Overview
- Attorney General Nick Brown filed a civil suit accusing Playtika and Aristocrat of operating illegal gambling through apps such as Slotomania, Bingo Blitz, World Series of Poker, and Big Fish Casino.
- The complaint says more than $225 million was taken from Washington residents since September 2020 as over 150,000 people each month bought virtual currency across 16 apps.
- The state alleges violations of the Gambling Act and the Consumer Protection Act and requests injunctions and restitution to recover losses.
- Citing a 2018 court ruling that treats virtual currency as a “thing of value,” the suit notes players cannot cash out and reports some individuals spent thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- The filing accuses Playtika of marketing to children through Bingo Blitz’s kid-appealing content and says the apps do not request users’ ages or birth dates.