High 5 Games Reaches Washington Settlement Worth Up to $30 Million
High 5 Games has agreed to a settlement worth between $12 million and $30 million, bringing a long-running legal dispute in Washington state closer to resolution. The agreement stems from allegations that the company’s social casino products violated Washington gambling laws by allowing users to purchase virtual coins used in casino-style games.
The settlement follows years of litigation over High 5 Casino and High 5 Vegas, two mobile applications that offered slot-style gameplay using virtual currency. Plaintiffs argued that the company’s business model crossed the line from entertainment into unlawful gambling because players could spend real money to acquire additional virtual coins once their free allotments were exhausted.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2018 and focused on players located in Washington state who purchased virtual coins through High 5’s social casino platforms. According to court filings, the central issue was whether the virtual coins represented a “thing of value” under Washington law because they enabled continued gameplay in games based on chance.
Washington has been one of the most active states in addressing social casino litigation. Courts have repeatedly examined whether virtual chips and coins used in free-to-play casino products can constitute something of value when players spend money to obtain them. The question has become a key legal issue for operators across the social casino sector.
Unlike many class-action disputes that settle before reaching a courtroom, the High 5 case advanced much further. The litigation ultimately resulted in a jury verdict that favored plaintiffs before the parties agreed to resolve the matter through a settlement.
Under the proposed agreement, the settlement fund is expected to range from at least $12 million to as much as $30 million. The final amount paid into the fund will depend on several factors tied to the settlement structure and future financial obligations.
Eligible class members include Washington residents who played or purchased virtual coins through High 5 Casino or High 5 Vegas during the class period. Individual payments are expected to be based on qualifying purchase activity and other factors, including the number of valid claims submitted.
The settlement structure reportedly includes payments made over multiple years rather than a single lump-sum distribution. That approach reflects the financial arrangements negotiated by both sides during the resolution process.
The High 5 settlement is the latest development in a growing wave of legal challenges targeting social casino operators. Several companies have faced lawsuits alleging that virtual coin purchases effectively function as wagers, particularly in states with strict gambling regulations.
While High 5 has agreed to settle the case, settlements generally do not constitute an admission of wrongdoing. However, the outcome highlights the legal scrutiny facing operators that monetize virtual currency systems tied to casino-style games.
As regulators, courts, and industry participants continue debating the boundaries between social gaming and gambling, the High 5 case stands as another significant example of how these disputes are reshaping the social casino landscape in the United States.
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