Washington Files Lawsuits Against Unlicensed Gambling Apps

Washington’s top prosecutor has launched legal action against several mobile gambling applications it says ran illegal casino-style operations and took more than $225 million from state residents. The lawsuits seek to stop unlicensed activity, recover consumer losses, and impose penalties under state law.

Good to Know

• Washington Attorney General sued unlicensed gambling app operators
• Lawsuits allege more than $225 million taken from players
• Several well-known apps are named as defendants

The Washington State Attorney General office, led by Nick Brown, filed the complaints this week against multiple companies that operate unlicensed electronic gambling apps, including Playtika and Aristocrat, which collectively run at least 16 unregulated casino apps used by more than 150,000 Washingtonians each month.

The lawsuits target apps described in court filings such as Slotomania, House of Fun, Caesar’s Casino Slots, Vegas Downtown Slots, World Series of Poker, Poker Heat, Monopoly Poker, Governor of Poker 3, Bingo Blitz, Big Fish Casino, Jackpot Magic Slots, Lightning Link Casino, Cashman Casino, Heart of Vegas, Mighty Fu Casino, and NFL Superbowl Slots Casino. These apps allegedly mimic traditional casino games like slots, poker, and chance-based mechanics.

State Claims Deceptive Gambling Led to Consumer Harm

According to court documents, the defendants marketed their mobile apps as games but required real money spending to buy virtual currency, which users then wager on outcomes with the chance to win more virtual currency. Washington law defines gambling as wagering “a thing of value,” and federal appeals courts have ruled that virtual currency qualifies as such.

The Attorney General’s office says the apps collectively generated more than $225 million in revenue from Washington users over several years. The state alleges operators engaged in misleading practices, failed to verify age or obtain necessary licenses, and exposed consumers to financial harm without the safeguards present in regulated gaming. Some apps, notably Bingo Blitz, are accused of using child-friendly characters or content that may appeal to minors, raising particular concern.

Attorney General Brown said the actions are part of a broader effort to clamp down on illegal online gambling that skates outside regulatory oversight. State officials note that unlicensed operators avoid taxes, consumer protections, responsible gambling tools, and the accountability that regulated operators must provide.

In addition to seeking injunctions to halt operations, the lawsuits ask courts to order restitution for Washington residents, civil penalties under the Washington Gambling Act and Washington Consumer Protection Act, and recovery of consumer losses. Authorities have encouraged Washingtonians who may have lost money through illegal gambling apps to monitor the cases for updates on potential restitution.

The post Washington Files Lawsuits Against Unlicensed Gambling Apps appeared first on iGaming.org.