Providence, RI. Nixon Peabody LLP has strengthened its gaming and business capabilities, welcoming former Bally’s Corp. executive Marc Crisafulli and former gaming technology executive and general counsel Michael K. Prescott to the firm’s Corporate practice.
Both Marc and Michael join as counsel based in the law firm’s Providence, Rhode Island, office. Their arrival to Nixon Peabody comes as the gaming market continues to be robust. Gross gaming revenue for the US gambling industry totaled $60.42 billion in 2022, marking an increase of more than $7 billion over the prior year, according to data and business intelligence firm Statista. Meanwhile, Statista reported that the worldwide sports betting and lottery sector totaled more than $235 billion in 2022.
“Marc and Michael bring deep and wide-ranging knowledge of the gaming industry, and they immediately strengthen our firm’s capabilities for servicing clients in this space,” said Todd Tidgewell, Nixon Peabody partner and leader of the firm’s Corporate practice. “Their backgrounds working in government relations and in-house roles within highly regulated industries will provide vital perspectives for our clients and colleagues across practices and business segments.”
Marc previously served as executive vice president of Government Relations, Legal, and Regulatory for Bally’s Corp., as well as president of the company’s Rhode Island casinos. During his tenure at Bally’s, Marc forged a notable three-way partnership between Bally’s, International Game Technology (IGT), and the State of Rhode Island. Legislative approval of this deal resulted in the Marc A. Crisafulli Economic Development Act of 2021 being signed into law. Marc currently serves as Chairman of the Bally’s RI board and will continue to serve in that capacity moving forward. In addition, Marc chairs the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, the governing board overseeing the redevelopment of 26 acres of land freed up by relocating a portion of Interstate 195.
Michael has more than 25 years of experience in corporate law, having worked at law firms, in-house, and in government settings. He focuses his practice on corporate, strategic relationships, mergers and acquisitions, and technology infrastructure. Michael is a former senior vice president and general counsel at IGT/GTECH and served as Senior Advisor and Special Counsel to former Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo. Michael is also an adjunct professor at Roger Williams School of Law, where he teaches contract drafting and negotiation.
“Our Providence-based attorneys run the gamut of practice areas, and we’re thrilled to add Marc and Michael to this group,” said Armando Batastini, managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s Providence office. “They are both deeply rooted in Rhode Island’s public sector and the state’s legal and business communities, with reputations that precede them. We look forward to introducing them to our clients as well as colleagues across the firm.”
Marc earned his JD from Georgetown University Law Center and his BA from Boston University. He is a board member of Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTH) as well as a director with Pavillion Payments, which provides integrated payments systems for gaming and entertainment businesses.
Michael earned his JD from Emory University School of Law and his BA from Northwestern University. He is recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the category of Corporate Law. He also sits on the board of trustees for the Miriam Hospital in Providence.
