About John Devendorf, Esq.
John Devendorf is a graduate of UCLA and holds a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was a Distinguished Scholar, recipient of the ALI-ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award, and a participant in the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Clinic and special delegation to Haiti.
A licensed attorney for more than a decade, John transitioned to a career as a legal content writer and editor after an externship with the IRS, a judicial clerkship, and practicing at a civil litigation firm in Princeton, New Jersey. John now lives in Portland, Oregon, where he enjoys writing, international travel, and escape rooms.
Articles written by John Devendorf, Esq.
DIY Online Wills vs. Estate Planning Attorneys: How To Choose
When you search online for information about making a will, you see ads and offers for do-it-yourself templates. Websites suggest that you can create a simple will quickly and cheaply. But before buying in, make sure you understand the limits and risks of using online services to make a legal document. You may find that you need a qualified estate planning attorney to review your will and ensure everything is legally valid. Estate laws vary by state, and a one-size-fits-all template may not be …
Social Casino App Losses: How To Recover Money From Unregulated Apps
Playing online slot machines or poker can offer a fun diversion. In some states, players can even use online casinos to make real money. However, real-money online casinos are highly restricted. This leaves some players turning to unregulated online casinos in search of a chance to win extra cash. Using unregulated casino apps can be risky when you fund the account with your financial and personal information. Some online scams will take your deposit and give you no way to get your money back. …
Sportsbook Data Breach: Steps To Protect Financial Information
Sportsbook betting sites allow users to place real-money wagers on sporting events and player performance. Online gambling sites like DraftKings and FanDuel use your financial data to fund accounts and make wagers. When users sign up, they must provide sensitive information, including their name, date of birth, and Social Security information. A data breach could expose users' personal information to cybercriminals. Users should take additional security precautions to protect their personal …
Sportsbook Bet Cancellation: Breach of Contract Legal Remedies
When you sign up for an online sportsbook account, you must agree to the terms and conditions. This agreement is a contract between you and the sportsbook company, along with your rights and obligations. The agreements favor the sportsbook, but you still have contractual rights if they don't fulfill their obligations. Sportsbook contracts give the companies many ways to cancel a bet or wager. However, if they cancel a wager or deny your payout in violation of the agreement, you may have a …
Sportsbook Self-Exclusion: Legal Options After Failed Requests
Sportsbook self-exclusion is a way for problem gamblers to remove themselves from the temptation of online sports betting. Major sportsbook platforms offer self-exclusion programs that let users voluntarily ban themselves from online gambling. Unfortunately, some sportsbooks fail to follow self-exclusion requests, allowing bettors to continue wagering and lose more money. Sportsbook self-exclusion failures can involve technology errors or the betting apps simply ignoring users' …
DraftKings Addiction Lawsuit 2026: Steps To Qualify for a Claim
Sports betting platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel make it easy for users to wager on their favorite sporting events. Easy access to sportsbook betting can pose a risk for people who have a gambling addiction, leading to financial losses, emotional distress, and relationship harm. Some victims of sports betting gambling addiction have joined class action lawsuits against the gaming apps to hold them responsible for taking advantage of problem bettors. If you suffered harm related to gambling …
Pick'em DFS: Laws To Know For Peer-to-Peer Contests
Since legalization, sports betting and fantasy sports contests have exploded in popularity. After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling opened sports betting to states, most now allow some form of sports gambling. However, there is a difference between sports wagering and fantasy sports contests. In most states, sports wagering is gambling, but daily fantasy contests are games of skill. Games of skill don't have the same state regulations as gambling. Betting on daily …
Professional Athlete Sports Betting: Legal Steps and Penalties
The majority of states have legalized sports betting, including casino sportsbooks and online betting apps. Sports gambling is legal for most adults, but professional athletes face restrictions on when they can bet and which events they can bet on. Professional athletic leagues generally limit sports betting for players and employees. However, professional athletes can also face criminal charges for game manipulation and match fixing. For more information about the legal risks of professional …
College Athlete NIL Deals: Legal Risks Of Contracts
When college athletes were finally able to earn money from their athletic talents, many student-athletes focused only on the potential benefits. However, there are also legal risks of signing sports contracts with college athletic departments. Signing a contract imposes a legal obligation on both parties, and any breach can expose one party to damages. College athletes must understand the legal obligations of a name, image, and likeness contract with universities and college sports collectives. …
2026 Gambling Loss Deduction: How To Claim The New 90% Limit
When you bet on sports and win, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will happily take its cut of your income. However, it is up to you to claim your gambling losses when you itemize your tax deductions. Gaming platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings will notify the IRS when your winnings exceed a certain amount. But the sportsbooks will not report your net losses. You have to itemize your deductions to show your gambling losses to offset your winnings. Under new tax rules, you can only …
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