Amazon class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Steven Horn filed a class action lawsuit against Amazon.com Inc.
- Why: Amazon allegedly profits from illegal and addictive social casino apps.
- Where: The Amazon class action lawsuit was filed in Washington federal court.
Amazon.com Inc. profits from addictive social casino apps even though it knows they are illegal under Washington state’s gambling laws, according to a class action lawsuit filed Nov. 10 in Washington federal court.
Las Vegas slot machine makers worked with technology start-up companies to create social casino apps that are playable from tablets, smartphones and internet browsers, the class action lawsuit says.
Amazon operates an app store, and aggressively markets these social casino apps for download on consumers’ devices.
“By moving their casino games directly onto the phones and computers of players, and by leveraging an innocuous-sounding ‘free-to-play’ model, social casino companies, along with Defendant Amazon, have found a way to smuggle slot machines into the homes of consumers throughout the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year,” plaintiff Steven Horn alleges.
Amazon profits substantially from addictive and illegal casino apps, plaintiff says
The plaintiff says he became addicted to Amazon casino apps, and his personal relationships and finances suffered as a result.
He explains that players can purchase virtual “chips” with real money and gamble the chips at slot machine games. Unlike Las Vegas slot machines, Amazon casino apps do not allow players to cash out their winnings. Instead, they can only use their chips to continue playing the virtual slots.
The class action lawsuit notes that social casino apps are “extraordinarily profitable and highly addictive.”
Horn alleges that these casino apps cannot operate and profit at this level without Amazon’s influence and support.
“Their business of targeting, retaining and collecting losses from addicted gamblers is inextricably entwined with Amazon,” the Amazon class action lawsuit says. “Not only does Amazon retain full control over allowing social casinos into its store, and their distribution and promotion therein, but it also shares directly in a substantial portion of the gamblers’ losses, which are collected and controlled by Amazon.”
Horn says consumers purchased and gambled away about $6 billion in social casino chips in 2020. Amazon reportedly takes a 30% commission on every wager, ultimately earning billions of dollars in revenue from the Amazon casino apps.
The class action lawsuit alleges Amazon is “keenly aware” that the Amazon casino apps violate Washington’s gambling laws yet continues to promote the apps and profit from the illegal payments. The complaint also asserts claims for violations of federal racketeering laws.
Horn filed the class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and a proposed class of consumers who purchased and lost chips by wagering at any of the Amazon social casino apps.
Apple and Amazon were hit with a class action lawsuit in the United Kingdom by developers who allege the companies colluded to increase the price of Apple products sold on Amazon.
Have you used Amazon casino apps? Tell us what you think of the Amazon class action lawsuit in the comments.
Horn is represented by Todd Logan of Edelson PC and Cecily C. Jordan of Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC.
The Amazon casino apps class action lawsuit is Steven Horn v. Amazon.com Inc., Case No. 2:23-cv-01727, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle.
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43 thoughts onAmazon class action claims retailer profits from social casino apps
Please add me I have been scammed by them as well
Please add me
Add me been playing for years and couldn’t find the right path to file .scammed David worley
I cant even recall how much money ive lost and never got anything back on a payout just a big scam to make money on there end and makes the player addicted to try to play to win
I’m looking for the link, I have been missing out on all these law suit and qualifies, so post important info on claims is well needed
Scammed on Amazon games
Add me please
Yes add me been buying in but never received any pay outs always something but can’t stop
I have won and lost lots of money making it addictive. Couple times iv won over 2,000 $ and unfortunately I got robbed they started they didn’t pick up the winnings on there end. Sending them screen shots and explaining how Fraud they where for taking my winnings. I decided to slow off of these addicting habits . I shouldn’t have been playing gamble with my life’s earnings. Just a big regret.
I have easily spent 5000 dollars plus over the last 4-5 years. It is highly addictive you find yourself having to play all day long its like smoking cigarettes you know its no good but you can’t stop yourself from spending cash you don’t have
You can’t win real money in any of the app store games because it’s illegal. The online casinos that pay out real cash can only be found by putting info directly into your browser. I’ve been playing for several years and have cashed out thousands. It’s amazing the information you can find when you actually read the fine print.
Add me
Add me