Jury Awards $25 Million to Gamers in Landmark Case Against Mobile App Developer for Exploiting Gambling Addictions

Washington, D.C. — A federal jury in Washington awarded close to $25 million in damages on Friday, finding that High 5 Games, a developer of social casino-style mobile applications, specifically targeted individuals identified as gambling addicts. These users, often referred to in the industry as “whales,” were found to have been harmed by the company’s aggressive marketing strategies. The class-action lawsuit, representing a group of plaintiffs who used the company’s various gaming platforms, argued that High 5 Games designed its products to lure and retain high-spending players with a propensity for gambling. The lawsuit underscored … Read more

Gamers Challenge Microsoft-Activision Merger Again, Refile Antitrust Lawsuit After Initial Dismissal

In a significant development in the gaming industry, Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard last October, nearly two years after the initial announcement. The merger, valued at billions of dollars, was closely scrutinized for potential antitrust violations, yet eventually received the green light despite ongoing legal challenges. However, the conclusion of this merger did not mark the end of legal complications. A group of gamers swiftly filed a private antitrust lawsuit following the deal’s closure. They argued that the merger could potentially harm consumers by reducing competition in the gaming industry. Specifically, the plaintiffs … Read more