Gamers Say They’re Losing Thousands to Bots in Cash Tournaments

Kayla, 39, had always been a good at solitaire. So in 2022 she answered a Facebook ad for AviaGames’ Solitaire Clash and began competing online for cash prizes.

Over 16 months the Washington state resident lost $22,000 in tournaments, according to bank statements reviewed by Bloomberg. Then she learned her opponents may have been robots, not real people.

“I got into a mindset where I’d eventually recoup that money,” said Kayla, who asked that her last name be withheld for privacy reasons. “It never happened. It was basically the company winning the money.”

Five lawsuits accuse three of the largest ...