A new federal class action lawsuit targets Apple and Google, alleging their involvement in facilitating illegal online gambling through sweepstakes casino apps. The case raises questions about tech giants’ role in the gambling ecosystem.
Key Takeaways:
- Apple and Google face RICO Act lawsuit over sweepstakes casino apps
- Plaintiffs allege tech giants profit from and facilitate illegal gambling
- Suit claims predatory targeting of vulnerable users through data analytics
Tech Giants Under Fire for Sweepstakes Casino Connections
RICO Act Lawsuit Targets Apple and Google
A fresh federal class action lawsuit has been filed against Apple and Google, accusing the tech behemoths of enabling illegal online gambling through sweepstakes casino applications. The case, Bargo et al v. Pratt et al, invokes the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, suggesting a pattern of unlawful behavior.
Allegations of Profiting from Illegal Gambling
The plaintiffs assert that Apple and Google have played a crucial role in promoting and benefiting from unlawful gambling activities. The lawsuit contends that both companies distribute, process payments for, and advertise digital casino games that allegedly violate state gambling laws.
Repeated Legal Challenges
This lawsuit marks the third attempt by plaintiffs Julio Bargo and Lamar Prater to hold these parties accountable for financial losses allegedly incurred through engagement with sweepstakes casino platforms. Rebecca Platt has joined as an additional plaintiff in this latest legal action.
Focus on Tech Platforms
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 Alleged Misconduct
The complaint outlines four primary forms of misconduct:
1. Distribution of illegal sweepstakes casino apps
2. Taking a significant share of in-app purchases
3. Facilitating payments between users and operators
4. Employing targeted advertising strategies
Claims of Predatory User Targeting
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.
Tech Giants’ Role in Sweepstakes Success
The plaintiffs argue that Apple and Google’s involvement is crucial 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.
Seeking 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.
