The App Store Gambling Battle Heads to Court in Brazil
Apple is facing mounting legal pressure in Brazil amid allegations that its App Store is failing to prevent minors from accessing gambling apps.
Three child-rights organisations — Anced, Educafro Brasil, and the Centro Santo Dias de Direitos Humanos — have filed a lawsuit demanding that the tech giant implement robust age verification measures within 10 days. If the court rules in their favor, Apple could face daily fines of €85,000 until it complies.
The case highlights the app Casino Roulette: Roulettist. This app offers real-money in-app purchases ranging from €3.38 to €101.98. Despite being labelled for users aged 18 and over, the plaintiffs argue that no identity checks, facial recognition, or documentary proof is required to access the app.
The lawsuit invokes Brazil’s new ECA Digital Law, which mandates stringent protections for children on digital platforms. Apple has acknowledged this issue and confirmed that age verification tools are currently being tested and will be made available more widely in Brazil via a future software update.
