OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against companies operating unlicensed electronic gambling apps in the state, Attorney General Nick Brown announced in a release.
The lawsuit on Tuesday targets companies such as Playtika and Aristocrat, which have taken more than $225 million from Washingtonians since September 2020, Brown said in the release.
These companies operate 16 apps used by over 150,000 Washington residents monthly, according to the lawsuit. Brown’s office alleges violations of the Gambling Act and the Consumer Protection Act, seeking to stop these activities and recover lost funds.
“These companies repeatedly violated Washington law, engaged in deceptive practices, and fleeced Washingtonians out of hundreds of millions of dollars. It is especially troubling to see gambling apps targeting children,” Brown said.
The lawsuit highlights that Playtika and Aristocrat aim to recreate the casino experience in a mobile format, enticing users to gamble anywhere. However, unlike traditional casinos, these apps do not allow users to cash out winnings, keeping them within the app.
Washington law prohibits internet gambling without a license. In 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that virtual currency in these apps is a “thing of value,” reinforcing the illegality of such practices.
