In order to settle two class action lawsuits -- Thimmegowda
v. Big Fish Games and Kater v. Churchill Downs --
regarding games offered by Big Fish Games, Churchill Downs
Incorporated has agreed to pay $124 million and Aristocrat Leisure
Limited has agreed to pay the remaining $31 million for a total
settlement amount of $155 million – subject to approval by
the U.S. District Court. The plaintiffs, Cheryl Kater, Suzie Kelly
and Manasa Thimmegowda, alleged the social casino platforms,
"Big Fish Casino," "Jackpot Magic Slots" and
"Epic Diamond Slots," offered gambling games prohibited
under Washington state law.
Big Fish Casino is a social gaming application that provides
"freemium" online casino games. Similar to many other
providers, users are awarded free chips when they create their
account and may obtain additional chips by winning games, via free
chip replenishment, or by purchasing additional chips. Big Fish
Games was owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated and