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App Store

Apple Hit with Class-action Lawsuit over Gambling Apps

Published

4 years ago

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A class-action lawsuit filed on Tuesday targets Apple for hosting and profiting from casino-style apps through the App Store, specifically titles developed by Zynga.

Lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Columbia, the suit takes issue with free-to-play games that offer micro-transactions, or in-app purchases, for digital currency or other forms of digital goods.

Plaintiffs name “Zynga Casino Apps” as violating a number of state statutes related to gambling, saying Apple is culpable in the scheme by providing iOS development tools, hosting the titles on the App Store, and profiting from their sale. As the sole administrator of the App Store, Apple allegedly “permits and facilitates illegal gambling by operating as an unlicensed casino,” allowing users to buy “coins” or “chips” for use in Las Vegas-style games like blackjack, roulette, poker, keno, bingo, and other card and gambling games.

Most games mentioned in the suit present a limited number of chips to start, but users must purchase additional virtual funds once that pot is exhausted. The consumer will ultimately run out of coins or chips and “will be prompted to use real money to purchase additional coins or chips for the chance to continue playing the game,” the suit alleges.

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Importantly, according to plaintiffs, users are unable to collect actual cash in the casino games, but they do have the ability to win and, therefore, acquire more playing time. This system — paying money for a chance to win more playing time — allegedly violates anti-gambling laws in the 25 states at issue in the case.

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia are named in the suit.

Causes of action include violation of the Civil Remedy Statutes for Recovery of Gambling Losses and unjust enrichment. Plaintiffs seek an injunction, damages, restitution, and legal fees.

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App Store

Mobile Game Prize Kingdoms Advances New Free-to-earn Gaming Model

Published

2 years ago

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February 22, 2023

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INK Games announced the worldwide launch of its first title – Prize Kingdoms – a revolutionary new mobile casual board game. Live and ready for download on App Store and Google Play, Prize Kingdoms represents an original gaming model called “free-to-earn” that offers gamers new incentives and opportunities to win real prizes or earn income.

Developed by Austin, Texas-based game studio INK Games, Prize Kingdoms is free to play for anyone with a mobile device. It is the only mobile game pre-packaged with a patent-pending sweepstakes engine providing gamers real-time, in-game, prize earning opportunities.

Whereas other casual games use a play-to-earn model, Prize Kingdoms uses a multi-layered free-to-earn (F2E) approach in which players can earn real prizes like TVs, gift-cards, and cash–without needing to make in-game purchases.

Soon, the game will integrate an organic referral system wherein referrers can perpetually earn cash through the users they refer to the game. This referral system helps gamers unmask their true viral reach and tap into the earning potential of their social connections and networks.

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INK Games has over 50 staff working full-time to grow the game and develop the referral tracking engine which will feature a custom payments system and earning dashboard experience.

Inside Prize Kingdoms, gamers roll dice and work their way through enchanting new worlds in stunningly themed yet simple gameplay. Each roll of the dice is a chance to move one of hundreds of adorable characters around the board and unlock non-stop adventures with power-ups, tickets, gems, totems, and chests. The artwork and game pieces are cute and playful–reminiscent of players’ favorite childhood board games–creating entertaining and nostalgic gameplay for casual gamers of all ages.

The game also offers players a chance to team up in Leagues to compete, battle other clubs, win trophies, and score massive loot. Along the way, mesmerizing visuals and easygoing sequences keep gamers hooked.

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