High-Stakes Players Sue Skillz for $5.9 Million Over Alleged Fraud

Two high-stakes online players have filed a lawsuit against the gaming site Skillz. The players claim that Skillz refused to pay out large winnings and did not reimburse over $1.5 million lost to cheaters.

Alice Ball, a 19-year-old from Nevada, claims she lost $650,000 to a cheater in the game Blitz21 on Skillz. Ball reported the cheating to Skillz, but the site only warned the cheater, who continued to play and win more from Ball. Skillz suspended Ball's account, and when she reached out to the CEO Andrew Paradise on Instagram, he responded with inappropriate comments.

John Prignano, from Texas, claims he earned enough points for a 2020 Porsche Boxster worth $60,000, but Skillz increased the required points without notice. Prignano was accused of cheating and banned, despite losing around $950,000 to the same cheating incident as Ball and an additional $350,000 to two other cheaters. Both plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and $5.9 million in damages.