A federal class action lawsuit in New Mexico accuses Google of profiting off of illegal gambling games.
According to the complaint filed on April 13 in the District of New Mexico, Google collects almost a third of all revenue generated by apps purchased on Android phones, including casino-style slot machine and table card mobile games.
Plaintiff and class representative Erica Montoya says she downloaded three of the casino-style games, and purchased the digital coins with actual monetary payments to play. Montoya says she spent more than $700 on the in-game coins, but winning in the games does not result in an actual monetary payout, only extended playing time, which is defined as illegal gambling under New Mexico law according to the lawsuit.
Montoya asks the court order Google refund the money all New Mexico consumers paid into the illegal gambling games under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The plaintiff is represented by Kennedy Kennedy and Ives PC of Albuquerque and Davis and Norris LLP of Birmingham.