently have a presence while managing relationships with existing partners to ensure they get the most out of the provider’s next-gen content offering.
Chuck Robinson, Chief Revenue Officer at BETER, said: “Latin America is a fast-moving market with opportunities opening up all the time. To capitalize on these, we need an exceptional specialist, and in Juliana, we have found exactly that. Her expertise and deep market knowledge make her a valuable addition to our team.
“We are already experiencing strong demand for our fast-betting products and solutions across the region. With Juliana on board, we can further identify key operators that would benefit from partnering with us, driving even greater growth.
“I’m delighted to welcome Juliana to the BETER team.”
Juliana Querino commented: “Fast-betting content has become essential for operators in Latin America and beyond, and I’m thrilled to join BETER in expanding awareness of its award-winning portfolio.
“BETER is renowned for its ESportsBattle and Setka Cup tournaments, which are already popular among bettors in LatAm. But our offering goes far beyond that, and I’m eager to showcase the full suite of products and solutions to operators from Brazil to Peru.”
“I look forward to helping BETER maximize the full potential of the LatAm market.”
BetBreak.org has published “When and How to Take a Time-Out from Sportsbetting,” a brand-new workbook designed to help readers understand how taking a break – of any duration – from sports betting can be transformational for their mental health, financial health, and relationships with friends and family.
“This workbook and self-study guide is for anyone who wants to explore their relationship with gambling and it’s especially for those who are wondering whether it might be time for a break from sports betting,” said addiction expert Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds.
The workbook includes information about how to know if you are ready to change, tips for curbing your sports betting if you aren’t ready to quit, setting SMART goals, and limiting access to the three things necessary to gamble. The guide also contains proven tools for managing cravings and urges, resources to regain control over your finances, strategies for dealing with guilt and shame as well as stress management tips.
“The BetBreak workbook is based on the science of behavior change and helps readers make the sustainable shifts in habits necessary to live life with more presence, focus, well-being and happiness,” Dr. Reynolds said.
SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming advisory, business development, and investment strategies, has secured membership to the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA). As the premier organization dedicated to advancing fantasy sports and sports betting, FSGA provides a collaborative environment where industry leaders, innovators, and pioneers shape the future of these rapidly growing sectors.
By joining FSGA, SCCG Management reinforces its commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends, market developments, and emerging opportunities within fantasy sports and sports gaming. The partnership will allow SCCG to engage with key stakeholders, participate in thought leadership discussions, and contribute strategic insights to the evolving landscape of fantasy sports, sports wagering, and interactive gaming experiences.
With the fantasy sports and sports betting industries experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation, SCCG’s expertise in business development, technology integration, and investment strategy will bring valuable insights to the FSGA community. As a member, SCCG will actively participate in industry conferences, working groups, and networking events, including the upcoming 2025 FSGA Winter Conference, which serves as a hub for leaders, visionaries, and top executives shaping the future of fantasy sports and sports betting.
“FSGA is at the center of innovation in fantasy sports and gaming, and we are excited to join this influential community. At SCCG, we are always looking to align with industry leaders who are shaping the future of interactive sports entertainment. Through this partnership, we look forward to collaborating with fellow members, exchanging insights, and driving innovation across fantasy sports and sports betting,” Stephen Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, said.
As SCCG continues to expand its global impact in fantasy sports, sports betting, and gaming technology, its membership in FSGA further solidifies its position as a trusted advisor and partner to the industry’s most innovative companies.
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