Washington Attorney General Nick Brown (Source: WA Attorney Gen. Nick Brown IG)
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit Tuesday against companies accused of operating illegal casino-style gambling apps that have taken more than $225 million from Washington residents since 2020.
The lawsuit names Playtika and Aristocrat, which the Attorney General’s Office says operate 16 unlicensed electronic gambling apps in Washington. State officials say more than 150,000 Washingtonians use the apps each month.
The companies allegedly lack the licenses required to offer gambling under Washington law.
State alleges illegal gambling and consumer harm
The complaint alleges the companies violated Washington’s Gambling Act and Consumer Protection Act. The state is seeking to halt the apps’ operations and recover money lost by consumers.
According to the lawsuit, the apps allow users to buy virtual currency and wager it on games of chance. Those games include slots, poker, and scratchcards.
Players can win more virtual currency but cannot cash out winnings. The only way to use winnings is to continue gambling inside the app.
State officials say Washingtonians have lost hundreds of millions of dollars through the apps. Some individuals reportedly lost hundreds of thousands.
Court rulings and state law cited
Washington law defines gambling as wagering a “thing of value.” In 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that virtual currency used in casino-style apps qualifies as a thing of value.
That ruling made unlicensed internet gambling illegal in Washington.
Lawmakers first passed the Gambling Act in 1973. The Legislature amended it in 2006 to explicitly prohibit internet gambling without a license.
The Attorney General’s Office says the companies were aware of the law.
Allegations of deceptive practices and child targeting
The lawsuit also alleges deceptive practices. None of the apps require users to verify their age.
The complaint specifically cites Playtika’s Bingo Blitz app. State officials say the app uses cartoon characters and story-driven gameplay that appeal to children.
Bingo Blitz also operates a YouTube channel. The content resembles children’s television, according to the lawsuit.
Some users reported their children used a parent’s phone to play casino apps. In some cases, children spent hundreds of dollars without realizing real money was involved.
“These companies repeatedly violated Washington law and engaged in deceptive practices,” Brown said in a statement. “It is especially troubling to see gambling apps targeting children.”
Prior settlements did not stop operations
The lawsuit notes Playtika settled a consumer class-action lawsuit in 2020 for $38 million over similar claims.
Big Fish Games, now owned by Aristocrat, previously settled a comparable lawsuit.
Despite those settlements and the 2018 court ruling, the state alleges both companies continued operating in Washington.
Apps named in the lawsuit
The lawsuit lists the following casino-style apps as operating illegally in Washington:
Slotomania, House of Fun, Caesar’s Casino Slots, Vegas Downtown Slots, World Series of Poker, Poker Heat, Monopoly Poker, Governor of Poker 3, Bingo Blitz, Big Fish Casino, Jackpot Magic Slots, Lightning Link Casino, Cashman Casino, Heart of Vegas, Mighty Fu Casino, and NFL Superbowl Slots Casino.
Help for problem gambling
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction or gaming disorder, help is available through the Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-547-6133.
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