A few years back, the US appeals court in Washington issued a judgment condemning social casino apps, recognizing their status as illegal. Despite these apps not providing cash rewards, customers engage in gambling-like activities using virtual chips to place bets and garner winnings. Curiously, while some of these social casino apps do not offer cash prizes, they do receive cash for virtual chips used in betting. This specific concern forms the basis of a recent lawsuit, accusing Amazon.com, the leading online retailer and a major provider of cloud services, of profiting from “an unlawful web gambling venture”.
The consumer class action lawsuit that was launched on a recent Friday accuses Amazon of raking in billions by distributing apps that mimic casino-style games using virtual chips. The suit was lodged by a resident of Nevada, alleging that Amazon “owns and operates an application store that facilitates gambling on mobile devices through Vegas-style social casino applications.” According to the legal complaint, such applications are widely promoted and made available to customers with Android and Amazon devices.
“Social casinos are apps that can be played on smartphones, tablets, and via internet browsers, recreating the slot machine gambling experience for consumers anywhere and at any time,“
reads the class action lawsuit.
According to the recent class action lawsuit, during the past decade, top-tier gambling operators of slot machines in Las Vegas have collaborated with developers to offer these popular social casinos. As per the suit, these apps can be accessed via internet browsers, smartphones, and tablets, providing an experience akin to slot gaming. In contrast to traditional slots where patrons need to be physically present in a casino, social casinos can be accessed anytime, anywhere.
Social Casinos: A 24/7 Availability
In the most recent lawsuit, it is indicated that Amazon, in alliance with social casino firms, has found a way to inexorably bring slot machines into the homes of American consumers, available round the clock, throughout the year. The class action lawsuit has been filed by the law firm, Edelson PC, on behalf of Steven Horn.
Edelson is a renowned law firm known for its work in mass and class action lawsuits. This recent suit is the firm’s eighth such case, as stated by one of its primary attorneys, Todd Logan, in a recent interview with Reuters. “We eagerly anticipate presenting this case before a jury of Amazon’s peers,” he expressed. In prior cases involving social casino applications, Edelson has been successful in securing substantial settlements for their clients.
