Lawsuit Filed Against Ryan Seacrest for Endorsing Gambling Sweepstakes
Ryan Seacrest, a renowned television personality famous for hosting shows like Wheel of Fortune and American Idol, faces a legal battle over his endorsement of Chumba Casino, a sweepstakes casino. This drama unfolds as a California resident, Aubrey Carillo, has filed a lawsuit against Seacrest, alleging that his promotion of ChumbaCasino.com contributes to the growing issue of online gambling addiction among youth.
At the heart of the lawsuit lies the assertion that Chumba operates illegally in California, despite its use of a sweepstakes model that is generally legal in many US states, including California, without demanding a real-money gambling license. Carillo's goal is an injunction banning Chumba's operation in California and reducing Seacrest's ties with the gambling platform.
However, Chumba Casino quick-fired back by declaring the claims as baseless and vowing to fight them. They argue that their activities align with legal standards, and Seacrest, as their brand ambassador, has no control over their actual business operations. Some critics view this lawsuit as a "nuisance lawsuit," devoid of substance[3]. As of now, no public resolution has been announced, with Seacrest's camp remaining silent on the issue[1].
- Ryan Seacrest, known for hosting Wheel of Fortune and American Idol, is being sued by Aubrey Carillo over his promotion of the Chumba Casino, a sweepstakes casino in 2023, due to allegations that his endorsement contributes to online gambling addiction among youth.
- In the lawsuit, it's claimed that Chumba Casino, despite using a sweepstakes model, is operating illegally in California and that an injunction should be issued banning its operation in the state, as well as reducing Seacrest's ties with the casino-and-gambling platform.
- Chumba Casino responded by denying the claims as baseless and pledged to fight them, asserting that their business activities comply with legal standards and Seacrest, as their operator, has no control over the actual business operations.
- Some observers view this lawsuit as a "nuisance lawsuit," lacking substance[3], while no public resolution has been disclosed as of now, with Seacrest's camp staying silent on the issue[1].
- This legal battle involving Seacrest and Chumba Casino has raised debates about celebrity involvement in casino-games, lotteries, and entertainment industries, and the potential consequences these ventures may have on those affected by gambling addictions.
