Current Events > Karen sues Apple after spending thousands on in-game currency.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Woman sues Apple for hosting 'gambling apps' after spending thousands on in-game currency

Apple has been hit with a lawsuit alleging that free-to-play games on the App Store that feature in-game currency constitute illegal gambling.

The lawsuit, lodged Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, claims that Apple "promotes, enables, and profits" from gambling games on the App Store.

For example, the plaintiff in the case, Karen Workman, says she downloaded an app called "Jackpot Mania" in 2017, and "began purchasing coins through the app so he/she could continue to play for a chance to win free coins that would enable him/her to enjoy the game(s) for a longer period of time."

In the six months before filing the suit, Workman spent $3,312.19 on in-game coins, the lawsuit adds.

Although gambling apps are banned on the App Store, the complaint argues that apps with in-game currency still fall under the "gambling" category because users "have the ability to win and therefore acquire more playing time."

Furthermore, it argues that credits which are "recorded and allow one to extend play" are a thing of value. "The apps at issue record credits and allow the player to save them up and play later," the complaint reads, before accusing the App Store of hosting apps that violate Connecticut's gambling statutes.

"Apple is not some minor or incidental participant in these illegal gambling games. It is the principal promoter and facilitator of the illegal activity. Apple maintains dictatorial control over what apps can be downloaded from the App Store, and the payment method to purchase in-app items," the complaint reads.

The lawsuit, which is seeking class status, also asks for a refund of "all money paid through the illegal gambling games described herein," attorneys' fees; and an award for the plaintiff for "his/her services in this case on behalf of the class."

https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/10/23/woman-sues-apple-for-hosting-gambling-apps-after-spending-thousands-on-in-game-currency

What a literal Karen.

---

unwilling to take personal responsibility.

def. a karen

I hope Karen "Karen" Workman wins, fuck Apple and fuck mobile gaming and microtransactions

This is eerily similar to the super old lawsuits against pinball machines.

---

She is kinda right though
---

Wait....

For example, the plaintiff in the case, Karen Workman, says she downloaded an app called "Jackpot Mania" in 2017, and "began purchasing coins through the app so he/she could continue to play for a chance to win free coins that would enable him/her to enjoy the game(s) for a longer period of time."

Why are they simultaneously using a definitive she and an ambiguous he/she for the same person in the same sentence?

---

ToPoPO posted...

I hope Karen "Karen" Workman wins, fuck Apple and fuck mobile gaming and microtransactions

Industry literally hires psychologist to help make there micro-transactions more addictive. So I think this shit needs to be AO content locked away from normal people and kids.

St0rmFury posted...

the plaintiff in the case, Karen Workman

Uh... ok.

Anyway, this womans gambling addiction aside, shes right. Shes absolutely right. I dont know if she deserves money, but shes definitely right.

---

Isn't that basically all arcade games? Are arcades child gambling rings?

They should require a unlimited purchase option. If people are really spending thousands on a game for currency, offer the option to just buy the full game for $50 and then the currency is unlimited for as long as you own the game.

---

Abiz_ posted...

Industry literally hires psychologist to help make there micro-transactions more addictive

Didnt Bungie do the same shit with Destiny? Gaming has become an industry of manipulation.

---

MabusIncarnate posted...

They should require a unlimited purchase option. If people are really spending thousands on a game for currency, offer the option to just buy the full game for $50 and then the currency is unlimited for as long as you own the game.

No company is going to settle for $50 when they can make $3,000.

---

ToPoPO posted...

I hope Karen "Karen" Workman wins, fuck Apple and fuck mobile gaming and microtransactions

*groan*
It is so easy to not. spend. real. damn. money. in. these. games.

Its literally as easy as.. not spending the money. I have no sympathy for these people. Learn some damn self control. And it sucks that people have genuine gambling addictions, but in that case, get some real help and stop playing games that could trigger your addiction.

---

lmfao I hope she doesnt discover gacha games


---

Did she spend real-life $3,312.19 to buy in-game currency? Or did she spend Pok$3,312.19 of in-game currency?
---

She's an adult, she can choose what to spend her money on

---

gmanthebest posted...

She's an adult, she can choose what to spend her money on

That might be an argument... if gambling wasnt tightly regulated.

---

BeyondWalls posted...

No company is going to settle for $50 when they can make $3,000.

Oh I definitely understand that, but if it was a regulation placed on these companies to require a full game purchase option, they wouldn't have a choice. They could still have the free version, and the option to buy coin packs, and dumb people out there would still spend hundreds over a span of a couple of years instead of the flat $50, but it would prevent stuff like this from happening and put parasitic practices like this in check.

---