When Lachae Vickers signed up for an account with Caesars Sportsbook, she did so because the promotion said it was a risk-free bet. She wagered $125 and lost. Caesars gave her $125—in credits.
Vickers was more than miffed. She wanted her $125 back, in cash. So she filed a class action lawsuit against Caesars Entertainment, the parent company of the sportsbook.
Was Vickers justified to be miffed, justified so much she filed a lawsuit? Did she know she would lose her bet and wanted to test the promotion enough to warrant a lawsuit?
If she used those credits to place a bet and won, she would have access to her winnings in cash. Come to think of it, is the payback in credits any different than a retailer issuing a store credit instead of cash when you return an item.
The lawsuit is one way to see if Caesars did wrong by Vickers and anyone else in a similar boat, according to PlayUSA.
Here is a sample of the 25 page lawsuit:
“Caesars Sportsbook has become an industry leader in part by making untruthful and deceptive promises to lure new bettors; specifically, by advertising that the company will provide new users with a $1,000 or $1,250 or even $5,000 `free bet,’ `risk-free bet,’ or a specified amount `on Caesars.’”
The suit alleges that consumers and plaintiffs would never have signed up for the account had Caesars given the losers their money back in spendable dollars.
What Vickers as plaintiff seeks are actual damages, punitive damages, restitution, and an injunction to prevent Caesars Sportsbook from continuing their deceptive ways. Vickers also believed she would get her money returned no matter if she won or lost. “Regardless of the outcome,” the suit said.
Meanwhile, the state has taken its own steps to combat promotions. In February, the state gaming commission approved rules putting certain restrictions on advertising, marketing and promotions. The rules are in a 60-day public comment period where regulators can make any changes.
New York rules also foil operators from advertising on platforms like Snapchat and TikTok, a call to stop soliciting underage bettors.
