The three plaintiffs contend that Google and Apple are part of the arrangement called the “Sweepstakes Casino Enterprise” and that it’s against federal anti-racketeering regulations, as well as state gambling laws.
The three plaintiffs, Julian Bargo, Lamar Prather, and Rebecca Pratt, have sued Apple and Google under the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) law, which is a tactic used to combat organized crime. This is the latest edition of the legal thriller in the “fight against big tech” series.
The plaintiffs claim that the US tech giants are knowingly facilitating the spread of unlicensed sweepstakes casinos in the United States by allowing unlawful Internet gambling using casino applications with sweepstakes, and play a significant part in enabling and profiting from unlawful gambling.
Additionally, according to the plaintiffs, Apple and Google provide a range of marketing tools, data analytics, and user behavior monitoring systems to developers of sweepstakes casinos in order to maximize spending and participation. The defendants allegedly assist sweepstakes apps in drawing a user base more likely to make frequent and significant in-app purchases by offering promotional support and prominence in respective app markets.
Additionally, Bargo, Prater, and Pratt claim that the two defendants collect behavioral and financial information from these apps’ users. Operators of sweepstakes casinos may then more easily find and target high-value users who bring in a disproportionate amount of money. The plaintiffs claim that this data-driven targeting supports predatory monetization tactics that take advantage of weaker customers. Additionally, the plaintiffs claim that despite Apple and Google’s complete knowledge of the purportedly unlawful nature of the sweepstakes casinos’ operations, they have nevertheless made money off of them, serving as financial intermediaries for transactions between players and the sweepstakes casinos. As for sweepstakes casinos, they are special kinds of online gaming sites where players can play casino-style games for free. Because these platforms are strictly no-purchase-necessary, using them doesn’t require you to deposit money, pay fees, or provide any financial information.
It should be mentioned that plaintiffs Bargo and Prater are attempting for the third time to hold the parties accountable for the monetary damages they allege were brought on by their usage of sweepstakes casino platforms. They are accompanied this time by Pratt. It should be noted that this action is only focused on Apple and Google, unlike earlier instances that also attacked the sweepstakes operators.
On behalf of a nationwide class, the plaintiffs are attempting to recoup monetary damages suffered by participants in any sweepstakes casino app or website that’s accessible via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. But it appears that the plaintiffs are now attempting a more comprehensive legal challenge as well. It focuses more on how big tech companies, like the ones being sued right now, facilitate and benefit from access to what they claim are unlawful gambling activities.
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