Robert Cantwell
Partner, Lathrop GPM
Robert Cantwell has more than 25 years of experience guiding owners, operators, and suppliers through gaming licensing, regulatory, and transactional matters across the United States and internationally, with a deep focus on the Midwestern US market. During his career, the Midwest has seen significant expansion of gaming with numerous new casino resort projects, a frenzy of mergers and acquisitions, and entire new gaming products passed into law and brought online, such as Video Gaming Terminals (small scale/wide-area slots) and Sports Wagering.
Robert has been directly involved in all stages of this growth, helping clients navigate complex licensing, legislative, and regulatory challenges while developing practical, business-oriented solutions. He enjoys drawing from this experience to craft solutions to complex regulatory problems that impede his client’s goals. At the same time, he understands that ensuring a high-integrity gaming industry is necessary and has counseled regulatory authorities on methods to optimize their regulatory structures to address community concerns. In addition, Robert has distinctive expertise in gray gaming markets, an area of increasing importance in the evolving industry.
Having started his legal career as a corporate and financial transactions lawyer, Robert still is engaged to assist clients on corporate transactions in a variety of industries. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Corporate Law and Gaming Law in Missouri (2024–2026 editions). He was also selected by Chambers and Partners to author the Law & Practice Guide for Gaming in Missouri. He also contributed an article examining the development of gray gaming markets in the Midwestern United States, providing expert insight into evolving gaming regulatory landscape, licensing frameworks, and emerging industry trends.
