A class action lawsuit charges Apple with running an unlicensed casino on its App Store. The suit, filed February 16 with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Columbia, revolves around casino style apps that offer free-to-play games but with in-app purchasing options for digital currency.
Games in the lawsuit were developed by Zynga.
According to the suit, Apple allegedly “permits and facilitates illegal gambling by operating as an unlicensed casino,” allowing users to buy “coins” or “chips” to play blackjack, roulette, poker, keno, bingo, and other games.
In most of the games, players began with a limited number of chips which when exhausted required users to buy more coins and chips to continue playing. Paying money to win more playing time violates anti-gambling laws in 25 states, according to the plaintiffs, who seek an injunction, damages, restitution and legal costs, according to Apple Insider.
The suit mirrors one filed in October that says gambling apps violate state laws by prompting users to pay real money for more playing time, and a complaint from January that focuses on addiction to casino-style games.
