The Complaint
Filed by Dennis Boyle within the Orange County Superior Court, the complaint accuses the parent company of Pulsz, Yellow Social Interactive, of violating California’s unfair competition and consumer protection laws via its website operations.
The filing is just the latest issue sweepstakes sites are facing in California. Recently, during a conference involving the Indian Gaming Association, conference chair Victor Rocha was vocal about criticizing the industry in the state.
The new lawsuit by Boyle marks the first official filing in California related to a single sweepstakes gaming site. The goal is to see Pulsz stop offering services via a public injunction. The filing states that despite the website’s clear purpose, the word ‘gambling’ is never used.
The lawsuit claims that Pulsz is gaslighting users, including vulnerable populations that struggle with problem gambling, to play by using euphemisms like sweepstakes and social gaming. At the same time, the brand is providing warnings of ‘Computer Game Behavior Disorder,’ which describes the symptoms of gambling addiction.
Deliberating Targeting Vulnerable Customers
The complaint also states that Pulsz is deliberately targeting vulnerable consumers, including those who are fighting a gambling addiction, by using deceptive practices to maximize spending and engagement by players.
Pulsz is a popular sweepstakes site that features a large selection of games, including slots and blackjack. The lawsuit argues that the Vegas-style casino games on offer are illegal under California law regarding gambling services.
The filing claims that problem gambling is on the rise in California and that Pulsz is partially to blame. The plaintiff is seeking a court order to stop Pulsz from offering services in the state. It also wants to see any ill-gotten gains taken from the company and any contracts voided between the defendant and the plaintiff in the case.
Along with Pulsz and its parent company, VGW has been hit by a lawsuit from the same attorneys. VGW is the operator behind Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots. Again, The goal is to stop the company from offering its sweepstakes site in the state.
