Apple may face hefty penalties in Brazil over App Store gambling app controversy
Follow UsThe lawsuit seeks R$300 million in damages and demands stricter age checks for casino-style apps.
Rights groups claim some 18+ gambling apps can be downloaded without document or facial verification.
Apple says it is testing a new age-verification system for Brazil alongside existing Family Sharing parental controls.
Apple is facing a big legal challenge in Brazil after a group of child rights and consumer protection organisations accused the company of allowing minors to access casino-style apps via the App Store without effective age verification. The lawsuit seeks R$300 million (around $59 million) in moral damages and demands stricter safeguards for age-restricted applications.
SurveyAs per the local reports, the civil case was filed by the National Association of Centers for the Defense of Children and Adolescents (ANCED), Educafro Brasil, and the Santo Dias Center for Human Rights. The organisations argue that Apple’s current verification process is insufficient to prevent underage users from downloading gambling-related apps.
The complaint follows increased regulatory scrutiny in Brazil. Earlier this year, the country’s digital rights and consumer protection authorities questioned both Apple and Google about betting applications that were reportedly available to children. More recently, Brazilian officials also requested Apple to explain how it reviews gambling apps, monitors the App Store and restricts access to age sensitive content.
Among those apps is Casino Roulette: Roulettist, which is touted as suitable only for users aged 18 and above. However, the plaintiffs allege that the app can be downloaded without any document verification, facial recognition or other reliable proof of age. The app reportedly includes games such as poker, roulette, baccarat and slot machines, alongside in-app purchases priced as high as R$599.90.
The groups are asking the court to require Apple to introduce a strong age verification system before allowing access to casino apps, continuously monitor existing gambling titles and submit compliance reports every six months. They have also requested a daily penalty of R$500,000 if the company fails to implement the required measures within 10 days of a court order.
Apple has reportedly responded by pointing to its existing parental controls via Family Sharing. The company also stated that it is testing a new age-verification system for users in Brazil, which is expected to roll out through a future software update in the coming months.
