Australian slot machine giant Aristocrat Leisure Limited says it has reached an agreement in principle that will see it pay US$31 million to settle two lawsuits brought against it and Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) in Washington over three of the company’s online social gaming platforms.
The settlement relates to the platforms Big Fish Casino, Jackpot Magic Slots and Epic Diamond Slots, all offered by Big Fish Games, Inc which Aristocrat acquired from CDI in January 2018.
The lawsuits allege that certain games Big Fish offers for play are games of chance that are prohibited by Washington law. The plaintiffs are seeking, on behalf of themselves and a nationwide settlement class, the return of money lost, reasonable attorneys’ fees, injunctive relief and treble and punitive damages, Aristocrat said.
Following mediation talks between all parties, Aristocrat revealed on Monday morning that, pending approval by the US Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington, a total of US$155 million would be paid into a settlement fund of which Aristocrat will pay US$31 million and CDI US$124 million.
In return, “all members of the nationwide settlement class who do not exclude themselves would provide releases of claims relating to the subject matter of the lawsuits,” Aristocrat added.
