Dimitrios G. Christopoulos and Matthew D. Botting Share Insights on Commercial Bribery Panel Featured in Beer Marketer’s Insights Article
Beer Marketer’s Insights recently featured Dimitrios G. Christopoulos and Matthew D. Botting’s thoughts on commercial bribery from a panel at the 2025 National Conference of State Liquor Administrators Annual Conference (NCSLA).
On the NCSLA panel “Commercial Bribery: An Overlooked but Dangerous Trade Practice,” Dimitri and Matt discussed how incentives such as gift card giveaways and trip contests, which “happen all the time,” are increasingly viewed by regulators as unlawful inducements under federal commercial bribery laws. They cautioned that even routine sales contests can expose companies to significant enforcement risk if structured improperly.
Beer Marketer’s Insights recently featured these remarks in the article “Trade Practice Makes Perfect? CA Cases in Holding Pattern; Contests Risky; IL ‘Reverse Tied House.’” The article also discusses ongoing California trade practice cases and an Illinois “reverse tied house” action.
Read more here (subscription required).
Dimitri has extensive experience representing suppliers, importers, distributors and retailers before federal, state and local regulatory commissions. Clients seek his unique and intricate understanding of all aspects of the beverage alcohol and hospitality industry in Chicago, throughout Illinois and nationwide. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has taught other attorneys on industry issues for continuing legal education.
Matt brings over 30 years of California state government legal experience, including 17 years as General Counsel for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. He provides practical guidance to importers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers regarding tied house and trade practice laws and regulations, as well as broader compliance and legislative counseling.
Beer Marketer’s Insights is a leading industry publication delivering critical updates and market analysis across the alcohol beverage sector.
