US Judge Allows Lawsuits Against Apple, Google, Meta Over Casino-Style Gambling Apps

A U.S. federal judge has denied Apple, Google, and Meta's requests to dismiss lawsuits accusing them of promoting illegal casino-style gambling apps through their platforms and profiting by collecting around 30% commissions, estimated at over $2 billion. The plaintiffs allege these apps caused addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts, framing the companies' actions as part of an illegal racketeering conspiracy. Judge Edward Davila ruled that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which typically protects platforms from liability for third-party content, does not shield the companies because they were involved in processing payments, which goes beyond just hosting content. While some state law claims were dismissed, most consumer protection claims are allowed to proceed except for those under California law. The ruling permits the companies to immediately appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, highlighting the case's significance concerning Section 230. This decision marks a major legal challenge for the tech giants as the case, ongoing since 2021, continues to unfold.