Join Casino App Gambling Arbitrations: Class Action Alternatives

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are pursuing various mass arbitrations on behalf of consumers who play certain online social casino games.

They have reason to believe some of these “free-to-play” games, which mimic the gambling experience without requiring the user to bet real money, may constitute illegal gambling in certain states. It’s also possible that game operators could be using deceptive, unfair or otherwise illegal tactics to manipulate and encourage players into spending an ever-increasing amount of time and money on the games, potentially to the detriment of their health and well-being.  

Mass arbitration is a relatively new type of legal action that, unlike a class action lawsuit, requires affected consumers to sign up to take action.

Below, you’ll find a summary of each investigation, including which companies, games and apps are involved; who could be affected; and which laws may be getting violated. Each summary will also include a link to a secure form where affected consumers can sign up to join others taking action. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up.

Online Social Casino Apps: Current Legal Investigations  

Playtika Investigation: Were You Tricked into Spending Money?

Attorneys have opened an investigation into Playtika—an Israeli mobile game developer behind Slotomania, House of Fun, Caesars Slots, Vegas Downtown Slots & Words, Dice Dreams, Bingo Blitz and more.

The investigation centers on concerns that Playtika’s online casino games, although advertised as free-to-play, may be deliberately designed to pressure consumers into spending ever-increasing amounts of real money. The attorneys believe Playtika may manipulate players into buying coins, credits and other virtual currencies to extend playtime, avoid gameplay interruptions, unlock additional games, or otherwise enhance the gaming experience—often to the detriment of their financial, mental and emotional well-being.

Affected individuals are now being gathered to take legal action against Playtika over possible violations of state gambling laws and consumer protection statutes. If you bought coins playing Slotomania, House of Fun, Caesars Slots, Vegas Downtown Slots & Words, Dice Dreams or Bingo Blitz within the last two years, use the link below to sign up.

Playtika Players Sign Up Here

Online Casino Class Action Lawsuits

Multiple proposed class action lawsuits have been filed alleging that, in some states, social casino games constitute illegal gambling.

For instance, in February 2022, Zynga, Inc., the owner and operator of Wizard of Oz Slots, Black Diamond Casino, Willy Wonka Slots and other games, was hit with a proposed class action lawsuit alleging its social casinos are illegal under Washington law.

The lawsuit explained that new players are awarded free chips, which “offer a taste of gambling and are designed to encourage players to get hooked and buy more chips for real money.” According to the now-settled suit, players will quickly lose their free allotment, upon which they will be presented with an offer to buy virtual chips—and they cannot continue to play without paying.  

The proposed class action alleged that these apps are illegal in Washington because “they are online games at which players wager things of value (the chips) and by an element of chance (e.g., by spinning an online slot machine) are able to obtain additional entertainment and extend gameplay (by winning additional chips).”

Lawsuits have also been filed on behalf of social casino game players alleging violations of Georgia, Illinois, and Kentucky gambling laws.

Additionally, in August 2024, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed in Washington against the maker of “Royal Match” alleging that, in addition to providing unlawful games of chance, the company engages in false advertising and manipulates odds.  

Specifically, the proposed online casino class action lawsuit claims that the tile-matching game falsely advertises its sales as being “limited” in time. For instance, the complaint points to one example of a “sale” on 3,000 coins, which can be purchased to gain additional lives or moves (i.e., keep playing), as having only four days and 12 hours left. In reality, however, Royal Match “offers the same or substantially similar such ‘sales’ continuously or almost continuously,” the suit says.

The online casino lawsuit further alleges that Royal Match manipulates the odds of its games—which have “all the same trappings as casino games”—to increase their addictiveness and induce users into spending real money to purchase coins and other in-game items. Specifically, the case claims some levels are “nearly impossible” to pass initially so that players will lose all their lives and coins and be forced to spend money if they want to continue playing. Similarly, should players have repeated difficulty passing a certain level, Royal Match will manipulate the game board so that it’s easier to win—and so the player will not quit and give up, the suit claims.

Have Any Online Gambling Lawsuits Been Successful?

Yes. In July 2020, a $155 million settlement was reached to resolve lawsuits that alleged a handful of companies violated Washington gambling and consumer protection laws through the sale of virtual chips in Big Fish Casino, Jackpot Magic Slots and Epic Diamond Slots.

In early 2024, SpinX Games reached a $285,500 settlement to resolve allegations that it violated Kentucky gambling laws, agreeing to compensate those in the state who spent money on Cash Frenzy, Lotsa Slots, Jackpot World, Jackpot Crush and Vegas Friends.

Is Online Casino Gambling Legal in My State?

Currently, online casinos are legal in the following seven states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. However, the legality of online gambling in general, which could also include sports betting, horse racing, sweepstakes, poker and lottery, will vary by type and state.

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are currently looking into whether certain social casino games—which use virtual currency that is purchased or earned through gameplay—may constitute illegal gambling in certain states. Washington law, for instance, prohibits online gambling, which is defined as staking or risking “something of value” on the outcome of a game of chance or a future event not under the person’s control, with the understanding that the person will receive something of value upon a certain outcome.

Lawsuits have argued that social games constitute illegal gambling in Washington specifically in that they are online games in which a player wagers something of value (e.g., coins) and, by an element of chance (e.g., spinning a slot machine), is able to gain something of value, such as additional entertainment or extended gameplay.  

In its own effort to combat illegal gambling, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has gone after “businesses who skirt the law” by offering online gambling in the state without a license to do so legally, including one company that operates social casino-style games.

In December 2023, the MGCB sent a cease-and-desist letter accusing VGW Luckyland, Inc. of conducting illegal gambling by offering an online game that allowed players to wager “something of monetary value” in exchange for an opportunity to win “something of monetary value.”

The very same company also received a cease-and-desist letter from the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement that specified the company had allegedly misrepresented its gaming platforms as “promotional sweepstakes” while allowing players to purchase coins that could be used on casino-style games and potentially lead to cash winnings, all without a proper license.

So, This Isn’t a Lawsuit? What Am I Signing Up For, Exactly?

You are not signing up for a lawsuit, but rather a process known as mass arbitration. This is a relatively new legal technique that, like a class action lawsuit, allows a large group of people to take action and seek compensation from a company over an alleged wrongdoing. Here is a quick explanation of mass arbitration from our blog:

Some companies’ terms and conditions may contain a class action waiver and/or an arbitration clause requiring consumers to resolve disputes via arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution that takes place outside of court before a neutral arbitrator, as opposed to a judge or jury. It’s for this reason that attorneys working with ClassAction.org have decided to handle these matters as mass arbitrations rather than class action lawsuits.

How Much Does It Cost to Join Social Gambling Arbitrations?

It costs nothing to sign up, and you’ll only need to pay if the attorneys win money on your behalf. Their payment will come as a percentage of your award. 

If they don’t win your claim, you don’t pay.

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