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
I do believe using the apps that Amazon profits substantially from addictive and illegal casino apps which I am glad is now being addressed.
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I been playing for years with no cash back just buying chips to keep playing. Add Me
I spent a lot and never cashed out anything
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Lmao this is the most ridiculous lawsuit! There are only a handful of online casinos that you can actually gamble for real money and you cannot find them in the app store BECAUSE you play for real money…if you took the time to read the fine print in the apps in the app store, instead of wasting all this time to gather inaccurate information for a lawsuit that will go absolutely nowhere, then maybe you wouldn’t be out of so much money. People look for any excuse to make a quick buck anymore. I wish I could be a fly on the walk while the judge was reading all this nonsense lol
I have played on about 20 different online casinos and I have been blocked, scammed, all of my money taken, etc. etc. from about six of them and only had to say about the other 10 is that the process of verification though I have full verification documents that are very valid And legitimate is the most difficult process I’ve ever attempted to pursue online seems like a big game and through the process I end up losing all of my money anyways because I can’t cash it out so I keep playing I have spent about $30,000 and I have nearly lost it all only one in the past year has cashed out for $100. Please add me as I have a great story exemplify in this issue and I will be a very exceptional representative of this case. Thank you.
I have played on about 15 different online casinos and I have been blocked, scammed, all of my money taken, etc. etc. from about six of them and only had to say about the other 10 is that the process of verification though I have full verification documents that are very valid And legitimate is the most difficult process I’ve ever attempted to pursue online seems like a big game and through the process I end up losing all of my money anyways because I can’t cash it out so I keep playing I have spent about $25,000 and I have nearly lost it all only one in the past year has cashed out for $100. Please add me as I have a great story exemplify in this issue and I will be a very exceptional representative of this case. Thank you.