Tech Giants Accused of Aiding Illegal Online Gambling: A Fresh Class Action Lawsuit Targets Apple and Google
Tech Giants Accused of Unlawful Partnerships with Illicit Gambling Applications
In a bold move, a new federal class action lawsuit has been hurled against Apple and Google, claiming the tech titans are complicit in fostering illegal online gambling through sweepstakes casino applications. The lawsuit, titled Bargo et al v. Pratt et al, has invoked the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, suggesting a pattern of illicit behavior.
Allegations of Profiting from Unlawful Gambling Activities
The plaintiffs assert that Apple and Google have acted as willing collaborators in promoting and benefiting from illegal gambling activities. The lawsuit contends that both companies distribute, process payments for, and advertise digital casino games that violate state gambling laws.
The Third Strike: Repeated Legal Attempts
This lawsuit marks the third attempt by plaintiffs Julio Bargo, Lamar Prater, and Rebecca Pratt to hold these parties accountable for financial losses allegedly incurred through engagement with sweepstakes casino platforms.
Narrowing the Focus
Unlike previous cases that included sweepstakes operators as defendants, the current lawsuit targets only Apple and Google. The plaintiffs aim to recover monetary losses on behalf of a nationwide class of players who interacted with sweepstakes casino applications or websites through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Four Key Areas of Misconduct
The complaint outlines four primary forms of misconduct:1. Distribution of illegal sweepstakes casino apps2. Taking a significant share of in-app purchases3. Facilitating payments between users and operators4. Employing targeted advertising strategies
Predatory User Targeting Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that Apple and Google provide sweepstakes casino developers with marketing tools, data analytics, and user behavior monitoring systems. These resources allegedly help optimize engagement and maximize user spending.
The Tech Companies' Role in Sweepstakes Success
The plaintiffs argue that Apple and Google's involvement is essential to the success of what they term the "Sweepstakes Casino Enterprise." The complaint suggests that the tech companies' distribution, advertising, and payment processing services are integral to the operation of these allegedly illegal gambling platforms.
Aiming for Restitution and Class Certification
The lawsuit seeks class certification and restitution for users who made purchases in sweepstakes casino apps accessed through Apple or Google platforms. This legal action represents a broader challenge to the role of major tech platforms in the online gambling landscape.
A New Jersey Case - Latest Developments
It's worth noting that the current status of this lawsuit involves a refiled class-action case in New Jersey. After a voluntary dismissal, a new claim was submitted, focusing solely on Apple and Google for their role in allegedly facilitating illegal online gambling through sweepstakes casino apps available on their platforms.
Other Legal Actions Against Apple and Google
A similar lawsuit in New York also accuses Apple and Google of enabling illegal sweepstakes by distributing apps like Chumba Casino and Luckyland, invoking the RICO Act.
State-Level Regulations
Several states, including New York, California, and Connecticut, are actively pursuing laws or enforcement actions against sweepstakes casinos, reflecting a broader legal crackdown.
In essence, the lawsuits against Apple and Google highlight the growing legal scrutiny of sweepstakes casinos and the platforms that facilitate them. If successful, the outcome could significantly impact the sweepstakes casino industry and potentially force major tech companies to reconsider their support for these apps.
- The current lawsuit, titled Bargo et al v. Pratt et al, outlines the RICO Act as a weapon to depict Apple and Google's alleged complicity in fostering illegal digital gambling through sweepstakes casino applications.
- The plaintiffs allege that Apple and Google profit from unlawful gambling activities by distributing, processing payments for, and advertising illegal digital casino games that violate state laws.
- This latest lawsuit, the third attempt by plaintiffs Bargo, Prater, and Pratt, aims to recover monetary losses incurred through interaction with sweepstakes casino platforms accessible through Apple's App Store and Google Play Store.
