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Zynga was recently hit with a class action lawsuit in California challenging its free-to-play casino slot games after a man lost $8,000 playing the games.
Plaintiff Michael Owens says he and other consumers lost a significant amount of money through in-app purchases on Zynga’s casino slot games. The mobile app developer allegedly takes advantage of consumers with deceptive representations and violates California law with its “illegal” gambling scheme.
Owens allegedly started to play Zynga’s Wizard of Oz Slots in May 2020. By January 2021, Owens says, he spent over $8,000 purchasing in-game currency through the Google Play store. With this currency, Owens was able to make more bets and play more; he says he lost all of the in-game currency he purchased.
Owns says countless other consumers may have also faced significant losses due to Zynga casino slot games. Unfortunately, some consumers may feel powerless when it comes to quitting these games despite suffering monetary damages. According to Owens, Zynga’s game design plays into the same trends used by casinos to keep players addicted and spending money.
“Moreover, these games utilize the same psychological tricks that casinos and physical slot machines use to cause users to become addicted,” Owens contends in his Zynga casino slot games class action lawsuit.
“This keeps users playing — and spending. And the virtual platform only increases the opportunities to capitalize on the addictive tendencies of users.”
Specifically, the design of Zynga casino slot games allegedly deceives consumers into believing they can win big based on skill.
However, outcomes of these games are instead based on chance, Owens argues, meaning consumers are at the mercy of a random number generator.
According to Owens’ class action lawsuit, Zynga casino slot games violate California gambling laws due to their in-app purchases.
The currency purchased through in-app microtransactions is allegedly used exclusively for gambling. Because this currency is purchased with real money and used in wagers while playing the games, Owens contends the games count as real gambling.
Although gambling apps have previously skirted gambling laws by not providing monetary prizes, the plaintiff contends that Zynga violates California’s Unfair Competition Law with their gambling scheme.
“Based on Zynga’s marketing and representations regarding the Zynga Social Slots Games, including the above statement, Plaintiff believed that Wizard of Oz Slots was a legal video game, not an illegal slot machine,” the Zynga casino app class action lawsuit contends.
“Plaintiff would not have spent money at Wizard of Oz Slots if, before downloading and playing the game, Plaintiff had known that it and its virtual slot machines were illegal slot machines under California law.”
Owens seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased in-game currency and used the purchased “coins” to play Zynga social slot games, including:
- Hit It Rich!
- Black Diamond Casino
- Wizard of Oz Slots
- Willy Wonka Slots
- Game of Thrones Slots Casino
- Princess Bride Slots (discontinued)
- Slots – Riches of Olympus (discontinued)
- Spin It Rich! Free Casino Slots (discontinued)
On behalf of the proposed Class, Owens seeks restitution, disgorgement, damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.
The Zynga Casino Slot Games Class Action Lawsuit is Michael Owens, et al. v. Zynga Inc., Case No. 3:21-cv-01427, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
49 thoughts onMan Lost $8K Playing Wizard of Oz Slots App Game, Class Action Says
I dont even want to think about how much I lost to this dam game just to play for more then 5 min how do I sign up for this class action law suit
This website takes ad takes. I have lost alot – i am addicted. why do I feel I have to pay to play? I get the thrill of being ahead, but i really need to uninstall it. Add me to your list – I a in Michigan
This whole game was created to suck every last nickle out of your pocket. Everything about it was constructed to make you spend money. From the outrageous amount they charge for credits, to the games that almost never pay off. All most players want to do is keep playing, there is no real money involved, it’s a time killer. The company is about as greedy and well plotted out as any I have ever come across. They could have reduced the amount they charge for credits by 20-fold and still made a nice profit and kept everyone happy and playing for years.
I lost well over 40,000$. I guess you could say I’ve got a monkey on my back. LOL no seriously someone help me
I have also lost thousands of dollars. Jackpots are gone. All they want is money and there advertising is so not correct. They have only gotten worse and lost me as a VIP and been playing for 9 years
Over the years, I lost an estimated $100,000 and more recently $40,000 in the span of one month. I couldn’t believe it when I saw my credit card bill. I feel like an idiot and might have to file bankruptcy. Zynga support gave me the run around and Apple iTunes support denied all my requests for a refund. I don’t know what to do. Please add me.
Add me as well, I live in Texas
Add please
I would like to know who will be notified when this case is going to find the players involved in Zynga’s scam!! I’ve lost more than I’m willing to tell over these last few years…ZYNGA is very Dishonest and they don’t give a crap about the players!!
Spent over 100 thousand on Zynga Game of Thrones..They are definitely gouging us players during a pandemic. Yes I’m addicted to a game that is highly addictive and very dishonest..Been playing since May 19. 2019. And there are many others like me in the same boat