Caesars Sportsbook class action falsely advertises free, risk-free bets

Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Cassandra Geske has filed a class action lawsuit against American Wagering Inc. d/b/a William Hill and Caesars Sportsbook.
• Why: Caesars Sportsbook allegedly lures customers by falsely promising “free” and “risk-free” initial bets.
• Where: The Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois federal court.

Caesars Sportsbook lures prospective bettors by deceptively advertising “free” and “risk-free” bets, according to a class action lawsuit filed March 16 in Illinois federal court.

The Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuit notes that legalized online sports betting has quickly grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry in recent years, creating a crowded marketplace for operators to attract new customers.

Plaintiff Cassandra Geske claims that Caesars Sportsbook has become an industry leader in part by luring new bettors with false promises. She says the company offers new customers a $1,000 to $5,000 “free bet,” “risk-free bet,” or another amount “on Caesars.”

Caesars Sportsbook has allegedly embarked on a large-scale marketing campaign through in-arena marketing and advertisements on television, in print, online, and on social media, touting its “free” and “risk-free” betting.

“But these promises are far from the truth: the bet is not in any respect ‘free’ or without risk,” the Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuit alleges.

Caesars Sportsbook class action says plaintiff lost money despite promise of ‘free’ initial bet

Geske says she signed up for Caesars Sportsbook, depositing and wagering $5 in cash. She lost her bet but was not reimbursed for the $5 she wagered. Instead of issuing a $5 cash reimbursement, Caesars Sportsbook reportedly provided website credits that she was required to use within a short period of time.

She used the credits to place other bets but ended up with significantly less money than she had initially wagered.

“Her initial bet, therefore, was not ‘risk-free’ or ‘free,’” contrary to Caesars Sportsbook’s promises, Geske says.

Geske claims she would not have signed up with Caesars Sportsbook without the company’s false promises of a “free” or “risk-free” bet.

She seeks to represent herself and a proposed nationwide and Illinois class of consumers who signed up for a “free bet,” “risk-free” bet, or similar promotion and lost any portion of their first bet.

The Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuit asserts claims for violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, negligent misrepresentation, intentional misrepresentation, fraudulent inducement, and unjust enrichment.

A similar Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuit was filed last month in New York federal court.

What do you think about the Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuits? Join the discussion in the comments!

Geske is represented by Andrew J. Shamis of Shamis & Gentile PA, Jeffrey D. Kaliel and Sophia Goren Gold of Kalielgold PLLC, and Adam A. Schwartzbaum of Edelsberg Law PA.

The Caesars Sportsbook class action lawsuit is Cassandra Geske, et al. v. American Wagering Inc. d/b/a William Hill and Caesars Sportsbook, Case No. 1:23-cv-01655, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

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