Aussie Class Action Claims Slots Harm Gamblers

In mid-June, a consumer class action was filed in New South Wales (Australia) Federal Court alleging that gaming machines are wrongfully harming the health and finances of Australian gamblers. Respondents named in the lawsuit include Aristocrat, IGT, Lasseters, Sky City, Tabcorp, Tattersalls and seven Australian state governments.O’Shanassy v. Ainsworth Game Technologies Pty. Limited, et al., No. NSD 966/20005 (New South Wales Fed. Ct.). The suit also named as defendants the Australian Hotels Association and the Australian Casino Association.

Although the suit is in its very early stages, an initial submission by the plaintiff alleges that gaming machines in Australia misrepresent themselves as “games of chance as distinct from computer-programmed outcomes” and are inherently dangerous products.  The submission also charges the respondents with negligent failure to warn gamblers of the harms posed by these machines.

The plaintiff is seeking initial discovery from all respondents concerning the operational results of gaming machines and their “harm and social impact.”