Apple and Google Accused Again of Aiding Illegal Casinos
New Lawsuit Against Tech Giants
Three plaintiffs — Julian Bargo, Lamar Prater, and Rebecca Pratt — have filed a lawsuit against Apple and Google under the RICO Act, which is used in cases against organized crime. According to the plaintiffs, these companies facilitate the distribution of unlicensed sweepstakes casinos in the U.S.
What Are Apple and Google Accused Of?
The plaintiffs claim that the tech giants not only host these apps in their stores but also actively participate in their promotion and monetization. Specifically, Apple and Google:
- Provide casino developers with marketing and analytics tools.
- Help target ads at users prone to high spending.
- Process payments and take a percentage from each transaction.
According to the plaintiffs, these actions make Apple and Google not just platforms but full-fledged participants in the illegal business.
Financial Benefit and Involvement
Bargo, Prater, and Pratt argue that Apple and Google knowingly collect user data, analyzing their behavior and spending. This data helps casinos identify “high-margin” players, increasing profits.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs emphasize that tech companies effectively act as financial intermediaries, facilitating transactions between players and casinos. In their view, this constitutes direct involvement in illegal activities.
What Do the Plaintiffs Want?
The plaintiffs demand:
- Compensation for damages to all U.S. players who lost money in sweepstakes casinos.
- Termination of cooperation between Apple, Google, and such applications.
Interestingly, two of the plaintiffs had previously attempted to sue the casino operators themselves, but they have now chosen to focus on the tech giants, accusing them of aiding illegal businesses. How this lawsuit will be resolved remains to be seen.