Crosner Legal has filed a class action lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court against a mobile game developer, alleging that its popular “coin pusher” app constitutes illegal gambling under Washington law. The lawsuit seeks relief under Washington’s “Recovery of Money Lost at Gambling Act” (RCW 4.24.070).
The complaint alleges that the game, which mimics physical coin-pusher machines found in casinos, requires players to purchase virtual coins with real money to continue playing. Because the outcome of the game depends on chance and the virtual coins extend the “privilege of playing,” the lawsuit argues these in-app purchases constitute a “thing of value” staked on a game of chance. The suit contends that the developer knowingly profited from illegal gambling activity by failing to geo-block Washington residents, despite the state’s strict anti-gambling statutes.
Why This Matters: “Free-to-play” mobile games often disguise predatory gambling mechanics. This lawsuit seeks to recover losses for Washington families and hold developers accountable for exploiting state gambling laws.