Apple, Google, online casino operators conduct illegal gambling enterprises, class action claims

Illegal gambling apps class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Julian Bargo filed a class action lawsuit against Apple Inc., Google LLC and several online and app casino game operators.
• Why: Bargo claims Apple and Google assisted, promoted and profited off of unlawful casino applications by offering access through their App Store and Play Store, respectively. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court. 

Apple and Google host unlawful gambling games on their operating systems, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Julian Bargo’s class action lawsuit claims Apple, Google and several online and app casino game operators engage in a pattern of fraud and misconduct in connecting with so-called “social casinos.” 

“The (casino game operators) misleadingly describe themselves as ‘social casinos’ to promote the deception that their websites and apps are free to play purely for entertainment purposes only,” the illegal gambling apps class action says. 

Bargo argues Apple and Google willingly assist, promote and profit from the allegedly unlawful casino apps by offering access to the apps through their App Store and Play Store, respectively. 

Bargo wants to represent a New Jersey class of consumers who purchased and lost money by wagering in an online sweepstakes casino owned and operated by one of the website and app casino operators with the assistance and participation of Apple and/or Google. 

Apple, Google ‘shepherd unwitting customers’ to casino sites, apps, class action claims

Bargo argues granting access to the casino apps helped casino operators turn their customers’ cell phones, iPads and tablets into “illegal gambling devices and/or slot machines.” 

Apple and Google also use search algorithms within their respective web browsers to “shepherd unwitting customers” to the casino game operators’ websites and apps, thereby “facilitating the (operators) unlawful gambling enterprise,” the illegal gambling apps class action alleges. 

Bargo brings claims under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. 

The plaintiff demands a jury trial and requests declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of damages and restitution for himself and all class members. 

A consumer filed a similar class action lawsuit against Turkish game developer Dream Games Teknoloji Anonim Şirket in August over claims its popular mobile game, Royal Match, violates state gambling laws. 

Have you lost money in an online casino game platformed by Apple and/or Google? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Justin A. Meyers and G. Martin Meyers of the Law Offices of G. Martin Meyers, P.C. 

The Illegal gambling apps class action lawsuit is Bargo, et al. v. Apple Inc., et al., Case No. 2:24-cv-10805, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

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