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The Washington State Attorney General has filed a major lawsuit against operators of unlicensed online casino applications, seeking to recover $225 million allegedly extracted from state residents through illegal gambling operations. The legal action represents one of the most significant state enforcement efforts against digital casino platforms.
Attorney General Nick Brown’s complaint names established gaming companies including Playtika and Aristocrat as defendants, accusing them of offering 16 distinct casino applications to Washington residents without required gaming licenses. These apps—including Caesar’s Casino Slots, World Series of Poker, and Big Fish Casino—have allegedly been used by over 150,000 state residents monthly.
The lawsuit centers on the applications’ use of virtual currency purchases that functionally enable gambling activities. By accepting real money for virtual chips while offering cash-equivalent prizes, the platforms allegedly operate as illegal gambling enterprises under Washington law. The complaint documents over $225 million in transactions since September 2020.
Beyond gambling violations, the Attorney General alleges breaches of the Consumer Protection Act through deceptive marketing practices. Particular attention focuses on allegations that Playtika deliberately targeted children through cartoon character imagery, raising serious concerns about underage exposure to gambling mechanics.
The applications’ failure to implement basic age verification—neglecting even to request dates of birth—allowed unrestricted access for potentially underage users. This lack of safeguards contrasts sharply with regulated gambling operators’ stringent Know Your Customer and age verification protocols.
Attorney General Brown characterized the operations as systematically exploiting Washington consumers while deliberately evading regulatory oversight. The lawsuit seeks full restitution for affected players and permanent injunctions blocking continued operation within the state.
This enforcement action aligns with broader regulatory trends as states increasingly scrutinize social casinos, sweepstakes gaming platforms, and other digital gambling-adjacent products operating in legal gray areas. Washington’s aggressive stance signals heightened enforcement risk for unlicensed operators nationwide.
